Add a touch of whimsy to your décor with tiered tray decorating ideas. Easy and versatile, display seasonal collections and treasured nick-knacks or add clever storage to small spaces with a tiered serving tray!
Tiered trays are a smart way to add seasonal flair or stylish storage to any room. This home design trend is practical and pretty, and one of my favorite ways to display a vignette. Stumped about how to get started? You’re in luck! Today’s post was inspired by your questions: Where to shop ’em? How to style one? and of course, How to DIY one?
Decorate for holidays with themed accessories. Serve your favorite foods & beverages with flair. Create a holiday centerpiece or a clever kitchen cabinet organizer. Use them in your entryway to collect odds & ends, or as a critical bathroom organizer.
Here are some beautiful ideas to decorate, DIY, and make the most out of a tiered tray. These selections are functional, fun and versatile.
What can I put on a serving tray?
Missing that final piece of your design puzzle? These filler ideas may be the perfect finishing touch to bring your inspired creations to life.
- Small Pails
- Clear apothecary jars
- Fresh or faux greenery (my favorites are eucalyptus and seasonal yard clippings)
- Glass or wooden ornaments
- Coffee mugs
- Potpourri
- Teacups and saucers
- Faux or fresh fruit
- White dessert plates
- Salt & pepper shakers
- Petite signs
- Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate supplies
- String of wood beads
- Sweet treats like wrapped candies or chocolates
Tiered Tray Organization Ideas
Small on space but big on design ideas? Tiered trays are the solution you’ve been seeking. Keep small items handy without sacrificing critical storage by going vertical.
1. Office or Craft Supply Organization
Who couldn’t use one of these to keep all the small office supplies organized? This craft supply idea from Mish Mash stores a bevy of craft supplies within arm’s reach. An ingenious solution for home school or homework stations!
2. Tray Organization in the Bathroom
These trays are also excellent in the bathroom! Store bathroom toiletries stylishly with this brilliant grouping by Garden Boys & Me.
Create a luxe landing spot for cologne or chic storage for cosmetics and brushes. This tiered tray includes adjustable sides for large and small bottles!
3. The Kitchen Sink
Create a nesting spot for sponges & soaps inspired by this kitchen makeover by Bless’er House. Kitchen caddies are clever organization ideas.
4. Display Serving Dishes
This cottage style 3-tiered tray is a savvy way to display treasured collections and save cabinet space.
5. Coffee Bar
Add a touch of elegance to the mundane; 3-tiered trays jazz up common household items. Hosting overnight guests? A well-stocked coffee bar like this one by A Shade of Teal generates morning buzz.
6. Beverage Station
This galvanized stand from Pottery Barn makes it easy and elegant for guests to serve themselves.
7. More Ways to Style Trays for Organizing
- Eliminate morning mayhem with a handmade entry way organizer to give keys, chargers and spare change a nesting spot.
- Put a fresh spin on your charcuterie board; serve it on a tiered tray for easy elegance.
- Create a cereal bar stocked with spoons, bowls, old fashioned donuts, and fresh fruit.
- Use on the nightstand as an easily accessible jewelry stand.
Holiday Decorating Ideas
These stands are perfect backdrops for seasonal decorations. They easily make a beautiful centerpiece, coffee nook, or display for your favorite perennial collector’s items.
Styling Tips for Tiered Tray Decor
Although there’s no right or wrong way to decorate, here are some handy tips to get started:
- Choose a theme.
- Select item(s) that you love as the design anchor.
- Coordinate a color scheme.
- Add filler pieces that vary in texture & height.
- Add natural elements or greenery.
- Use stackable items.
- Create balance by repeating items on different tiers.
- Add dimension with an element that hangs off the tray- beads, ribbon, etc.
- Make certain that your tray is visually appealing from all angles.
1. Christmas Tiered Tray Decor
This hot cocoa bar from The Cozy Farmhouse has all the fun fixins to make a merry addition to your coffee nook.
This classic rustic tray filled with wooden stars, seasonal clippings, and a touch of sparkle instantly adds a touch of holiday cheer to any space.
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling… cozy North Pole vibes inspire cravings for Hot Chocolate Cookies. Get the whole set for some crazy, cozy vibes!
2. Fall Decor Ideas for Serving
Create an autumn centerpiece with commonplace items such as white china, pumpkins, and fall foliage. The harvest season is bountiful when it comes to display ideas. It’s as easy as well…pie!
Plants, plaid, and pumpkin…oh my! These sweet cottage style details are inspired by Fall Farmers Market finds.
“Gone pumpkin pickin.” This farmhouse display from @thecedarshack is simply gourd-geous.
A detail laden fall vignette that’s pumpkin spice & everything nice! This Pumpkin and Fall Loves tray is a festive addition for your holiday buffet!
Seasonal Decorating Ideas
Even more ideas to celebrate every season of the year!
2. Winter Wonderland Decor
Fresh winter greens and wood cutouts pop against a neutral palette in this simply stylish display.
Choose a Winter Wonderland theme like this elegant vignette from my Christmas Dining Room for decor that stays relevant long after the tree is taken down.
Bring on snow days, pj’s and cozy blankets. This cheerful display @feltcreativehome gives a whole new meaning to winter blues.
4. Spring Decorating
Transition easily from one season into the next without much fuss. As Valentine’s Day heads your way, keep your winter greenery handy. Add sweet treats, hearts, and a few Dollar Store items. Voila! A brand-new motif for a brand-new holiday.
Pops of pink & sprigs of green are gracious reminders from @curtains_and_confetti that sunny Spring days are ahead!
Red pom-pom garland and crisp white accents brighten up winter greens in a chirpy display by @theoldhouseonmain.
Sprinkle in a little greenery and the luck of the Irish with a subtle St Paddy’s Day vignette like this one from @acozyblessednest.
Peep this- @on.walden.home designed the prettiest way to display your Easter eggs.
Spring it on with fresh peaches, pots, and plants in this practical yet pretty grouping from Crisp Collective.
5. Summer Decorating
I’m a big fan of dining al fresco during warmer months. Eliminate the need for outdoor counter space by incorporating a tiered tray. Style your tray as a serving bar or use it as an appetizer tower. Get creative and let your imagination run wild.
Fresh strawberries are my jam! These blooms & berries by @houseonlouismedow are a cheery addition to any summer kitchen.
Oh say can you see…add rustic Americana details for some patriotic summer style.
This party-ready 4th of July vignette from An Extraordinary Day celebrates the kid in all of us.
The beach is calling, and I must go. This tiered tray by @summerlifecrafts speaks to your inner mermaid.
Watermelon sugar anyone? A jaunty assembly by @Glitter+Grain is truly “one in a melon.”
I scream, you scream…@designstylebymarci knows that nothing screams summertime more than ice cream!
Margaritas are my favorite summer cocktail. Turn any gathering into an instant fiesta with the perfect party tray!
Searching for the perfect 3-tier tray? Shop our favorites!
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DIY Your Own Tiered Tray
Feeling inspired to design your own 3-tiered tray? For someone who’s always budget-conscious and loves a good makeover story, repurposing is the perfect solution!
- DIY this 3-tiered stand for mere dollars with the Happy Housie’s Dollar Store Tutorial.
- An elegant addition for any armoire by Go Make Me.
- A repurposed rustic chic catchall by Making it in the Mountains.
Looking for more beautiful display and organization ideas? Check out these!
- Small Bathroom Organization Ideas to Save Space
- Craft Room Organization Ideas
- How to Build a Pegboard Organizer
- Clever Ways to Organize a Small Space with Bins
Do you have a tiered serving tray? Do you style it or only use it for parties? Share your favorite tips and ideas!
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More Decorating Ideas
Sonia says
Do you have ideas about fire place mantels? Love 3 tiers ideas.
Rachel says
Great idea for a post! I have seen a few very good ones. I will work on one coming up with fireplace ideas, but in the meantime, you can see our Christmas mantle here.
Jacleen Garcia says
Thank you for so many ideas! I’m going to be in the market for a tier tray once I have my own place and pinned this article for tips On it once I have one!! I have a super weird question, but the Christmas themed tiered tray (mostly red with Rae Dunn….). Where did you get the small spoons inside the cream? I’ve been looking around for something similar!
Rachel says
Hi Jacleen! Thank you so much. Decorating new spaces are always so exciting. Good luck on your new place. I know I have seen those small types of spoons at craft stores like hobby lobby and maybe Michael’s. They are usually in the party or wedding sections. The closest online I could find were these 6 inch ones and these shorter ones. I hope that helps and I would love to see your decorated tray when you get it done!
Nicole @ Madness and Method says
I also don’t have any – but I see them styled online all the time. Great roundup, I can see how they would save space
Lindi Vanderschaaf says
Would you believe I don’t own any three-tiered trays… lol. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!