Here’s the ultimate step-by-step DIY wreath guide for how to make a cheap wreath look expensive. And guess what? It’s simple to do and you’ll save a ton of money.
This post is all about how to make a cheap wreath look expensive.
Whether it’s Fall, Winter, or Spring hanging a classy wreath on your door or inside your home will look beautiful all year round, especially at Christmas time. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a wreath from Williams Sonoma or Pottery Barn, head to your local Dollar Tree store or Amazon and let the DIY wreath fun begin!
Let me be clear this is not a step-by-step guide on how to make a wreath from scratch but rather how to dress up a cheap wreath, so it looks drop-dead gorgeous. And would you believe me if I told you I only used five inexpensive items on the wreath pictured above?
When you’re on the hunt for a wreath, keep in mind it’s best to buy a wire-framed wreath. The wiring makes it easier to stick extra foliage in and out, making the wreath easily interchangeable for the next holiday you celebrate. That is, if you decorate a DIY Fall wreath with orange and yellow leaves, you can remove them to add bright pops of red for a Christmas wreath.
Knowing the tips and tricks behind how to make a semi-homemade wreath is a skill you won’t regret learning, so let’s get into the step-by-step details. Warning, your friends, and family might think you’re the next Martha Stewart once they set eyes on your expensive-looking (in disguise) Dollar Tree wreath. ????
DIY Wreath: How To Make A Cheap Wreath Look Expensive
How Do You Make A Dollar Tree Wreath?
The first step is heading out to the Dollar Tree store or online to Amazon and shopping for the best budget-friendly wreath that looks cheap. Of course, Michaels, HomeGoods, and Target are also great places to look for wreaths, but keep in mind that a wreath from Target could easily cost around $35.
I’ll link the Target wreath here. It is beautiful and a bit pricey for this project, but at least you can use it to compare looks when you’re shopping for a cheaper wreath.
The one pictured above is a wreath I already owned, and it wasn’t always that full either. I added most of those fall twigs and branches last year. I’ll go into more detail later on about how you can easily stick in these decorations to make a cheap wreath look full and expensive.
Dollar Tree sells a 12-inch bamboo wreath (yes, only $1!). Don’t be deterred by its thinness because it will look unrecognizable once you begin adding the decor.
Because this one needs a lot to make it look full and substantial, you’ll need a glue gun to secure the branches in place. You’ll also notice it is not a wired wreath, which is another reason a glue gun will come in handy.
Wreath Making Ideas and Options:
Purchase a Hearth & Hand Wreath with Magnolia ($35) at TARGET.
Purchase a 12-inch Grapevine Wreath ($12) on AMAZON.
Purchase a 12-inch Branch Wreath ($11) at HOBBY LOBBY.
Purchase a 24-inch Grapevine Wreath ($9.99) at MICHAELS.
Purchase a 12-inch Bamboo Wreath ($1) at DOLLAR TREE.
Materials You’ll Need To Make a DIY Wreath Look Expensive
Now that you have a cheap wreath picked out, it’s time to gather the DIY materials that will make the wreath look expensive and stunning. And believe it or not, they too are inexpensive.
Materials Used:
- A Cheap Wreath ($1)
- Matte Black Spray Paint, or color of your choice. ($5)
- Toothpicks (A couple of bucks if you don’t already own some.)
- Twist ties (A couple of bucks.)
- Natural Wheat Stalks (100 for $14, or I purchased a similar bundle at HomeGoods for $9.99.)
Equipment Needed:
- Disposable Gloves (for spray painting)
- A piece of cardboard to lay wheat bundles on when spray painting.
- Glue Gun (If you’re starting off with a fuller wreath you may not need this, but if your going with the Dollar Tree wreath, a glue gun will be a necessity.)
What can you make DIY wreaths out of?
To get a cheap Dollar Tree wreath to look like it was shipped straight from Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma, we need to get it looking full. Before we start spray painting, we need to make wheat bundles out of the wheat stalks.
BONUS Tip: You can also add dried pampas to the wreath along with the wheat stalks for a more substantial look. But honestly, if you’re on a tight budget, the natural color of the wheat mixed in with the contrast of the matte black stalks looks very expensive.
How To Make A Wheat Bundle
Grab five stems from your bouquet and cut off the bottoms to make them shorter. Next, get a twist tie to hold the bundle together. Each bundle should be approximately seven to eight inches long.
DIY Wreath Kit
You will need to make 18 to 20 bundles. Be sure to set aside eight wheat bundles for spray painting.
I glued on 18 bundles for my DIY wreath. With the few stems leftover, I stuffed them into the wreath individually.
How To Make A DIY Wreath Step-by-Step
Step 1: Pick out your wreath and the necessary materials you’ll need.
Step 2: Make 18 to 20 wheat bundles.
Step 3: Spray paint eight of those wheat bundles matte black.
Step 4: If you’ve chosen the Dollar Tree wreath, heat the glue gun and begin adding the wheat-colored bundles in a counter-clockwise position. Be sure to glue each bundle to overlap with the previous to hide stems and any glue remnants. You will attach 10 to 12 wheat-colored bundles in this step. Save the eight matte black bundles for last.
Step 5: Now that you have a full wreath filled with wheat bundles, grab eight toothpicks and the eight matte black wheat bundles. Space out each black bundle around the wreath, so pops of the black color are even around the circle.
Step 6: Lastly, secure each black bundle into the wreath with a toothpick. The toothpick will not only keep the bundle in place but will help hide any signs of hot glue used from the wheat-colored bundles. Be sure to stick the toothpick in far enough so it is not visible.
How To Make A DIY Wreath With Flowers
Just swap out the wheat and matte black bundles for whichever flower or decoration you wish to use. Whether you’re making a Halloween wreath, Christmas wreath, or one for Summer, the possibilities here are endless. And, since Dollar Tree wreaths are so cheap, it’s easy to start from scratch.
Check Out Some Classy Flower and Holiday Decor Below:
Purchase Halloween Wreath decor on AMAZON.
Purchase Flower Wreath decor on AMAZON.
Purchase Christmas Wreath decor on AMAZON.
Final Thoughts on DIY Wreath: How To Make A Cheap Wreath Look Expensive
I hope you found this post helpful for transforming a cheap Dollar Tree wreath! Knowing how to make a DIY wreath step-by-step will save you a ton of money all year round, and you’ll have fun in the process. While the wreaths from Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn are beautiful, it’s a real confidence booster when you learn to replicate a similar one for a quarter of the cost.
Follow me for more ideas on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Happy DIY Wreath Making!
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