In this article we will tell you how to make an unusual wooden tray- a pallet that is convenient to use for festive table decoration.
Materials and tools for making a wooden tray:
16 thin strips for stirring paint
light stain or matte varnish (optional)
hot glue gun 
How to make an original wooden tray
Pre-coat the planks with stain or matte varnish. You need to choose a color so that the tree looks as natural as possible. 
Glue the two planks together. If there are inscriptions on the planks, it is advisable to glue these sides inward. You need to make 3 such blanks from two planks.
Connect three double slats with three crossbars. To fix, use a hot glue gun.
Distribute the remaining seven planks evenly over the surface of the tray. Glue them with hot glue.
Tip: if there are inscriptions on the planks, place them so that they are not visible. 
That's it. A simple and stylish wooden tray is ready. It can be made even more authentic if you use a burner to apply all sorts of carrier stamps and serial numbers, just like on real pallets. 
Among the offers of modern furniture stores there are interesting coffee tables with a soft tabletop, if you can call it that. They look interesting in the interior, but they are never practical. Juice or coffee stains on them are not as easy to wipe off as from a regular wooden or glass countertop. For all owners of such a miracle and simply those who love breakfast in bed, we suggest making such a tray. It is stylish in appearance and not expensive in cost.
Materials
Before making a tray with your own hands, make sure you have:
- boards from a pallet or box;
- hardwood boards;
- white paints;
- polyurethane-based varnish;
- masking tape;
- saws;
- sandpaper;
- brushes;
- chisels;
- clamps;
- wood glue;
- roulette;
- self-tapping screws;
- drills;
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- pencil.
Step 1. Decide on the dimensions of the tray and, based on this, cut the boards you have from the box or pallet to length. In this case, I wanted the boards to look like one after gluing, without joints, seams or other irregularities. To do this, the boards had to be adjusted to each other and in thickness.
Step 2. Using clamps and wood glue, all the boards should be glued together, carefully pressing them together so that none of them gets out of line. After the workpiece has dried, all excess glue should be removed and the surfaces thoroughly sanded.
Step 3. You will need to make the sides of the tray from boards of light wood. In this case, poplar was taken.
When cutting wood, base it on the perimeter of the base and the height you want for the tray.
On the side edges, be sure to mark the cutouts for the handles. Also take into account the height at which the base will be attached so that the slots do not extend onto the bottom.
Step 4. After cutting out the holes, sand them thoroughly. They must be perfectly smooth.
Step 5. Using wood glue and clamps, glue the sides to the base.
Step 6. You can use self-tapping screws as additional fastenings.
Step 7. After the glue has dried, remove any excess. Cover the holes formed by the fasteners with wood putty. After letting it dry, level the surface with sandpaper or a sander.
Step 8. Cover the bottom of the tray with masking tape. Apply two layers of paint to the sides. After it dries, remove the tape and leave everything until the surface is completely dry.
What could be nicer than preparing breakfast in bed in the morning? An integral attribute of such a breakfast is tray. The tray can be wooden, metal or made of plastic, and its purpose is so versatile and varied! With its help you can set the table for large number persons, carrying dishes, glasses and cutlery at a time on a tray, and also use it as a stand for cups when serving tea or coffee in the living room.
Trays can also be used as stands for vases of flowers or jugs of drinks in order to protect the surfaces of chests of drawers and shelves from liquids. Trays are often used to organize and store all sorts of small items in the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom.
Tray is a small board made of durable material, the edges of the tray are curved upward to prevent the dishes from slipping and to make it convenient to carry. 
1
Let's look at the most popular materials from which trays are made:
Stainless steel trays. Stainless steel trays look the most formal. The shimmer of metal is appropriate on a banquet table, so such trays are also used for serving. Fruits, desserts, and gastronomic products look great in combination with the shine of steel. The undeniable advantage of this material is its durability and strength; such trays do not rust and are not afraid of temperature changes. 
1
Plastic trays. IN everyday life Plastic trays are very popular. They are very durable, do not require special additional care, and practically do not change their appearance during a long period of operation. 
1
Wooden trays. Wooden trays look best in country or rustic style interiors, especially if there are other elements in the interior. wooden elements decor. To protect it from water and drying out, the tray is treated with beeswax or special oil, thanks to which it will last much longer. 
1
Kurami trays. Ceramics remains a popular material for making trays. Such a decorative element can become a highlight of the interior of the kitchen or dining room.
Rattan trays. Rattan trays are very wear-resistant, practical and ideal for country and chalet style interiors. The color of rattan can be varied. 
1
When choosing a tray, you need to pay attention special attention on material and shape, they are the ones who will ensure functionality. In order for an interior decorated with serving trays to look decent, you must take into account the compatibility of the trays with other elements in the room, its style and color scheme.
Master classes on how to make trays with your own hands can be found in our article: “4 Ideas for DIY trays” 
1
Wooden trays look great in the kitchen interior and are easy to use. They are easy to make with your own hands. A stylish wooden accessory can be purchased in a store, but the price of quality and beautiful product will be high. Even if you do not have special creative abilities, you can create a homemade tray for coffee, tea, and breakfast in bed.
There are quite a lot of options: with and without handles, with sides, on legs, with interesting decor. It is enough to make the correct drawings according to the sample and use the master class, and then decorate the product to your liking. You can make a tray not only from cut wood, but also from available materials: cardboard (for example, cardboard box), plywood, champagne corks, jute and even paper.
Tools and materials
First of all, you need to think about what material your tray will be made of. Not every type of tree is suitable for this. If you decide to use a cut, they will do the following types wood:
- maple;
- alder;
- cherry;
- linden;
- birch.
Avoid working with wood species that emit resin, such as conifers.
The tray itself is a simple structure, consisting of a flat bottom with sides along the edges. To make sides you can use:
- boards;
- slats;
- frames for photos and paintings;
- doors from the table.
If the choice fell on plywood, then making a tray out of it is very simple, thanks to the pliability of the material. Remember that such a tray will not be very durable or strong. Plywood is used as a material for the manufacture of interior items that have no practical application.
In addition to the material, it is extremely important to acquire a set of tools. Depending on the complexity of the task, there may be a minimum or quite a lot of them.
You can start working with wood if you have:
- sandpaper;
- stapler for furniture;
- glue gun;
- screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- ruler and pencil;
- saw.
That is, you must have the tools to do the following:
- drawing and taking measurements;
- cutting, drilling;
- fastenings
Drawing up drawings
Before proceeding directly to production, it is necessary to create a drawing or sketch. You can choose a path more convenient for you:
- choose raw materials and build on their capabilities;
- create a sketch with measurements and select material for it.
In any case, first think through all the parameters of the future tray. The product should not be heavy and uncomfortable to use, otherwise it will be inconvenient to move. After this, you should decide on the functionality - the product can be equipped with legs, sides, handles. In fact, a multifunctional tray can act as a small table.
Once the general idea has taken shape, it is necessary to transfer it to paper. You can use ready-made drawings on the basis of which you can create your own sketch.
The drawing should indicate not only the dimensions, but also the mounting locations. If you use plywood, consider:
- places where the fittings will be located and attached;
- width and length;
- the thickness of the base and sides is also taken into account.
Products of a more complex type, for example, from natural wood created on the basis of drawings, including:
- places of fastening of legs, handles, joints;
- placement points for fittings and decor;
- thickness of all materials used.
How to make a tray?
After creating the drawing, you can begin practical work. Prepare fasteners and elements for joining. To make a simple tray with sides, just follow a simplified algorithm:
- a rectangle of the intended dimensions is cut out;
- prepare a frame along the length of the base;
- secure the handles to the frame;
- decorate the bottom of the tray;
- connect the frame and base together.
More complex designs of portable tables and trays with legs are created using approximately the same algorithm.
Additionally, it contains the stage of creating attachment points for the legs and their fixation.
Decorative elements, such as handles, are purchased at furniture supermarkets. The decorating stage is one of the last; elements for decoration are chosen according to taste and the chosen style. It is necessary to take into account the interior mood of the kitchen. The final stage is varnishing and painting the tray using water-repellent agents.
Master classes
Tray "Breakfast in Bed"
Creating this model with legs requires some skill with tools. The option is quite multifunctional and perfectly replaces small size table Can be made from plywood or boards. You need to prepare the following materials:
- board or plywood in the shape of a rectangle, measuring 40 by 70;
- meter metal tubes in the amount of 4 pcs.;
- 15 mm corners – 8 pcs.;
- 15 mm spacers – 4 pcs.;
- stain, varnish for coating.
Manufacturing stages:
- the tubes are cut so that the edges are smooth, you will need 4 pipes of 6 cm, 4 pieces of 25 cm and 19 cm, 2 pieces of 58 cm;
- 25 cm pipes are combined with 6 cm corners and fixed with glue;
- the resulting handles are applied to the attachment point, the joints are marked;
- holes are made at these points according to the diameter;
- the material is sanded with sandpaper, then treated with varnish and stain;
- gaskets are placed to the holes and fixed with glue;
- ready-made handles are inserted;
- the legs are attached to the finished tabletop from sections of 58- and 19-centimeter racks;
- the legs are connected at the corners to 25 cm tubes;
- everything is fixed with glue.
From a painting
Handles are placed and screwed on the sides of the frame. The picture is removed and a plywood base is inserted in its place.
The canvas is glued onto it and treated with varnish. After drying, fix with self-tapping screws.
From a photo frame
The method is also easy to implement, you will need a frame the right size, plywood or cardboard base. Algorithm of actions:
- cardboard and glass are removed;
- holes are drilled in the frame into which furniture handles are mounted on self-tapping screws;
- a plywood base is created to size;
- at the next stage occurs decorative design basics, you can decorate the factory cardboard by inserting it back;
- the decor is fixed on the plywood using glue;
- glass is inserted.
Tray made from corks
To make this original tray you will need:
- champagne corks – 100 pcs;
- superglue;
- glass.
Algorithm of actions:
- use a knife to separate the corks in two;
- fold them into a base and connect them together with superglue;
- Place plexiglass on top and cut to size;
- Build the sides from the remaining intact corks and secure them with glue.
It all depends on your imagination, taste and skills. If you know how to draw, then painting a tray will not be difficult. You can decorate not only the bottom with a pattern, but also side walls tray. Painting is done with acrylic or oil paints, upon completion of work it is varnished.
If you don’t have such skills among your talents, you can consider decorating from magazine photo clippings and posters. An image is glued onto the base and then varnished.
Among unusual ways decoration – photos and rose petals. First, you need to stick a photo of a flower on the bottom of the tray, then put petals on it, sprinkle the space between the petals with beads. Afterwards, just fill everything with clear varnish.
Don’t be afraid to experiment; the most non-trivial elements can serve as decor:
- mosaic;
- shreds, wool;
- postcards;
- leaves and flowers;
- straw;
- mat.
Handles can also be made very impressive. Then, instead of purchased accessories, the following are used:
- weaving from newspaper tubes;
- wine bottle caps;
- leather belts;
- plastic handles wrapped with twine.
The legs are made not only from metal pipes, but also from PVC pipes, which can be painted as desired. You can use wooden dowels.
Trays with a slate board base on which you can leave notes look very impressive and stylish.
You can simply apply a slate-type coating or chalk wallpaper to a regular board. This option in combination with wood looks very original.
Mosaic decor is suitable for patient people; the work is painstaking, although not difficult. It is enough to stick pieces of various materials onto the base:
- shells;
- broken glass;
- pebbles;
- egg shells, beautifully painted;
- tile fragments;
- paper of different colors, cut into pieces.
The parts can be fixed with standard “Moment” type glue. The product is covered with a fixing coating.
To learn how to make a tray with your own hands, see below.
What could be better than breakfast in bed on a Saturday morning New Year's holidays? Or hot chocolate, a warm blanket, a favorite book in the evening, when snow is quietly falling through the window? Find time to relax, and we will help you prepare for it. These will help make your stay enjoyable and protect you from tip-overs and liquids on a blanket or bed. irreplaceable helpers- beautiful trays, and we will show you how to make such trays with your own hands.
1. Tray with mosaic
2
You will need: Tray, ready-to-use tile adhesive, tile grout, scourer, spatula, colorful glass pieces.
Instructions: Apply a thin layer of tile adhesive to the bottom of the tray, apply the adhesive in sections as it dries quickly. Place the glass pieces on the glue, pressing them lightly and alternating colors. Apply grout over the mosaic so that all the cracks are filled, then use a washcloth to remove excess grout from the surface of the mosaic.
2
2. New thing for the tray
1
You will need: wooden tray, wood paint, decorative paper, mod podge decoupage glue, brush, ruler, scissors.
Instructions: Paint the tray in the color of your choice, apply two coats of paint and let dry. Measure inner part tray and cut out decorative paper to the desired size. Apply a layer of decoupage glue to the bottom of the tray and glue decorative paper (you can use leftover wallpaper). Apply a second layer of glue over the paper and, if desired, add other accessories - ribbons, rhinestones, stones. For better fixation, apply one or two more layers of glue.
1
3. Zigzag tray
You will need: wooden tray, paper, metallic tape and scissors.
Instructions: Glue paper to the bottom of the tray (you can choose any color of paper). Using duct tape, make zigzags, placing the strips of tape at the desired angle. If you can't find duct tape desired color, after you apply the strips, apply paint to the areas between the strips, and remove the adhesive tapes after the paint has dried.
4. Slate tray
3
You will need: glass or ceramic tray, slate paint, paint strips, brush
Instructions: Use tape around the edges of the tray to prevent paint from getting on them. Using a brush, apply slate paint to the bottom of the tray in two layers, allowing each layer to dry. After a day, you need to put the tray in the oven and “bake” the tray. Turn off the oven and do not remove the tray from the oven until it has cooled completely.
Source homedit.com