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    Home » Home Decorating » DIY Home Decor

    Published: Nov 3, 2021 · Modified: Dec 22, 2022 by Rachel

    Tiered Serving Tray Decor Ideas

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    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!

    A collage of styled three tier trays decorated for seasons, Christmas, and organizational needs with post title overlay.
    Contents show
    1 What can I put on a serving tray?
    2 Tiered Tray Organization Ideas
    2.1 1. Office or Craft Supply Organization
    2.2 2. Tray Organization in the Bathroom
    2.3 3. The Kitchen Sink
    2.4 4. Display Serving Dishes
    2.5 5. Coffee Bar
    2.6 6. Beverage Station
    2.7 7. More Ways to Style Trays for Organizing
    3 Holiday Decorating Ideas
    4 Styling Tips for Tiered Tray Decor
    4.1 1. Christmas Tiered Tray Decor
    4.2 2. Fall Decor Ideas for Serving
    5 Seasonal Decorating Ideas
    5.1 2. Winter Wonderland Decor
    5.2 4. Spring Decorating
    5.3 5. Summer Decorating
    6 DIY Your Own Tiered Tray
    6.1 Looking for more beautiful display and organization ideas? Check out these!

    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

    Metal tiered tray for organizing craft supplies with paints, ribbon spools, tags, clothes pins, and small calendar.

    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

    2-tiered chrome basket tray with assorted bathroom toiletries

    These trays are also excellent in the bathroom! Store bathroom toiletries stylishly with this brilliant grouping by Garden Boys & Me.

    Rotating makeup organizer with compartments filled with bottles and makeup.

    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

    Christmas decorated kitchen window with garland and Christmas towels.

    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

    3-tiered distressed tray with farmhouse styled accessories and classic white creamery dishes surrounded by pewter birds, antique books, and fresh flowers.
    Source: Etsy

    This cottage style 3-tiered tray is a savvy way to display treasured collections and save cabinet space.

    5. Coffee Bar

    A coffee bar serving tray with cups, cream, k-cups, and coffee supplies for the morning.

    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

    Galvanized serving tray with drinks and glasses and snacks on it for a party.

    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

    Christmas Coffee or Hot Cocoa Bar using 3 tiered tray with assorted items used for making festive cocoa.

    This hot cocoa bar from The Cozy Farmhouse has all the fun fixins to make a merry addition to your coffee nook.

    3-tiered cupcake tray styled with Christmas decorations, gingerbread houses, and winter greenery.

    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.

    Santa decorated tray for christmas.
    Source: Etsy

    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!

    Fall decorated serving tray with sweaters, pumpkins, and mini-signs.
    Source: Etsy

    Plants, plaid, and pumpkin…oh my! These sweet cottage style details are inspired by Fall Farmers Market finds.

    Rustic tiered tray styled for fall with mini pumpkins, eucalyptus sprigs, and fall berries

    “Gone pumpkin pickin.” This farmhouse display from @thecedarshack is simply gourd-geous.

    Thanksgiving and fall themed decorations on a white stand.
    Source: Etsy

    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

    Winter serving tray decor including snowy trees and wood cutouts.

    Fresh winter greens and wood cutouts pop against a neutral palette in this simply stylish display.

    Winter Wonderland themed 3 tiered metal tray with mini christmas trees, pinecones, ornaments, and silver deer.

    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.

    3-tiered white cake stand themed with winter snowman figures, mini Christmas trees and snowflakes

    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.

    3-tiered metal basin style tray decorated with pink, red and white Valentine's Day heart accents.

    Pops of pink & sprigs of green are gracious reminders from @curtains_and_confetti that sunny Spring days are ahead!

    3-tiered wooden rustic tray with pine cones, winter greenery and red & white Valentine's Day accents.
    Source: @theoldhouseonmain

    Red pom-pom garland and crisp white accents brighten up winter greens in a chirpy display by @theoldhouseonmain.

    3-tiered shabby style cake stand with understated green and white St Patrick's Day decor including succulents

    Sprinkle in a little greenery and the luck of the Irish with a subtle St Paddy’s Day vignette like this one from @acozyblessednest.

    3-tiered shabby style cake stand with bright-hued Easter accents and Spring blooms

    Peep this- @on.walden.home designed the prettiest way to display your Easter eggs.

    2-tiered wooden bucket style tiered tray styled with classic white and light blue kitchen accent, candles and fresh peaches

    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.

    2-tiered wooden cupcake stand displaying strawberry plants, fresh strawberries and strawberry dishes

    Fresh strawberries are my jam! These blooms & berries by @houseonlouismedow are a cheery addition to any summer kitchen.

    2-tiered rustic style tray with Americana decor and succulent accents
    Source: Etsy July 4th Tray

    Oh say can you see…add rustic Americana details for some patriotic summer style.

    3-tiered galvanized tray styled for 4th of July party. Patriotic plates, napkins and straws mixed with candies, fresh flowers and other accents

    This party-ready 4th of July vignette from An Extraordinary Day celebrates the kid in all of us.

    2-level white cake stand themed with beach decor items including wooden beads, small signs and starfish

    The beach is calling, and I must go. This tiered tray by @summerlifecrafts speaks to your inner mermaid.

    3-tiered classic white cupcake stand with white dishes, kitschy sayings, colorful straws and small watermelon figures.

    Watermelon sugar anyone? A jaunty assembly by @Glitter+Grain is truly “one in a melon.”

    2-tiered tray with ice cream vignette. Pastry chef figure, ice cream signs and pastel color theme.

    I scream, you scream…@designstylebymarci knows that nothing screams summertime more than ice cream!

    Mexican party tray themed for Cinco de Mayo with margaritas, citrus, and pinata.
    Source: Etsy

    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!

    Click Photo to See Product

    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!

    1. DIY this 3-tiered stand for mere dollars with the Happy Housie’s Dollar Store Tutorial.
    2. An elegant addition for any armoire by Go Make Me.
    3. 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!

    Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

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      Mixing Fall & Halloween Decor
    • Two nutcracker princes standing in front of a Christmas tree.
      70 Free or Cheap Christmas Decoration Ideas
    • Collage of wall art ideas made from scrap wood.
      20 Wood Wall Decorations
    • Collage of simple Easter table decorations including carrot forks, faux greenery tray, and lots of bunnies.
      Easy Easter Table Decor Ideas and Centerpieces
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    1. Sonia says

      January 12, 2019 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      Do you have ideas about fire place mantels? Love 3 tiers ideas.

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        January 15, 2019 at 9:42 pm

        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.

        Reply
    2. Jacleen Garcia says

      October 25, 2018 at 11:33 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        October 27, 2018 at 7:40 am

        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!

        Reply
    3. Nicole @ Madness and Method says

      April 05, 2017 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
    4. Lindi Vanderschaaf says

      April 03, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      Would you believe I don’t own any three-tiered trays… lol. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!

      Reply

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