Humans have long decorated their living spaces with knick-knacks and sentimental trinkets. We stack books on our coffee tables, decorate our plants with ornaments, and throw decorative pillows on our beds, all to bring a pop of colour to our rooms.
Trays are becoming a staple decorative piece to have in every household. They are multipurpose and versatile, allowing you to style them however you like and wherever you desire. Their versatility, although beneficial, can oftentimes be overwhelming to style correctly. Here is a brief guide that will help you enhance your decorating skills in no time.
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Why Use Trays as Decoration?
Trays are versatile containers, used for decoration and practicality. With trays, you can gather stray items scattered around the house and arrange them together, presenting a certain aesthetic. The trays store your items and display them strategically at the same time. Besides storage, you can use decorative trays to add a pop of colour or texture to your otherwise monotone room.
Some other reasons to use trays as decorations are:
- Create focal points – Trays are the base of your aesthetic item displays, drawing your guests’ eyes to them immediately upon entering a room.
- Strategic organisation – Trays store your various misplaced items, such as keys, remotes, or even makeup, ensuring you don’t lose them again.
- Express personal tastes – The items you group in a decorative tray also speak of your character and personal aesthetic. Use your trays to display small knick-knacks that express a part of your personality.
Which Shape of Tray Should You Choose for Your Space?
Not all trays do the same job. The size, shape, and depth of the tray heavily dictate the decorative tray’s function. Because trays are multi-purposeful, you can use them and their intricate design as decor or use them as storage. It’s essential to determine which shape is most suitable for your needs.
Rectangular Solutions
Kicking off the list, buying a decorative rectangle tray allows you more freedom when organising objects. They are the most common type of decorative tray and allow you to neatly store books, remotes, and other linear objects in neat lines. A decorative rectangle tray is also a great style to display as decor itself, not just as storage. You can find trays painted with intricate designs that add a pop of colour to your room.
What makes the rectangular tray especially useful is how naturally it fits into everyday spaces. On a long coffee table, it can anchor the arrangement of candles, stacked magazines, or even a small sculptural piece without looking cluttered.
In a dining setting, rectangular trays work beautifully as a base for spice jars, oil bottles, or cutlery, creating a cohesive look rather than scattering items across the table. Even in a bedroom, a slim rectangular tray on a dresser can neatly line up watches, rings, and perfume bottles while doubling as a stylish accent.
Designers often lean toward rectangular trays because their linear form complements furniture edges and shelving. Unlike round or irregular options that can feel more ornamental, the rectangle strikes a balance between functionality and sophistication. Choosing a version in natural wood for warmth, lacquer for shine, or mirrored glass for elegance allows the tray to enhance the overall mood of the room while still serving a clear purpose.
Rectangular trays also excel in social settings. When entertaining, their elongated shape makes serving appetisers, drinks, or desserts both practical and visually appealing. Lining up cocktail glasses in perfect rows creates a polished effect, while arranging small dishes of fruit, nuts, or cheeses turns the tray into a centrepiece of its own. Some styles even feature mirrored bases or metallic finishes, which reflect light and add a festive sparkle to the spread.
Round Options
Round decorative trays are renowned for their balanced appearance and their ability to add versatility to a more linear environment. Their soft lines break apart the edges of a coffee table perfectly, balancing out the monotony in the room. Round trays are perfect for serving drinks to your guests or just stacking items atop one another when you don’t know what to do with them.
Custom Models
A lot of tray designs don’t follow the rules of natural shapes. Instead, they are purposefully sculpted to be imperfect. You can find trays in various shapes, including hexagonal ones, as well as unconventional designs such as flowers, stars, and even leaves. These are perfect to put on display in the centre of your vanity or table.
Which Decorative Tray Material Is Best for Your Needs?
Just as decorative trays come in an abundance of shapes, each with a different purpose, they also vary in use by the material they are composed of. Some materials fit utility better than they fit decoration. It’s essential to know which material suits not only the intended use of the tray, but also how that material fits into your home.
Wooden Varieties
Wooden trays are timeless, durable, and eco-friendly. Unlike most plastics, wood doesn’t release any chemicals and is a perfectly safe tray material to serve food from. Aesthetically, wood comes in a variety of colours and goes with everything. Even in a modern space, a wooden tray will help add a cosy, rustic atmosphere.
Glass Models
Glass decorative trays display an elegant and regal aesthetic. They are ideal for holding perfumes and jewellery, leaving more space for the objects to shine with their beauty. Glass is also an easily manageable material, making it simple to wipe off fingerprints or spills. Highlight your items and give them a classic and polished look by storing them in a glass tray.
Metal Options
Metal decorative trays are known for their durable and modern appearance. This sturdy material isn’t only ideal for storing your items, but transporting them from one place to another as well. The non-porous surface of metal makes it easy to wipe down and ideal for both storing items and serving afternoon drinks. Some metals, such as stainless steel and brass, also help bring a touch of luxury to your home.
Where Should You Place a Decorative Tray in Your Home?
A decorative tray defines a smaller frame of a larger piece of artwork. It’s an interesting piece of decoration, but after all, it’s just a part of a bigger picture. If our house or room is the bigger artwork, where we stage the tray can have a large impact on the final composition.
Here are some ideas on places in your house that might benefit from a decorative tray
In Your Living Room
Your living room is usually where your guests gather during special occasions. Trays help add an additional touch of structure to your surfaces, making your living space appear well-structured and aesthetically appealing. Decorative trays are an ideal centrepiece for a coffee table or a vanity. Place books, candles, or flowers in your trays or get trays with unique designs for a pop of colour.
In Your Bedroom
Not every decorative tray has to be for everyone’s eyes. Place a tray on your vanity or bedside table to add a touch of flavour to your room and speed up your night routine by keeping everything you need within hand’s reach. You can store your skincare, perfumes, and even school supplies in a tray to keep your room well-organised.
By the Front Door
Trays are a very practical decor. Keeping a tray close to the front door allows you to empty your pockets as soon as you get home. You can use trays to store your keys, loose change, or mail that you’d be able to find quickly in a rush, while also adding a dash of style to your entryway.
