7 of the Most Underrated Things at Target

While everyone knows Target’s home-décor and fashion collections have been fiercely on point lately, not everyone thinks of the megastore as a go-to spot for DIY supplies. Although I like to support my local hardware or craft store when I’m working on a project at home, sometimes it’s just more convenient to throw sandpaper and stencils into my cart while I’m shopping for paper towels and shampoo. The fact is that Target is packed with tons of project essentials that can really come in handy when you’re sprucing up your space or giving some furniture a mini-makeover. Here are some of its best hidden gems.

Let’s be honest, we could all use more storage. And hooks are one of the easiest ways to get it: They make the most of vertical space, leaving the floor clear, and they can even double as a design statement if you pick something with character. This industrial-style option would look incredible on a wood wall. If you gravitate towards softer, more romantic pieces, consider this glass-accented hook, or if you’re into sleek and simple, try this unfussy brass option. Not allowed to make nail holes? This modern fixture is backed with a super-strong magnet.

A simple wood crate is like crafter catnip: It’s versatile, can be made into any number of storage pieces (magazine rack, wall-mounted cubby, dog bed, toy box) and its unadorned wood surface can be painted, decoupaged or stenciled. While crates are easy to come by if you work at a farmer’s market or live near an orchard, they’re not exactly a dime a dozen in the city or suburbs—and the ones at flea markets tend to be pricey. Target has a bunch of options with the cheapest costing just $8. Sold!

Target has a surprisingly wide inventory of unfinished solid wood pieces, perfect for putting your own stamp on. The collection, much of which will run you less than $100, includes accent tables, chairs, benches, and storage chests, and they rival what you’d find in many home-improvement stores.The styles veer towards the traditional, with carved details and turned feet, but you can also find some more modern pieces with simple lines, like a slim console table with tapered legs.

If you want to give a space instant personality, temporary wallpaper is the way to go, and Target.com is a treasure trove of the stuff. You can find a design for nearly any style of home— traditional, modern, bohemian, preppy, shabby chic —with most rolls costing around $30 a pop. Although the store carries big-name wallpaper brands like Graham & Brown and Tempaper, I’m a fan of the Hearth & Hand designs by Joanna and Chip Gaines of Magnolia. Their pretty plaids and understated botanicals are perfect for giving any room that Fixer Upper farmhouse chic look.

For such small items, house numbers can cost a pretty penny. While you could always shop the aisles at a home-improvement store, the selection at Target makes it easy to find something cute: Most of the numbers are sleek and vaguely mid-century looking, and they come in lots of finishes from polished nickel to antique copper. And did we mention prices start at less than $4?

Adding pattern to fabric, furniture, or even your wall becomes infinitely easier when you use stencils. I was surprised to find Target.com has 17 pages of options, with smaller alphabet stencils for craft projects to oversize stencils made for walls. Basic geometric shapes like chevrons and scallops are covered, but there are also dozens of quirkier designs like leopard print, a bird cage and even a vintage-looking airstream trailer —use it on a blank canvas, and you’ve got instant wall art.

Not only does this sticky stuff make repairing holey or cracked items infinitely easy, but it’s a great art supply in itself, especially in a bright color or fun pattern. Use it to trim out a mirror, or decorate your phone case.