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January 13, 2019 · 6 Comments

HOW TO MAKE A CHARMING TIERED TRAY THE EASY WAY

CREATE· HOW TO

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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.

How to make a tiered tray

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.

How to make a tiered tray supplies

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.

How to make a tiered tray and attaching the feet

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.

How to make a tiered tray and attaching the dowel

Connect the smaller plate

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

How to make a tiered tray by drilling a hole

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

How to make a tiered tray by screwing in a screw

Now screw the top plate down.

How to make a tiered tray by attaching the second plate

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

How to make a tiered tray showing the screw coming through 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.

How to make a tiered tray by attaching the top dowel

We are almost finished!

How to make a tiered tray

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

How to make a tiered tray

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.

Products from Amazon.com

  • Rae Dunn by Magenta LOVE Ceramic LL Coffee Mug Red Interior
    Rae Dunn by Magenta LOVE Ceramic LL Coffee Mug Red Interior
    Price: $27.73
  • Valentines Felt Ball Garland | 100% Wool Felt Ball Garland | Valentines Pom Pom Garland | Valentines Decoration | Valentines Decor | 25mm, 30 Balls, NO DIY Required
    Valentines Felt Ball Garland | 100% Wool Felt Ball Garland | Valentines Pom Pom Garland | Valentines Decoration | Valentines Decor | 25mm, 30 Balls, NO DIY Required
    Price: Out of stock
  • MyGift Set of 4 Artificial Mini Succulent & Cactus Plants in White Cube-Shaped Pots -41%
    MyGift Set of 4 Artificial Mini Succulent & Cactus Plants in White Cube-Shaped Pots
    Price: $19.99
    Was: $33.99
  • Creative Co-op Distressed Brown Wood 2-Tier Tray with Metal Handle -33%
    Creative Co-op Distressed Brown Wood 2-Tier Tray with Metal Handle
    Price: $55.99
    Was: $83.99
‹ ›

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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Comments

  1. Greg Hill says

    February 6, 2019 at 6:46 AM

    I noticed that your wooden plates have rounded edges (inside), but the ones you reference for source (Amazon) have hard edges. Did yours come with rounded edges or ddi you have to sand them down?

    Reply
    • Linda McDonald says

      February 6, 2019 at 3:14 PM

      The ones I used were from Hobby Lobby. The edges are rounded. I tried to find the closest to what I had on Amazon but if you have a hobby lobby you can find the ones like mine in the area where they have all the unfinished wood items. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

      Reply
  2. Judith Hall says

    February 11, 2019 at 9:00 PM

    Great ideas

    Reply
    • Linda McDonald says

      February 11, 2019 at 9:22 PM

      Thank you!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. OUR FAVORITE FARMHOUSE TIERED TRAYS | LIFE ON SUMMERHILL says:
    January 16, 2019 at 11:59 AM

    […] you loved the tiered tray in our recent post, this one has a lot of similarities. The wooden feet and spindles add so much […]

    Reply
  2. ADORABLE VALENTINE DAY TABLE DECORATION TIERED TRAY says:
    January 19, 2019 at 5:46 AM

    […] if you are handy and like making things then try our How to make a Tiered Tray DIY or here are some more options from galvanized to […]

    Reply

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HELLO!

My name is Linda and I am the person behind Life on Summerhill. I am so glad you came to join us and hope you get loads and loads of home decor ideas to make your house a better home!

Linda - Life on Summerhill

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