Fall Tray Decor Ideas: Tiered Trays and Single Trays for a Cozy Autumn Look

Fall tray decor ideas are one of the easiest ways to bring a little seasonal warmth into your home. Whether you have a tiered tray, a simple wooden tray, or just a pretty platter you already own, there is a fall look waiting to happen.

In this post, I am sharing some of my favorite ways to style a fall tray, from classic tiered trays to single layer trays you can pull together in minutes.

And after many years of designing homes, I am sharing tips to help you achieve the same look. Since trays come in all shapes and sizes, let's look at one-layer flat trays first, as this is the most common style I use for decorating.

Fall Tray Decor Ideas

These fall tray decor ideas come straight from my own home — and honestly, sometimes I reach for a single tray over a tiered one. It feels a little more relaxed and just as cozy.

Since trays come in all shapes and sizes, consider anything flat, with or without sides. Think outside the box—baskets, a flat piece of wood, or even trencher dough bowls.

My favorite coffee table tray is this thrifted Pyrex basket holder. It fits perfectly on the bench, and it's so fun to layer inside. Let's look at more ideas for layering inside a flat tray. Come see more ideas for fall decorating with orange and neutral here.

How to Style a Single Layer Fall Tray

Start with something tall to anchor the tray. A lantern or a vase filled with fall foliage works beautifully as your focal point.

This fall tray decor idea is so simple: adding height with books and using bottles of different heights in a basket tray I found at Walmart. You can see more fall basket decorating ideas here.

Next, add something at medium height. A chunky candle or decoration like this bunny is perfect for that middle layer.

Then finish low. A little cluster of pumpkins, some acorns, or a small fall sign tucked in at the base pulls the whole thing together.

Then fill in around it. Use a few loose leaves, some acorns, or a small sign to tuck into the gaps.

Imagine this fall tray decor centerpiece idea with any color pumpkins you want. The raffia tucked under and around the pumpkins and jars is the final layer. Not necessary, but it really adds texture and gives it that autumn pumpkin patch vibe.

For more details on how to make this, check out my farmhouse fall pumpkin centerpiece.

How to Add a Tier Without a Tiered Tray

Here is a little trick I love: you can turn any single tray into a faux tiered display in about two minutes. Just stack a couple of books or use a small riser inside the tray to lift one item higher than the rest.

We used coasters on this tray. Wish I had a better photo to show you, but notice the small pumpkin sitting on it.

A couple of vintage books beautifully under a pumpkin or candle. Suddenly, your flat tray has layers and dimensions.

Using trays elevates your home decor. You can find them anywhere from Walmart to TJ Maxx, or make your own with a piece of wood, as I did on my table.

Fall Tiered Tray Decor Ideas

Tiered trays have become a favorite for so many of us. They’re charming in style for any season, and most of the little pieces carry from one to the next. If you’re like us here in Florida, you’re already dreaming of crisp days and ready to sprinkle a few fall touches on your tiered tray.

Rather Watch Than Read?

Cozy Cottage Fall Tiered Tray Idea

To begin our tour of tiered trays, here is mine.

Using a three-tiered tray, I filled it with items that gave me that cozy cottage feeling. White dishes, white mini pumpkins, wooden beads, a candle, greenery, and white hydrangea.

Many people dry their hydrangeas in the fall for decorations, so I thought, let's incorporate them on the tray.

Want to build one? Here’s my DIY 3-tier wooden cottage tray tutorial with all the steps.

Rustic Farmhouse Fall Tiered Tray Idea

This rustic shabby chic wooden fall tiered tray by Crystyle_Homestylin features cotton stems, mini pumpkins, berries, and a sweet ‘Gather’ sign. The neutral browns and whites blend beautifully with autumn tones.

If you are obsessed with cotton and want more ways to incorporate it into your home decor, we gave tips in our Fantastic Cotton Decor Tips You Will Love post.

Modern Farmhouse Fall Tiered Tray

This modern farmhouse tiered tray encompasses so much that we adore. Rae Dunn, tiered trays, felt pumpkins, and wood nest houses from Hearth & Hand by Magnolia.

Your fall decor doesn't have to scream fall. It can have a subtle look like Jen's tray at Gnarled Knot and still leave us feeling nostalgic for fall.

Neutral Fall Tiered Tray

Faith at Faith and Chloe Designs sure does know how to style a tray.  Look at all the details that come together in beautiful color harmony in this fall tray: mini pumpkins, chalk-painted wooden heart, candles, greenery, and pine cones.

We have featured Faith before, and she never disappoints. Here fall tiered tray ideas are always so warm and welcoming.

Handmade Fall Tiered Tray

So much pumpkin love is displayed on this autumnal galvanized tiered tray by Scissors in Bloom.

An adorable handmade wooden pumpkin trio accompanied by delicious wood candy corns. Wood bead garlands are staples on tiered trays, and if you're looking to add one to yours,  you can check out our Graced Design has several to choose from in our Holiday Gift Guide.

Cottage Farmhouse Fall Tiered Tray

Distressed tiered trays create a trendy yet blank pallet for any season. Jennifer at Down Shiloh Road has stunning velvet pumpkins, candles, and sunflower heads on her tiers.

She went with a neutral color scheme, which is perfect for anyone who wants more subtle fall decor.

Minimal Neutral Fall Tiered Tray

As we enter this time of year, it is important to ‘be grateful.' This tray keeps things simple, using most of the things you probably already have around your home.

A Simply Styled Nest has created a lovely, minimal, neutral fall tiered tray using all white pieces: white bowls stacked, an ironstone creamer, white pots or vase with artificial plants, and a white apple.

This fall tiered tray decor idea is an easy beginner's tray to style.

Coffee Station Fall Tiered Tray

Anyone else getting excited that pumpkin spice-flavored goodies are just around the corner? Fall brings that promise! But how do you bring that feeling into your home? How about a coffee station, fall tiered tray?

This tray that Donna at Grams Farmhouse shared with us appears to be ready to serve up every one of those yummy treats.

She filled her tray with autumn mugs, mini pumpkins, and a Happy Fall sign on the top tier. This fall tiered tray has cozy written all over it.

Save us one of those cookies, please!

DIY Wood Sliced Fall Tiered Tray

This fall decor by Table for 5 Please isn't indeed a wood slice tiered tray, and yet it is.

You don't need a fancy tiered tray piece; you can build one of your own with wood slices! And this one is to die for, giving us all the right fall feelings.

If you are looking for a little help to make your tiered tray out of items you already have at home, check out our Styling Tiered Trays post.

Vintage Inspired Fall Tiered Tray

Sheila's tiered tray features a lot of fall decor charm on each tier, from greenery to grain sackcloth, to adorable fall wooden signs, to pumpkins. And don't forget the Rae Dunn.

Take a peek at that buffalo check ribbon on the top tier and the cow creamer on the bottom tray. An utterly precious addition, don't you think!

Update: Over the years, Sheila has created many more fall tiered tray decor ideas, and she graciously allows me to share them with you here.

Orange and White Fall Tiered Tray

Shiela incorporated a variety of warm and cozy autumnal colors for this two tiered tray. Rich autumn leaves, orange and white pumpkins, white dishes, and I love the orange and white gingham linen sitting on the counter next to the trays.

Soft Neutral Fall Tiered Tray

Are you starting to see a pattern in Joy's tiered trays? She has a talent for styling them in a soft, neutral way. These decorations incorporate white and lighter colors: mini pumpkins, dishes, fall foliage, and a wooden sign.

Elegant Rustic Autumn Tiered Trays

You didn't think we would leave out our friend Kelly at Farm to Table Creations, did you? Her trays always have high contrast in colors and coveted Rae Dunn pieces, and she is a pro at styling.

Let's look closer at this two-tiered tray. Doilies sitting inside the tray, with one draped over the edge, give a new dimension to fall tiered trays. White dishes and mini pumpkins are classic farmhouse tiered tray staples, but then Kelly adds lots of greenery and drops in some spoons.

The greenery truly warms up the tiered trays, and the spoons give it something unexpected.

Do you think you are ready to style your tray? Here are my top Tiered Tray Accessories to get you started.

Thanksgiving Themed Fall Tiered Tray

And our sweet friend Roz at Stager Roz has also been with us from the beginning of our love of tiered trays. She has an eye and talent for staging items.

This fall decor tiered tray features a variety of fantastic items, including mini pumpkins, mason jars, fall foliage, a wooden sign, felt fall garland, and an owl on the bottom tier. Add your tiered tray to your table, and now you have a fall centerpiece.

Tiered trays make great dining table centerpieces. If you'd like to check out more trays Roz has staged, we featured her in our Christmas, Valentine, Rae Dunn, and grand Patriotic tiered tray posts.

Best Fall Tiered Tray Ideas on Pinterest

If you’re a Pinterest scroller like me, you’ll love these finds. Quick, pretty fall tiered tray ideas you can put together today.

Pumpkin Themed Tiered Tray

Dried Fall Foliage Tiered Tray

Pastel Fall Tiered Tray

Autumn Apple Fall Tiered Tray

If you love any of these tiered tray click on it to head over to Pinterest so you can save it or click on my Pinterest fall board here.

Fall Tiered Tray Decor Shopping List

Here's an easy shopping list with even some links to make your day a little easier.

• Tiered Tray
• Hello Fall Sign
• Pumpkin Spice Sign
• Candle
• Garland
• Greenery
• Pumpkins
• Gourds
• Rae Dunn Mug
• Cotton Stems
• Pinecones
• Acorns
• Orange pumpkins or white of any size
• Tea towels
• and consider Halloween decor

My best recommendations for places to shop are Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Michaels, Walmart, and Target.

Best Places to Put Your Tiered Trays

The kitchen is prime. Set your tray in the corner of your kitchen on the counter. Turn it into a tiny coffee station to add a touch of fall without taking up prep space. Islands and breakfast nooks love a centerpiece.

Around the house, try the entry table, living room console or coffee table. Built-ins, shelves, and nightstands do best with smaller trays, while dining tables and islands can handle larger, layered ones.

Final Thoughts

Are you motivated to get your fall decor out and add it to your wood tiered tray? Is fall your favorite time of year? We can't wait to see what you come up with in your home this autumn. Please share it with us!

Happy Decorating!

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