Farmhouse trays are great for corralling small items and adding layers to coffee tables, ottomans, and counters. But they can also become just another surface that collects clutter.
Styled right with a few intentional pieces – a candle, greenery, something functional – they add farmhouse charm without turning into another tchotchke you have to dust.
1. Fresh Tiered Tray With Lemons
A tiered farmhouse tray is easy to refresh for each season. Just swap in decorations that fit the current theme.
For a bright summery look, use the cheerful color of lemons. Add real lemons and green sprigs to create a natural backdrop for that pop of yellow.
via Creative Work of Heart
2. Tiered Tray With Wire Baskets
Wire baskets have a contemporary look, even with their farmhouse roots. In black, they make an elegant base for charming farmhouse accents.
This setup welcomes autumn with a classic black-and-white color scheme, like buffalo plaid. Faux greenery and macrame tassels add a pop of color and give the trays a finished look.
via Tiered Trays of IG
3. Galvanized Tiered Tray
If you love the contrast of metallic surfaces, check out this tray design. Traditional wooden trays are swapped for galvanized steel.
Light bounces off the surface, showing off the retro texture. The arrangements work for any season and create a welcoming feel.
4. Flat Woven Basket
Turn old picnic basket lids into decorative trays. Just flip the lid over and arrange your decorations.
This example features an elegant arrangement: two wooden candlesticks made from antique furniture, stacked rustic plant pots, and a wire basket holding a green wreath. It makes a great focal point for a side table in your living room.
via Sarah Joy
5. Upcycled Leg Into A Tray Stand
If you want a one-of-a-kind tray, trust your creativity and build it yourself. You’ll need two round wooden trays, white paint, sandpaper, and a leg from an old table or chair.
Paint the trays white. Once dry, sand the edges for a distressed look. Drill a hole in the center of each tray to fit the spindle.
Then arrange ornaments for the season or holiday.
via Life On Kaydeross Creek
6. Galvanized Steel Tray
This tray combines farmhouse style and rustic elements beautifully. A tall glass bottle works as a vase, and wood slices make a charming candle stand.
A small metal cage shows its age with a nice layer of rust. The cotton bouquet adds an elegant touch with its soft, delicate blooms.
via Liz Marie
7. Long Wooden Centerpiece
For this idea, gather reclaimed wood to build a long, box-shaped tray with a handle. Whitewashing the aged wood brings out its surface and adds farmhouse charm.
It’s sized to fit a dining table and makes a striking centerpiece. Fill it with pumpkins, candles, flower pots, or jars of seashells and sand – whatever suits the season or your decor.
8. Painted Galvanized Tray
For a bold farmhouse statement on your dining table, paint a galvanized tray black. Leave the rims in their original state to show off their rustic character.
This arrangement follows a fall theme with different heights – flower pots, pumpkins, and a metal initial.
via Town and Country Living
9. Flat White Wooden Tray
This tray is a simple DIY project. Cut pallet slats to size and frame them with more slats.
Attach two vintage handles to the sides for an authentic look. The creator painted everything white for a stark contrast.
If your space has a lighter palette, try staining the wood instead so it stands out.
via Yesterday On Tuesday
10. Festive Winter Tiered Tray
This ceramic tray has an authentic look and deserves a spot in your decor. The bead ornaments on each tier show off the artisan’s skill.
Its color works perfectly in light interiors, where it really pops. The Christmas-themed arrangement celebrates the warmth of home.
11. Spring-Inspired Three-Tiered Tray
Tiered trays often work as centerpieces. They can anchor a party theme or tie a look together in your home.
This three-tiered tray has plenty of room for ornaments, which can be tricky – but not if you follow a few simple guidelines.
via Inspiration For Moms
12. Crate Repurposed Into Decor Tray
This is one of the simplest designs. No need to change the soda crate’s existing finish.
Instead, embrace its worn look and use it as a captivating centerpiece. Then choose items to display inside.
Because of the depth, use taller ornaments so they’re clearly visible.
13. Kitchen Tray
This arrangement makes your kitchen feel more inviting. Along with greenery in farmhouse pots, small cutting boards are spread across two tiers.
The smallest tier holds a ceramic bird feeder with Rae Dunn script, bringing all the pieces together.
via Liz Marie
14. Repurpose Metal Baking Trays
If you have old rusty baking trays, this idea gives them new life. Drill a hole in each tray to fit a carved wooden spindle.
The pieces are arranged for Thanksgiving. A simple white wooden sign sits diagonally in the second tray, standing out as a holiday reminder.
via Par La Grace
15. Flower Stand Repurposed Into A Tray
Turn outdoor flower stands on pedestals into elegant indoor trays. The decor here is simple and complements the stand’s original purpose.
It holds a flower pot inside a vintage birdcage – a unique and captivating detail.
16. Galvanized Tray For Easter Decor
Tiered trays are perfect for Easter. With shallow tiers like these galvanized ones, small eggs stand out against the paper grass.
17. Coffee Table Tray
This summer decor is simple and charming. Old crate pieces form a tray that works as a coffee table centerpiece.
A stack of books stands on its own as decor and also holds a pot of boxwood. A hydrangea bouquet signals summer is here.
18. Modern Twist Of The Wire Basket Tiered Tray
If you want a tray that mixes farmhouse and modern style, look no further. This three-level tiered tray is it.
Each level has a metal stand with geometric wire shapes. Painted all black, it draws the eye instantly.
19. Metal Stand For Storage
Trays can be any geometric shape, and this one proves it. Rectangular compartments get smaller as they go up, arranged on two levels.
The silver finish looks like galvanized steel for an instant farmhouse feel. A top handle makes it easy to move to any room that needs a festive touch.
via Little Glass Jar
20. Flour Sieves Repurposed Into Tiered Tray
Here’s another great recycling idea that gives old kitchen items new life. Flour sieves, often made of galvanized steel, tend to rust over time.
Before you toss your next sieve, put in a little effort to make your own unique tray for seasonal decor.
21. Traditional Wooden Trays
You can often find round trays like this at dollar stores. To make a tiered version, grab at least two in different sizes.
The center dowel that lifts them can be a repurposed table or chair leg, or a new dowel.
22. Frame Your Tray
Two weathered pieces come together to make an interesting alternative to a standard tray. An old picture frame with plexiglass sits on a wooden candlestick.
Containers resting on the clear surface look great – especially when the candle is lit.
via Crisp Collective
23. A Tray As A Farmhouse Coffee Station
This is a clever idea for a coffee station with vintage flair. Store-bought storage units often look too modern for a farmhouse kitchen.
Galvanized, wood, and wire trays are great for keeping the kitchen tidy and match the farmhouse look.
24. Newly-Made Flat Tray
Build a tray from new wood, then distress it with paint. That technique gives it an aged look – a hallmark of farmhouse style.
Add metal handles – either clean and simple or vintage with floral details – for extra farmhouse appeal.
25. Reclaimed Wood Tray
Grab materials for your farmhouse tray from any old wooden item – a door, window, pallet, or crate.
Once assembled, paint it white to refresh the surface and give it a weathered look.
via Remodelaholic
26. Match The Farmhouse Tray With Your Modern Interior
Paint wooden trays grey to match your modern wall color. The grey also gives them a cement-like finish that stands out.
When choosing seasonal ornaments, pick colors that contrast with the grey.
via Jarful House
27. Tiered Herb Garden
This tray idea is both good-looking and practical. Use a tiered tray for fresh herbs so your whole family can enjoy their flavor year-round.
28. Tiered Tray As A Succulent Garden
This vintage tiered stand has been turned into a succulent display. Succulents do well in small pots, and this tray gathers them together in the light.
29. Party Side Table
Use tiered trays to organize tableware for Thanksgiving. Add seasonal decorations to blend the storage with the festive decor.
via Sarah Joy
30. Succulent Pots
This tray design inspires an unconventional succulent pot. Succulents have shallow roots and can be planted in almost anything.
So why not a tray? Stack two identical metal trays for extra impact!
Add vining succulents for a green waterfall effect.
31. Themed Tray Arrangement
This concept uses three vintage baking trays at different heights on a metal dowel. The decor focuses on a summer countryside scene with bees, flowers, and greenery.
The bee is the star, with its bright yellow color and matching signs.
32. Tray For A Homely Kitchen
Every space adds to your home’s character, and each room should show that. This tray idea inspires with its design, color choices, and meaningful symbols.
The tiered tray sits on a wooden table with a buffalo plaid runner, giving contrast to the mix of green, white, and red decor.
33. Farmhouse Tray Design
This farmhouse tray idea makes your kitchen feel more welcoming. Instead of storing kitchen essentials, it shows off family-focused items.
These pieces create an inviting feel in a busy room and tie it to the rest of your home.
34. Family-Inspired Farmhouse Tray
Here’s another arrangement to inspire your own decor. Natural elements form a soft backdrop for signs that celebrate family and home.
35. Unfinished Wood Tray
If you want a casual farmhouse tray, this one is perfect. Two round solid wood boards are left in their natural color.
They sit on a pedestal with wood beads at the base. The light wood tray holds charming decor – practical kitchen containers with Rae Dunn labels and custom signs.
36. Fun Farmhouse Tray Arrangement
Use animal names and images to create a fun, unique tray arrangement. Cows, chickens, and pigs are classic farmhouse symbols, often used in DIY farmhouse decor.
