Bride to Be Guest Blog: DIY Serving Tray Tutorial Using Frames

Carolyn is back today for a super sweet DIY Serving Tray tutorial using thrifted frames, tiles & plywood. She made these to use for her centerpieces for her wedding, but these could EASILY serve (hah! punny!) so many purposes outside of a wedding centerpiece. Andy & I LOVE using serving trays as decor in our home. We have a bright yellow one on our bar with bottles & barware in it, and a silver one on our coffee table for remotes & things. We even have a clear one that we use for storing Evie’s toys. No joke. We love these trays! So check out Carolyn’s step by step DIY tutorial below!

DIY Wood Serving Tray Centerpiece Tutorial | by Carolyn Thomb

I absolutely love little vintage or modern looking trays. Not only are they practical, but they can add just the right decorative element to any space. That is why I decided to set out to make some for the wedding and then of course keep a few for our place (hello all those gorgeous future Instagram posts!).

Awhile back I found some random frames at a thrift store I went to, which is where the concept first came to fruition. This was over a year ago and finally this winter during the crazy snow I set to getting these babies started.

The main materials you need to achieve these trays are:

• Empty frames – can find them anywhere – thrift stores are where you will get the best deals
• Tiles from Home Depot or a hardware store- again not super expensive and a lot of different styles and colors
• Handles from Home Depot (I found they had the best selection) not super expensive
• Liquid nails from the hardware store (find someone with a caulking gun to use this)
• Plywood (if you get this from Home Depot they will cut it for you there- small fee after a few pieces)
• Paint or Spray Paint and liquid gold leaf (in gold and silver) – I got this from Michael’s and Home Depot
• Tile cutter
• Caulking (only need this for one tray to fill in between the tiles)
• Electric Drill
• Screw driver
• Felt squares for the backs of each tray

I did this project over a few weeks when I could find the time. So for those of you who like to start things and then get side-tracked easily, this is the project for you!

Step 1. Collect your frames

Step 2. Paint the frames

Step 3. Measure frames for plywood

Step 4. Get the plywood for the backs of the frames

Step 5. Paint or spray paint plywood- not necessary, I just did it to be thorough

CLICK READ MORE FOR THE REST OF THIS DIY SERVING TRAY FROM FRAMES TUTORIAL!

Step 6. Use liquid nails to glue plywood to frame

Step 7. Get tiles for each frame

Step 8. Fit tiles into place to see where you want them

Step 9. Use tile cutter to cut any pieces you may need to

Step 10. Use liquid nails to adhere tiles to plywood inside of frame

Step 11. Choose your handles for each tray

Step 12. Use drill to create holes for screws for handles (my dad was amazing to agree to help me with this part).

Step 13. Attach handles to trays

*PRO TIP*: For any trays with screws popping out the back get felt squares to place on corners to keep the screws from damaging whatever surface you place the tray on.

Now style your cart as you see fit!. Place a vase of flowers or perfume bottles on your tray or trays and admire your amazing work or use for your bar cart.

This was possibly the most fun I had doing a project for the wedding! I was also lucky to have my sister Chrissy and my dad help me with logistics and some of the labor parts. Remember you don’t have to do everything by yourself, especially if people offer to help. Let them!

What were some of your favorite projects you did for your wedding?