I Asked a Designer to Shop at Dollar General — Here’s Her $25 Haul

I love to shop, but I really don’t love to spend — especially in the summer. By the time June rolls around, I’m usually trying to save for upcoming travel (and, of course, Aperol Spritz season). But after a couple of months of spring cleaning, there are so many home upgrades still on my shopping list.

So now more than ever I’m on the hunt for some good dollar-store decor finds. But it can be tough to spot the real gems amongst the sheer volume of product at a store like Dollar General. That’s where an expert eye can come in handy. 

I asked New Jersey-based founder and principal designer Shamika Lynch of Maximizing Tiny Interiors to shop the store — all with a budget of just $25! She took on the task and scored some seriously stylish finds. From chic storage to a planter perfect for summer, the budget-friendly retailer did not disappoint. 

See Lynch’s picks below, and don’t forget to check out Dollar General for designer-approved decor on a budget.

“I’d probably go for [one of] their baskets like this one,” says Lynch, “to stow away things on an open shelf in plain sight with style.” Lynch uses baskets like this for just about anything, including “kids’ toys, extra toilet paper, dog toys, etc.” This one has two handles for easy toting, and a classic woven rope design — plus, it’s just $10! You really can’t go wrong. 

Lynch, like any other houseplant enthusiast, is always keeping an eye out for a good planter. “I’d [also] pick up a couple of planters to replant my indoor plants that I’m constantly propagating,” she says. “This one is charming.” And at just $12, that’s a steal for a 12” pot!