HOW TO MAKE A CHARMING TIERED TRAY THE EASY WAY

Farmhouse tiered tray decorating has become more and more popular.  So today I am sharing how to make a tiered tray for all your accessories and holiday goodies.

What is a tiered tray?

A tiered tray is made of plates stacked one on top of another and divided by dowels of some sort.  In times past they were used to serve food, but today people are using them to create vignettes with accessories on them.

Whenever a holiday arrives people start looking to find ideas for their tiered trays.

The most popular tiered tray post roundups on my website are the Christmas tiered trays, Valentine’s day tiered tray and of course, Rae Dunn tiered tray.

I mean gee-whiz!  You cannot have a farmhouse style tiered tray without some Rae Dunn.  LOL!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you purchase at no cost to you using the links below.  All opinions are all my own.

How to make a tiered tray

Okay so enough chatting, let’s get on with the DIY.

Getting Started

As always begin by pulling out all your tools.

Here is what I used to create the two-tiered stand.

• small wood plate
• large wood plate
• wooden feet
• wood ball
• dowel or up-cycled spindles
• measuring tape
• drill
• vise grip
• double-sided screw
• small wood screws for feet
• 1″ wood screw for first dowel and plate
• screwdriver
• saw (optional)
• paint (I used chalk paint)
• cup of water
• sandpaper
• Paintbrush

Attach Feet

Begin by laying the feet on the bottom of the larger plate in a triangle shape.  Measure and make sure they are distanced evenly apart.  Next, create a pencil mark inside the hole and then drill the holes and screw on the feet.

If you need the screws to inset into the feet, so they don’t scratch your table when you use the tiered tray, drill with a larger drill bit into the hole of the foot just two times around.  The indention will allow the screw to inset.

Fasten the first dowel to the large bottom plate

Cut the longer dowel to 7 inches.

Drill a hole into the center of the large plate.  Make sure it is perfectly centered.

Drill a hole into the bottom of the dowel.

Join the plate and dowel together with the screw that has a flat end on it.

Connect the smaller plate

Drill a hole into the top of the dowel that is attached to the larger bottom plate.

Take your double sided screw and clamp your vise grip to one end and start screwing it into the 7-inch dowel.

Now screw the top plate down.

You will see the screw coming out of the top of the plate.

Attach the top dowel

Start by cutting the top dowel down to the size you want.  I made mine about 4 inches.

Drill a hole on the bottom of the dowel to screw it into the top plate.

Now screw on the top dowel.

We are almost finished!

For the last step use some wood glue to attach the ball to the top.

It also looks nice to attach a handle to the top.

However, if you choose to add a handle, I would drill another hole and screw it in rather than using glue.

Conclusion

Now, all we have to do is paint the tiered tray.

I like the look of chalk paint, so I painted my tray using the chalk paint technique I used on my hutch.

See how easy it is to make your tiered tray?

Here are the steps again on how to make a tiered tray.

• Collect supplies and tools
• Attach the feet
• Fasten the first dowel
• Attach the top plate
• Connect the top dowel
• Glue on the wooden ball
• Paint with your favorite paint

And there you have it, your very own charming farmhouse-style tiered tray!  Now I wonder what fun things will go on your shelf?

Happy Decorating!

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