Say "Cheers!" With a Trendy Black & White Tile Tray

Serve drinks and snacks in style on this simple yet eye-catching DIY tray made with black and white tiles.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Ready to raise the bar on your hosting game and add a touch of chic to your next gathering? Get ready to say "cheers!" in the trendiest way possible with a black and white tile tray project. This clever and versatile creation will serve as show-stopping home decor and help keep drinks, snacks and conversation flowing with flair. So, gather your tools and follow our step-by-step DIY tile tutorial.

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With a bit of elbow grease, we'll transform a plain ol' tray into a dazzling display of creativity and functionality. So, let's get tiling!

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Video: Say "Cheers!" With a Trendy Black & White Tile Tray

Things You'll Need

  • 24-in. x 15-in. wooden serving tray (thrifted or new)

  • Paint

  • Coarse-grit sandpaper or orbital sander

  • Hexagon tiles

  • Hot glue

  • Downloadable template

  • Tile saw

  • Large piece of cardboard

  • Tile mortar

  • Bucket

  • Notched trowel

  • Sponge

  • Painter’s tape

  • Ready-to-use tile grout

  • Grout float

  • Scraper tool

  • Sharp blade

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Part 1: Prepare Wood Serving Tray

1. Paint tray

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

First, give serving tray base a makeover using spray or regular paint. If you're feeling inspired by a classic monochromatic palette like us, black is the way to go, perfectly complementing the black and white tiles that will grace your tray.

2. Sand bottom

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

To ensure a rock-solid bond between tiles and bottom of tray, use coarse-grit sandpaper or an orbital sander to rough it up and pave the way for a tiled project that will stand the test of time.

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Part 2: Plan Tile Design

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

1. Place tiles

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Place tiles snugly into tray, cutting mesh if needed.

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2. Mark word onto tiles

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Download our convenient stencil template to ensure accurate placement and carefully mark the word "Cheers" directly onto tile surface.

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3. Remove and replace marked tiles

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Carefully peel off each marked white tile from mesh.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Replace white tiles with sleek black ones and secure them using hot glue.

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4. Cut edge tiles

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With a steady hand and a touch of precision, carefully cut each tile in half with a tile saw to ensure a perfect fit within tile tray.

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Tip

Don't worry if you don't have a tile saw on hand! We've got a friendly solution for you: Simply skip the tile-cutting step and leave those pieces out. Fill the space with grout instead.

5. Remove tiles from tray

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Grab a large piece of cardboard and gently position it atop tray. Carefully turn over tray while keeping tiles in place. You can remove tray without disturbing arranged tiles.

Part 3: Adhere Tile

1. Mix tile mortar

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Mix mortar according to package directions.

2. Spread and trowel mortar

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Start by evenly spreading mortar on bottom of tray, creating a smooth foundation for tiles.

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Run a notched trowel through mortar, creating neat grooves to ensure a secure bond with tiles.

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3. Set tiles

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Gently place tiles into mortar and use a damp sponge to wipe off excess. Let tiles dry 24 hours before moving on to next step.

Part 4: Grout Tiles

1. Adhere painter’s tape

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To protect sides of tray from grout, adhere painter's tape around inside edges.

2. Apply grout

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Using a grout float, push grout into spaces between tiles.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

3. Remove excess grout

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Use a scraper tool to remove excess grout.

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4. Clean tiles

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Grab a damp sponge to give those tiles a good cleaning. It's essential to take your time and exercise patience during this step. As you go along, rinse sponge regularly to keep it fresh and effective.

5. Remove tape

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Run a sharp blade around bottom of tape to ensure tape doesn't pull any grout loose before removing.

Congratulations, handmade home decor enthusiasts! You've successfully transformed a plain tray into a tile masterpiece. This easy DIY serving tray will elevate your living room, coffee table or outdoor space, adding a touch of style that's simultaneously on-trend and vintage-inspired.

Whether you're hosting a casual get-together or a formal dinner or you're dreaming up gift ideas for loved ones, this piece is tough to beat. So, raise a glass and toast to your DIY prowess. Cheers to you, and may your tiles always be perfectly set!

Searching for something sweet to serve on your brand-new tray? Check out our sandy cheesecake beach buckets recipe.

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