Not everyone has hundreds or thousands of dollars to shell out on custom paddles, Saint Andrew’s crosses, or violet wands.
And, while there are plenty of “beginner BDSM sets” out there, most of them run way over forty dollars.
The fantastic news for all your new, veteran, or curious kinds out there…
All you need is a trip to the hardware or dollar store and a little creativity.
AT THE HARDWARE STORE
If you’re lucky, you can also find some of these at a dollar store…
Adjustable C clamps – These can hook over your door frame if you want to tie someone while they stand up. Just make sure you know how and where to attach them. You’ll want about two of them and they run about $6 to $10.
Carabiner/D-Clips – Good for connecting rope or chains together and having a fast way out of them. They can be less than a buck each.
Fishing Weights – Great for nipple weights. There are several styles, but the ball ones are sometimes called eggs, beans, or ball sinkers. They either come in bags or box collections. $10 or less.
Paint Stirrers – Good for spanking or swatting the hands of your naughty little student. Grab one or two for free if you can.
Sandpaper – If you can’t find anything cheap at the hardware store, head for the dollar store. They might have some. Good for sensory play. $5 give or take.
Double-Ended Snap Hook – Another good one for connecting rope or chains. You can find nice brass ones for ten dollars, but I would go for the simple metal ones around $1.25.
Wooden Dowels – They come in a variety of widths and can be great for spanking. The thicker ones (with a little ingenuity) can be fashioned into a spreader bar to keep the legs apart. You can get a pack of TEN for around $9.
Medical Scissors – A MUST have for any BDSM kit. Don’t bother with normal scissors. The medical ones can cut your partner out of binding or dangerous situations faster. They run from $3 to $5.
AT THE DOLLAR STORE
You can probably fashion 99% of your BDSM kit from here…
Baby oil – Get your sub to give you a nice massage. Do not use for internal lube!
Baby pacifier – Humiliation or for those who are into age play.
Bottlebrush – Run along the skin lightly for some fun sensory play … or harder for more intense sensations. More sensory items include makeup brushes, paintbrushes, scotch pads, metal scouring pads, ice cube trays (for making ice), or loofah sponges.
Candleholders – Set some mood lighting. The cheapest will be tealight holders.
Chopsticks or BBQ skewers – Set one on either side of the nipple and hold in place with rubber bands for a make-shift nipple clamp. Watch out for splinters.
Clothespins – Also good for nipple clamps. Make sure you test the pressure first. Some are too tight and can cause damage.
Dog leash and collar – Good for your slaves or pet play.
Spanking Things – You don’t need an expensive flogger. Try plastic cutting boards, wooden spoons, spatulas, beach sandals, frosting knives, hairbrushes, rulers, yardsticks, ping pong paddles, and fly swatters.
Dog or cat toys – More products for pet play.
Feather duster – Tickling can be just as torturous … or make them clean the house because they were bad. More options include paintbrushes and makeup brushes.
Pickle pincher – Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it? They’re actually not that bad. Useful to pinching in random places and keeping your sub on their toes.
Rubber bands – Yes to nipple clamps but they are also useful for snapping the skin, and (if you’re REALLY careful) C&B torture.
Ribbons – Not to tie someone up with (unless you keep the knots light and it’s more for aesthetic or photography purposes). Good for making pretty collars. Why not attach a bell? It’s super cute!
Medical Gloves – You need these no matter what you’re into – for applying lube etc. and you want to keep your hands clean without running to the bathroom. A must for any anal play.
Padlocks – Holding chains together or for locking them in their room because they were very naughty.
Wiffle Balls – Don’t have money for a ball gag? Not to worry. Just get your hands on one of these, string a length of rope (or whatever) through the holes and voila!
Zip Ties – I’m not a fan of zip ties to bind someone, but they are super useful in general.
Wet Wipes and Rubbing Alcohol – You’ll need to clean up things and keep things sterilized.
Velcro – If you have a DIY streak this is an easy way to make wrist and ankle cuffs. If they are lined with something soft, they will be quite comfortable to wear, plus be easy to take off in case of emergencies.
AT THE SECOND-HAND STORE
You’ll need to be more patient and keep going back if they don’t have what you’re looking for…
Scarves – Makeshift blindfolds. Tip: keep the knot to the side so they are more comfortable. Around $1 – $2.
Candlesticks – You can hunt down the bigger, cooler ones if the dollar store tea lights aren’t your taste. There are so many that they practically give them away. And if you are art savvy (or can extrapolate the DIY stuff on Pinterest) you can dress them up to suit your dungeon style. If all else fails, spray paint. Great for mood lighting. $1 to $3.
Clothing – Either for making your own floggers or cheap role play outfits that can be destroyed. The price is obviously going to vary.
Belts – Different materials, textures, and thicknesses. There’s no reason to just get one. Go for a selection. Around $1 – $2.
Fake fur – It’s great for sensory play, or you can make a light flogger from the material. No idea how much you would have to shell out, but the fake stuff will definitely be a steal.
A NOTE ON TYING THEM UP
There are multitudes of material choices available – each with their own pros and cons.
- Hardware stores have a wide selection of ropes, chains etc. but you’re going to pay by the foot or meter.
- Dollar stores will be the most affordable but you won’t have as much of a choice.
- Neckties or scarves from the dollar store will save you a bundle, but they probably won’t come in sexy red or black … more likely the paisley print your grandma favors.
REMEMBER: Rougher ropes hold their knots better but are harder on the skin. Soft materials like neckties, scarves, and pantyhose will be more forgiving but riskier for knots.
If you want to know more about rope, this article might help:
Bondage Rope 101 – 12 Useful Tips and Extensive Rope Rundown
A NOTE ON SAFETY
- Always try something on your own body before trying it on others
- Learn how to spank safely
- Educate yourself on bondage safety
- Study basic knots (lots of stuff online)
- Have medical scissors ready just in case
- Even if your gear is cheap, keep things clean
- Include aftercare in all your sessions
And this is just a BASIC list. There’s an entire world out there with options. Let your mind and kink go free and see what you can come up with.
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ADDITION: One lovely reader suggested PET STORES as another source for kink equipment. Watch for some great sales so you can stay within your budget (these places aren’t always guaranteed to be cheap). Also, a “super” store will be better than expensive pet boutiques.
Also, if you want more interesting and informative articles, check these out:
- 10 Tips on How to Build a BDSM Dungeon in Your Home
- Are Hitachi Wands Still the Best? Compare to other Brands
Have you found any other ways to keep BDSM within a budget? Share in the comments!
