On a budget? 30 dollar-store finds to spruce up your listing for spring

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This story was updated on March 19, 2024.

Inflation, which hit a 40-year high of 9.1 percent in July 2022, is, thankfully, not nearly what it used to be. As of February 2024, it was sitting at about 3.15 percent.

But that doesn’t mean that prices are exactly comfortable either. Interest rates are still relatively high, and consumers are still looking for ways to make their dollar go further.

Unfortunately, inflation has impacted some of the country’s most affordable retailers, too. Dollar Tree recently announced plans to shutter nearly 1,000 stores in the next few years after posting a fourth-quarter loss. The retailer cited inflation, a decrease in SNAP benefits and its acquisition of the embattled Family Dollar chain in 2015 as reasons for the loss.

The competition to win listings today is also fierce, with agents outnumbering homes for sale in the U.S., causing them to pinch pennies even more. As of January 2024, there were about 1 million listings compared to 1.49 million National Association of Realtors (NAR) members registered at the end of February 2024, according to the real estate trade organization. Many agents have also faced a market cooldown and less business over the last few months as buyers became deterred by rising mortgage rates and home prices.

But even with rising prices and fewer Dollar Trees, real estate agents can still find deals at dollar stores that may come in handy for fall-inspired stagings, showings or open houses — from furniture and décor to the necessary bottle of hand sanitizer — without breaking the bank.

Here are 30 ideas to get started.

Bayberry Plush throw

This throw will exude plush comfort— and just a hint of being down on the farm — at the end of any staged bed. ($15 at Dollar General)

Embossed glass soap dispenser

Channel the luxurious bathroom of your dreams with this embossed soap dispenser. ($4 at Dollar General)

Tapered glass champagne flutes and ice bucket

Treat your guests with a set of champagne flutes and a bottle of chilled bubbly artfully displayed on the kitchen island. ($1.25 each for glasses, $1.25 for ice bucket at Dollar Tree)

Black decorative rod sets with square finials

Very inspired agents might want to do a quick window treatment installation inside of a home, and these black decorative curtain rods will do the trick. ($12 at Family Dollar)

Interiors by Design ivory sheer window panels

These ivory sheer window panels will easily refresh a drab living room. ($3 at Family Dollar)

Outdoor By Design solar-powered iron geometric design lanterns

Light up outdoor walkways for evening showings with these chic lanterns. ($5 at Family Dollar; price varies by location)

Faux succulents in glass pots

Give potential buyers a zen space with these energy-inspiring faux succulents. ($5 at Family Dollar)

Gray and white 10.5-inch dinner plates

Set an inviting dining room table with these eye-catching dinner plates. ($2.25 each at Family Dollar)

Solid black ceramic bowls

To make a striking tablescape, add these snazzy solid black ceramic bowls to complement those striped dinner plates. ($1 each at Family Dollar)

Decorative honey gnome

Bring a little spring-y cheer to a home’s garden with this cute garden gnome. ($5 at Dollar General)

Interiors by Design decorative runner rugs

These colorful runner rugs will warm up any room from a hallway to a bedroom. ($12 at Family Dollar.)

Interiors by Design end tables set

Fill out the living room staging with a quick pair of end tables, perfect for accent lamps or a vase full of fresh flowers. ($30 for two at Family Dollar)

Interiors by Design black 4-tier bookcase

A bookcase is a great venue for plants and other accent pieces to make a room more inviting. ($20 at Family Dollar.)

Interiors by Design floor lamp

Add this floor lamp to any room that suffers from harsh overhead lighting to make the space more welcoming to prospective buyers. ($15 at Family Dollar)

Dual-color fragrance warmer

These holders for scented candles provide a decorative touch and a fresh aroma to any room. ($1.25 each at Dollar Tree)

Purell advanced hand sanitizer

An essential for any kind of home showing or open house, these portable bottles with calm mantras on them will be a sure hit with buyers. ($1 each at Dollar General)

Colored glass decor bottle

Make your home showing a bit more artsy with these colorful glass bottles, which can be used as flower vases or, when grouped, to add a splash of color to a space. ($1.25 each at Dollar Tree)

Vertical welcome plaque

Welcome potential buyers in with these festive door decorations. ($1.25 each at Dollar Tree)

Collapsible storage cube

Show prospective buyers how they might organize an entryway or corral kids’ items in a mud room with these handy, kid-friendly collapsible cubes. ($3 each at Dollar Tree)

Ceramic vase

Grab some discount spring flowers from a local grocery store and place a few in one of these vases to add new life to a kitchen or dining area. ($5 each at Dollar Tree)

Club 92 jasmine blossom scented candle

Let the scents of spring permeate the air with this candle the smells of jasmine blossom. ($8 at Dollar General)

Printed coir doormat

Welcome potential buyers home with a “bee-dazzled” welcome mat. ($8 at Dollar General)

Decorative animal shaped cement succulent

You can never have enough greenery. Give a sense of calm to prospective buyers by bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside with these succulents. ($1 at Dollar General)

Printed fabric shower curtain

Give the bathroom a touch of color with a boldly printed shower curtain. ($10 at Dollar General)

Tassled black & white lumbar pillow

Don’t forget an interesting, classy throw pillow to add pop to any sofa or lounging chair. ($10 at Dollar General)

Plant printed kitchen towel

Remind potential buyers how much fun it will be planting this year’s garden at their new home with these festive dish towels. ($1 at Dollar General)

Artificial hanging wreath

A green wreath that channels the spirit of spring and rebirth will brighten any doorframe. ($5 at Dollar General)

Hanging wooden carrot shaped welcome sign

Get veggie lovers excited for the new season with these carrot welcome signs. ($3 at Dollar Tree)

Easter table cloth

This gingham tablecloth can either serve to bring out the Easter spirit or the spirit of a new picnic season with its cheerful pattern. ($3 at Dollar General)

Writer’s note: Some items listed are only available in-store and not online. In addition, some items have minimum number requirements to purchase them online.

Email Lillian Dickerson