One of my favorite things to do is style one item several different ways.  I shared six ways to style a cake stand within your decor a few months back.  And, do you remember the post on several different ways to use a pedestal tray in your kitchen?  We were at the rental and I had to be creative there in my decor.  Most recently, I share four different ways to use a book stand so check that out if you missed it, too.  Today, I wanted to share three different ways to use a wooden tray within your decor. 

Three Different Ways to use a Wooden Tray 

The wooden tray that I am using happens to be part of the Mother’s Day Box from Antique Farmhouse.  They put together a curated give box specifically so you didn’t have to think too hard about a Mother’s Day gift.  The box includes the tray, a gold metal container with a bird handle, a neutral colored vase, and two black taper candle holders.  All of these items could be used together as a complete look, or individually elsewhere in your home, too.

Look #1

Down the Middle of your Dining Room Table

One of the easiest ways to style a tray is using it down the middle of your dining room table.  I always start with some type of greenery or flowers. I used this adorable boxwood topiary which is so versatile. It comes in the most perfect white container as well.  I then added my dessert plates and gold spoons.  And then, of course, the two black iron candlesticks from the Mother’s Day Box complete the look.  I typically add candlesticks into most of my decor because of the twinkle lights.  These battery operated taper candles are my absolute favorites.

Designer Tip

Add things within your decor that you will use regularly, such as the little dessert plates and gold spoons.  They are beautiful pieces and you get double duty from them.  And, trust me, you will use them a lot more than if they were in a drawer or a cabinet.

Look #2

In the Middle of your Coffee Table 

I don’t know about you, but I love adding a tray to our coffee tables.  It makes everything look a lot more organized.  This long wooden box works great to hold a stack of magazines or books for browsing.  Of course, you have the remotes for the television and this is where I keep my taper candles remotes, as well.  And, like I said above… every grouping starts with a plant or flowers.  These artificial hydrangeas look SO REAL that I almost can’t believe it.  I have two bunches of them in an old vase I have had for years.  And I like to layer other things inside the big tray… like this larger metal tray and the little antique looking trinket tray.

Look #3

Use it on an Ottoman or Piece of Furniture in your Outdoor Spaces

This tray sets perfectly on our ottoman on the front porch and this is most likely where mine will stay. If you don’t have an ottoman, you could use it on another piece of furniture. I love trays like this for not only holding snacks and drinks while we relax in our outdoor spaces.  But, it is PERFECT for transporting said drinks and snacks to the porch.  This one is the perfect size, too.

I hope this post not only helped you with a few different ways to use a wooden tray in your decor, but also with a Mother’s Day Gift idea.