Dollar Tree Candle Holders Aren't Just For Candles! 15 Creative DIYs To Try At Home

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Dollar Tree is constantly upping its game, offering rotating decor options, like candlesticks and vases, that are stylish on their own. But if you're a DIYer at heart, you can't help but see the potential to upgrade those pieces into something unique and even more functional. For many, a simple Dollar Tree candle holder is just the starting point — one of a list of supplies needed to make DIY lamps, candy dishes, photo displays, tiered trays, and so much more. These DIYs are a creative way to decorate your home on a budget.

Candlestick holders from Dollar Tree are appealing because of the low cost point — you can't beat $1.25 for everything from this classic Luminessence Glass Taper Candleholder to the modern silhouette of these Ceramic Candle Holders. And many of the upcycled candle holder projects on our list use other Dollar Tree materials and supplies you might already have to keep the project low-cost. The short, slim stature makes candlestick holders ideal as stands or pedestals for crafts like raised fruit baskets or cupcake stands. You can also customize the pieces by painting them different colors and adding your personal touches. To get you started, we've curated 15 creative ideas for upcycling those inexpensive Dollar Tree candle holders into something upscale and unique. 

Craft a makeshift lamp

Lend a little light to a dim corner by using a Dollar Tree Ceramic Candle Holder as the base with a battery-powered candle on top for this simulated lamp. The holders come in multiple neutral tones, or you can spray paint or decoupage it to customize the look. Then, set a mini lampshade on top of the candle — the original creator placed a clear plastic lid from a container on top of the candle to support the shade. Wicker or beaded shades work well because it lets the light of the candle show through the gaps.

Elevate your bathroom containers

Boring clear bathroom containers for items like cotton swabs get an elevated makeover with a Dollar Tree candle holder as a pedestal. Choose a slim holder, like this Glass Taper Holder, along with a small bathroom canister with a lid for the top. You could even use these Glass Candy Jars from Dollar Tree as the toppers. Simply adhere them together with epoxy or E6000 glue, centering the container on top of the candle holder. Leave everything clear for an easy view of what's inside, or spray-paint the pieces a solid color with labels on the outside.

Top it with a decoration

These Black Iron Candle Holders make a stately stand for decor items, including wood cutouts, signs, or florals. You can often find seasonal or general wood shapes and decor pieces at Dollar Tree to use for this purpose, or thrift unique pieces to use. Prying the top cup portion off the holder allows you to glue the decor piece to the thin stem for a flush mount. Tie ribbons around the base or add other embellishments to customize the look. Or, use Rub 'n Buff on the black metal to give it an antiqued look.

Serve up candy in style

The so-called Dollar Tree fishbowl is full of creative uses, including this candy dish display. Glue the Round Glass Candle Holder on top of a taper candle holder — paint the pedestal holder if desired to add a little color. For the lid, use a small terra cotta saucer with a wooden bead glued to the top and painted to match the base. Or, grab the lid from a Caterer's Corner Clear Plastic Candy Jar to use. The result looks similar to a bubble gum dispenser, but except your guests don't have to pay for the candy inside.

Create a simple raised tray

A simple elevated tray is perfect for displaying dried florals, a string of wooden beads, candles, or seasonal items. For the pedestal, choose any Dollar Tree candle holder with a silhouette you love. Then, head to the dinnerware aisle to grab a plate. Or, use this as a creative way to repurpose charger plates you already have. Glue the two pieces together, and paint them in a color that matches your decor. Alternatively, you can decoupage decorative napkins on top of the plate to give the display a theme.

Display photos or art

There are plenty of Dollar Tree DIYs to decorate your home with family pictures, including this stand idea. Attach photos to a thin candle holder, like the Black Iron Candle Holder with the top cup removed. You can also spray paint the holder to match the color of the frame. Thin, acrylic frames create a floating look, but you can also glue a framed photo or artwork to the candle holder. Wrap a strand of fairy lights around the holder, or bundle them behind the frame to keep them hidden for a backlit effect.

Display artificial plants

This elevated artificial plant display uses two Dollar Tree glassware items: a candlestick holder and a vase with an attractive shape. You'll glue them together, and paint the whole thing a color that coordinates with the decor. Or, glue two candle holders together for a taller version. Then, add floral foam inside, and arrange artificial greenery or florals inside. Or, transform Dollar Tree candlesticks into elegant floral decor by gluing a foam ball on top, and pushing stems of artificial flowers into the ball for a floral-covered orb sitting atop a pedestal.

Upgrade a simple fruit basket

Create an inexpensive DIY fruit stand, using a glass Dollar Tree candlestick holder as the pedestal. Glue a Luminessence Glass Plate Candle Holder on top of the stand to create a platform, followed by an Essentials Round Wire Basket on top to hold fruit or decor. The creator of the inspiration project spray-painted the candle holders gold and left the basket white, but you can use any color and also paint the basket for a monochromatic look. Weave ribbon through the wires, or glue trim to the top for extra embellishment.

Organize bathroom items on a tiered tray

Need solutions for adding extra counter space to your bathroom? Make an inexpensive tiered stand with Hexagon Mirrors to create tiers with natural edges to keep items from falling off. Paint the frames or add embellishments along the edges to personalize the tiers. Glass plates also work for the tiers. Grab glass candlestick holders to use as the pedestals between the tiers. Gluing two holders together creates a larger space between tiers to accommodate taller products. Adhere the levels together, and let the glue dry fully before loading the stand.

Design customized raised candle holders

Technically, this DIY is still a candle holder, but it's an upgraded version using a glass taper holder as the pedestal and a larger cylinder holder or vase as the top. Paint or embellish each of the pieces as desired, and glue them together. The inspiration project includes twine around the base of the cylinder and sections of a plastic Dollar Tree landscaping fence to create a lantern-style look. A frosted glass look or stenciled designs would also work. Then, add a battery-powered candle to the inside, or use the container for seasonal filler items.

Make a wide, elevated bowl candle

For this project, you'll need a clear glass bowl — thrifting a decorative option with unique detailing adds to the look. Use a melt-and-pour product, like American Soy Organics Soy Wax Beads, to fill the bowl with melted wax, along with wicks. Then, glue the candlestick in the center of the bottom of the bowl to complete the design. Or, skip the melting step like the original creator, and create a sand candle with a product like Comforder Scented Pearled Wax Granules. Pour the granules in the bowl, and add wicks. 

Sweeten your day with a cupcake stand

Grab two relatively flat glass plates, one slightly smaller, to make a simple yet stylish cupcake stand. Choose a candle holder that's tall enough to accommodate cupcakes — standard liners are two inches tall, so assume about three inches with frosting. Glue the holder to the center of the large plate, and glue the smaller plate on top. You can also use glue dots, so you can disassemble the stand for storage. Adding a wider holder, like a Stoneware Pillar Candle Pedestal, on top creates the perfect spot for a single cupcake to sit.

Sculpt them into flowers

This creative project uses thin taper holders as stems for clay flowers. The original project uses holders with metal leaves, which are no longer available. However, the Long Stem Glass Tealight Candle Holders or Black Iron Candleholders, spray painted to your preferred color, also work. Use air-dry clay to sculpt a flower around the cup that holds candles. Use a single piece with the top edge cut like petals, or sculpt individual petals to build around the cup. Paint the flower petals if desired, and display it as-is or with a candle in the cup. 

Store makeup brushes in style

Grab Dollar Tree items for a DIY that'll keep your vanity organized: elevated makeup brush holders. The base is your choice of candle holders, and the top portion is a small vase or glass. Choose the size based on the height of your makeup brushes — make sure the tops stick up above the edge of the container to avoid damage to the bristles. Glue the cup to the candle holder, and fill the container with decorative gemstones or rocks to keep the brushes upright. Add paint, beads, or other embellishments to personalize them.

Light your patio with elevated solar lights

Turn Dollar Tree candle holders into luxe-looking solar lights. Use metal candlestick holders as stems for solar flowers. For the flower, you'll need glass light shades with small openings on one end — about the same size as the candle holder cup. Look for a shade with a flower-like design. Glue it onto the candlestick, with the wider part up, and glue the top only of a solar light inside the shade. These are ideal for a sheltered area, or bring them indoors when it's windy, since they're top-heavy and could tip easily. 

Recommended