Creative Ways to Use Trays in Your Home Decor

Trays are among the most versatile and underrated decorative accessories in your home. Far beyond their practical purpose, these simple objects can instantly organize clutter, create stunning vignettes, and add polish to any space. Discover these creative ways to use trays in your home that blend beauty with function.

Whether you’re styling a coffee table, corralling bathroom essentials, or creating a welcoming entryway display, the right tray can transform everyday items into intentional design moments. 

Trays come in every size, style, color and material to fit in every home. No matter the style of your home, you can find a tray that will work for you.

I have many trays, but I’m still attracted to them in stores, online, at estate sales or flea markets.

If you have trays, do you need ideas for using them and styling them in different ways? If so, then this post is for you.

You can’t have too many tray ideas in your home decor toolbox.

I’ve gathered some great ideas for incorporating trays into your home decor. Every room, season of the year, and holiday are opportunities to style a tray that will add interest to your home.

Great Ideas for Using Trays for Any Season

Trays come in so many styles and materials that we have to be careful not to “over-trayed”! I can’t ignore a pretty tray. It’s the perfect accessory for function and decor.

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Where to Use a Tray?

I can’t think of a place in your home where a tray won’t be useful and add style. Let’s start with some ideas for the entry.

Trays in the Entry

If you have a console, chest or any type of table in your entry, this is a great place to use a tray for decoration or as a place for keys or mail. I love this simple setting from Debbie of Refresh Restyle.

Place a stylish tray by the front door for keys, mail, and sunglasses. Choose one that complements your entryway’s style while keeping daily essentials tidy.

The woven, natural material contrasts nicely with the shiny texture of the glass and the mirror. The little handles add some interesting detail.

Here is a simple tray vignette I created for our entry:

• A painted grey wood tray filled with a brass lantern and shades of blue ceramic vases.
• The simplicity of the tray, with its shape and color contrasts, complements the brass and glass lantern, ceramic-colored vases, and the gold-framed mirror.

Trays on the Coffee Table

Coffee tables are perfect for adding a vignette with a tray. It’s the perfect place for gathering a few favorite accessories.

This arrangement from Carol of Through My Front Porch uses a calming two-toned color scheme of white and grey.

I love how the white candles, flowers and balls contrast with the brown stain of the tray.

Also, notice the different shapes in this vignette:

• The rectangular tray
• The balls and the round shape of the wire basket
• The cylindrical shape of the pitcher and the candlesticks

Another coffee table tray vignette on the coffee table. This one from Cherie of Light Lady Studio uses textures that are matte and shiny for contrast. Isn’t that beaded edging on the tray interesting?

Woven trays are some of my favorites. I love the natural material, the neutral color, and the weave of this woven tray. The oval shape is also interesting.

Pair blue and white balls in a glass vase with a pretty plant and you have a winner. Kelly of Blue Gray Gal uses just a few ingredients to make a stunning vignette.

I used this rectangular water-hyacinth tray with handles to create a summer vignette on our coffee table. This new tray has a lovely woven pattern that has already become a favorite.

This tray has a simple shape, but the enamel-painted finish in blue and white is accented by modern brass handles. The blue patterned ceramic balls are a designer’s delight.

This large round, woven tray is another favorite. It was perfect for a spring vignette when I included several items.

Swap out tray contents seasonally – autumn leaves and mini pumpkins in fall, or fresh flowers and light linens in spring. For holidays, use trays for Christmas and Easter decor. The tray is the base for a changeable vignette.

Tray on the Bed

In the bedroom, trays can be set on the bed to corral a book, your glasses, and a small plant. Suzy of Worthing Court creates a soothing scene with a galvanized tray.

This cozy-inducing tray idea from Artera Homes is one of several ways to use a tray on a bed that is both pretty and functional. Who wouldn’t love to enjoy a cup of tea while reading in bed in the morning? The “built-in” handles make it easy to carry this tray.

Trays in the Bathroom

On the bathroom vanity, create a mini vanity area using a mirrored or vintage tray to display perfumes, skincare products, wash cloth, or a small jewelry dish.

Don’t you love this beautiful blue tray by the sink styled by Home Made Lovely?

This tray on our vanity was originally a frame that I painted blue.

The metal and leather accents on the tray add interest. The vignette uses different textures, beginning with the wood of the tray and then the shine of the pitcher and the matte finish of the candlesticks.

Trays in the Kitchen

Trays in the kitchen are so practical. They can be used to hold utensils, spices, and other tools. Or they can be strictly decorative. This vintage-looking wood tray – don’t you love those little feet? – has the perfect natural wood finish for this setting.

This vignette is one of many great ideas for using trays in your home decor from Curated Decor. Be sure to check out all the different examples of using trays.

This tray vignette from Shelley of Calypso in the Country is a great example of diverse pieces brought together in a tray in a kitchen corner.

Would you have thought of joining crystal with a white porcelain pitcher and wheat? The blue jar adds just the right amount of pattern.

I found this woven tray in the Dollar Spot at Target. It sits on our kitchen counter by the sink. Perfect for soap, lotion, and a small plant. The chinoiserie dish with a lid is an estate sale find that I use to put my jewelry in when I’m washing dishes. Sometimes I switch the plant for a small candle.

Tiered Tray – Farmhouse Style

Tiered trays are so popular that I had to include some. This farmhouse-style tiered tray from Bree of Rain and Pine placed on a side table is a lovely way to gather like items for more impact.

Tiered trays don’t always have to be round. This sweet little rectangular tiered tray from French Creek Farmhouse is perfect for showing off favorite things.

Restyling Old Trays with a Little DIY Creativity

Recycling trays is a great way to save money and keep a great tray out of the city dump. Old trays can be painted, decoupaged, stenciled, or any other upcycling ideas you may have.

Transforming an Old Silver Tray

Who wouldn’t love a pink tray with a little gold bling? Would you have known that it started as a tarnished silver tray?

You can’t have too many tray ideas in your home decor toolbox. This awesome DIY tray makeover is too good to pass up.

I had to include this DIY project with paint and gold leaf. Christy of Confessions of a Serial DIYer shows you how to achieve this look. It’s a pretty solution for keeping jewelry neat in the bathroom.

Decoupage a Tray

Here is a DIY tray project I made with a curb-side found tray and decoupage.

Gold Leaf DIY Tray

This plain square wood tray got a complete makeover for Christmas one year. White paint and gold leaf completely transformed it.

Fall Tray Vignettes for Inspiration

Trays are essential accessories in any season, but they are particularly well-suited for fall if made from natural, woven materials. This simple wood tray is the perfect base for shades of fall colors and textures.

I’ve used this round tray many times for seasonal decor. I’ve even threaded blue satin ribbon through it at Easter time.

The velvet pumpkins and glass jar contrast nicely with the smooth finish of this round wood tray. Sarah of Thrifty Decor Chick found this tray at Target.

In this fall vignette on our kitchen counter, the natural-stained wood tray takes a back seat to the other decorative items. But without the tray, the items wouldn’t seem connected.

Another tiered tray, this time decked out for a fall centerpiece from Malena Permentier, would give any table a seasonal touch.

This is the same round wooden tray that I used for a spring vignette (above). This photo shows just how versatile a tray can be, pivoting from spring to fall decor.

What do you think of these great ways to use trays in your home decor? Save these ideas for your own home styling.

You’ll love these fall posts for great ideas:

• 15 Quick and Simple Ways to Decorate Your Home for Fall
• How to Easily Reuse and Restyle Fall Decor
• Cozy Fall Decor Ideas for the Living Room

Shopping for Trays for Your Home

I found some different styles of trays that you will like.

Be sure to PIN these fall styling ideas to keep them handy. For more inspiration, check out these Pinterest Boards: Fall Home Decor, Fall Mantels, and Fall DIY Projects.