Why You Should Be Decorating with Trays and How To Do It
Trays, no matter the shape, size or material, are the ultimate secret weapon for any home decorator. Whether you are decorating your dining room, living room or bedroom, a tray is one of the most versatile décor pieces you can find. Metal trays, woven trays and wooden trays are the most common tray types that are used when styling homes.
3 ELEMENTS THE MAKE FOR A PERFECTLY STYLED TRAY
1 VARYING TRAY HEIGHTS
Objects that are of varying heights look great when displayed on a tray as it adds visual interest and depth to the space. If everything is all one height it can be difficult for the eye to differentiate at a glance between all the objects that are on display. Objects that are of different heights also prevents the tray from looking as if it has been crammed full with random ornaments and objects.
2 TRAY TEXTURE
Texture is important when styling your tray as it prevents the space from feeling or looking one dimensional. When you layer different textures together it adds depth and dimension.
3 EMPTY SPACE
Having empty space on your trays is just as important as having décor pieces on your tray. The negative space allows us to see the chosen décor pieces clearly, and the eye to rest in between them. If your tray has no empty space, it will look and feel cluttered and not give the desired effect.
HOW TO USE TRAYS IN YOUR HOME
SMALL TRAYS MATTER
Bigger is not always better, so steer away from the idea that you should only collect large trays. Smaller trays are ideal for collecting small trinkets and keeping them safe in high traffic areas of your home. An added bonus of smaller trays is that you can use them in any room to hold any item or décor piece, from jewellery, candles and keys to phones, remotes and small vases.
TRAYS MAKE THE PERFECT BASE
Trays are the ideal starting place when you begin styling a table or sever. Start with a tray as your base and build your way up. The tray can function on its own as a centrepiece if grand enough, or as a home to your décor pieces or trinkets. We love to use a tray in the centre of the table as a base before we start to stack and place various other items on top. This gives everything a safe, designated place and keeps it looking chic as well.
USE A TRAY TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS
Feeling welcomed in someone’s home is always a good feeling, feeling at home is even better. Make your overnight guests feel at home by placing a tray on a freshly made bed in the guest room that is filled with overnight essentials. Trays are the perfect place to store and display special bath salts and soaps, magazines or books, as well as a few bottles of water and some snacks. When you are putting together a guest room tray, we also recommend that you include a small framed printout of the Wi-Fi name and password so your guests can stay connected during their stay.