Decorative Trays Keep Everything in Its Place
The humble tray is one of the most efficient decorating tools, helping your home to stay organised and looking great. Here's how to use them
Our brain likes to process information in categories. It is an act of cognitive economy. So why not use this inherent quality of our grey matter to organise our home? To stay stylishly organised, use one of the most versatile decorator items there is – the humble tray. It comes in myriad shapes, materials and sizes, and can be used in any room. Find inspiration below on how to introduce practical and picture perfect trays into your daily life.
In the living room
Trays are versatile coffee table organisers. No matter what decorating style you prefer, there is a tray to suit. In this tropical living area, a rustic timber box with shells, candles and some greenery makes an eye-catching display.
Trays are versatile coffee table organisers. No matter what decorating style you prefer, there is a tray to suit. In this tropical living area, a rustic timber box with shells, candles and some greenery makes an eye-catching display.
For a more luxurious approach in the living room, combine high-shine materials, such as glass and metal, with neutral-toned flowers and an intricate candle holder. Interestingly, the shape of the flower petals works perfectly with the pattern of the candle holder, and the tray serves to frame the whole.
In the kitchen
To keep kitchen benches clutter-free, use a tray for storing oil and vinegar and other products you use on a daily basis. By placing a couple of cutting boards behind this arrangement, you can create a lovely vignette that’s also practical and ready for use.
Styling tips for a small kitchen
To keep kitchen benches clutter-free, use a tray for storing oil and vinegar and other products you use on a daily basis. By placing a couple of cutting boards behind this arrangement, you can create a lovely vignette that’s also practical and ready for use.
Styling tips for a small kitchen
Large kitchen islands tend to become messy very quickly. With the help of a tray for storing fruit, this traditional kitchen appears tidy and organised.
Idyllic kitchen islands
Idyllic kitchen islands
In the dining room
Offer your guests a drink from this colourful preparation station. Combine bottles, glasses, an ice bucket, and a bowl of lemons and limes so you have everything at hand for mixing drinks. A small bunch of flowers is the final flourish.
Offer your guests a drink from this colourful preparation station. Combine bottles, glasses, an ice bucket, and a bowl of lemons and limes so you have everything at hand for mixing drinks. A small bunch of flowers is the final flourish.
In the family room
A big leather ottoman becomes the coffee table in this eclectic family room. A slightly smaller contrasting timber tray, decorated with books, a timber sculpture, and a splash of yellow-green, not only creates interest but also provides the table top.
Useful ideas for ottomans
A big leather ottoman becomes the coffee table in this eclectic family room. A slightly smaller contrasting timber tray, decorated with books, a timber sculpture, and a splash of yellow-green, not only creates interest but also provides the table top.
Useful ideas for ottomans
On the balcony
The same idea can be applied to the outdoors. On this cosy balcony, the large round timber tray transforms the exotic pouffe into a coffee table – a great technique to make the most of a small space.
The same idea can be applied to the outdoors. On this cosy balcony, the large round timber tray transforms the exotic pouffe into a coffee table – a great technique to make the most of a small space.
In the bedroom
Use a small square tray to organise your bedside table, which will radiate a sense of style in your sanctuary. The happy colour yellow adds some fun to the otherwise neutral scheme.
Use a small square tray to organise your bedside table, which will radiate a sense of style in your sanctuary. The happy colour yellow adds some fun to the otherwise neutral scheme.
If you can dispense with drawers in your bedside tables, consider a butler’s tray to keep your things close at hand, as seen here. At the same time, the white pieces blend in with the overall colour scheme, and make the small bedroom appear more spacious.
On the dressing table
Organise your precious accessories and jewellery on an elegant tray featuring geometrical patterns, to add a touch of glam to your dressing space.
Organise your precious accessories and jewellery on an elegant tray featuring geometrical patterns, to add a touch of glam to your dressing space.
In the bathroom
The versatile butler’s tray serves as a bench between the two basins in this clean bathroom, and at the same time works as a feature piece due to the contrasting colour. If needed, it can be moved somewhere else in the room or folded away.
The versatile butler’s tray serves as a bench between the two basins in this clean bathroom, and at the same time works as a feature piece due to the contrasting colour. If needed, it can be moved somewhere else in the room or folded away.
In the guest room
Offer your visitors a special treat when you set up a guest room. Fill a coloured tray with a pretty and fragrant bunch of flowers and other useful accoutrements to make them feel welcome.
Turn your guest room into a retreat
Offer your visitors a special treat when you set up a guest room. Fill a coloured tray with a pretty and fragrant bunch of flowers and other useful accoutrements to make them feel welcome.
Turn your guest room into a retreat
YOUR TURN
Do you use trays to organise and decorate your home? Share your pictures below.
MORE
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Do you use trays to organise and decorate your home? Share your pictures below.
MORE
9 Creative Ways to Use an Old Printer Tray
8 Small Fixes to Make Your Life More Organised
A Stylist’s Guide to Table Vignettes
Create an instant sense of order in your entrance hall by using a large wooden tray to leave your shoes near the door. Particularly in times of bad weather, the tray will store your dirty shoes and keep your floor clean.
How to keep a neat entryway