Easy DIY Painted Serving Tray on a Budget

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Plaid®. All opinions are my own.

There are a handful of items that I consider to be “design staples,” or things that work well in almost any living space. One example is a decorative serving tray. Whether you’re using it to corral clutter, serve snacks, or display your favorite books and “tchotchkes,” they come in handy and look stylish displayed on a coffee table, ottoman, or even a shelf. Sometimes they can be expensive, so today I’m sharing a project idea that anyone can do for just a few bucks. This DIY painted serving tray is a project that can be done quickly and easily on a major budget, and we all know I’m a fan of easy projects.

Project Supplies:

• FolkArt Coastal™ Paint in Seal Grey
• Medium Artist’s Paintbrush
• Fine Sandpaper or Sanding Block
• Unfinished wooden serving tray (I got mine at Target for about $6, but you can find them at craft stores too.)

Step 1

If you’re using a pre-finished wooden tray as opposed to an unfinished one, lightly sand before beginning. Otherwise, make sure your tray is clean and dust-free.

Step 2

Paint a thick coat of FolkArt Coastal™ paint onto the tray. I used Seal Grey, which I love! (It’s a pretty medium gray shade.)

The thing that I love about this paint is that it is thick and adds beautiful texture so it’s easy to create that authentic “coastal” look. The more you stipple the paint on, the more texture you will see. You can even apply it with a spatula if you want even more texture. I wanted a relatively smooth finish with just a hint of texture, but you can really just play around to get the effect you like. You can layer and distress it, and it’s pre-mixed and easy to use. Plus, it’s water-based, non-toxic, indoor/outdoor, and made in the USA. It can be used on wood, terra cotta, metal, tinware, canvas, and paper mache. It comes in 10 colors in 8 oz. jars and will be available in stores soon.

Step 3

After your paint has dried, you can sand lightly if you want to smooth it out or distress the edges.

No need to seal this paint! (Just another reason I love it. It’s low maintenance.) It dries to a permanent textured finish that looks naturally weathered.

Allow 72 hours for the paint to cure completely, and then style and enjoy!

For more ideas and inspiration, be sure to connect with Plaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

You can check out the other Plaid Creators’ projects, including Coastal and Fairy Gardens, below.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• Side Table Makeover with FolkArt Milk Paint
• DIY Large-Scale Abstract Art
• DIY Faux Concrete Planter
• Project Gallery

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Thanks for visiting!

-Erin