Use Dollar Tree Plates To Create Stylish Planter Drip Trays With A Clever DIY

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If you're decor-minded, you probably give some thought to the pots you add to your plant displays, though you may not think as much about the saucer underneath them. However, the right drip tray has the potential to enhance the set-up by making a pot-and-platter combo look more pulled together. As for finding this unicorn of a drip tray, your best bet is to make one because it can be personalized to your decor scheme. This planter saucer can be made from a few inexpensive supplies — glass plates, plus the decorative embellishments — which you'll find at Dollar Tree.

The discount store carries plates in various sizes, including a Clear Glass Salad Plate and a Clear Glass Dinner Plate. Choose the size that fits your planter pot. The only "must" in this scenario is that the dish needs to be made of clear glass — avoid opaque ceramic plates for this project. Additionally, this DIY planter idea gives you a creative way to use decoupage in your home. As such, you'll also need supplies, like some paper napkins, Mod Podge, and paint brushes. Your project also calls for metallic pens, like Overseas Gold Paint Markers, and white acrylic paint. 

Lastly, the project requires a few items from your toolbox. Aside from the paint brushes, grab a pair of scissors and a plastic container, like a butter tub. This is for mixing the decoupage solution with water, so use one you don't mind tossing when the DIY's finished.

The patterns on the Dollar Tree napkins create the decorative embellishments for the plant saucer. You can take advantage of this for special occasions. For example, if you change up your decor with changing of the seasons, go with napkins like the Seasonal Collection Patriotic-Themed Lunch Napkins or some fruit-centric Seasonal Lunch Napkins.  Otherwise, select a pattern that fits your overall decor. Once you've chosen the napkin, separate the top patterned layer from the second one underneath it. It should just be a matter of pulling the napkin layers apart, starting at the corner.

Next, mix some of Mod Podge Gloss Sealer, Glue & Finish with water to make it easier to spread the adhesive. "Paint" the back of the plate with the glue mixture. Then, gently lay the single-layer napkin on the wet glue, with the patterned side facing the mixture. Smooth it over with your hands. Once it's attached to the plate, add another layer of the Mod Podge mixture.

Your next step is to trim the excess napkin from around the plate's edges. The image from the napkin will look a little "ghost-like" at this stage. To remedy that, apply a coat or two of the white acrylic paint to the back of the plate: You'll paint over the glued napkin. Finally, give it a luxe finish by painting the outside rim of the plate with the metallic gold marker. It's now ready to hold your plant.

Fancy table settings often include stacked layers of plates, starting with a dinner or charger plate on the bottom, followed by a medium-sized plate, and then topped with the smallest piece — usually a salad plate. Such an arrangement adds depth and visual interest to a table set-up. However, this is a decorating technique that doesn't need to stay on the formal dinner table. In this case, you may want to create a series of decoupaged saucers using two or three different sizes of Dollar Tree plates. Or decorate one plate — a dinner plate — with the napkin design, and then set it on a large, single-color plate, like Dollar Tree's Red Charger Plate to create visual contrast.

You can also line the outer portions of the plate with decorative accents like seashells or flat floral marbles. The textural differences between the plate and the objects create visual interest to the drip saucer. These additions can look great on their own. However, to make more of a design impact, you may want to experiment with matching the napkin design with the shells or marbles. For example, if you're working with an ocean decor motif, choose a beach-themed napkin as the pattern for the plate. Augment the theme by then gluing some small shells onto the outer perimeter of the plate. Sea-themed planter pots, like the ANPHSIN Mini Sea Urchin Shell Plant Holders, add the finishing touches to your design.