Trendy Coffee Table Tray in an Instant

How to take a plain coffee table tray or serving tray up a notch on the “trendy” scale in an instant. 

As seasons change, home lovers, like you and me start to get that urge to re-style our rooms with the next seasons colors. I am adding fall touches and layers to warm them up the decor for the coming fall season.

square wood tray on coffee table that is empty and waiting to be filled

When I decorate for the seasons, I like to reuse many items I already own before going out and buying new decorative items and that includes using trays in every room of the house in unique ways.

If you have been reading my blog for years then you have seen me using items over and over again in many new and different ways, sometimes adding something to them to not only make them look better or more functional.

Take for instance the driftwood tray on my coffee table in the photo above. I bought it at Ross many years ago. I love it just how it is and have used it all around my house, both in and outside of my home.

For fall, I wanted to give the wood tray a trendy, colorful and stylish update to use on my coffee table. Happily, I found a way that wouldn’t alter it so I could change it back to a plain driftwood tray when I tire of the look.

Della-Torre-Black-and-White-Ceramic-Tile in bathroom

My inspiration for adding new style and color to my tray was tile. Not just any tile, but this hip and trendy black and white tile that I have been seeing everywhere. On floors…

…walls, backsplashes and more.

I love it, but can’t have everything I love, at least in a big way, just to stay on trend. Instead, I found a way to add a little of it to my home for only $8.00

Wood tray decorated for fall with flowers and wood bead garland

My driftwood tray looks pretty just like this, but…

Tray with decorative black and white tile

In less than 5 minutes I changed the look of my coffee table tray with 4 black and white patterned tiles. So easy to do, budget-friendly, and keeps my decor a little on trend.

How to Make a Trendy Tile Coffee Table Tray in an Instant

supplies needed:

  • square tray – see resources at end of post.
  • 4 decorative tiles
  • Measuring tape
  • Optional: Glue Dots or a hot glue gun and glue sticks
wood tray before makeover
  1. Any square tray that is at least 16″ x 16″ (inside tray measurement) will work for 8″ square tiles, but you may find smaller tiles that will fit in other sizes of square trays. My wood tray is 17-1/2″ square.  4 – 8″ square tiles fit with a little extra room left on each side of the tray.
DELLA TORRE Cementina Black and White Ceramic Floor and Wall Tile

2.  Take 4 tiles and simply…

Animated gif image showing how to put decorative tiles in a tray

…place them in the tray. One for each corner.  Center the pattern and align the tiles if there is a little extra room inside the tray.

Coffee Table Tray – AFTER

Tray after getting makeover with pretty black and white patterned tiles

Voila!!! A whole new look for $8.00!  :-)

Glue Dots and Zots on tiles

Optional – I used large Glue Dots to hold the tiles in place so they don’t move around. You could also use hot glue if you want to permanently attach them.

Fall wood tray all decorated for autumn

I love decorating with color pops throughout my rooms. Seeing the bright colors of the flowers against the black and white tile is a delight to my eyes.

The books under the candle are thrift store books that I simply covered with this free printable French Script paper.

Pretty tray decorated for fall on coffee table

My first decoration for the upcoming fall season. It was so easy to do and makes a statement in my living room. I love it!  I made my mirror-topped coffee table using an old dresser mirror.

You can read all about that here: Repurposed Mirror Farmhouse Coffee Table

Tray with yellow and fuschia flowers

If you would like to know how I made the driftwood bead garland, click over to this post to fine out:  Driftwood Bead Garland

It is another project where I reused decorating items from previous years to make something new.

RESOURCES:

Fall tray with black and white tile on coffee table

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25 Comments

  1. You are so creative. I like what you did to the tray.

  2. That Sassy Life coach says:

    Love this! So creative yet so simple x

  3. Kristin salazar says:

    This is so pretty and I love that tile!

  4. Such a cute idea! It’s a fun hit of pattern against all the neutrals.

  5. 1960s girl says:

    This is a great idea! I did not receive that post, though. That’s strange.
    Anyway, I have been wanting for years to have something done with those beautiful tiles, but I discovered those after my kitchen was redone.
    So, I kept thinking where I could use some of those stylish tiles, but there was no room for them. Now I will have those styles too in a tray!
    I can’t wait to go and buy those tiles!
    You are such an inspiration.
    Thank you.

  6. Heather Luckhurst says:

    This is so beautiful! I love zots and use them all the time! Happy Fall friend!

  7. Christy James says:

    What a clever way to add a whole new look to a simple tray! XO

  8. TerriC/HoustonLady says:

    Hi Diane,

    Love those tiles too.. what a great way to use them without breaking the bank : ) I think I’m going to use glue dots too so I will be able to change. Thanks again for another great, easy project.

  9. horn beads says:

    What a great idea and post you shared. This look incredible in your post. Loved your idea and tips. Thank you!

  10. hopebariatric says:

    awesome project..
    just loved it..
    great …

  11. That turned out so pretty, Diane! I love that you can use it any time of year too.

  12. I love this Diane! Such a fun way to add a bit of this gorgeous trend without a big commitment! Thanks for being part of this hop:)

  13. Jennifer Lifford says:

    What a great idea Diane! I love those tiles too and this is the perfect way to get your fix without putting out $$$!

  14. I have to admit,I also thought you were going to the stencil from your bathroom.
    Very clever!
    and so much less work!

  15. So clever! I just knew you had stenciled that pattern!!

  16. I find myself itching to change things up here, too. :) LOVE the cute tile pattern. xx

  17. Love this project! What a clever idea. Pinning for later!

  18. Love this idea and so easy! You always have ideas that I look at and say “I can do that!”

  19. Super cute and trendy project Diane…love it!

  20. Love it! I would never have thought of it, such a great way to get a touch of that wonderful tile in your home.

  21. Cathy L CLARK says:

    Really LOVE this tray—a little of the tile goes a long way!!! GREAT job!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Cathy. I was happy to find an easy way to get the tiles into my decor.

  22. laura janning says:

    Diane, love the tile in the tray. would not have thought to do that. looks great!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Laura – I have been wanting to find a way to use the tiles without having to redo a floor or wall. I was thrilled when I realized the tiles fit almost perfectly into the tray.

  23. Norma Rolader says:

    So adorable and thank you