Turn A Dollar Tree Frame & Leftover Scrap Wood Into A Stylish Armrest Tray With A DIY

Have you had trouble finding a side table to fit your living room due to a lack of space? If so, you may have found yourself — at least once — trying to balance a plate of food or a mug of coffee on the arm of your couch. While this works in a pinch, it can lead to spills and can be frustrating if you are trying to watch television or socialize, especially if your sofa's arms aren't particularly wide. Well, there is actually a simple DIY project that will allow you to balance your necessities on the arm of your sofa with far more ease: an armrest tray.

As shown by content creator @madeby_mikki_n_pi, this project involves using a Dollar Tree picture frame, some leftover scrap wood, and additional decorative elements to create a tray that will sit comfortably over the arm of the couch. And the best part? It is super customizable. You can make sure your tray will fit the exact dimensions of your sofa by choosing a picture frame that is the right size for the task. There are a few different color options available at Dollar Tree, like this 11 by 14 inch Photo Frame which comes in gold, silver, or black with gold and silver accents. In addition, because the picture frame itself is facing upward, you can take your pick of what to display inside it, making this item not only useful but also a lovely way to decorate your home on a budget. 

To turn a simple frame into a beautiful decorative tray, first measure the width of your couch's arm so that you choose a picture frame that is the right size. Once you've chosen a frame you like, you will then want to decorate the inside so it looks attractive and fun when viewed from the top. And, to keep this project budget-friendly, you can find plenty of decorative elements at Dollar Tree such as paints, ribbons, and even faux flowers. 

When you're happy with the inside of the frame, you will then need to collect your leftover scrap wood. These two blocks of wood will be placed on either side of the frame to stop it from tilting or sliding off the arm of the couch. You may want to experiment with how long the pieces of wood need to be in order to keep your tray secure, as this could vary depending on the shape of your sofa arm. Then, glue the blocks onto the two short sides of the frame and hold in place until they are secure. Remember, you can then paint the frame and wood the same shade to give your tray a more cohesive look. Once you've done that and the blocks feel secure on the frame, you are ready to use it! Now, let's look at how to ensure your new tray looks good and functions well in your space.

While this DIY is relatively straightforward, there are some additional steps you can opt to undertake in order to make your brand new armrest tray an even more practical and decorative addition to your space. One option is to add handles. If you want to be able to easily carry the tray from the kitchen to the couch, you could add a pair of handles on top to make it a handheld tray as well as an armrest one. By choosing handles that match your style, such as matte black ones for a modern aesthetic or detailed gold ones for a more glamorous look, you can help make your new tray look like it was made especially for your space — because it was!

Another option is to create a holder for a mug or cup on the tray. Just attach some thick Floral Garden Cotton Nautical Rope from Dollar Tree in a circle on the glass using a low-temp hot glue gun so the cups are less likely to slide off. Finally, if you're worried that this DIY tray will take up space and add visual mess, then considering where to store it can help you retain a clutter-free living room. The low profile of the tray means it can be stored in a vertical space by the sofa, keeping it out of sight until it is needed. Alternatively, it can be kept in a kitchen cupboard along with other long items like cutting boards and cookie sheets, ready to be pulled out and loaded up with snacks and drinks.