Five Below's Sleek Metal Stool Could Easily Double as a Cheap Side Table for Small Outdoor Spaces
I think I can officially call myself old because I get a little too much joy out of repurposing common items for entirely different uses-especially if it saves me money. I was never a person to chase name brands; anything I have ever purchased, whether affordable or slightly luxurious, was always based on aesthetic over labels. But as I get older and purse strings get tighter, it does my heart a lot of good to find and use something affordable in an unconventional way.
Places like Five Below are full of such opportunities. After all, with a little DIY ingenuity, many cheap products morph into an unexpectedly high-end-looking conversation piece. But what's even better? Getting to simply reuse an item without having to lift a finger.
That's exactly what I am hoping to do with a stool I found while perusing Five Below's site.
Metal Stool, $5.55 at Five Below
This simple metal stool is great for quick seating, but when I look at it, I envision the perfect outdoor side table for my cramped porch. It's sturdy, cheap, and stands completely flat, so there is no reason you can't stick it outside for extra functionality. Available in both black and white, the "seat" itself is even shaped like a flower, giving any outdoor area a perfect minimalist look.
Related: Five Below's $7 Washable Rug Is the Perfect Cozy Upgrade for Any Room
How to Style and Use Your Metal Stool
I could see these perfectly placed between loungers for poolside snacks, perched next to Adirondack chairs for drinks, or acting as a simple accent piece next to an outdoor sofa. And if you really want to think innovatively, you could easily use it as an elevated plant stand for outdoor or indoor ornamentals.
Of course, if you cannot resist the urge to make it a little more stylish, there are tons of options to personalize it:
- Spray Paint It: Use a weatherproof spray paint like Rust-Oleum to completely change the piece's vibe. I could see this looking especially cute in a vibrant baby pink.
- Tile It: Use mosaic tiles to fashion a truly Mediterranean-looking piece that will glitz and glint in the summer sun.
- Decoupage It: Do you know how far a decorative napkin and some Mod Podge can take you? Patterned paper can add so much whimsy to the top of the table. Just be sure to coat it with an outdoor-grade sealer if you are sticking it outside!
And if it doesn't work out as a table? You only spent $5.55, so it isn't a huge loss to pivot and use it exactly as intended.
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 2:11 PM.