DIY Mirrored Side Table | High-End Dollar Tree Glam Decor

Turn a basic wire waste basket and a plastic planter into a stunning mirrored accent table for pennies.

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I have always believed that you don’t need a massive budget to have a home that looks like a million dollars! One of my favorite challenges is walking through the aisles of the Dollar Tree and seeing high-end furniture potential in the most “un-glamorous” items, like a waste basket or a simple garden planter [908, History]. For this project, I’m showing you how I combined those two unlikely stars with some metallic streamers and mirror accents to create an unbelievably elegant side table that is both functional and pure glam.

📺 WATCH: See the full mirrored side table transformation here:

Materials

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Wired waste basket (standard size)
Small wired basket (optional, for extra height)
Plastic garden planter
Round mirror frame (mirror removed)
Mini mirror tiles (self-adhesive)
Metallic silver party streamer
Rhinestone border trim
Clear round acrylic gem stickers
Rhinestone ribbon (for gaps)
Decorative rope
Pebbles or glass gems (for weight)
Mirrored Tray (to use as a tabletop)

Tools

Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Fix-All or E6000 industrial adhesive
White nylon cable ties
Mod Podge (and a foam brush)
Level
Scissors
White metallic marker

💡 Sandy’s Crafting Tips & Hacks

Streamer Strategy: I’ll be honest, I started this project using very wide strips of the metallic streamer, but I quickly realized that working with smaller, 3-inch strips was so much easier to handle and smooth out!
Foundation Weight: Since the planter acts as the base for the entire table, I always recommend weighing it down. Adding a few bags of pebbles or glass gems inside makes the piece feel substantial and prevents it from tipping over once you add your tabletop.
The Leveling Secret: Before your industrial glue fully cures, use a level to make sure your waste basket isn’t sitting lopsided. You only have a small window to make adjustments, and this step is what gives it that professional, store-bought look.
Cable Tie Camouflage: If you decide to add an extra basket for height, use white nylon cable ties to secure them. They are incredibly strong, and you can easily hide them with a bit of rhinestone ribbon later

Instructions

Prep the Planter Rim: I like to start by trimming the upper rim of the planter with a few rows of mini mirror tiles. Since the planter is round, I ended up with a small gap where the tiles didn’t quite meet, but I found that a small strip of rhinestone ribbon covered it up perfectly.
Set the Structural Base: Remove the mirror from a round frame and set the glass aside. I then applied a bit of glue to the side of the frame and inserted it into the planter opening. This creates a solid “lip” for the rest of the table to sit on.
Apply the Metallic Texture: I prepped the surface area of the planter with a layer of Mod Podge and then applied my 3-inch strips of metallic party streamer. I found that applying a second layer of Mod Podge directly over the streamer really helped it lay flat. I definitely suggest letting this dry for at least an hour before moving on.
Add the Bling Layers: Once dry, I applied a row of rhinestone border trim right below the mirror tiles and another row near the bottom. To finish the base, I used clear round acrylic gem stickers to cover the entire metallic streamer area for a beautiful textured look.
Bond the Pedestal: Apply Fix-All or E6000 to the rim of the planter. I turned the wired waste basket upside down and sat it directly onto the round frame I inserted earlier. I made sure to hold it steady for a moment to let the glue grab.
Level and Hide Seams: I used my level here to make sure everything was straight! Once I was happy with the balance, I used hot glue to wrap a decorative rope around the seam where the waste basket and planter meet. It completely hides the joint.
Customise the Height: For my table, I decided I wanted a bit more height, so I secured a smaller wired basket to the top of the large one using white nylon cable ties. I then wrapped those ties in rhinestone ribbon so they look like part of the design.
Final Assembly: To finish the table, I simply placed my 12-inch mirrored tray on top. I chose not to glue the tabletop down because I wanted to be able to access the inside of the waste baskets for extra storage or to easily turn on an LED puck light