18 Creative Ways To Reuse And Style Vintage Thrifted Trinket Trays Around The House

Walk down the thrift aisles and you will most likely come across many small trinket trays. As you dig through the collection, you may discover a unique, vintage tray or two that you can't take your eyes off of. After a while, you may find yourself with multiple stylish yet affordable trays. However, don't let your purchase go to waste. For example, you can set one in your entryway to hold your keys or in your bedroom to display your perfumes. These are just some of the 19 creative ways to reuse and style vintage thrifted trinket trays around your home. 

There are many benefits to why you'd want to reuse and style thrifted antique trays. One of the main ones is that it is a sustainable and affordable option since you are reusing a previous-owned item. Vintage trinket trays come in a variety of sizes, materials, and designs, making it easy to find a piece that matches your home's overall style. Many of these antique finds are created with metal, wood, ceramics, and silver.  Since the tray was at some point in someone else's home, you should clean and sanitize it before using it in yours. Depending on the material, there are different ways of doing so like with glass cleaner, metal cleaner, sanitizing wipes, and water with mild soap. Remember to be gentle since some antique items may be delicate. Then, let it dry before setting out.

As a way to declutter and organize jewelry to free up useful space, set your trinket tray to hold your small accessories. Keep your earrings, brooches, rings, and bracelets on the tray so you never lose them again. While you can place necklaces, they may tangle with your other pieces or around its own chain. Set it in your bedside table, makeup vanity, bathroom, or wherever else you find yourself taking off your jewelry.

Add some decorative element to your candle by placing a trinket tray underneath it. On its own, candles can look plain. Elevate and add dimension to your space by placing your vintage tray underneath. Then, place it as a table centerpiece, on a side table, or a counter. For larger trays and smaller candles, place a lighter next to it. For smaller trays, you can use a tealight candle, and avoid worrying about the mess caused by dripping wax.

Since trinket trays come in a variety of sizes, a great way to reuse and style them is to use it as a serving tray for food. Place small snacks and desserts like pastries and cookies. Or, set it out as a butter plate. Just remember to properly clean your tray after each use. Also make sure your trinket tray is food-safe, because some older products with paints and glazes may have lead. 

Add some character and depth to your space by taking your thrifted vintage trinket tray and using it to display your smaller indoor plants. Set the tray down on a table, counter, or window sill and then place the plants on top. Small plants like succulents make an excellent choice for these trays. Just remember to use a trinket tray that won't be affected by sun, moisture, and dirt, like many metal options. Then regularly clean your tray to deter stains and mold growth. 

Never leave your bottles laying all over the place on your vanity or counter by using a vintage trinket tray. As a savvy way to organize your beauty room, you can set your vintage tray down to hold your perfumes, lotions, and other beauty bottles. This is a great way to also display your more prized, name brand, or even forgotten bottles. Adding a tray to your surface also protects it from your beauty supplies, especially perfumes that have oils that can stain your vanity. 

Seamlessly decorate your coffee table by using your vintage tray as part of the centerpiece. Grab your tray and set it in the center of your living room table. Then, place a decoration piece, like a floral arrangement or a stack of magazines to add depth to the space. You also can use the tray in general to hold smaller items like remote controls and coasters. A vintage tray can also help protect your wood or glass tables from scratches and other types of damage. 

Add some charm to your bathroom by adding a tray under your bar of soap. Placing your soap on a tray also helps to prevent messes and scum buildup on your countertops, making cleaning much easier. Just don't forget to keep up with cleaning the tray to make sure it doesn't hold bacteria. Since the bathroom is a moisture-filled room, make sure to stick to hygienic, non-porous materials like porcelain, ceramic, and plastic.

Keep your dish soap bottles looking neat by placing your vintage trinket tray underneath. If your tray has additional space, feel free to use it to also hold things like sponges, plugs, and scrapers, giving them a designated spot after each wash. Since you are in a space with a lot of moisture, you'll want to use non-porous materials made from ceramic, porcelain, and plastic. Remember that you'll need to clean this holder because soap scum and other bacteria can build up over time.

A great way to decorate your nightstand is to place your vintage trinket tray on top. Vintage trays add elegance and personality to your space. This is also the perfect spot to place your phone, glasses, watch, and TV remote. If you have a bedside table made from wood, a tray is a useful way to protect the surface from scratches, cup stains, and other damages. Don't forget to add a lamp, a plant, books, or other elements to take it to the next level.

Elevate your kitchen table by using a trinket tray to hold your salt and pepper shakers on top. As an easy way to style and repurpose your thrifted tray, this tactic makes keeping your shakers together simple. Plus, clean up is easy since the tray holds it all, making it simple to scoop it up and clean underneath. A tray can also protect your table so salt and pepper residue doesn't linger on the surface. 

Never have stains and messes on your counters again by using your vintage trinket tray as a spoon rest. The best trinket tray material you'll want to use is one that is food-safe and easy to clean like ceramic, glass, and metal. Having a tray to hold your cooking utensils also helps to stop the spread of germs that may be hiding on your counter or stove as you cook. Some vintage trays are delicate and should not be placed in the dishwasher. Therefore, it is best to hand wash your trays after each use.

Sometimes you don't even need to hold anything on a tray for you to creatively style it in your home. Displaying vintage trinket trays as a decor piece against a wall on a shelf or on brackets is a simple way to add charm to any space. Use a tray that matches the ambiance of the collection you are presenting. This is a great way to incorporate your tray in almost any spot of your house.

Do you like to collect marbles, stamps, stickers, and anything else that's small? A great way to keep your collection together is to set it out on a thrifted trinket tray. Then place it on a shelf or counter. Add other decorative elements to elevate it to new levels. You'll also want to choose a tray that has some depth so your collection can doesn't spill out. There are different ways to hold your collection from displaying your figurines to making sure you never lose your items. 

When you think of vintage trays, tea may come to mind. An excellent way to style and repurpose your thrifted trinket tray is to use it to hold or display your tea supplies, like tea bags, jarred loose tea leaves, tea cups, small spoons, and sugar cubes. Trays are also practical, helping protect your surface from potential spills, water rings, scratches, and other damages. Having a tray also makes it easy for you to move around your home with your tea cup and saucer. 

Add some charm by making use of a shallow tray in your kitchen by placing your spices on it. You'll want to reserve the space for your most used bottles, like salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then set the tray on top of your stove, next to your countertop, in your drawer, or in your cabinet. You can take this hack to the next level by upgrading your circular vintage tray into a lazy Susan.

A fun way to decorate your bar cart or area is with a vintage tray. Set it on the counter or your cart and place shot glasses and other bar accessories on top. Or, you can set down some of the bottles or glasses, giving it some extra dimension. Then when guests visit, carry the tray over with your special cocktails. Smaller trinket trays can even be used for chasers like salt and lime.

Tired of having a hard time finding a paperclip? All those small items on your desk can now stay in one tidy spot by placing them in your antique tray. Set post-it notes, paperclips, push pins, binder clips, and even pens on the tray. Place it on your desk's table top for your most used items. Or, if your desk has a drawer, you can place it in there, decluttering your space even more.

You can add a luxe vibe to an entryway on a thrift store budget by utilizing your vintage tray as an accessory and organizer. For this style tip, add the tray on top of your entry table. Surround it with plants, books, a lamp, and other decorative elements to bring it all together. Then, every time you come back into the house, drop off your keys, wallet, or change on your tray, creating that specific drop-zone as soon as you enter. Plus, a tray makes cleaning up easier since it is all conveniently in one place.