The Journal

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HOME STYLE

How to Style a Decorative Tray.


Here at AA we are tray obsessed!! It's accents like trays that bring tablescapes around, elevate your surfaces, add intrigue to to your sofa side and are super practical as well as super stylish! Use them outside or inside they're just so versatile. Read on for AA's decorative tray ideas and her fave ways of styling and using trays at home to elevate your pad.

Here at AA we are tray obsessed!! It's accents like trays that bring tablescapes around, elevate your surfaces, add intrigue to to your sofa side and are super practical as well as super stylish! Use them outside or inside they're just so versatile. Read on for AA's decorative tray ideas and her fave ways of styling and using trays at home to elevate your pad.

Trays are multi functional you can use them in any room and everything feels far more elevated, organised and curated when housed on a tray.  

What to consider when tray styling.

What's it's purpose?

Are you going to style it with decorative accessories, bathroom flannels or housing your evening tipple? Consider the material and the texture, a raised pattern may look fabulous but may not be practical holding a glass.

Materiality.

Too much of the same material in space can read as a little dull. Contrast of materials and colour is key to creating interest and eye-catching vignettes. A metallic tray will look fabulous on a wooden coffee table. 

Where to Place your Tray.

Consider the dimensions of your tray and the surface that you intend to put your tray to ensure that it works. A round tray on a square coffee table can add a welcome softness to harsh lines. 

AA’s favourite decorative tray ideas.

Trays are so multi functional you can use them in any room. For keys in the entranceway to t-lights in the living room. Such a hardworking part of your decor, not only do they add oodles of style but they're great for organising clutter and curating collections.

Design Detail.

The leopard print of the Torrens tray looks super stylish paired with the Savannah Table. Repeating the pattern in a different but complimentary colourway is a sophisticated design trick. 

Table Setting.

A tray table can be the perfect sidekick to your sofa or favourite accent chair to house your afternoon cuppa or evening tipple in true laid back style.  

Everything looks and feels far more elevated and stylish when housed on top of a tray. Abi has them dotted all over her pad, check out some of these ideas to inspire you to add more to your home.

Clear the Clutter.

House your car keys, jewellery or small trinkets to reduce clutter and make the practical look beautiful too. Our Kavala tray will look super cute on your dressing table. 

Curated Style.

A little vase of flowers paired with some tea lights or a small plant that echos the decorative pattern elevates your coffee table or kitchen island to new heights. 

Wonder Walls.

Another favourite design tip from AA is to hang or prop them against the wall. The antique bronze patina of the Colton Tray adds intrigue and interest to your walls as metallic accents help to bounce the light around the room. 

Final Thoughts.

Trays are not only practical (a word that AA doesn't really like to use) but super stylish too. Whether you're using them to organise your clutter, display some of your fave accessories or serving some cocktails to your guests, they are a hardworking addition to your home. Available in all sizes and in a range of fabulous finishes, no home should be without one.   

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