10 Dollar Store Ideas to Upgrade Your Deck on a Tight Budget

As much as we all value our outdoor living spaces, big makeovers aren’t always in the budget. Whether you’re looking for deck decorating ideas or want to add some more greenery to your apartment’s balcony, these affordable DIY projects will add special touches to your outdoor space. Here is how to decorate your deck using affordable dollar store products.

A yellow dinosaur planter with a small green plant.

Getty Images

1 / 10

Planters With Personality

Add some personality to your patio by spray painting a hallowed out plastic toy that you can purchase from any dollar store. We love how this yellow dinosaur adds a pop of colour to any small space. Discover more eco-friendly ways to upcycle plastics in your home and outdoor living areas.

Purple and pink floral garland for an outdoor dinner party.

Denise Dias

2 / 10

Faux Flower Centrepieces

Every dollar store has a selection of colourful artifical flowers. Save money on this easy DIY flower garland by purchasing faux flowers for a Insta-worthy centre piece for your next al fresco dinner out on the deck.

Five marble planters with small green plants.

Maca Atencio

3 / 10

Magnificent Marble Planters

It’s time to give your budget-friendly terracotta pots a face lift. Dollar stores usually don’t sell the best nail polishes on the market, but any quality of nail polish will work for this marble planter DIY.

A small dog looking at a colourful rock garden on a back deck.

Tiffany Pratt

4 / 10

Rainbow-Bright Rock Garden

If you’re looking for a simple decorating idea for your small patio, you can’t go wrong with making a rock garden. After finding some rocks, all you need to do is head to the dollar store and purchase a few bottles of acrylic paint for this simple DIY.

Four mason jars filled with soil and herbs.

Denise Dias

5 / 10

Make a DIY Herb Garden

Decks that are off of the kitchen make the perfect location for a DIY outdoor herb garden. Pick up a few mason jars on your next trip to the dollar store for this beginner-level gardening project.

A pumpkin painted white and decorated with black string.

Denise Dias

6 / 10

Pinterest-Worthy No-Carve Pumpkins

This simple no-carve pumpkin decor idea is an effortless way to make all of your outdoor spaces festive for autumn. Get ready for fall and buy yarn and acrylic paint at your local dollar store for this no-fail craft. Follow these steps for this easy no-carve painted pumpkin.

Four white yarn bowls filled with household items like tape, pens and paper clips.

Maca Atencio

7 / 10

Cute Catch-All Bowls

Transform any plastic dollar store bowl into these cute no-sew rope bowls. These catch all bowls act as a great place to leave sunglasses, keys or your phone on your deck’s outdoor dining table while gardening, swimming or working out. Make this no sew rope bowl in just a few simple steps.

A circular bright outdoor rug on a white patio.

Tiffany Pratt

8 / 10

A Bright and Colourful Outdoor Rug

Outdoor rugs don’t have to break your budget. You can make a colourful outdoor rug using old clothes or a fabric table cloth that you can purchase at your local dollar store. Here’s how to weave your own outdoor rug.

Denise Dias

9 / 10

An Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder

Nothing adds ambiance to your deck or patio like visits from local birds. Best part of all? This eco-friendly bird feeder can be made in just a few minutes. Just make sure you have some dollar store bird feed on hand.

Pink pom pom garland on a pink mantle decorated for Christmas

Photo Credit: Koko Photos

10 / 10

Pom-Pom Garlands

Hosting a backyard birthday party? Head to the dollar store and pick up colourful yarn for this cute pompom garland DIY that will add a pop of colour for outdoor celebrations.