How to Make a Serving Tray

A pretty serving tray can be given as a gift or kept for yourself. Breakfast in bed is not complete without a proper serving tray. You can make a serving tray from an old cabinet door. Look for doors that have a wood insert inside a frame. The frame will supply the raised edge that keeps breakfast from sliding off the tray. Cabinet doors can be purchased new from home-improvement stores or you can find used and vintage ones at builders' salvage yards or yard sales.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cabinet door Cabinet handles Paint Sealer Paint brushes Stencil Drill Felt Pads

1. Paint the cabinet door with latex house paint in the color of your choice and let dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.

2. Place the door front facing up. Lay the stencil on the center panel. Brush a contrasting color of paint onto the door, using the stencil as a guide. Allow it to dry completely.

3. Apply clear sealer to both sides of the cabinet door. Spray-on or brush-on sealers are available at paint and hardware stores. Allow the sealer to dry completely.

4. Center the cabinet handles on each of the short ends of the door. Mark where the screws go with a pencil. Choose handles large enough that you can comfortably hold them to carry the tray.

5. Drill the holes for the screws. Screw the handles on using the hardware included with them.

6. Place a felt pad on each corner on the bottom of the tray to avoid marring tables and other surfaces when you set the tray down.

Tips & Warnings

• You can fill in old screw holes on used cabinet doors with wood putty then paint over it. Instead of stenciling a design, use decoupage to decorate your tray.

References

• Planet Green