All About Wooden Trays

Nowadays, trays are not only for convenience. The shapes, appearance and application variations turn a simple kitchen attribute into an innovative decoration. In the interior or in the kitchen, a wooden tray will become an unusual model that attracts attention, especially if it is painted or beautifully carved.

The production uses natural wood. Basically - beech, but there may also be cherry, oak, cherry, birch. Trays are made using a machine or manually. However, carving or special coloring using jewelry is done by the hands of the master.

Many make trays from improvised materials or from wooden scraps. This is a good option for those who want to choose kitchen utensils strictly for the interior or to realize a long-standing design idea.

The main advantages of wooden trays are low cost and environmental friendliness. Natural material does not emit toxic substances and is much cheaper than metal and plastic analogues of trays. But buyers note the danger of the appearance of a fungus if the protective layers are damaged. Another advantage of wooden utensils is the richness of the assortment. You can decorate the tray with any pattern or make a carved border.

The stores also have enough models for every taste. Of the minuses - care for the wooden coating and the wear of the varnish layer, which must be periodically updated.

Serve the trays for a long time, if they are properly looked after. Wooden dishes, as a rule, require special attention. But if you follow the following rules, then the service life and beautiful appearance will remain for years:

• do not wash in a dishwasher;
• after contact with the liquid, wipe with a dry cloth;
• if cracked, renew the varnish and oil-wax coating;
• Do not use detergents with strong chemical properties.

Among the many products, it is very difficult to choose the right wooden tray. Some differ in form and application, way of care. First you need to consider the classification, decide on the parameters, and then choose the appropriate option. For example, a busy table will help busy people spending a lot of time at the computer, and a rotating one will help those who love family conversations. And there is no need to put it in the kitchen.

For every corner of the house there is a design that will add a touch of comfort and originality.

The types of wooden trays may differ according to several criteria. The shape of the trays can be as follows:

• ordinary (round, square);

• unusual (for example, in the form of a fish or a triangle).

By functionality, they can be as follows:

• with legs and sides;
• without legs, but with sides and handles;
• without legs and sides;
• rotating.

By application, it is worth highlighting such types as:

• for serving food;
• serving;
• table tray;
• stand.

Rectangular shape - a classic among all varieties. It allows you to place a large number of dishes on the surface. The tray is intended for serving food, mainly breakfast (for lovers of British culture). Exist and with sectors in which you can put solid food. They are ideal for barbecue or sushi. And for the tea ceremony they have a shape approximate to the square. Usually at the bottom there are legs or a pillow, the surface is covered with drawings or hieroglyphs.

Table trays are most often rectangular. They are ideal for a cozy breakfast in bed or on the carpet. And also on them you can put a laptop or phone along with food and drinks when watching movies or doing work. The round shape is more presentable. Such a tray is purchased for restaurants and cafes. At parties or celebrations they serve cocktails, wine. Usually their diameter is 30–38 cm.

A rotating round tray is the aesthetics of proper table setting, and if it consists of several floors, then this design looks very impressive and rich. Round trays without legs and sides are called stand, they are very convenient. The stand serves as a place for mugs and plates and does not allow high temperatures to damage the furniture.

Trays made in the shape of some kind of animal, polygon or arbitrary shape are usually not used in establishments (if there is no corresponding theme) and please the eye in the home interior. Most often, it is handmade, symbolizing comfort and emphasizing the decor of the kitchen. Such a product is used for an original meal, table setting at home or as an accessory.

If there are legs or a pillow, then breakfast, lunch and dinner will be held comfortably in any convenient place (a favorite armchair or sofa). There are multi-storey wine trays that resemble a tree, in which you can put a bottle of your favorite wine or other drink.

Wooden trays are practical and convenient in everyday life. Varieties and forms expand their scope. A beautiful and bright handmade option can be a wonderful gift or accessory in the house. At the request of the owner, it can be decorated with photographs, drawings, inscriptions or applique.

Since ancient times, trays served as a canvas for artists and just lovers. Their works left their mark on art: paintings and unusual forms that have survived to this day. Today, amid the abundance of paints and tools, creating your work is a matter of time and finances.

Inspiration can be drawn from the ideas of professionals. Using tools and paint you can make a unique tray that fits perfectly into the interior and will be the pride of the creator. If you don’t have a planer, a grinding machine, or a saw at your disposal, you can buy an attractive tray of oak or beech and paint it.

Nowadays, there is no need to learn the form of painting for years. It is enough to find a stencil with the style you like - it can be anything: vintage, retro, classic, gzhel. Color also has no restrictions: white, red, blue - which one will appeal. The selected pattern must be attached to the tray and painted over with acrylic paints, leaving for 4-6 hours. After you can decorate the interior with the original work.

The surface must be cleaned of varnish and oil-wax coatings. Go through sandpaper and the base paint of any shade you like. The application pattern is carefully cut out of napkins or wrappers. Apply glue to the inside, attach to the bottom of the tray and wipe with a damp cloth until smooth. After drying, coat the surface with 2-3 layers of acrylic varnish. The accessory made will be ideally combined with the interior if you stick the same applications on other surfaces of kitchen furniture or utensils.

The art of woodcarving requires effort and the necessary tools: a set of knives with blades, cutters, a machine tool, a saw and so on. The hand needs to be “stuffed”, and the skill to be honed. But the work done is worth it. Many saw models of wooden trays with beautifully carved sides and legs. Such a kitchen attribute will not go unnoticed and will become the main decoration of the house.

Magnetic slate paint will add a roughness to the bottom. Dishes on such a surface will glide less, and the design itself will become an unusual decoration of the house. The main feature of the tray - in it you can leave notes and inscriptions, attach magnets, draw with chalk. To create a tray you will need: masking tape and a brush. The sides must be glued with tape, and the protective layer removed from the surface and degreased with alcohol. After applying 3-5 layers of paint and leave for a day. After drying, you do not need to cover anything. The hard matte surface will last a very long time.

This way of decoration is suitable even for the lazy. All you need is a soldering iron and a stencil that is applied with a pencil and burned out. The main thing is to erase the varnish layer and apply a new one after the procedure. Allow to dry. Precautions must be taken when handling hot tools.

See how to make a wooden tray in the next video.