A well-chosen tray can bring a sense of order to a coffee table, console or dining surface. Gather a few favourite things together, use it for serving drinks or simply let the tray itself become part of the arrangement.
Some are made for serving, others are almost pieces of art in their own right. From mirrored and gilt designs to colourful lacquer, botanical patterns and more unusual decorative trays, there are plenty of ways to make them part of the room.
More Than Something to Carry
A tray doesn't have to leave the room once the drinks have been served. On a coffee table, it can bring candles, books and decorative objects together. On a console, it can create a defined area for smaller pieces that might otherwise look scattered.
This is particularly useful when styling a room. Rather than placing lots of individual objects across a surface, use a tray to give them a visual boundary and make the arrangement feel deliberate.
When the Tray Becomes the Feature
Some designs are made to be noticed. Gilt metal, mirrored surfaces, lacquered finishes and decorative patterns can turn a simple tray into one of the more interesting pieces on a table or console.
A palm-tree or parrot design can introduce colour and pattern, while a black and gold Art Deco-inspired tray brings a stronger, more graphic feel. Used on their own, these pieces can have as much decorative impact as what you place on them.
Tray Tables and Portable Surfaces
A tray table offers the same flexibility on a larger scale. Use one beside a sofa for drinks and books, next to a chair as a small side table or bring it out when you need an extra surface.
Some designs have removable trays, while folding versions can be put away when they're not needed. Drinks trolleys take the idea further, giving you several levels for serving, displaying glassware or even creating a mobile display for plants and decorative objects.
Styling a Tray
Think in layers rather than trying to fill the whole surface. A vase or candle can provide height, books can add a lower layer and a smaller decorative object can fill the space between them. Leave some of the tray visible - the edge and material are part of the arrangement.
You can also change what sits on a tray with the seasons or simply when you fancy a different look. That's part of what makes these pieces so useful: they give you a small area to restyle without changing the room itself.
