Wooden trays combine two of our favorite things: creativity and functionality. This also makes them a top choice for many DIY crafters! With an unfinished wood tray for crafts, you can add fun wall art to your living room, organize your kiddo’s favorite toys, or complete your table setting with a seasonal centerpiece — and we’re just getting started! With a little paint, some imagination, and any of your go-to materials for embellishments and decorations, the possibilities are endless.
At Woodpeckers, we always want you to get the most out of our products. We offer a wide array of unique plain wooden trays for crafts, and in the sections below, we’ll give you some ideas to jumpstart your next DIY project. So, let’s get crafting!
How to use wooden craft trays
Right out of the box, wooden craft trays have a lot of functionality. But what exactly can you do with them? And how should you decorate and craft with them into a personalized part of your home decor? Read on to find out!
Personalized serving tray
You can turn a plain wooden tray into a statement piece by adding a sense of who you are into the final design. You can paint it in your favorite colors, stencil in a monogram, or use decoupage to apply beautiful patterns. Personalized serving trays are perfect for entertaining guests or just enjoying a drink with loved ones in your outdoor living space. Our set of three serving trays with metal handles is a perfect fit for most occasions and makes it easier to serve without any drops or spills.
Educational wooden craft tray
Make learning fun by transforming your wooden tray into a tool for learning! There are various ways to go about this; if you have very little ones, we offer sorting trays with alphabet cutouts so that they can learn their ABCs. If your young ones can’t get excited about math, our math-themed cutout and number organization tray can turn a home math lesson into a fun, tactile game!
Rustic coffee table organizer
Give your coffee table a stylish, clutter-free upgrade with a rustic wooden tray organizer! Stain or distress the wood for a farmhouse-chic look, then use it to hold remotes, candles (safety first when using candles near wood), coasters, and books. It’s a simple, stylish way to keep your living space neat and tidy while also adding a homey look to your living room.
Wooden sorting tray
A wooden sorting tray is perfect for organizing small items like beads, jewelry pieces, or office supplies. You can customize an unfinished wood tray for crafts by adding dividers or painting sections in different colors to create an easy sorting system. Many of our most popular trays come with dividers built into them, so the hard part is done for you!
Miniature herb garden
Who doesn’t love to bring a bit of nature into the house to brighten things up? Transforming a wood tray with handles for crafts into a fun mini herb garden is the perfect way to do it. You can place small pots or mason jars on your wooden tray and fill them with herbs like basil, mint, and thyme. A round wood tray for crafts works especially well for a tabletop garden.
DIY shadow box
Give precious memories the creative display space they deserve with a DIY shadow box using a wooden tray frame as the base. Fill it with sentimental keepsakes, dried flowers, photos, or anything that holds special meaning for you. You can add a felt bottom and a glass cover for a more polished look. Cradled wood painting panels or a cradled wood canvas can also be repurposed as the backing for a unique three-dimensional piece.
Breakfast in bed tray
Start your morning in style by crafting a tray for breakfast in bed! Use a plain wood tray for craft projects and stain or paint it to match your decor. Trays with handles work best for easy carrying. Then, line the surface with a waterproof sealant to protect against spills. Make sure that all products you apply to the wood are food-safe, too! Small wood trays for crafts are great for single servings, while larger trays provide space for a full meal and a cozy cup of coffee.
3D wall art display
Create a stunning three-dimensional wall art display using wood trays for crafts. Attach small decorative items, fabric, or cradled wood painting panels to give it depth and texture. A wood tray frame can serve as the perfect base for showcasing artistic designs, making any wall a focal point for your living space.
Table centerpiece tray
At Woodpeckers, we love anything that can be used as a table centerpiece. With a wooden tray as your base, you can adapt your centerpiece to meet the needs of the moment. Want a seasonal centerpiece? Or something special for a birthday party? Or just a place to set a vase of flowers? A personalized tray crafted to match your table set is both a lasting decoration and a malleable way to change your dining area as you see fit!
Tea or coffee station
Upgrade your morning routine by turning a wooden craft tray into a dedicated tea or coffee station! Arrange mugs, sugar, and tea bags on a stylish tray to keep everything organized. Wood trays with handles are best for crafts, as they can be removed from a moving station as needed and transported by hand from the kitchen to a cozy nook in your home.
DIY wine & cheese board
Impress your guests with a custom DIY wine and cheese board made from a cradled wood canvas or a plain wooden tray for craft projects. Seal the surface with food-safe oil and use different sections for cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and whatever else you’d like to serve to yourself and your guests. This chic serving piece is an excellent way to entertain in style!
Kids’ art station
Encourage artistic exploration and creativity by turning a wooden craft tray into an art station for kids! Use small compartments to store crayons, markers, stickers, and other kid-safe materials. A cradled wood canvas or an unfinished wood tray for crafts can double as a painting surface, making cleanup a breeze.
Themed holiday decor
Need help getting ready for the holidays? Transform a plain wooden tray into a festive holiday display! It could be a spooky Halloween tray filled with mini pumpkins, a Christmas-themed winter wonderland or hot cocoa station, or a springtime Easter basket alternative. Whatever you’re prepping for, wooden trays offer an easy way to switch up your holiday decor in a pinch!
Find your wood trays for crafts at Woodpeckers
Still not sure what kind of wooden tray you need for your next crafting project? Woodpeckers is here to help. We have a wide selection of wooden trays and frames. We’ve got squares, rectangles, circles, hexagons — you name it, we’ve got it! All you have to do is find the right wooden craft trays to fit your needs and start crafting!
Did you enjoy our wooden trays for crafts guide? Be sure to let us know in the comments and check out our wooden trays and canvases shop to find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!
