Multi-purpose tray from scrap wood For a long time, trays were seen merely as an item that is suitable for serving drinks or food to guests. Things have changed. Whether used as an attractive serving utensil or a decorative element, wooden trays are becoming indispensable in every home. A wooden multi-purpose tray will make a good impression on your guests as you offer them tasty homemade morsels, help yourself and your loved ones to a refreshing cocktail on a summer night, or simply place it on the ottoman, doubling as a club table, and enjoy a sweet treat while watching a film. For a better decorative effect in a room, a wooden tray can also be used to store various items or display an arrangement of beautiful candlesticks, sculptures, a vase with freshly picked flowers, soap bars or perfumes in the bathroom and so on. Here are three unique and attractive ways in which a piece of discarded or scrap wood can be easily transformed into a lovely wooden tray. Tray from a tree trunk If there is a piece of scrap wood lying around your home, roll up your sleeves and grab some tools to make a multi-purpose wooden tray. What do you need to make a tray from a piece of tree trunk? A nice piece of scrap wood or tree trunk, sandpaper, saw, paintbrush, Belinka Interier wood stain. Before you get started on the scrap wood tray, decide what size you would like it to be. If the leftover piece of tree trunk/wood allows it, you can go for a rather special shape of tray; perhaps your heart is set on a round tray shaped as a sawn tree trunk or a square or rectangular tray. You can adjust the shape with a saw and use it to cut the wood to the desired size if needed. Next, clean the resulting tray carefully to prepare it for further work; wipe off the dust from its surface and sand it down to smoothen out any irregularities. Your tray is now ready for the final step of treating the surface. Use a paintbrush to apply a coating of Belinka Interier wood stain in the selected hue, which will protect the wood from the effects of moisture. Belinka Interier has no unpleasant odour, and it protects wood from fats, cleaning agents and other factors that are harmful to wood. The rich colour palette with a silky sheen will accentuate the wood grain. You can choose from eight standard colour tones and a natural translucent (colourless) tone. Before using the scrap wood tray, wait for the layer of stain that has been applied to the wooden surface to dry thoroughly. The wood stain takes a few hours to dry, but we recommend you not to use it until three days later; let the stain set a little to prevent any damage from contact with objects that are going to be placed on the tray. Round tray with vintage handles Depending on your preferences, the tray can be enhanced by adding two attractive furniture handles for easier carrying. If you happen to find some old-fashioned handles, you can give your scrap wood tray a true vintage look. What do you need to make a round tray with vintage handles? A scrap wood tray, sandpaper, two furniture or vintage handles, matching screws for the handles, pencil, measuring tape, electric drill, Belinka Interier wood stain. First, measure the distance between the handle ends. Next, use a pencil to mark the spots at the edge of the scrap wood tray where you wish to drill the holes with an electric drill. As you do so, keep in mind the distance between the handle ends that you measured in step one. When finished drilling, smoothen the surface with sandpaper if necessary and clean it. Insert the handle screws through the drilled holes and then screw both handles to the tray. Finally, paint the tray with the selected hue of Belinka Interier wood stain using a paintbrush to protect the wood from the effects of moisture. Tray with rope handles If you are not too keen on furniture handles, you can use some thick rope instead. What do you need to make a tray with rope handles? A scrap wood tray, sandpaper, thick rope, pencil, electric drill, Belinka Interier wood stain. Next, use a pencil to mark the spots at the edge of the scrap wood tray where you wish to drill the holes with an electric drill. It is a good idea to make the holes at the centre of the sides so that the tray is easier to carry and the items on it can be safely and steadily carried. Drill four small holes into the tray. When finished drilling, smoothen the surface with sandpaper if necessary and clean it. Run a length of thick rope through the drilled holes, which will serve as the handle of your new tray. Finally, paint the tray with the selected hue of Belinka Interier wood stain using a paintbrush to protect the wood from the effects of moisture. If you are going to use your new tray to serve various snacks, such as cheese, cold meats, biscuits, nuts, fruit and crackers, we recommend you to treat the tray before use with Belinka Oil Food Contact impregnation oil. This oil is based on refined vegetable and mineral oil with added aromatic oils for protection, and it is suitable for wooden surfaces that come into contact with food or are intended for preparing and serving food. Belinka Oil Food Contact is a colourless impregnation which is deeply absorbed by the wood, making its surface water-repellent. Belinka oils are made from natural ingredients and are harmless to health and environmentally friendly. For DIY enthusiasts with an artistic streak At your request, specialised shops can prepare up to 76 additional colour tones of Belinka Interier wood stain from the choice available on the Belinka MIX colour chart. To further embellish the appearance of your new scrap wood tray, you can paint its wooden surface in a golden, silver or pearly colour tone. If you’re feeling even bolder, you can use several colour tones to create an attractive, colourful tray or have fun by drawing patterns in different shades of colour to produce a perfectly unique and inimitable work of art. Very pretty pastels can be achieved by mixing basic tones with Interier 73 – cream white. When the tray’s wooden surface is quite dry, the handles nicely and firmly fastened, and the tray is decorated according to your preference and taste, it is completely safe to serve some dainties and refreshing drinks; it is time to lay back and enjoy yourself.
