Why You Should Use Trays In Your Home Decor
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 beautiful: 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 easy 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 favorite drink 😉
ADD TEXTURE. We talked a bit here about giving your decor variety by adding shape and texture — and trays are a beautiful 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 Simple 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 ideas 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!
3 – Nightstand or Bedside Table
A tray makes a convenient place to charge your phone, keep your spare change, and place your glasses.
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
5 – His Dresser
Just call it a valet tray, and suddenly it’s a fancy receptacle for wallets, keys, and loose change.
6 – Her Dresser
Keep track of earrings and other jewelry, plus keys and odds and ends, with a simple 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.
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
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 easy to move if you ever need to do maintenance on the toilet.
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.
I love a wall of decorative plates of trays
Agreed! Thanks for the comment, Mary!
Looking for a DIY tutorial on refurbishing a tray I gave that has damage in the paper surface inside. Still good otherwise. Just need to change the bottom surface. How?
Hi Linda,
I’d suggest resurfacing like we did for our trays here: https://www.remodelaholic.com/easy-diy-patterned-trays-free-agate-printables/