Friend, today I have an easy but super adorable DIY project idea to share with you.
It’s Trash to Treasure day, and my budget-friendly makeover involves this simple tray I scored from Target for only $5 last year. Keep reading, because I think you will love how this upcycled wood tray turns out!
*This post contains some affiliate links so you can easily find the products I use and recommend. Discover all my favorite brands and tools for doing DIY makeovers here.
I decided not to paint the tray because I really like the light wood look.
First I scrounged through my stash of leftovers from old projects, and found a bunch of cut yardstick pieces from this repurposed yardstick bookcase makeover and this secret book box project. (FYI Here’s a similar 10-pack of yardsticks you can use for projects.)
I also found several unused wooden paint stirrers and laid out a pattern to fit inside the tray.
I did have to cut a couple of small pieces for two corners, which was really easy with my miter box and saw (you don’t need a power tool for little cuts in thin wood!).
I made the cuts on my kitchen floor (because it’s freezing outside) in 5 minutes, cleaned up the small mess, and moved on…
The pieces were then glued on with my favorite super glue in the same order they were laid out. *I did take a photo first in case my layout got bumped!
As you can see, a couple pieces were laid vertical to fit better. And some were placed upside down so that the upcycled wood tray would look fine from any angle.
The pieces sat overnight while the glue dried.
This can still be used as a functional tray, but I kind of like it as art. And for now, I think I’m going to put it on my mantel as easy DIY decor…
What do you think of the upcycled wood tray? I think it has a definite vintage charm to it.
Unique and inexpensive decor makes me happy! And I know you guys like easy projects like this.
If you like this project, please take a moment to leave a comment below and also pin or share it with a friend. Thanks so much – I appreciate you!
– Jen
Now it’s time again for Trash to Treasure Tuesday with my talented blogging friends. I can’t wait to see what budget-friendly makeovers they’ve done this month!
Below are the Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the amazing Afters and to learn how they did it!
1. Salvaged Inspirations
2. Prodigal Pieces
3. Artsy Chicks Rule
4. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
How fun! Rulers are always a fun find for me. Love the tray, Jen.
Pat says
Awesome, I have a tray and I’m going to give it a try, looks great!
Colleen Neustadt says
Love this…I think I would like to see it with a little darker stain! Great idea!
gwen says
Love that you interspersed stir sticks with the rulers – too many rulers for me is, well, too many! if i could just get myself to cut up some of my collection of yard sticks!
Bev Esposito says
Really like what you created with this tray, Jen! You have so many great ideas.
Vicki Bray says
What a creative mind you have! Love the use of the rulers!
Eileen says
Definitely cute!!
Shirley Lange says
I wouldn’t have thought of rulers and paint stirrers in a million years. It is certain to be a “one of a kind project. Good Job!
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
Super cute, Jen! This gives the tray SO much more character!
Connie Shipley says
What a simple idea to use up leftover supplies, too! I love it!
Marianne Hölscher says
So creative. Well done Jen!
Barbara Warner says
I like the upcycle but I’d prefer all the pieces fit tightly close together. I would have cut the paint stirrer handles off and used the rest of them. I don’t like the spaces around the handles in the finished piece. Good idea, though, and better than the original!
Cate Cooper says
What a cool idea Jen!! I have a ton of rulers–now I have to find a tray or a drawer. Good job!
Cindy Davis says
This is a very good use of leftover supplies. I love a good upcycle especially since I am stuck at home during the quarantine!
Christy James says
Super cute!! What a great way to add a vintage touch! XOXO
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Christy! XO
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you, Cindy – glad you like it! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Aww thanks so much Cate! ❤️
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much Marianne! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Connie! Have a lovely day!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, my friend! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Shirley! Just trying to use up some leftover supplies creatively 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
I appreciate that, Eileen – thank you!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Vicki! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
That’s so sweet, Bev – thank you!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you so much Gwen! I’ve used a bunch on projects but I still have some leftover… haha
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Darker stain would look good too – thanks Colleen!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Pat – good luck with your project! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Larissa! xo
Jacki says
Ouch! Remember this, those who can, DO………
those who can’t, well, they criticize!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Jacki ❤️
Val says
So clever! I really like this.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Val!
Michele M. says
That is so clever, Jen. What a unique approach. You know there is a liquid plastic that you can “pour” over those pieces to fill the spaces and coat the wood thickly to make it smooth and quite usable as a tray. My brother did that to colored lp albums years ago and made the coolest window with them. It’s some kind of acrylic – same stuff they use on those restaurant tables in steak houses with concert things like ticket stubs and guitar picks embedded in that same kind of plastic. Know what I mean?
Could take it up even up a notch – though as is it is pretty danged cute.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Yes, I think I know what you mean. That would be a great solution for someone wanting to make this project into a usable tray. Thanks Michele! 🙂
LORRI says
Love it…very ingenious to use stir sticks. If this was mine I would have put a walnut stain on it. It would look cool because of the different woods …different colors of stain. I have a Birdhouse made from rulers..now that it is Spring I will display it…lol!!
Lorri
Cynthia Barrett says
Wonderful idea!!!! It gives me a few ideas of my own. Thank you
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Cynthia, I’m glad you like it! 🙂
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Your birdhouse sounds so neat, Lorri! 🙂