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DIY Wood Slat Tray

ByJennifer

Hi everyone! It’s Angela from Number Fifty-Three and I had so much fun working on this  DIY wood slat tray to share with you all! It’s so versatile and great for not only serving on but using for a fall display.

A potted plant, a book adorned with a white pumpkin decoration, and a small candle holder are arranged on a farmhouse style wood tray with leather handles.

 

This tray was not nearly as difficult as it looks to make and it is the perfect piece to style our farmhouse coffee table.

A farmhouse style wood tray on the coffee table displays stacked books, a white ceramic pumpkin, and a potted plant. In the background, a sofa with patterned cushions is visible.

Supplies to make a DIY wood slat tray

Four pieces of wood in your choice of length and width (remember you can have these cut for you at the home improvement store), wood glue and clamps, sandpaper, brackets, screws and screwdriver, paint or stain in your choice of colors, wax or poly (your choice, if desired), felt pads, scissors, decorative nails and a hammer. When working with tool always make sure to take the proper safety precautions.
Close-up of a farmhouse-style DIY wood slat tray, with wooden boards fastened together by metal brackets, showing the natural grain and knots in the wood.
We started out by cutting our wood to our desired length (roughly 24″). We put a thin layer of wood glue between the boards and clamped them until dry. When it was set we had the base of our tray. For extra security we screwed brackets onto the back at the seams and I added felt feet so it wouldn’t scratch our table.
A white coffee table holding a stack of books, a white pumpkin, and a white ceramic pot with greenery sits atop a farmhouse-style wood tray. The table is set in a cozy, detailed room with a chair and other furnishings in the background.

I then used a hammer to distress the wood, randomly banging and denting it. I sanded the entire piece to remove the super rough spots and splinters. Once I cleaned off the sanding dust, I used three shades of white and cream paint, letting it dry thoroughly between coats. I then sanded the entire tray to distress it and bring out all the details of the wood. I waxed the tray to protect it.  Then, I cut two strips of heavy duty leather (available by the bag at the craft store) and attached them onto the top of the tray with decorative nails.

A white planter with soil is placed on a farmhouse style wood tray, featuring a brown leather strap secured by a metal screw. The setup rests on a wooden surface with a plant partially visible.
Style Your DIY Wood Slate Tray

A stack of three books sits on a charming farmhouse-style wood tray, accented by a small white decorative pumpkin on top. A leather strap is attached to the side of the tray.

I adore how this looks on our coffee table and how it blends so well with our living room. We have a fairly neutral base of whites, creams, and tans with just a couple of bits of color. We also have lots of distressed pieces and pieces with age and history as I’m trying to stay true to our nearly 100 year old farmhouse.

A potted plant with green foliage in a white ceramic pot sits on a farmhouse style wood tray with a leather handle, placed on a wooden surface.
 
I hope you loved this farmhouse DIY wood slat tray as much as I do!
A white pumpkin sits atop two books on a farmhouse style DIY wood slat tray next to a small potted plant. In the background, a couch with black and white pillows is seen.
To see more of our living room, check out the links below.
Stylized antlers gracefully arch above the text "All the Best, Angela" in elegant cursive, capturing a rustic charm reminiscent of a handcrafted DIY wood slat tray.
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Living Room Secretary Styling

 

 

 

DIY Antique Coffee Table