No Traditional Patio Table: The Attractive Dollar Tree DIY That Adds Storage

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Finding a spot for your most essential gardening tools shouldn't mean digging through a cluttered shed every time you need them. So what if you could create a couple of patio end tables that hide your tools in plain sight, right where you're already working? Enter this Dollar Tree DIY from YouTube channel Glue Guns & Roses. In the hack, the demonstrator transforms a stack of eight floral foam wreath forms glued together, equipped with a wire wastebasket inside. 

To top off this storage-ready table she then adds a wooden round on top like a lid, creating a spot for drinks, trowels, and everything else that usually ends up scattered across the patio — it's a perfect idea for keeping small items organized. Not only is this DIY easy to take on, but it's also easy on your wallet. The Dollar Tree foam wreaths and wood rounds are only $1.25 apiece. And if you can't find the wreaths at Dollar Tree, you can also buy them for under $3 at Hobby Lobby. The Essentials wire wastebasket used in the project is only $1.50. 

You'll need some heavy-duty shears as well as a hot glue gun. Also, grab a can of chalk paint (and a paintbrush), such as this Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint, which is available at Walmart for about $7. Note that while you can use spray paint on this foam, you'll need to apply a primer beforehand.

First, be sure to grab enough foam wreath forms to stack your tables to your desired height (the video demonstrator uses eight). Next, stack the wreaths one on top of another, adding a layer of hot glue between each one. Make sure to press each wreath firmly on top of the previous one, holding it in place for about 30 seconds as the glue cures. This will ensure the stack builds into one solid ribbed column instead of a wobbly or lopsided tower. 

Once the wreath column has dried, you can jazz it up with your paint. First lay down a tarp, then break out your chalk paint, painting the interior of the column before moving to the exterior. Once it's dry, you can add your wastebasket. Though you can leave the bottom open, the lightweight wastebasket is what sets this design apart and makes the functionality aspect of it shine. Before placing the wastebasket inside, use a pair of heavy-duty shears to cut off the rim so it fits snugly inside the hollow column. And if you go with Dollar Tree's Essentials wire wastebasket, it should fit perfectly right below the top wreath.

For a finishing touch, top the column with one of Dollar Tree's 12-inch wood rounds. It's best to add a coat of polyurethane or wood stain beforehand. This will help it hold up better outdoors while it's exposed to rain and humidity. Just make sure to avoid storing iron or iron alloy tools in the tables, as they'll be prone to rust on a wet patio.

This is just one of several low-cost outdoor storage solutions worth trying, and there are plenty of styling options for this idea. For example, instead of going with the white finish on the foam columns, you could add a more vibrant color, such as deep orange, dark coral, or dark blue, giving your patio a pop of color and modern feel — perhaps even match them to your patio furniture. You could also build multiple tables, create sets of different sizes, or place them strategically on the patio to set up different looks. For instance, you can align three in a corner by height, place one at each corner, or scatter a few at varying heights across the space for a more layered, dynamic feel. The wood round tabletops can also be painted instead of stained. 

A dark walnut stain, such as Minwax Dark Walnut or Varathane's Kona shade, can give your new patio tables a rich, moody tone, matching any dark furniture you may already have out there, tying the whole space together for a more cohesive look. Or consider giving the foam columns a more regal vibe, coating them first in chalk paint (or primer), and then adding a bronze or metallic silver spray to them. To match the wood tabletops, you could stain the tops in one of the aforementioned wood stains, so the deep wood tones play off the metallic shine instead of competing with it.