How to Style Coffee Table Trays for Decor

If you are one of those that like to browse online decorating sites or leaf the pages of home magazines, chances are you’ve seen a lot of trays used to decorate a coffee table or ottoman. I love trays as they provide a home for an interesting vignette of design. Styling coffee trays can be intimidating for those who have no artistic capabilities but with these simple pointers, you might be able to come up with your own perfect set.

Trays come in all sorts of material and design, the trick is to find the right one to compliment your ottoman and table. There are many different kinds and they can be used for other purposes too. Catch- all trays hold items you use on a daily basis, you can put a tray to organize things in your bathroom and kitchen as well. Here are a few of my favorites.

My personalized tray from Ruze Collections.

I love my own tray personalized with the marilenstyles.com logo! Ruze collections did a perfect job. Some color themed books, my cactus plant and a pottery barn candle makes a minimalist design. I purposely didn’t cover the whole tray so that my logo peeks out. hehe!:)

This multi purpose tray set from mydomesticity come in various shapes and make organizing pretty.

I love using trays to hold rolled towels for bathrooms. You can use another tray to hold other bathroom necessities like soap, hand lotion and air freshener too. This Je t’ aime multi- purpose tray from mydomesticity.com is a favorite because of it’s pretty color and different sizes.

My hand painted peacock tray hold several items I use on a daily basis.

This catch- all tray from Seektheuniq is too pretty for words. I love the color and it is made of light weight wood. I put my every day cologne from Sparrow here so I can spritz some on at any time of the day, and my casual jewelry sits here too. Other things you normally put in a catch-all tray include your keys, mobile phone, hand lotion, lip balm etc. Personal catch- all trays are usually situated on top of your night table or your dresser.

Parfum vanity tray from mydomesticity.

Another item that would make a perfect catch-all tray is this Parfum vanity set from mydomesticity.com. You can also use these to hold bottles of perfume and some make up.

Trays are perfect for organizing office supplies.

Hold your office supplies in these functional trays from mydomestcity. This Marche’ desk organizer is stackable , perfect organizing and space saving solution in one!

So back to our topic on how to style trays for your coffee table.. Here are some specific styling pointers:

1. Stack some books.

Use a stack of books to add height and levels to your tray. Place the books so that it occupies at least half of your entire tray. A stylish vignette is made interesting by means of different height and layers.

2. Add something from nature.

A small potted plant, vase of flowers, or topiary is the next thing you need to add to your arrangement. This adds color and life to your tray, making it attractive and noticeable.

3. Fill in blanks spots with other small decor.

Small decorative dishes, sculptures, bowls or candles can be used to fill in these blank spots. You can also put something on top of your books.

4. Personalize it with something meaningful.

The last item to add would be something meaningful to you or your family such as a souvenir or family heirloom. You can also add a picture frame or small album to this set.