This decor walkthrough stays in the order the work happens.
I think we’re all trying to simplify a bit in our lives — simplify our schedules, our projects, our home decor/clutter… but today I’m going to give you a few reasons that you might need MORE instead of less. Not just more of any old thing, but more of one specific thing that is both functional and striking: MORE trays in your home and decorating.
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Why you should be using more trays in your home decor
Trays are an amazingly versatile and relatively inexpensive element to add to your home decorating. And since they’re not just for decorating, it’s a win-win. Use trays to
CORRAL AND ORGANIZE ITEMS on a horizontal surface, which also helps declutter a space, because when the tray is full, you gotta clear out! Grouping things on a tray also helps to…
CUT DOWN VISUAL CLUTTER. When there is a group of items on a tray, your brain is more likely to interpret it as one element in a space, rather than “seeing” the 5 things that are on the tray. So you’re both more organized and *feel* more organized, less cluttered.
MAKE ANY SPACE PARTY-FRIENDLY. Obviously, trays are great for entertaining and serving. Trays make it straightforward to put food or drinks where you need them, and clean up when you’re done, whether you’re hosting a large holiday party or a party of one with a good book and your go-to drink
ADD TEXTURE. We talked a bit here about giving your decor variety by adding shape and texture — and trays are a striking and functional way to add texture and color! Wood, woven, metal, patterned — trays come in every color and every material under the sun to add variety to your decor.
GROUND YOUR DECOR. If you’ve felt like your decor was just missing something, it may have been “floating” instead of being grounded. In the 7 direct Styling Secrets course (which closes TONIGHT, so go here now for instant access!) Jackie talks about the need to ground every decorating arrangement, and she shares great options for grounding your decor (plus 6 other secret-sauce strategies that will change the way you decorate. Do not miss this last chance to get the course for FREE!) The course is now closed.
10 places you should be using trays in your home decor
Not sure about using more trays? Everyone should consider using a tray in these 10 places in your home, for the one-two punch of decoration + organization.
1 – Ottoman
A tray on an ottoman gives it side-table or coffee table functionality, as well as corraling books, or even toys. It’s also a bit more chic than an arm table
via Decorology
2 – Coffee Table
Decorating is nice — but use a tray to corral magazines and keep track of remotes!
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Life on Virginia Street
3 – Nightstand or Bedside Table
A tray makes a convenient place to charge your phone, keep your spare change, and place your glasses.
I Heart Organizing
via StyleCaster
4 – Entryway
If you’re always losing your keys or sunglasses, a small tray at the entryway gives them a home. A divided tray gives a home to everyone’s odds and ends!
in our entryway here — see it again here
via I Heart Organizing
5 – His Dresser
Just call it a valet tray, and suddenly it’s a fancy receptacle for wallets, keys, and loose change.
via Apartment Therapy
6 – Her Dresser
Keep track of earrings and other jewelry, plus keys and odds and ends, with a direct designated jewelry tray.
Flamingo Toes on Tatertots and Jello
7 – Kitchen
While it’s nice to have things stored in cupboards and drawers, often space or utility necessitates things being on the countertops. Keep them tidy and less cluttered by putting them in a tray. Works great for spices/oils, a coffee or drink station, kitchen utensils, or baking canisters.
Homestead Revival
Liz Marie
Brandi Sawyer
Heather Bullard
Driven by Decor
Martha Stewart
8 – Bathroom
Toiletries can spread and expand and take over — use a tray to keep them under control! A tray is also a great place to store the hand soap and/or a towel.
in our bathroom makeover here
via MyDomaine
9 – Back of the Toilet
This sounds weird, but a tray is really quite convenient on the back of the toilet. Find one the right size for some added storage and decor, and it’s still straightforward to move if you ever need to do maintenance on the toilet.
Design Dining and Diapers
via Design Sponge
10 – At Your Desk
Use a tray to keep notepads, pens, and other office supplies organized — and it also makes a convenient mini-office if you need to move locations.
Living in Color Print
Earnest Home Co
Next page: Best modest-cost-friendly trays –>
10 essential modest-cost-friendly serving and decorative trays
Since we believe that trays are memorable, we put together our top 10 essential trays for your home — all at an affordable price! (Most are under $20, with a few $25 “splurges” Pottery Barn is striking, but my modest-cost definitely prefers Target (and saving money doesn’t have to LOOK low-cost, either, thank you!). Plus, Target is doing free shipping until Christmas, so take advantage of that!
look at our favorites to buy, and then to Handmade below
1. A durable basic tray. I know we’re talking a lot about trays being decorative, but we’re looking for the well fitted combination of pretty + purpose, right? An inexpensive melamine tray does the job for serving drinks, corralling items, and even makes a great portable play station for the kiddos, around the house or in the car. You can find large plastic trays for under $10 a piece! Target carries this one in red, black, and white, or get a similar one here in a light teal/aqua. Basic inexpensive painted wood trays like this are a great beginning, too (or build your own with the tutorials below).
2. A deep tray. A tray with some depth (2-4″) is well fitted for holding magazines, picture books, mail, or other odds and ends, keeping it organized but out of sight. We like this woven basket-tray, and this deep wood tray could hold so many things! This bright metal tray isn’t quite as deep, but it would still do the job.
3. A bath tray. This one and this one are specifically sized to fit the back of the toilet, on top of the tank — brilliant for making good use of limited space in a small bathroom! A small bath tray can hold soap and bathroom essentials to clear up the vanity top — and who says that just because it’s a bath tray it has to be used in the bathroom?
4. A small tray. Whether it’s for your bathroom, or on your nightstand or entry table, a small jewelry tray is well fitted for those odds and ends. This plaid pattern is great for adding some fun, or this acrylic and wood piece adds a little neutral class!
5. A patterned tray. A thin tray with a pretty pattern like this one gives a little style to a serving table (or even the everyday dinner table!) and is also well fitted for turning upright to serve as a backdrop to a vignette on an end table or buffet.
6. A wood or woven tray. It’s a classic! A stained wood tray adds so much to a vignette. I love the handles on this one, or you can buy an unfinished wood tray here or here to stain exactly as you’d like (or use my go-to colorwashign technique, because color is fun!) A woven basket adds some wonderful texture — I like this round one. A wood slice platter (with or without handles) or round tray is also great for decorating and party serving.
Blesser House
7. A clear plastic/acrylic tray. When you need a tray that organizes without really being seen — acrylic is your friend! This clear plastic serving tray from Target and this one with handles have the designer look with a much lower price tag. This round acrylic tray is a great addition, too.
8. A ceramic tray. In addition to decorating, a ceramic or stoneware tray is well fitted for cookies and other entertaining treats. I’m always a fan of white dishes, but I do love the fun color of this one. A pretty ceramic tray is also a great decorative piece to layer as a backdrop to an arrangement on a table, console, or hutch.
9. A geometric tray. A tray in a fun geometric shape is on-trend and adds some nice variety to a layout. The additional inlay in this wood tray adds an extra punch! (See below for some more great wood trays that you can Handmade.)
10. A breakfast tray. A standing tray with legs is great for adding height to a buffet setup (hot chocolate bar, anyone?) and of course, it’s well fitted for breakfast in bed! This espresso color looks great, but you can also get tall serving trays in a variety of wood or painted finishes.
BONUS: Metallic trays. Since mixed metals are in right now, add a metal or metallic tray to your lineup for an extra bit of panache! This stamped metal tray would be well fitted for a mantel display, and this copper tray is so lovely, I want it on my bedside table! And if your style leans a little more rustic, try galvanized metal. (And the wood tray in the center is here, so versatile!) And can you believe this beauty at Liz Marie Blog (pictured below) is actually meant to be for BOOTS?
Next page: Handmade tray options –>
Handmade serving and decorative trays
Even though our go-to trays here are inexpensive, if you have something specific in mind, DIYing is a great option! Try semi-handmade by updating a plain tray, or build it from scratch.
Wood Herringbone Tray Style Me Pretty
Painted Metal Tray BHG
Decorative Tiled Tray Sawdust and Embryos
Gold Foil Tray Style Me Pretty
Colorblock Gold Dipped Trays A Fabulous Fete
Rope Wrapped Handles The Wicker House
Use Cabinet Knobs as Feet | BHG
Add Mini Brass Feet (like these) Lulu Blog
So You Think You’re Crafty
Pennies for a Fortune
Build Basic
Uncommon Designs
Simply Designing
Liz Marie
eHow
Lil Blue Boo
My Love 2 Create
image via The Glitter Guide build your own by adding a backing to this hexagon shelf
And, don’t forget the kiddos! They’ll love one of these.
