Decorating
9 Creative Ways to Use an Old Wooden Printer Tray
Upcycle a vintage printer tray to create delightful storage for miniature collections and all those other little things...
Back in the days of old, when printing was all done via letterpress (and not the digital kind), the small compartments on a printer tray had the sole purpose of storing the individual letters. Nowadays the printer tray has been given a new (and very convenient and lovely) lease on life inside the home. You might like to try one of these display ideas…
Precious family heirlooms shouldn’t be kept out of sight in darkened drawers. This Swiss army knife belonged to the homeowner’s great-grandfather and was used during his service in WWI.
2. A treasure trove
Instead of being cooped up in a photo album, those smaller vintage family photos or shots that are taken in a photo booth, fit perfectly into the smaller sections of a printer tray.
Instead of being cooped up in a photo album, those smaller vintage family photos or shots that are taken in a photo booth, fit perfectly into the smaller sections of a printer tray.
3. A mini garden
Such a fantastic and refreshingly different way to grow a succulent!
Such a fantastic and refreshingly different way to grow a succulent!
4. A statement piece of wall art
These large printer trays have been joined together to make one huge artwork with massive impact. Printer trays full of bits and pieces, or in this case simply coloured boxes, can be a great alternative to a print or painting to decorate your walls.
These large printer trays have been joined together to make one huge artwork with massive impact. Printer trays full of bits and pieces, or in this case simply coloured boxes, can be a great alternative to a print or painting to decorate your walls.
5. An ingenious sideboard
Not only restricted to the wall, a collection of printer trays have been connected to create a sideboard for this home.
Not only restricted to the wall, a collection of printer trays have been connected to create a sideboard for this home.
6. A craft room must-have
This sewing room has its thimbles displayed and stored on a wall-hung printer tray. Cotton reels would work wonderfully, too, for easy access and a fantastic pop of colour.
This sewing room has its thimbles displayed and stored on a wall-hung printer tray. Cotton reels would work wonderfully, too, for easy access and a fantastic pop of colour.
7. A shrine
Here, visual interest was created by limiting a display to Zippos, dice and small bottles. The owner of this collection elaborates: “Anywhere I saw these things, I’d buy, bid and beg for them. I call it the ‘Frank Sinatra tray’ – booze, fags and rolling the dice … three of Frank’s favourite pastimes!”
Here, visual interest was created by limiting a display to Zippos, dice and small bottles. The owner of this collection elaborates: “Anywhere I saw these things, I’d buy, bid and beg for them. I call it the ‘Frank Sinatra tray’ – booze, fags and rolling the dice … three of Frank’s favourite pastimes!”
8. A jewellery showcase
Gone are the days when you have to rummage deep inside your jewellery box, driving yourself mad looking for those tiny studs. A printer tray allows you to display your beautiful pieces of jewellery, while simultaneously providing a practical solution for keeping things untangled and easy to locate.
Gone are the days when you have to rummage deep inside your jewellery box, driving yourself mad looking for those tiny studs. A printer tray allows you to display your beautiful pieces of jewellery, while simultaneously providing a practical solution for keeping things untangled and easy to locate.
9. An empty-and-still-utterly-adorable display piece
No knick-knacks required! An empty printer tray grouped with photos like it is here creates a warm, visually appealing vignette.
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No knick-knacks required! An empty printer tray grouped with photos like it is here creates a warm, visually appealing vignette.
MORE
10 Upcycling Projects to Turn Your Trash Into Treasure
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Second Best: 5 Reasons to Scour the Op Shops
The printer tray is the perfect place to store and display all the smaller items picked up from travels overseas and closer to home.