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The sunnier part of spring is here—and whether you’re hanging out on the deck, relaxing on the patio, or firing up the grill, it’s officially serving tray season. Here are some of my favorites. Plus, read to the end to learn how to create your own custom tray design for about $10 or less!

Vietnamese artisan shell

I first found these types of beautiful and useful trays from a local vendor at a Milwaukee craft fair—after searching online and finding them at prohibitively high prices. I highly recommend the quality and prices offered by Natural Artisan Home, which works with and imports directly from Vietnamese artisans. Catch them at a holiday market or order direct from their website.

Here are some other online options:

Chi an Home 12.6” capiz shell round decorative serving tray with handles
This pretty tray in shades of cream with handles offers the shimmer of mother of pearl, handmade from all natural capiz shells in a fishscale pattern by Vietnamese artisans. It also comes in a rectangular shape.

i-lan 16” dodecagon shell serving tray with handles
This lacquered shell inlay tray features soft beige and green mother of pearl shell pieces on both the outside and inside the tray with a glossy lacquer surface—in a unique shape. Here is another handled 15.75” shell tray by the same seller, in a rectangular shape, in a lovely similarly colored pattern.

PEMAR 15.7” rectangular mother of pearl inlay on nacre wood serving tray with handles
This tray features a pretty teal and white floral inlay in mother of pearl for a summer vibe. This is one of my favorite kinds of trays—with a rustic yet artisanal look. Here’s another mother of pearl 12.6” round style with handles by the same seller in a shimmery light teal, and a very similar 15.7” tray with handles in a different pattern by a different seller.

Nonam 13.5” rattan with shellac mother of pearl inlay serving tray
I have a few of these types of handmade trays in different patterns and shapes that I bought locally from Natural Artisan Home, mentioned above. I love the casual rattan that just says summer along with the more elevated shimmer of the shells. These often have a flower or fish pattern, like this three-piece set (available in a few patterns). These options don’t have handles so are better for serving than carrying. Currently 18% off.

Beasties

Royal Worcester Pimpernel Botanic Garden Harmony 18.9” melamine serving tray with handles
I have this charming, small serving tray in a dark academia butterfly print on a forest green background. The melamine means it’s easily washable and perfect for summers outdoors.

Canora Grey McLarty Heralds of Spring 15.75” round serving tray with handles Currently 33% off.
Designed and crafted by Peru's Asunta Pelaez, who works in the time-honored art of reverse-painted glass, this bird and vine design is placed in an antiqued gold wooden frame with handles. It’s a pricier and more delicate but gorgeous option, also available in a gold colorway.

Society6 pink chinoiserie with cranes and flowers, 18” bamboo serving tray
This seller offers numerous lacquered designs set into a bamboo wooden tray frame. All are 18” and with no handles. With so many artistic designs, there’s something for everyone. This feminine chinoserie design features cranes and flowers on a pink background.

Society6 blue chinoiserie 18” bamboo serving tray
This landscape design features cranes, birds, and trees in subtle blues and greens.

Society6 A Teal of Two Birds chinoiserie 18” bamboo serving tray
This stunning design features peacocks on a light aqua botanical background.

Society6 Japanese heron chinoiserie 18” bamboo serving tray
In deep, dark academia colors, this design offers a classic Japanese feel.

Society6 Moth Wings III 18” bamboo serving tray
This one spotlights the beautiful patterns of moth wings.

Society6 Moth Print by E.A. Seguy, 1925 #5 18” bamboo serving tray
Another learning opportunity for me! I was not familiar with the name E.A. Séguy but certainly had seen his works. Emile-Allain Séguy was a French art nouveau designer and artist responsible for some of the vintage butterfly and moth prints that adorn home décor today. This tray features a stylized print in earth tones.

Society6 Moth Biological Hand Drawn Species Art 18” bamboo serving tray
I have this classic vintage scientific moth print in a postcard artwork, and I’m sure you’ve seen it before.

Society6 Vintage Scientific Butterfly Biological Hand Drawn Species Art 18” bamboo serving tray
This is another classic vintage scientific print with which you may be familiar, but of butterflies instead of moths.

Society6 Quirky Beautiful Moths 18” bamboo serving tray
This option features an interesting stylized pattern of moths with a 60s feel of mustard, orangey red, and navy on a light blue background.

Floral

Spsyrine William Morris 15.7” rectangular serving trays with handles
These durable plastic trays showcase William Morris art nouveau patterns; the lemon, seaweed, and art deco options are my favorites. Currently 10% off.

Society6 Woodland Moss Dark 18” bamboo serving tray
With a dark academia feel, this design features a moody botanical arts and crafts symmetrical pattern by Annick, a designer specializing in scandi and retro patterns. Apparently this design is also available in a variety of wallpapers and textiles.

Etsy Elyse Breanne Design Sunny Poppies 12” mango wood serving tray
This cheerful wooden tray with an acrylic floral interior in oranges and olive would be at home in girly cottagecore décor.

Anthropologie Terrain 16” printed archival tray
Available in several patterns, I like the dark navy vintage irises design best.

Farmhouse

Kate and Laurel Winstead 20” oval natural wood scalloped serving tray with handles
This is the only farmhouse option I found that I’d own besides the whitewashed wooden set below. I love the interesting shape and natural wood tone.

Make your own

Can’t find what you’re looking for or wish to create something unique for a low cost? I’ve created at least six custom trays I use all over my home with vintage sun tarot art and vintage butterfly art I’ve printed out, a William Morris print, and decoupage collages using interesting vintage style papers, stickers, and maps—generally for a total cost of less than $10 and in four to five easy steps. Here are the directions:

1. Simply purchase plain tray options such as those below. You can use the whitewashed option as is, or paint unfinished wood trays with regular latex paint in any color you’d like; eggshell finish is best, as it’s easy to clean and reflects light in the same way the paste finish does.

2. Purchase Mod Podge matte paste. Print out your artwork on a color printer or use existing artwork or papers for a collage.

3. Spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on the tray’s center. Place your artwork down gently and press down when you’re ready to make its placement final. Smooth out any wrinkles.

4. Then gently brush another layer of paste over the top and let dry for at least an hour or according to directions. You have a custom tray!

MyGift vintage rustic whitewashed wood nesting serving trays with handles, set of three
I have these sturdy trays and they’re great on their own for a farmhouse or natural look, but I added collage designs to two and a William Morris print to the third.

Michael’s Make Market 13” unfinished wooden tray
This is the type of tray you can paint before collaging, widely available at craft stores or other retailers.

Outdoor entertaining? The trays have it!

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