18+ Creative DIY Tray Ideas for Every Home

Hey there, fellow DIY enthusiast! Are you ready to transform some simple materials into stunning trays that will add a personal touch to your home decor?

1. Nature-Inspired Leaf Tray

Bring the beauty of fall indoors with this stunning nature-inspired leaf tray, perfect for adding a touch of warmth to your minimalist decor.

Use real or faux leaves and decoupage them onto a tray for a nature-inspired piece. For a different seasonal take, explore these creative Christmas tray ideas. I love using this tray in the fall to bring some of the outdoors inside.

Check these products out:

Mod Podge Waterbase Sealer: Seal and protect your leaf designs with this versatile decoupage sealer. Perfect for a durable finish.
Artificial Autumn Leaves: Add vibrant fall colors to your tray with these realistic faux leaves. Perfect for DIY projects.
Unfinished Wood Tray: Customize this wooden tray as your base for a beautiful, nature-inspired DIY art piece.

2. Geometric Painted Tray

Add a splash of modern artistry to your space with this DIY geometric painted tray.

Create bold designs using geometric patterns with painter’s tape and vibrant colors. This technique is perfect for crafting unique DIY jewelry tray ideas. I made one with triangles, and it adds a modern touch to my otherwise eclectic decor.

Check if these fit your needs:

Painter’s Tape: Ensure crisp lines with high-quality painter’s tape for your geometric designs. Perfect for DIY projects.
Acrylic Paint Set: Explore vibrant colors with an acrylic paint set, ideal for crafting bold geometric patterns.
Wooden Tray: Base your DIY project on a durable wooden tray, ready to be transformed with your creativity.

3. Wooden Farmhouse Tray

Embrace rustic elegance with this handmade wooden farmhouse tray.

Using reclaimed wood, create a rustic tray that exudes farmhouse charm. If you enjoy this style, you’ll love these rustic DIY table ideas as well. I made one for my coffee table, and the warmth it adds is simply unbeatable.

A few choices to try:

Reclaimed Wood Boards: Craft your perfect tray with genuine reclaimed wood, adding warmth and authenticity to any room.
Wood Finish or Stain: Enhance your tray’s natural beauty with a protective wood stain, elevating its rustic charm.
Woodworking Tool Set: Equip yourself with essential tools for easy crafting, ensuring precision and quality in every cut.

4. Decoupage Botanical Tray

Elevate your tea time with a handcrafted botanical tray—where simplicity meets elegance.

Use botanical prints and decoupage them onto a tray for a fresh, spring feel. These make for lovely DIY hostess gifts. I adore using this tray to serve tea during garden-themed brunches.

Useful items to consider:

Set of Botanical Decoupage Papers: Enhance your tray with vibrant botanical prints for a delightful spring feel. Order yours today!
Waterproof Decoupage Glue: Ensure a lasting finish with this high-quality waterproof glue. Perfect for all your crafting needs!
Wooden Serving Tray for DIY Projects: Start your DIY project with this sturdy wooden tray. Ideal for creative home decor endeavors!

5. Fabric-Covered Tray

Elevate your decor with a touch of floral elegance in a minimalist setting.

Use your favorite fabric to create a textured DIY jewelry tray, adding color to your space. I once used a bold floral print which perfectly complemented my summer decor.

Maybe worth checking out:

Bold Floral Print Fabric: Choose vibrant floral fabrics to create a stunning centerpiece tray for any room.
Wooden Serving Tray with Handles: Get a durable wooden tray, perfect for embellishing with your favorite fabrics.
Spray Adhesive for Fabric: Secure fabric easily with a versatile spray adhesive designed for lasting hold.

6. Painted Mandala Tray

Add a touch of boho elegance to your space with a hand-painted mandala tray, where simplicity meets artistry.

Paint an intricate mandala design on a wooden tray for a boho-chic vibe. If you enjoy working with different materials, try these cute clay tray ideas next. This was a calming weekend project that now graces my bedside table.

These products might be useful:

Acrylic Paint Set: Elevate your creativity with vibrant colors perfect for your mandala design projects.
Mandala Stencil Set: Simplify your mandala art with these stencils, ideal for creating detailed designs effortlessly.
Wooden Serving Tray: Get a durable, blank wooden tray ready to transform with your personalized mandala art.

7. Sea Glass Mosaic Tray

Bring the calming essence of the coast into your home with a Sea Glass Mosaic Tray.

Collect sea glass and arrange it into a mosaic pattern on a tray for a beachy, serene vibe. Sealing it with epoxy is one of many stunning resin tray ideas you can try. This project took me back to my seaside vacations, bringing a piece of the coast into my living room.

You might give these a try:

Sea Glass Pieces for Crafts: Create stunning coastal designs with assorted sea glass pieces for any DIY mosaic project.
Wooden Serving Tray with Handles: Start your mosaic project with a sturdy wooden tray, perfect for customization and easy handling.
Clear Epoxy Resin for Crafts: Seal your mosaic creation with clarity using durable epoxy resin, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish.

8. Chalkboard Serving Tray

Elevate your hosting game with a chic DIY chalkboard serving tray – a perfect blend of functionality and style!

Transform an ordinary tray into a chalkboard surface where you can scribble fun messages or menu items. Speaking of party food, these DIY edible arrangements are also a huge hit. I once used this idea for a brunch party, and my guests loved personalizing their plates with cute doodles.

Explore these options:

Chalkboard Paint: Transform any surface into a fun, writable area with easy-to-apply chalkboard paint.
Wooden Serving Tray: Choose a sturdy wooden tray, perfect as a base for your chalkboard transformation.
Chalk Markers: Enhance your chalkboard design with vibrant, erasable chalk markers for personalized messages.

9. Marble Contact Paper Tray

Transform your space with a touch of luxury: DIY marble tray elegance.

Wrap a simple tray in marble contact paper for an elegant, high-end look without the hefty price tag. This is a great trick for an elegant DIY jewelry tray, and it looks like a million bucks.

Give these a look:

Marble Contact Paper: Transform surfaces with elegant marble patterns by applying this easy-to-use contact paper.
Decorative Tray: Choose a versatile tray perfect for crafting a stylish, customized piece for your home decor.
Crafting Utility Knife: Ensure precision cutting with a reliable utility knife, ideal for DIY projects and crafts.

10. Vintage Map Tray

Travel through memories with this bespoke vintage map tray, perfect for adding a touch of wanderlust to your space.

Line a tray with a vintage map to create a wanderlust-inspired piece. This project also makes for one of many thoughtful DIY hostess gifts. I used a map of my hometown, and it always takes me back to cherished memories.

May just do the trick:

Wooden Serving Tray: Enhance your DIY project with a stylish, durable wooden tray; perfect for home decor enthusiasts.
Vintage Style Map Paper: Transport your crafts to another era with vintage map paper; ideal for creative DIY projects.
Clear Acrylic Sealer: Protect your map tray masterpiece with a clear acrylic sealer; ensures longevity and brilliance.

11. Embossed Metal Tray

Elevate your decor with this DIY embossed metal tray, where vintage charm meets minimalist elegance.

Create an embossed pattern on a metal tray using a simple embossing tool. This technique gave my tray a vintage look that guests often admire. For more ways to decorate your space, explore these creative DIY table ideas.

A few things you might like:

Metal Embossing Tool Set: Elevate your DIY projects with this durable embossing tool set, perfect for intricate designs.
Patterned Metal Trays: Add elegance to your home decor with these stylish embossed metal trays for any occasion.
Metal Polishing Cloth: Keep your embossed trays shining with a high-quality metal polishing cloth, simple and effective.

12. Personalized Photo Tray

Capture memories and conversations with a bespoke photo tray—where cherished moments meet minimalist elegance.

Customize a tray with your favorite photos under a clear resin coating. I created one with family memories, and it’s one of those thoughtful DIY hostess gifts that never fails to spark conversation.

Try these:

Clear Epoxy Resin Kit: Create a glossy finish for your tray. Easy to use for beginners and experts alike.
Wooden Serving Tray with Handles: Choose a sturdy tray base with handles for easy carrying and photo display.
High-Quality Photo Paper: Print your favorite memories with vivid colors and sharp details for a personalized touch.

13. Leather Strap Handles

Elevate your tray with chic leather handles—simplicity meets elegance in every detail.

Upgrade a plain tray with leather strap handles for an elegant, minimalist look. Similar to the textures you’ll find in these creative clay tray ideas, I used some leftover leather from another project, and it added a sophisticated touch.

Possibly helpful picks:

Genuine Leather Strap for Crafting: Add a touch of elegance with genuine leather straps for your DIY tray projects.
Wood Tray with Pre-drilled Holes: Simplify your project with a ready-to-use wood tray featuring pre-drilled handle holes.
Brass Screws for Leather Handles: Secure your leather handles elegantly with durable brass screws designed for wood.

14. Upcycled Window Pane Tray

Transform old into gold with this upcycled window pane tray – the perfect blend of minimalism and boho beauty.

Transform an old window pane into a stunning DIY centerpiece by adding handles and sealing it. A friend of mine adored this idea and used it to display her vintage teapot collection.

Some handy options:

Decorative Tray Handles: Upgrade your DIY tray with elegant handles for a sophisticated and functional touch.
Clear Varnish Sealer: Protect your upcycled tray with a clear varnish, ensuring durability and a polished finish.
Decorative Contact Paper: Add charm to your tray by lining it with stylish decorative contact paper.

15. Tile Inlay Tray

Add a touch of artistry to your dining table with a stunning mosaic tile inlay tray.

Incorporate mosaic tiles in the base of a tray for a dazzling pattern. This was my weekend project once, and it turned out to be a showstopper on my dining table. See also these other inspiring DIY table ideas for more projects.

Items that may come in handy:

Mosaic Tile Set: Enhance your DIY tray with vibrant mosaic tiles, adding a unique and colorful touch.
Wooden Tray Base: Start your tray project with a sturdy wooden base, ready to customize with mosaic tiles.
Tile Adhesive and Grout: Secure your tiles with durable adhesive and grout, ensuring long-lasting beauty in your tray.

16. Floating Candle Tray

Create a magical ambiance with a floating candle tray centerpiece.

Transform a tray into a centerpiece by adding water and floating candles. Much like other DIY centerpieces ideas, this simple trick creates a magical ambiance. I used this for an outdoor dinner party.

Some ideas to consider:

Floating Tealight Candles: Create a magical ambiance with these floating tealight candles, perfect for any centerpiece display.
Wooden Tray with Raised Edge: Choose a stylish wooden tray with a raised edge to contain water and floating candles elegantly.
Eucalyptus Garland: Enhance your centerpiece with a fresh eucalyptus garland, adding a natural touch to your decor.

17. Cork Wine Tray

Transform wine corks into a stunning DIY tray for your next gathering.

Repurpose wine corks into a tray surface for a unique, textured look. I love using this tray during wine and cheese gatherings with friends; it also makes for one of many unique DIY hostess gifts.

A few helpful options:

Wine Cork Collection Kit: Collect and store wine corks for your DIY projects. Perfect for crafting enthusiasts.
Wooden Serving Tray: Get a sturdy wooden tray as a base for your cork design. Ideal for indoor use.
Strong Craft Adhesive: Securely attach corks with this powerful craft adhesive. Ideal for creating lasting designs.

18. Rustic Stone Tray

Elevate your bathroom decor with a touch of nature – a handcrafted rustic stone tray that brings the spa experience home.

Attach small stones to a tray for a natural, earthy texture. If you like this organic style, try these natural clay tray ideas next. I displayed this one in my bathroom, and it complements the spa-like atmosphere perfectly.

Consider these options:

Decorative River Stones: Enhance your tray with smooth, natural stones for an earthy, spa-like bathroom decor.
Strong Adhesive Glue for Crafts: Securely attach stones to your tray with reliable, clear-drying glue for a lasting finish.
Wooden Tray Base: Customize your rustic tray with a sturdy wooden base, perfect for a natural look.