Hi friends! Today I am sharing my very favorite decorating tool. My décor enthusiast friends and I are talking about decorating using trays for this month’s challenge. This is not really a challenge of course! Decorating with trays makes creating the perfect table vignette so much easier!
Check out this cabinet top display:
Not too bad, but how about now?…
I love how a tray adds another layer and grounds the vignette. By the way, I am NOT a professional decorator lol. This is just what I think looks pretty! You know how you love the way something looks and then you look back in pictures and say, “That looked awful, what was I thinking?” Hopefully that won’t happen ha ha.
Trays make it so simple to change things up for the Holidays too…
I have another tray on my coffee table (from Target)…
And a little while back:
It was also easily changed up for the Holidays:
I also have one on my entry table (antique mall find)…
It’s like the tray holds everything in one tidy package.
I borrowed it for this shot of my Mason Jar Blue Headboard Bench:
I also have one on this table. This was a thrift store frame that I added bead board to and painted years ago. A couple of handles and it’s a tray…
Remember my desert dish candle sticks from my Halloween Mantel? How about my rosette picture frame?
Here is another DIY tray I made from a yard sale frame and old fence pickets. It makes a perfect base for this coastal vignette on my dining table:
And another tray I made from old fence pickets and a thrift store frame…
In this photo I didn’t even use a real tray, just a dish, but it adds another layer which I love:
Here’s a little Faux-drawer Tray with feet I made out of a $2 thrift store find…
Are you getting the feeling that I really love trays?? I do!
If you love trays too, take a photo of your favorites all decked out and hop on over to our Decorating Enthusiasts DIY Forum on Facebook and share them!
But wait! There’s more! Let’s play on Instagram too!
Here’s how to play:
1. Add your own post on Instagram
2. Tag it with the #DecorEnthusiast
3. Follow all 6 of your hosts here:
@christykjames (me!) @artsychicksrule @oursouthernhome @restorationredoux @refreshrestyle @topthistopthat
We will choose one winner that will be featured on all 6 blogs this Saturday!!
How about a little more decorating-with-trays inspiration?
Check out how my Décor Enthusiast co-hosts are decorating with trays:
Our Southern Home Artsy Chicks Rule Restoration Redoux Refresh Restyle Top This Top That
Next month’s theme will be: Gallery Walls! That should be a fun one!
UPDATE: Check out my Gallery Wall challenge HERE!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest * Twitter
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
I’m coming over to steal a few trays! Love all your ideas!
Debbie
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Debbie! XO
Becky says
I love the trays! I never noticed before how much they pull things together. You end up with a display, not a bunch of little random clutter. Very nice!
I was raised by a I-hung-a-picture-on-the-wall,-decorating-done! mom. : ) I love her dearly, but decorating is NOT her thing! I need all the help/ideas I can get. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
They really do make decorating so much easier! I used to be a decorate and done kind of gal too, but these days I love to play with my décor. 🙂
Katherines Corner says
I have some empty trays that are aching to be filled. Yours are beautiful! I invite you to share this creative post at my Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. You can link up from Wednesday at 7PM (MST) to Sat midnight) Hugs!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Katherine! XO
JoAnn & SweetPepperRose says
Hi Christy! I visit your blog often just to get some great inspiration and paint color themes for my projects. I love your trays, but I can’t take my eyes off that CLOCK and lantern in the top 3 photos. Those are my weaknesses!
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose
Christy K. James says
Oh thanks, JoAnn! I believe I found both of those at Homegoods years ago. And I too am always drawn to both lanterns and clocks! 🙂
Catherine says
Another favorite to add to my growing list of your posts! Your ideas must keep you awake at night 🙂 Lovely way to reuse things as well, I have several lovely serving trays of my grandmothers that I want to keep but had no clue as to how to use (contrary to popular belief I do not throw fancy dinner parties every weekend, lol!) I have a couple of the old mirrored trays that would look beautiful as well. Thanks for the great ideas….again!
Christy K. James says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Catherine! I bet your Grandmother’s trays are beautiful, and I’d love to find a mirrored tray to add to my own collection. 🙂
Michele says
Fun to see your different displays. I love decorating with trays but have too many deadlines to share this time (grrr!). Thank you for the wonderful ideas! 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Michele! I honestly didn’t realize I used so many trays ha ha. I sure understand about those darned deadlines…maybe next month. We’ll be sharing gallery walls. 🙂
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Christy your tray ideas are just beautiful. Love the one made out of a frame and fence posts. What I really want is that amazing clock!!! Fun challenging our inner decorators with each other!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Christy! This was a fun round and that clock was a lucky Homegoods find ages ago. XOXO 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
You and me both – can never have enough trays! I agree that a tray grounds vignettes. My problem is knowing when to stop – not every vignette needs one. LOL
Christy K. James says
There’s a stopping point? Lol! I love me some trays. I didn’t realize I used them in so many places! XO
Jen Y says
I love decorating with trays as well. You have some beautiful trays!
I also love using platters. They are so easy to find at thrift shops & yard sales for very little compared to the cost of trays.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jen! You are so right, platters would be awesome as well! 🙂
Shanna Gilbert says
Gorgeous as always my friend! I love all of the ones you made yourself!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Shanna!! XOXO
laura@top this top that says
I could hardly tell that you have a passion for your beloved trays! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Ha ha just a little bit 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
All so pretty..and creative Christy! Love them all …. and yes, I have a few (or 50!) of those photos you look back at and say “what was I thinking?” 😉
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! Ha ha yes and the funny thing is…they weren’t just background shots. I took pictures because I thought it looked so good! Hope you are having an amazing getaway!! XO
Julie @ Southern Wild Design says
I beg to differ…you are very much a decorator and artist! You have such a natural talent for making things look so good! I love popping over here and catching up with all your creations. ~Julie
Christy K. James says
Oh Julie you made my day!! Thank you so much for your sweet words. 🙂
TwoPlusCute says
Trays! Sure I noticed a few here and there but you brought them to the spotlight!
They do appear to add layers and finish a composition.
Christy K. James says
They are hard workers at my house ha ha. 🙂