Dollar Decor: DIY Cake Platter Tray

DIY Cake Platter Tray

I am just so in love with all of the beautifully styled trays I’ve been seeing all over the blogs lately. They are such a great decor piece and can be personalized so easily. I thought a tray would be a wonderful addition to our bedroom, so I popped downstairs to my overloaded craft nook to see if I had anything I could use to make one. Being an admitted craft supply hoarder, I was not completely surprised to find that I had just the pieces I needed to complete this project. Yay!

1. Gather your “stuff.”

Supplies

I used…

  • 16″ round cake platter {Left over from a pack I bought to make a diaper cake!}
  • packing tape
  • Trim Accents decorative tape {Found on clearance at Michael’s a few weeks ago.}
  • x-acto knife
  • pencil
  • ruler
  • washi tape {Originally, I had just planned to use the Trim Accents tape, but added the washi at the last minute.}

2. Mark your board.

Marking Board and Measurements

I used my ruler to mark off a square on the back side of my cake platter. I measured down 2 1/2″ from the tip of the circle on each side, marked it, and drew the line across the board at that point. Eventually these lines will create the edges of the tray.

3. Score your board & cut out corners.

Score & Cut Corners, Steps

Now, using your ruler as a straight edge, score each of the lines you just drew with the x-acto knife {1}.

Make sure you don’t cut all the way through your board! We want to be able to bend up the sides to make our tray. After you score your lines, you’ll be left with tiny little triangles in each of the corners {2}.

This is where you DO want to cut the whole way through and remove the four little triangles {3}.

4. Form the tray.

Form Your Tray

Next you’ll just flip your board over so that the white side is facing up. Fold up each side of the board to make your tray, securing the corners with tape. I put tape on the inside and outside of each corner, just to make sure it doesn’t give out later.

5. Decorate!

Decorate, Steps

Honestly, I totally winged it when it came to adding the decorative tape. Fortunately, both types of tape that I used were very forgiving and allowed me to remove and reposition pieces as necessary. {Duct tape, for example, may be a little more difficult to use for this project unless you’re really good at positioning it the first time.}

I started by putting a few strips of washi tape at the top of each rounded edge on the outside of the tray; I then wrapped the Trim Accents around the entire outer side, removing any unwanted pieces with the x-acto knife {1}.

Next I used about a zillion pieces of the washi tape to cover the bottom of the tray {2}.

Like the outside, I put a couple strips of washi tape at the top of the rounded edges on the inside of the box {3}.

And finally, I finished it off by adding a border with the Trim Accents on the inside of the tray as well, again trimming any tape that stuck up over the top of my tray using the x-acto knife {4}.

6. Accessorize!

Styled Tray

This is the fun part! If you follow me on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen my new “Styled Trays” Board. I love getting ideas for how to put decor accessories together! I kept it simple and used a book, one of my girly glitter vases, a little ramekin with hearts {a Target Dollar Spot find!} to hold some jewelry, and a decorative container of gel beads. Other fun things you could use are candles, pretty perfume bottles, mugs, little saucers, picture frames, fun bowls, miniatures–the sky is the limit!

If I were going to make this again, I probably would paint the raw edges of the top of the tray white. I didn’t think about it until after I had already applied all of my tape, and I wasn’t about to remove everything! If you’re making a tray with square edges rather than rounded ones, it would be easy just to put tape over the top. Other than that, I’m pleased with how it turned out. I think it will be a cute little accessory in our newly decorated room!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Do you like the styled trays trend? How have you styled them in your own home?

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35 Comments

  1. Krista @thehappyhousie says:

    Very cute Abby! I love your styling… that is my favourite part:)
    Krista

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you so much, Krista! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  2. Creative and cute! nice tutorial too!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much, Krystie! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  3. Cristina@remodelandolacasa says:

    What a cute project! I love the colors you used, I love the vase too!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Cristina! I’m still dreaming about your gorgeous dining room! 😉 It’s gotten me thinking about how to spruce up mine! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  4. Anastasia Anezinis (@anezinis) says:

    Very smart idea!Well done!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Anastasia! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  5. mlskidmore says:

    What a cute idea! Love the colors you used! Life to the full! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you, Melissa! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  6. Jessi @ Practically Functional says:

    What an awesome idea! I love that you reused a cake tray for this!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Jessi! I love a good upcycle! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday!

      ~Abby =)

  7. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says:

    Wow! I’m so impressed with how this turned out. And you sure can’t beat the price tag. Great work!

    Warmly,
    Lauren
    The Thinking Closet

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much, Lauren! Gotta love a cheap project! 😉 Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  8. Kelly at Little Wonders' Days says:

    This is really cute! It makes a great styling tray, but I immediately thought it would be nice to make and use for all the teacher breakfasts/desserts that I’ll have to deliver this week. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you do join our summer bucket list party, I have a feeling you have great ideas for summer!

    1. abbylawson says:

      That is a great idea, Kelly! We have teacher gifts coming up too… I’d better get on that! 😉 We are for sure making a summer bucket list, so when I finish it, I’ll join the party! Thanks for popping over to my blog!

      ~Abby =)

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much for the invite, Cathy! Hope you have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  9. Love yours!! A couple of years ago I painted some trays for my mom and some of her friends that turned out awesome!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank you! I love the painting idea–might have to try that one next! You can never have too many trays, right?! 😉 Have a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks so much for the invite, Judy!! Have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  10. Cassie {hi sugarplum} says:

    You clever clever girl!! What a great project! To cover that exposed edge now, you could glue a thin rope or other tube like ribbon?

    1. abbylawson says:

      Ok, you’re the clever one! I hadn’t thought of that–great idea! Thanks so much for popping over to my blog, Cassie! Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  11. Laura @ Finding Home says:

    What a pretty and clever project – thanks for sharing at Monday Funday!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thank YOU for hosting such a fun party, Laura! Have a wonderful weekend!!

      ~Abby =)

  12. Javeriya @ Believe&Inspire says:

    What a cool and easy tutorial! Love it!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Javeriya! Hope you have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  13. JaneEllen says:

    sorry I see after rereading the tutorial the platter is 16″ round. Duh!

    1. abbylawson says:

      I’m glad you figured it out! Thanks for reading, JaneEllen!

      ~Abby =)

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  15. Christi Sykes says:

    I love this!

    1. abbylawson says:

      Thanks, Christi! Have a great day!

      ~Abby =)

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