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An easy to make DIY rustic 3-tier tray using common parts makes a stunning statement in just about any room! It also happens to be cheaper than buying a 3-tier tray!


Hello again friends! I’m so happy to be popping by today from Making it in the Mountains, where I write about our journey to renovate our first fixer-upper. I’m here again today to share her DIY Rustic 3-Tier Tray!

Finally decorate your own home – with confidence!

You’re so much closer to a beautifully-decorated home than you think. You just need a little help to get there!

If you follow my blog at all, you’ll know that we’ve been hard at work absolutely drowning in work for our most recent reno project.

You see, we’ve chosen to take part in the One Room Challenge. Have you heard of it? Basically, we’ve signed on to completely makeover one room in our home in just six weeks.

This is actually our third time taking part in the Challenge and, though I find myself wondering why on Earth I would choose to do this to myself (over and over again), I also know that it’s always, always worth it in the end.

Getting ourselves in waaaaaaay over our heads this time around hasn’t left a lot of time for crafting (not to mention other luxuries like sleeping or eating).

Fortunately, this DIY 3-tier tray I’m sharing today was super quick and easy to whip up!

DIY 3 Tier Tray

Supplies

DIY 3 Tier Tray

Instructions

1. I started by painting all of the wooden pieces with some Annie Sloan chalk paint in French Linen. If you’re going for a really rustic look, you may choose to just stain the wood pieces – I actually tried this first, but wanted a bit of a softer look, so ended up painting each of the wooden pieces instead.

After letting the paint dry, I simply started gluing the pieces together, following the directions on the adhesive packaging:

2. With a bit of glue, I secured the “feet” to the bottom of the largest tray to make the bottom, my larger candlestick held up the medium sized tray, my smaller candlestick the smallest tray.

3. I topped it all off with a pretty wooden finial.

Note: I chose to only attach the pieces to the bottom of each pan first, waiting an hour or so before attaching all of those pieces together to create the 3 tiers – this gave the glue a chance to cure, so that there was less chance of things sliding around as I stacked it all up.

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray
I let it dry for 24 hours, making sure it was really solid before filling it with all sorts of treasures.

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

DIY 3 Tier Tray

I’ve actually had my eye on a few of these trays lately, but never could pull the trigger because of the hefty price tags. I really couldn’t believe how inexpensive this was to make and how simple it was to put together! I’m so excited to have a pretty 3 tier tray of my own now!

I cannot wait to put it to work in our new bathroom space!

You know, if we actually do make it through this One Room Challenge.

Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!


Thank you Kristi for sharing!

What a great project, yes? Definitely an economical and fun way to get yourself a 3-tier tray!

xo,
Shannon

shannon photo and sig oct 2022

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21 Comments

  1. Hi Shannon, just wondering about your trays that you used. Do you paint them also or buy them in that finish?
    Thanks, loving all your diy’s!!

    1. Hi Shelley, I didn’t paint these trays as they already had a distressed patina to them. Depending on the trays you use, you may choose to paint them, distress them with a bit of wood stain maybe, or simply leave them as is. Happy crafting and thanks so much for the kind words!

    1. Where did you find those awesome trays? I love this idea! I just saw some at Hobby Lobby when I was in Texas, but couldn’t fit the damn things in my suitcase! Lol. ?

    2. Awwww, I picked mine up at a small local shop, but I’ve actually seen sets like this at all sorts of home/ department stores or crafting stores. I did link to a set on Amazon, though it’s a bit darker in colour.

    1. Thanks Linda! I picked up my trays at a small local shop actually, but I’ve come across all sorts in home decor/ department stores as well as crafting shops. There’s also a link to a set on Amazon above.

    1. Kristi did a great job, didn’t she? The trays and candlesticks are linked in the supplies list.

  2. Hello!
    I absolutely love this 3 tier tray and I plan to make two of them one for a Christmas gift). Can you tell me where you found the trays?

  3. I love this and want to make it!!! Did I miss where you got the cute trays? That’s what I love about yours. The trays are different and adorable. Saw this on the Thrifty Thursday LP. 😉

  4. Love your tower, wondering where you got scalloped trays in different sizes? I live in western CO few miles west of Grand Junction, our shopping here is bit limited by several stores, no IKEA even, bummer.
    Love your tower and was thinking of making it a 2 story instead of 3 due to our cat that gets crazy, wants to climb everything and he’s about 16 yrs. old, winter cabin fever. He just doesn’t seem to know he’s at least 16, lol.
    Will be on look out for trays at least similar to yours. Love look of it.
    Happy New Year

  5. I really like you 3 tier tray, I was surprised when I found where you bought the pans. I would love to make one, sweet addition to a buffet for all kinds of reasons!!
    You shared on #omhgww and last week and this week your post is being featured, pinned and shared on Instagram!! Watch for it, share it. Be sure to stop by and share again!!
    Have a wonderful week!
    Karren

    1. Thanks! Please be sure to credit Kristi from Making it in the Mountains, as it was a guest post!