Using Decorative Trays: Tips for Home Sellers

Last Updated on January 12, 2024 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging

Accessorized table trays are a hot decor trend that looks good in just about any style house. They offer additional storage, come in a variety of styles and textures, and add more dimension and interest to counters, tables, and other surfaces.

See more transitional living room designs

Decorative tray ideas for the living room

As a bonus, they’re also an amazing staging tool for the homeowner who is living in the house while it’s for sale. Used as a marketing “hook,” trays are an effective way to draw a buyer’s eye to features you want to highlight. You can use a decorative tray to draw the buyer’s eye to a gourmet kitchen island or spacious bathroom countertops. But the best part is that they’re super easy to move! Just pick it up when you need to use the space. Put it back in place when you want the room to look decorated.

Photo by Next Stage Design + Build. See more traditional kitchen designs

Decorative tray ideas for the kitchen

But using trays efficiently as a decorative accessory or as an organization tool takes a bit of finesse — sorry, Susan, you can’t just toss all your magazines and candles on there and call it a day. We’re sharing our tips on choosing the right decorative tray and how to style and accessorize it beautifully.

Tips to Help You Choose the Best Decorative Tray for the Job

Determine how you’ll use it.

If it’s going in the office to organize papers, get one that’s no larger than a standard letter size to prevent pile-ups of other junk in the same spot. Trays for the kitchen should be food-safe and easy to clean, typically ceramic or acrylic. You may want a bedroom tray large enough to hold jewelry, loose pocket change, or even a lamp.

Photo by VRA Interiors, LLC. See more transitional home office designs

Think about your home’s style.

Select a tray that complements the other decorative elements in the home. Galvanized metal trays are popular choices in homes that feature a farmhouse look. Hardwood trays are a great traditional choice for many homes. Clean lines and metal accents look nice in more transitional-style houses. Mirrored trays are an elegant touch for bar areas and bathrooms.

Photo by Dacoda Homes. See more farmhouse bathroom designs

Wooden tray decor ideas

Get good quality.

Decorative trays are available in a wide variety of price points. Make sure the one you choose has comfortable handles and is sturdily built. For a tray that may be moved around a lot, make sure the edges are high enough to keep things from slipping off when you move it.

Photo by Regas Interiors. See more transitional living room designs

Decorative tray ideas for the coffee table

How Do You Arrange Items on a Tray? Tips for Styling and Accessorizing Trays

• Use bigger trays for bigger tables or ottomans.
• Mix height, texture, and color.
• Add in sculptural pieces, like a pretty knick-knack atop a stack of books.
• Follow the “rule of three.” Odd numbers feel looser and more relaxed when it comes to decorating. For instance, a coffee table tray may hold a dish to hold remote controls, a larger decoration like a simple plant or a beautiful tall candle, and a smaller decorative piece to add interest.
• Avoid overfilling the tray with small pieces. It makes the decor look too bitsy and cluttered.
• Layer in pieces that are a snapshot of your personality. Decorative trays are a great place to show off a collection. ***Note: This bullet point only applies if you’re decorating for YOU. If you’re staging a house to sell, keep the decor neutral. Avoid any nods to politics, sports, religion, or culture.***

Photo by O’Hara Interiors. See more traditional family room designs

Tray decor ideas for the living room

Need Some Help with Tray Decor Ideas for Home Staging?

Are you getting ready to sell your home? From teaching you how to use decorative trays, to where to place your furniture, to how to evaluate your paint and lighting, Three Bears Home Staging teaches home sellers how to prepare their homes for a faster, easier, more profitable sale. Take a look at how we’re helping home sellers across the country!

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