Hello, dear friends! I’m back today with some of my thriftiest tray makeovers sharing 11 simple ways to update trays!
I had planned to share a bench makeover today, but then Jack came home and surprised us on Friday night, so that project got put on pause! We did set up our Christmas Village while he was home though yay! (He had to go back for two classes today before the actual break starts.) We came up with a new way to display it and I can’t wait to share!!
With the holidays upon us, we are all starting to think about what we can gift our loved ones. If you’re like my mom, maybe you have half your list crossed off already?? Not me…slacker.
Here are 11 simple ways to Update trays
A tray is a fantastic gift idea for a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, or even an in-law perhaps?
Someone on your gift list might love a tray lovingly recreated by you!
I linked to the original posts below each after photo if you want to see more details!
Enjoy!
1- Decoupage Paper
Up first is this plain wood tray I found for $3 at the thrift store:
Some Cotton paint and the addition of one of Dixie Belle’s decoupage papers did wonders to bring this tray to life!
This is the Pallet Wood pattern paper:
$3 Thrift Store Tray Makeoverwith Decoupage Paper
2-Stripes
At number two on the list is this silver tray I redid a couple of years ago.
There wasn’t much that could be done about the discoloration, so paint to the rescue!
And stripes for the win!
Silver Tray Makeover
3-Stencils
Up next is another silver tray that I picked up for $2 at the thrift store:
Not only was it super cheap, it also had little feet attached, so I had to grab it.
I thought it would be perfect to use this beachy blue color on:
A pretty wreath stencil was the perfect addition:
$2 Thrift Store Silver Tray
4-Wood Pattern
This next one had a heavy acrylic coat on the bottom covering the print.
Instead of just painting it, I decided the best way to update this tray would be to cover it!
Here is what it looks like from this angle…it already had those small feet on the bottom:
And here you can see what I covered the bottom with!
I cut and painted triangles out of thin plywood and arranged them in a quilt pattern to cover the bottom:
$4 Thrift Store Tray Makeover
5-Shiplap
This next tray was the second of its kind that I have come across, and at just $4, I bought it again:
The bottom appears to be metal, but it is really just embossed paper.
I decided to cover that also…
With shiplap! These are really just strips of poplar from the Home Depot that I cut to fit and glued in place…
Thrift Store Tray Makeover with Shiplap
6-Grain Sack Stripe
I really liked the shape of this next one:
I added feet to it using wooden knobs:
And adding a simple grain sack stripe down the middle was the perfect accent!
$3 Thrift Store Tray Makeover
7-Whitewashed Wood
At number seven is a set of three trays I picked up for super cheap at only $5.25 for the set. (Keep in mind that most of these trays were found pre-pandemic when things were priced much more affordable!)
Good bye, boring monogram!
I updated these trays by white washing pieces of thin plywood that I cut to fit.
Then, I added different stencils to each one…
$5 Thrift Store Trio of Trays
8-Numbers
I wasn’t sure what I was getting when I bought this tray table for $10 at the thrift store:
But I figured if the table part was too messed up, I would still get a decent tray out of it. Luckily, I was able to fix the table part pretty easily!
I designed a bunch of numbers in random sizes and fonts on my Silhouette to get this whimsical look!
The numbers added a unique touch to this tray!
Tray Table Makeover
9-Gilding Wax
This beautiful silver tray is one I’ve used in my holiday decorating for a couple of years now, I paid $9.95 for it:
I finally decided to add it to one of my hauls and get it transformed! In this post, I shared the BEST way to paint a silver tray.
I chose this lovely pinky Silk color, Conch:
Gilding wax in gold highlighted all the gorgeous details around the outer edge…
How to Paint a Silver Tray
10-Silhouette “Stencil”
This next one was already pretty cute to start. It was $5.25 at the thrift store:
However, it seemed a bit seasonal, so I set out to make it appropriate for everyday use!
I created a design and used my Silhouette Cameo to cut a “stencil” for me:
In this post, I share how to cut your own designs with your Silhouette.
How to Cut your Own Designs with a Silhouette Cameo
11-Distress
And finally, I had to include the simplest of makeover ideas that I used on this $4 tray:
Just paint and sandpaper!
Just a simple coat of paint will do wonders! Distressing this one enhanced all those details and turned that ugly tray into a fresh new tray!
$4 Thrift store Tray Makeover
This one still lives on our coffee table!
And that’s 11 simple ways to update trays!!
If y’all enjoyed this round up, you might enjoy these 10 DIY & Upcycled Trays as well:
See them all HERE!!
More thrifty round ups you might enjoy:
15 Ordinary Items Repurposed
15+ Simple Basket Makeovers
12 Thrifty Shelf Makeovers
12 Thrifted & Upcycled Box Makeovers
10 Upcycled Headboards
23 Thrifty Chair Makeovers
Thanksgiving is Thursday here in the US, and I want to express that I am SO extremely thankful for each and every one of you that make up my blog family!! I couldn’t do this without you!!
I won’t be here on Thursday, but I will see you back here bright and early Tuesday sharing what I did with this bench:
Update: You won’t recognize this bench now! See what it looks like here!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Awe, what a fun surprise to have Mister Jack come home for a few days! I loved looking back on your trays, they are all so beautiful because of your love you give them! I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Mary! I was so happy to see Jack’s sweet face walk through the door! He had a class yesterday, so he should be back home today! Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving too, my friend! XOXO
Christina says
Wow, what wonderful makeovers Christy!! Your creativity and talent knows no bounds!
I wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Christina! I hope you and yours enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I always enjoy looking back at your makeovers. Not sure which is my favorite but think the pink one with the gold accents. Great surprise for you when Jack showed up. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. See you next week.
Christy says
I’m glad you enjoyed the look back, Janice! And yes…I was so happy to see him walk through the door!! I hope you and yours have a lovely Thanksgiving also!! XOXO
Cindy D says
Oh my God Christy. First and foremost, I love your ideas and the looks you achieve from a ho hum piece. But that silver tray that you painted with the color conch. I think I heard the angels sing. lol I pinned for when I find that tray. So beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cindy!! I love that reaction ha ha! XOXO
Debi says
I LOVE your creativity! I look forward to Tuesday’s emails because of it😁
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Debi!! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
Oh Christy! Your talent is just breath taking! I’ve always told myself that the only thing worth envying in someone else is if they’re HAPPIER than you are! But, I gotta say, I DO envy your talent! You seem to have so much fun with each of your projects whether large or small! Happy Thanksgiving!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Connie!! Thank you so much, my friend! Recreating things is definitely my happy place! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving too! XOXO
Patricia B says
Hey Christy,
I remember these makeovers and am just as excited seeing them again. You give such great inspiration on reusing and redoing from trash to treasured pieces.
Christy says
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed them the second time around! Thank you! XOXO
Chantal Noel says
vraiment magnifique ce que vous faites,un gros bravo 🙂
Christy says
Merci beaucoup!! XOXO
Charleen says
Enjoyed the tray thru time review. I enjoy everything you do but I really enjoy the smalls,esp the trays. All so different and each are special. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! The smalls are fun for me also! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
Addie says
Heyyyy…Smart move getting braces when everybody is wearing a mask!!!
We’ve seen these trays before!!! Tell Jack you have to keep your peeps happy and do the bench!!!!….slacker!!!!….hahahah
Christy says
Right?? That worked out so well especially in the beginning when my mouth was a hot mess! And choosing between setting up the Christmas Village with Jack or working on that ugly bench…well… you know what won out lol! XOXO
Gloria Stage says
Loved every one of those trays, Christy. All turned out beautifully. Really liked the pink one with gold trim. That one would look so nice in my bedroom. Next time I go thrifting, I’ll have to be on the lookout for something similar to do for myself.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Gloria! That pink one was a favorite for sure! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Jeanne Barrett says
Happy Thanksgiving! Love the tray post.
Christy says
Thank you, Jeanne! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well! XOXO
Catherine says
Love, Love, Love all the tray ideas!! Especially the table tray!!
I keep saying I’m got to get to Virginia Beach to come see your booth!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Catherine! I hope you do stop by if you’re ever in the area! XOXO
Mariele says
That pink and gold tray is still my favorite of your tray makeovers. 🙂 Gorgeous!!
Christy says
Thank you, Mariele! It was a favorite of mine too! XOXO
Freya says
It is all extremely well made and beautiful. Glad to have found your blog.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Freya! I’m so glad you found me too! XOXO