The Easy DIY That Turns Dollar Tree's Trifle Bowl Into A Planter That Looks So High-End

The right planter can be a stylish addition to any room, but finding one that is your style and fits your budget can be difficult, as planters can get very expensive. Luckily, with a trip to Dollar Tree and some materials you may have at home, you can create your own planter that looks just as luxurious as the ones found in stores. This DIY transforms a clear plastic trifle dish into an elegant planter with a wooden exterior and a chic, solid-colored base. It is ideal for artificial plants, but with some effort, it also works for real plants.

The star of this DIY, created by TikToker @shesocraftdee, is the trifle dish. The unique shape of the container makes the planter stand out from others, and the elevated bottom creates a high-end look. You can repurpose an existing trifle dish for this DIY, but if you don't have one, the Dollar Tree Caterer's Corner trifle container, which costs $2, is an affordable option with a good size and shape. 

Additionally, you need wooden pieces that will be glued to the outside of the trifle dish. Wooden blocks, like those in Dollar Tree's tumbling tower game, are an easy choice for a modern look, but you may prefer to repurpose some scrap wood for a less uniform, more rustic look. Additionally, you need hot glue, wood stain, paint, and sealant for the trifle container. Also, be sure to have an artificial plant, one of the best plants to grow in containers, or a plant of your choice. For real plants, also gather a drill and safety equipment or a nursery pot.

First, decide if you want to use real or artificial plants. Real plants require adequate drainage — either place your plant in a nursery pot with drainage holes and set the nursery pot inside the trifle dish or add drainage holes to the bottom of the dish. Often, the easiest way to add drainage holes to your plant pots is to use a drill. This is possible with both glass and plastic containers, but glass containers require a special drill bit. Once you have added drainage, if needed, thoroughly clean and dry the trifle container. If you are concerned about the glue not adhering to a plastic surface, you may also want to roughen the plastic with sandpaper.

Then, you can move on to the wood. You can stain or paint the wood pieces to change their color. If you're using the tumbling tower blocks, glue the smallest sides of two or more wood pieces together to create a piece that is a bit longer than the height of the trifle container, excluding the base. If you're using other wood, cut the pieces slightly longer than the height of the bowl part. Then glue the wood pieces vertically onto the trifle dish until they wrap around the entire container. You can line the pieces up exactly, stagger the heights in a uniform way, or stagger them randomly, depending on the style you want to achieve. Then, paint the base of the dish a solid color, such as black or white, and seal the paint to protect it. Finish by planting your real plant or testing the simple TikTok hack that will make your fake plants look more realistic for a high-end result. Or, fill the bowl with other decorative items.