She snagged some cheap bins from the Dollar Store, and you won't believe how they light up her garden.

 

🌿 From Dollar Store Bins to Garden Glam: A 2000-Word DIY Garden Makeover Recipe

You know that feeling of walking into a fancy garden center, eyeing those designer planter boxes, tiered organizers, or solar lights—and then walking right back out because the price tags are outrageous? You’re not alone.

But what if I told you that with just a handful of cheap plastic bins from the Dollar Store, a few solar lights, and some simple tools, you could completely transform your garden? One smart woman did exactly that—and the results lit up her garden in more ways than one.

So, whether you’re working with a balcony garden, a backyard patch, or just a windowsill of herbs, this guide will show you how to use inexpensive materials to add style, structure, light, and wow-factor to your garden.

This is more than a craft—it’s a recipe for transformation.

---

🌱 The “Ingredients” You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make your Dollar Store bin garden makeover come to life. These supplies are flexible—feel free to substitute based on what you find locally.

🧺 Basic Supplies:

• 6–12 Dollar Store plastic storage bins (varied sizes work great)

• 4–6 Dollar Store wire dish racks or cooling racks

• 4–6 Dollar Store solar path lights

• 2 rolls of burlap, jute fabric, or weed cloth

• A few bags of potting mix or compost

• Seeds or seedlings of your favorite flowers, herbs, or small veggies

• Gravel or pebbles for drainage

🧰 Tools:

• Drill (or a nail and hammer)

• Utility knife or strong scissors

• Zip ties or garden wire

• Hot glue gun (optional)

• Spray paint (optional—for color coordination)

• Measuring tape

Optional:

• LED string lights (battery-powered or solar)

• Small trellises or bamboo stakes

• Chalkboard labels or garden markers

---

🪴 Step-by-Step Recipe: Transform Bins Into Beautiful Garden Features

We’ll divide this project into 3 main components—each one adds beauty and function:

1. DIY Planters Using Bins

2. Vertical Tiered Garden Tower

3. Solar Light Garden Glow-Up

Let’s dig in.

---

🥗 Part 1: Turning Cheap Bins into Stylish Planters

Plastic bins from the Dollar Store might not seem pretty—but they’re surprisingly sturdy, come in many sizes, and are easy to customize. Here’s how to turn them into elegant planters:

Step 1: Add Drainage Holes

Plants need good drainage. Using a drill (or a hammer and nail), poke 5–6 holes in the bottom of each bin. You can also make 2–3 holes slightly up the sides for extra air flow.

Step 2: Line with Burlap or Landscape Fabric

This step helps prevent soil from falling through while allowing water to drain.

• Cut a piece of burlap or weed cloth to fit inside the bin.

• Press it down and fold over the sides a bit.

• Secure with hot glue or clips if needed.

Step 3: Add Gravel and Soil

• Pour 1–2 inches of gravel or pebbles in the bottom for drainage.

• Fill the rest with potting mix or compost, leaving 2 inches at the top.

Step 4: Plant Your Garden

Add herbs like basil, parsley, mint, or chives. Or go for colorful flowers like marigolds, pansies, or petunias.

Pro Tip: Use shallow bins for herbs and deeper bins for root veggies like carrots or radishes.

Step 5: Personalize

• Spray paint the bins for a coordinated look (chalky white or sage green looks elegant).

• Add chalkboard labels to each bin for that farmhouse touch.

And just like that, your cheap bins now look like trendy boutique planters!

---

🏯 Part 2: Building a Tiered Vertical Garden Tower

Running low on space? This trick takes your bins vertical and looks stunning against a fence or wall.

Step 1: Stack and Stabilize

• Choose 3 bins of gradually decreasing size.

• Drill 4 holes near each corner of the bottom of the top two bins.

• Place gravel in the bottom of the largest bin (base).

• Nest the second-largest bin on top (aligned and centered).

• Use zip ties or bolts through the holes to secure it in place.

Repeat with the top bin.

Step 2: Add Soil and Plants

• Fill each tier with potting mix.

• Plant trailing herbs (like thyme or oregano) or flowers that cascade down the sides.

Step 3: Secure the Structure

• If you're placing it outdoors, anchor it by placing bricks inside the bottom bin before adding soil.

• Place near a sunny wall or corner for stability.

Optional: Add a Trellis

• Place a bamboo trellis or Dollar Store garden stake in the top bin.

• Grow mini cucumbers, beans, or peas.

Bonus: This structure not only saves space, but also becomes a striking focal point in your garden.

---

🔦 Part 3: Dollar Bin Solar Light Makeover

Now for the magic—garden lighting using Dollar Store solar lights and bins.

Step 1: Prep the Bins

• Take small bins (shoebox size or smaller).

• Drill or cut decorative holes into the sides (stars, hearts, spirals).

• Spray paint them metallic silver, black, or matte white for a chic look.

Step 2: Insert Solar Lights

• Remove the stakes from Dollar Store solar lights.

• Cut a hole in the lid of the bin or glue the light to the inside of the lid, facing down.

• Place the light so the panel still catches sun during the day.

Step 3: Line and Fill

• Line the inside with reflective foil (optional).

• Fill the bin with clear pebbles or glass beads to scatter light.

Step 4: Arrange in Garden

• Place along pathways, garden beds, or mount to a fence.

• At night, they glow through the cutouts, creating beautiful light patterns.

You now have custom solar lanterns for under $5 each!

---

🌼 Bonus Mini-Ideas Using Dollar Store Bins

Don’t stop there! Here are a few more ways to use those bins:

1. Seed Starting Station

• Use shallow bins with lids as mini greenhouses.

• Place seed trays inside and label with popsicle sticks.

2. Tool Storage Bin

• Organize garden gloves, tools, and twine in a large bin with dividers.

• Label the outside for quick access.

3. Garden Kid Zone

• Fill bins with dirt and let kids plant their own flowers.

• Add painted rocks or toy signs for fun.

4. Compost Catcher

• Use a bin with a tight-fitting lid to collect kitchen scraps before transferring to the main compost pile.

5. Herb Organizer Wall

• Mount small bins to a wood pallet or fence.

• Plant a different herb in each one for a vertical herb wall.

---

🌟 Final Touches: Make Your Garden Feel Magical

Here are a few extra tips to make your bin-transformed garden feel truly special:

✨ Add Texture

• Wrap bins with twine, rope, or faux moss strips.

• Attach wooden slats or shims for a rustic box look.

🪞 Reflective Accents

• Glue small mirror tiles to bins to bounce light around the garden.

• Great for shady corners!

💡 Light Up with More DIYs

• Use battery string lights woven through your vertical bin garden for evening glow.

• Place fairy lights inside translucent bins for lantern-style lighting.

---

🧠 Why This Works So Well

• Affordable: Each bin costs $1–$1.25; total makeover = under $40.

• Modular: Move, rearrange, or stack based on season and space.

• Customizable: Paint, drill, label, and plant exactly how you want.

• Functional: Everything from drainage to lighting is tailored to your garden’s needs.

---

🌿 Conclusion: Small Bins, Big Garden Transformation

You don’t need a landscaping crew or a huge budget to have a garden that turns heads. With a little imagination, some elbow grease, and a trip to the Dollar Store, you can create a garden space that’s:

• Functional

• Beautiful

• Personalized

• And full of charm.

The next time someone scoffs at plastic bins, show them your garden—and watch their jaw drop.

🌿 From Dollar Store Bins to Garden Glam: A 2000-Word DIY Garden Makeover Recipe

You know that feeling of walking into a fancy garden center, eyeing those designer planter boxes, tiered organizers, or solar lights—and then walking right back out because the price tags are outrageous? You’re not alone.

But what if I told you that with just a handful of cheap plastic bins from the Dollar Store, a few solar lights, and some simple tools, you could completely transform your garden? One smart woman did exactly that—and the results lit up her garden in more ways than one.

So, whether you’re working with a balcony garden, a backyard patch, or just a windowsill of herbs, this guide will show you how to use inexpensive materials to add style, structure, light, and wow-factor to your garden.

This is more than a craft—it’s a recipe for transformation.

---

🌱 The “Ingredients” You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make your Dollar Store bin garden makeover come to life. These supplies are flexible—feel free to substitute based on what you find locally.

🧺 Basic Supplies:

• 6–12 Dollar Store plastic storage bins (varied sizes work great)

• 4–6 Dollar Store wire dish racks or cooling racks

• 4–6 Dollar Store solar path lights

• 2 rolls of burlap, jute fabric, or weed cloth

• A few bags of potting mix or compost

• Seeds or seedlings of your favorite flowers, herbs, or small veggies

• Gravel or pebbles for drainage

🧰 Tools:

• Drill (or a nail and hammer)

• Utility knife or strong scissors

• Zip ties or garden wire

• Hot glue gun (optional)

• Spray paint (optional—for color coordination)

• Measuring tape

Optional:

• LED string lights (battery-powered or solar)

• Small trellises or bamboo stakes

• Chalkboard labels or garden markers

---

🪴 Step-by-Step Recipe: Transform Bins Into Beautiful Garden Features

We’ll divide this project into 3 main components—each one adds beauty and function:

1. DIY Planters Using Bins

2. Vertical Tiered Garden Tower

3. Solar Light Garden Glow-Up

Let’s dig in.

---

🥗 Part 1: Turning Cheap Bins into Stylish Planters

Plastic bins from the Dollar Store might not seem pretty—but they’re surprisingly sturdy, come in many sizes, and are easy to customize. Here’s how to turn them into elegant planters:

Step 1: Add Drainage Holes

Plants need good drainage. Using a drill (or a hammer and nail), poke 5–6 holes in the bottom of each bin. You can also make 2–3 holes slightly up the sides for extra air flow.

Step 2: Line with Burlap or Landscape Fabric

This step helps prevent soil from falling through while allowing water to drain.

• Cut a piece of burlap or weed cloth to fit inside the bin.

• Press it down and fold over the sides a bit.

• Secure with hot glue or clips if needed.

Step 3: Add Gravel and Soil

• Pour 1–2 inches of gravel or pebbles in the bottom for drainage.

• Fill the rest with potting mix or compost, leaving 2 inches at the top.

Step 4: Plant Your Garden

Add herbs like basil, parsley, mint, or chives. Or go for colorful flowers like marigolds, pansies, or petunias.

Pro Tip: Use shallow bins for herbs and deeper bins for root veggies like carrots or radishes.

Step 5: Personalize

• Spray paint the bins for a coordinated look (chalky white or sage green looks elegant).

• Add chalkboard labels to each bin for that farmhouse touch.

And just like that, your cheap bins now look like trendy boutique planters!

---

🏯 Part 2: Building a Tiered Vertical Garden Tower

Running low on space? This trick takes your bins vertical and looks stunning against a fence or wall.

Step 1: Stack and Stabilize

• Choose 3 bins of gradually decreasing size.

• Drill 4 holes near each corner of the bottom of the top two bins.

• Place gravel in the bottom of the largest bin (base).

• Nest the second-largest bin on top (aligned and centered).

• Use zip ties or bolts through the holes to secure it in place.

Repeat with the top bin.

Step 2: Add Soil and Plants

• Fill each tier with potting mix.

• Plant trailing herbs (like thyme or oregano) or flowers that cascade down the sides.

Step 3: Secure the Structure

• If you're placing it outdoors, anchor it by placing bricks inside the bottom bin before adding soil.

• Place near a sunny wall or corner for stability.

Optional: Add a Trellis

• Place a bamboo trellis or Dollar Store garden stake in the top bin.

• Grow mini cucumbers, beans, or peas.

Bonus: This structure not only saves space, but also becomes a striking focal point in your garden.

---

🔦 Part 3: Dollar Bin Solar Light Makeover

Now for the magic—garden lighting using Dollar Store solar lights and bins.

Step 1: Prep the Bins

• Take small bins (shoebox size or smaller).

• Drill or cut decorative holes into the sides (stars, hearts, spirals).

• Spray paint them metallic silver, black, or matte white for a chic look.

Step 2: Insert Solar Lights

• Remove the stakes from Dollar Store solar lights.

• Cut a hole in the lid of the bin or glue the light to the inside of the lid, facing down.

• Place the light so the panel still catches sun during the day.

Step 3: Line and Fill

• Line the inside with reflective foil (optional).

• Fill the bin with clear pebbles or glass beads to scatter light.

Step 4: Arrange in Garden

• Place along pathways, garden beds, or mount to a fence.

• At night, they glow through the cutouts, creating beautiful light patterns.

You now have custom solar lanterns for under $5 each!

---

🌼 Bonus Mini-Ideas Using Dollar Store Bins

Don’t stop there! Here are a few more ways to use those bins:

1. Seed Starting Station

• Use shallow bins with lids as mini greenhouses.

• Place seed trays inside and label with popsicle sticks.

2. Tool Storage Bin

• Organize garden gloves, tools, and twine in a large bin with dividers.

• Label the outside for quick access.

3. Garden Kid Zone

• Fill bins with dirt and let kids plant their own flowers.

• Add painted rocks or toy signs for fun.

4. Compost Catcher

• Use a bin with a tight-fitting lid to collect kitchen scraps before transferring to the main compost pile.

5. Herb Organizer Wall

• Mount small bins to a wood pallet or fence.

• Plant a different herb in each one for a vertical herb wall.

---

🌟 Final Touches: Make Your Garden Feel Magical

Here are a few extra tips to make your bin-transformed garden feel truly special:

✨ Add Texture

• Wrap bins with twine, rope, or faux moss strips.

• Attach wooden slats or shims for a rustic box look.

🪞 Reflective Accents

• Glue small mirror tiles to bins to bounce light around the garden.

• Great for shady corners!

💡 Light Up with More DIYs

• Use battery string lights woven through your vertical bin garden for evening glow.

• Place fairy lights inside translucent bins for lantern-style lighting.

---

🧠 Why This Works So Well

• Affordable: Each bin costs $1–$1.25; total makeover = under $40.

• Modular: Move, rearrange, or stack based on season and space.

• Customizable: Paint, drill, label, and plant exactly how you want.

• Functional: Everything from drainage to lighting is tailored to your garden’s needs.

---

🌿 Conclusion: Small Bins, Big Garden Transformation

You don’t need a landscaping crew or a huge budget to have a garden that turns heads. With a little imagination, some elbow grease, and a trip to the Dollar Store, you can create a garden space that’s:

• Functional

• Beautiful

• Personalized

• And full of charm.

The next time someone scoffs at plastic bins, show them your garden—and watch their jaw drop.