19 Best Dollar Store Farmhouse DIY Ideas: Affordable and Easy Projects for a Cozy Home
If you’ve ever walked into a perfectly styled farmhouse kitchen and felt that tug of envy — the kind that makes you want to throw your whole decor into a box and start from scratch — you’re not alone.
But what if I told you that you don’t need a big budget, a fixer-upper, or Joanna Gaines on speed dial to get that cozy, rustic charm? In fact, all you need is a trip to the dollar store, a few DIY tools, and a little imagination.
Mason Jar Wall Sconces with LED Tea Lights
There’s something about mason jars that screams farmhouse.
You can snag a bunch at your local dollar store and turn them into rustic wall sconces using a wooden board, wire, and battery-operated LED lights.
Mount them beside your entryway mirror or above your bed. It’s cozy, safe (no flame!), and costs less than your morning coffee.
Tip: Add faux greenery or seasonal flowers inside the jars for a rotating decor feature.
Galvanized Bucket Planters
Those cute mini galvanized buckets from the dollar store? They’re screaming for a purpose.
Line them up on a shelf, fill them with herbs or small succulents, and boom — instant farmhouse window charm.
The aged metal look brings authenticity, and the simplicity fits right into the farmhouse vibe.
Chalkboard Menu Board for the Kitchen
Get a cheap picture frame, remove the glass, and insert a piece of chalkboard contact paper or spray-paint the backing with chalkboard paint.
Now you’ve got a stylish weekly menu board that’s farmhouse through and through.
Hang it in your kitchen and jot down your week’s meals. Even if you’re reheating frozen pizza, you’ll feel like a homesteading pro.
Rope-Wrapped Vases
Grab any vase or jar, wrap it in jute rope or nautical twine using hot glue, and you’ve got yourself a Pottery Barn dupe.
Put in dried lavender or wheat stalks, and you’ve created a farmhouse centerpiece worthy of a magazine spread — all for under $5.
Wooden Crate Shelving
The dollar store sometimes carries mini wooden crates or slatted boxes. Stack and glue them together to make floating shelves or bathroom organizers.
Paint them white or stain them for that distressed look.
Add rolled hand towels, a tiny succulent, or farmhouse-style soap — you’ll feel like you just stepped into a bed and breakfast.
Framed Farmhouse Quotes
Pick up some simple photo frames, print out free farmhouse-style quotes from online, and create a whole gallery wall on a shoestring budget.
Sayings like “Gather,” “Farm Fresh,” or “This is Us” never go out of style, especially when done in black-and-white script fonts with a weathered frame.
Hack: Use dollar store contact paper in wood grain or shiplap pattern as a faux mat for added charm.
Faux Shiplap Using Foam Board
This one’s genius and a little addictive.
Buy white foam board sheets, cut them into strips, and glue them onto your wall with a small gap between each — mimicking shiplap.
Paint them with matte white to blend and no one will ever guess they’re not real wood.
It gives an instant farmhouse wall upgrade for under $20 for a small space.
Burlap Table Runner
Buy burlap ribbon or sheets from the craft aisle and create a farmhouse-style table runner.
Add a few stitched edges if you sew, or leave it raw for that rough, natural look.
Pair it with a wooden table, some mason jar centerpieces, and eucalyptus stems, and your dining table is officially dressed for the part.
Dollar Store Cutting Board Signs
Those plastic or wood-look cutting boards can easily become your next DIY sign. Use white chalk paint as a base, then stencil on a fun farmhouse phrase.
Drill a hole and add a jute string hanger, or lean it against your kitchen backsplash for some rustic character.
DIY Tiered Tray
Grab two or three dollar store trays or plates, and separate them with candleholders or mugs (also from the dollar store) to make a custom tiered tray.
Spray-paint the whole thing white or black for that farmhouse feel.
Top it with little knick-knacks — mini rolling pins, faux eggs, or cinnamon sticks. It’s Pinterest-worthy and costs under $10.
Clothespin Wreath
Use clothespins, a wire wreath form, and some paint or stain to make a charming front door wreath.
Paint the pins in white, gray, or muted green for a vintage feel, clip them onto the wreath form, and embellish with burlap bows or tiny wood signs.
This wreath is a conversation starter and a seasonal decor chameleon — just swap out accents as the months change.
DIY Bead Garland
Those cute wooden bead garlands you see in boutique shops? You can recreate them using dollar store beads or spray-painting cheap plastic ones.
String them on jute twine, add a tassel on each end, and drape it over trays, shelves, or vases.
It’s one of those things that brings a room together in a subtle, textured way.
Farmhouse Style Candles
Grab some plain glass candles, scrape off the labels, and wrap them in burlap, twine, or lace.
Add a mini tag or charm, and you’ve got a rustic candle worthy of a wedding centerpiece. Group them in threes for that cozy, layered look.
Faux Window Frame Wall Decor
Buy several rectangular dollar store frames, remove the glass, and paint them white or wood-toned. Arrange them on the wall like a faux windowpane.
Add a boxwood wreath in the center, and you’ve just created a feature wall that looks like it came out of a fixer-upper episode.
Painted Enamel Bowl Dupes
Buy white plastic bowls or mugs, and add a black rim with a permanent marker or paint to mimic vintage enamelware.
You’ll be surprised how realistic they look on open shelves or your kitchen counter.
Bonus points if you stack them beside your faux farmhouse cutting boards.
Hanging Organizer with Hooks
Use a dollar store wooden sign, paint it, and attach hooks or knobs (which they often sell in packs).
Hang it in the entryway for keys and bags, or in the bathroom for towels.
Label the hooks with vinyl stickers or stencils. Function meets style, and no one will believe it cost less than lunch.
Rustic Tray from a Picture Frame
Take a large picture frame, remove the glass, and replace the backing with a faux wood placemat or shiplap-printed contact paper.
Add cabinet handles to the sides, and you’ve got yourself a tray for coffee tables or ottomans.
It looks straight from a farmhouse catalog but costs less than $7.
DIY Cotton Stems
Pick up cotton balls, brown floral wire, and faux branches. Twist the wire to form a pod and hot glue the cotton balls in.
Stick them in an old jar or vase wrapped in burlap.
These DIY cotton stems look authentic and add a touch of Southern charm to any nook or mantel.
Farmhouse Basket Storage
Buy plastic bins or baskets, then wrap the outsides in rope or twine, and hot glue as you go. Add a chalkboard label or tag for that farmhouse touch.
Use them in your pantry, under your console table, or in the bathroom for toilet paper. Who knew organization could be so charming?
Why Dollar Store DIYs Work So Well for Farmhouse Style
Here’s the thing: farmhouse design isn’t about perfection.
It’s about comfort, simplicity, and stories. Every chipped paint stroke and every handmade detail adds character.
The dollar store gives you access to raw materials at a fraction of the price — think of it as your creative playground.
According to a survey by Statista, 70% of U.S. homeowners want to decorate more often but cite budget as their biggest obstacle.
Dollar store DIYs are how you bridge that gap — creating a cozy, stylish home without breaking the bank.
A Personal Note from My Own DIY Journey
When I first moved into my tiny fixer-upper, I had champagne farmhouse dreams on a tap water budget.
I remember walking through the dollar store thinking, “There’s no way I can make this look good.”
But I took home five items — mason jars, twine, a wood crate, fake eucalyptus, and a chalkboard — and created a shelf display that stopped visitors in their tracks.
That day, I learned that it’s not about what you buy, but what you do with it.
Farmhouse decor is about heart over hype.
It’s the homemade sign above your stove, the imperfect cotton stem on your windowsill, the basket that hides the clutter — it all tells a story. Your story.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big
You don’t need to revamp your entire home at once. Start with one dollar store project, something small that adds a touch of charm.
Maybe it’s a DIY menu board or a rope-wrapped vase. Then, keep building from there.
What begins as a five-dollar experiment can evolve into a home that feels like a hug — warm, simple, and full of character.
So go ahead, grab that glue gun, and make some magic.
