Thrift stores and Goodwill are absolute goldmines for wooden, metal, and woven serving trays. For just a couple of dollars, you can find sturdy pieces with great structure that just need a little creative imagination.
Instead of leaving them on the shelf, here are 10 brilliant, creative ways to upcycle and reuse thrifted trays around your home:
1. The Coffee Table Centerpiece Tray
-
How to do it: Give a wooden tray a fresh coat of chalk paint or stain, then use it to corral clutter on your coffee table.
-
The Benefit: Grouping items like a small vase of flowers, a candle, and a couple of books inside a tray instantly transforms scattered objects into an intentional, designer-styled vignette.
2. A Chic Bathroom Vanity Organizer
-
How to do it: Place a small rectangular or mirrored tray on your bathroom counter.
-
The Benefit: It keeps everyday essentials—like perfume bottles, lotion dispensers, cotton ball jars, and daily skincare serums—neatly organized and elevated, preventing counter clutter while making cleanup a breeze.
3. A Wall-Hung Display Shelf or Shadow Box
-
How to do it: Choose a tray with deep, sturdy sides. Attach heavy-duty picture-hanging hardware to the back and mount it flat against the wall.
-
The Benefit: It instantly turns into a floating shadow-box shelf where you can display small collectibles, framed photos, or seasonal trinkets.
4. A Custom Ottoman Tabletop
-
How to do it: Look for an oversized, wide wooden or woven tray at Goodwill.
-
The Benefit: Placed on top of a fabric or leather soft ottoman, it instantly converts a soft footrest into a stable surface for holding drinks, board games, or a laptop without tipping over.
5. A Mini Indoor Herb Garden or Succulent Planter
-
How to do it: Line a shallow wooden or metal tray with a piece of plastic lining or moss, then arrange a collection of small potted herbs or succulents inside.
-
The Benefit: It acts as a stylish, portable garden bed that you can easily move to a sunlit windowsill or patio table.
6. A Bedside Valet Tray
-
How to do it: Place a small, decorative tray on a nightstand.
-
The Benefit: It provides a designated drop-zone for your nightly essentials—such as your wristwatch, glasses, jewelry, phone, and keys—so you never lose them in the morning.
7. A Bar Cart or Beverage Station Base
-
How to do it: Use a sleek metal or mirrored tray on top of a bar cart or kitchen counter to group liquor bottles, glassware, cocktail shakers, and stirrers.
-
The Benefit: It defines the bar area, adds a touch of vintage elegance, and protects your furniture surfaces from liquid rings and spills.
8. A Magnetic Message Board (For Metal Trays)
-
How to do it: If you score a metal or tin tray, paint it with chalkboard paint or wrap the inner base in a pretty patterned fabric, then use it with decorative magnets.
-
The Benefit: It becomes a cute, magnetic memo board or weekly family organizer that you can hang in the kitchen or hallway.
9. A Craft and Hobby Supply Corral
-
How to do it: Upcycle a compartmentalized wooden server or a sturdy handled tray to hold ongoing craft supplies.
-
The Benefit: You can keep scissors, washi tape, paintbrushes, and markers neatly sorted, and easily carry your entire project from room to room.
10. A Seasonal Entryway Drop Zone
-
How to do it: Set a shallow tray right on your entryway console table or bench.
-
The Benefit: It catches incoming mail, sunglasses, loose change, and keys the second you walk through the front door, keeping your entryway looking tidy and welcoming.
Thrifting Tip: Don’t let scuffed wood or outdated varnish scare you away! A little sandpaper and a $5 can of spray paint or wood stain can completely transform a dated Goodwill tray into a high-end decor piece.
