DIY Coffee Stenciled Wooden Tray

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Add personality to a wooden tray with a coffee-themed stencil. Nothing is better then coffee on the porch in the morning. Use this wooden tray to serve your early morning (or afternoon) brew in style!

Earlier this week I showed you how to make some fun felt travel accessories, but it’s been a while since we’ve crafted something for the home. So today we’re getting our craft on with a DIY Coffee Stenciled Wooden Tray.

DIY Stenciled Wooden Tray Tutorial #diy #wooden #tray #coffee

I’m not sure what it is about trays, but I seem to be obsessed with them. Weird, I know. I guess I just find them handy. They are great for corralling items and serving guests when entertaining. They’re also helpful with photoshoots for IBC, and they’re usually easy to store. (I’m trying to get you obsessed too so I don’t feel so strange. Ha!)

Anywho, I was recently talking with my blogging pal Donna of Funky Junk Interiors. In case you didn’t know, about a year ago Donna introduced Old Sign Stencils. I’ve been watching and admiring her creations as she’s been stenciling up a storm. (You can see all of her designs, projects, and stencils here.)

How to Make a Stenciled Wooden Tray:

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

When we were chatting, Donna offered me the opportunity to try one of her stencils. Since I’m always down for a DIY challenge, I quickly accepted.

I wasn’t sure how I wanted to tackle this project until I saw this round wood tray at HomeGoods. Priced at less than $20, it was begging for a little personality.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Luckily, Donna’s coffee stencil was the perfect fit. With that, I got to work on my DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

For this project I used Fusion Mineral Paint. Why? That’s what Donna uses. (My decision really was as simple as that.) However, I later found out that Fusion Mineral Paint is great stuff. It has a built-in primer and no top coat is required. That alone would have sold me had I done my research in advance. Plus, it’s also self-leveling which minimizes brush strokes.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

With all of my paint and supplies at the ready, I put my stencil on the tray and used washi tape to keep it in place. (Painter’s tape or spray adhesive would also work.) What’s really cool about these stencils is that they have center markers which makes positioning them on your surface super simple.

I used more washi tape to cover up those markings so I didn’t accidentally get paint into them.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Then I started painting. I used a combo of coal black and ash paint to give it depth and interest.

When using the stencil, keep your brush very dry to ensure sharp lines. Load up your brush with paint and then tap most of it off. (I used a scrap piece of wood as a paint pallet.) Apply the paint by tapping up and down rather than brushing back and forth. This will give you the best results.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Literally, within 5-10 minutes, my stenciling was complete!

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

I let the paint set up for a few minutes; then I carefully peeled off the stencil and let the paint dry completely.

In the meantime, I grabbed some mugs, made a pot of coffee, and plated up a few pastries. (You knew I’d have to try out this tray, right?)

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Tada!

DIY Coffee Stenciled Wooden Tray

Learn how to make this adorable and function stenciled wooden tray! #tutorial #wooden #tray #coffee

Really cute, right?

I’m so excited about this tray, especially with Memorial Day and summer just around the corner. I’m picturing early morning breakfasts on the deck. Whether I’m alone or with family and friends, I can pile this stenciled wooden tray full of goodies and enjoy a beautiful start to another day.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

What’s not to love?

If you liked this tutorial, you’ll love these too:

Learn how to make this adorable and function stenciled wooden tray! #tutorial #wooden #tray #coffee
DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

I’m hoping to find more of these trays. Because the stencils are reusable, I’d like to DIY a few for gifts. I can already picture them packed with gourmet coffee and mugs and tied up with ribbon.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Side note: Speaking of mugs, yes, I found cat mugs. Cat faces and sleeping kitties for the win. They truly are the best part of waking up. You can find them here.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

Thank you again to Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors for allowing me to try her Old Sign Stencils. There are over 20 designs to choose from. You can stencil until your hands cramp or you run out of paint.

DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com
DIY Stenciled Coffee Tray| inspiredbycharm.com

I hope you enjoyed this quick wooden tray project. I’ll meet you back here on Tuesday. Have a fabulous weekend and a safe Memorial Day!

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19 Comments

  1. Bonjour, je viens de découvrir votre plateau, et je le trouve super génial, comme quoi avec de la récupération et de la patience et de l’envie surtout, on peut faire des miracles. Bravo

  2. Michael, you have officially provided the PERFECT backdrop for showcasing how someone can make an antique out of something brand new. Leave it to you to find the most perfect tray on earth! There are just those folks that don’t wish to DIY from the ground up, nor deal with ‘dirt’… haha

    Thank you for your gorgeous stencil feature! I am so inspired to go get this tray myself… and the cat mugs. Goodness…

    Forget it. I’m just coming over. You serve decadent food and put cream in your coffee too!!!!

  3. Michael, I think you could make the trays yourself. You need to check out the wood department at your area home store. This way you could make them whatever size or shape you want. Add a few handles; even leather or rope would be cool, and it’s a one of a kind treasure for someone you love.

  4. I love this!! My morning coffee is very special to me…sorta a must! 🙂 This would make having coffee/breakfast on the balcony just perfect. Thanks so much for sharing!

    xo
    Pat

  5. This is so “up my alley!” I am going to have my husband make some trays and do this…so adorable. I love when you do this kind of stuff! Also…your new picture is great, and the HELLO! IT’s ME! Awesome!! Happy Weekend!