I purchased this tray two years ago at a thrift store. It had hand painted flowers on it and was a gift for someone, but I guess that someone didn’t care for the tray any more. That was before it turned into my DIY fall colorblock tray. Here it is originally.
So I picked it up and decided to paint it. Here’s the post on that project. Well, I loved the idea of painting the tray but I’m not sure what I was thinking with that color. And even though I didn’t like it, I held on to it because I just knew I could change it into something better. And I have with my DIY fall colorblock tray!
I’m so excited to finally be putting my tray to actual use! This fall craft is modern and easy. Plus you could really colorblock the tray in whatever way you want. I think it looks great by itself, styled with other items or even propped up as a little art piece for fall decor.
Now you could purchase a tray, but honestly. There are always trays at thrift stores and you’ll get it for so much cheaper. You know how much I love thrifting!
If you’ve never been, I’ve got a great post on how to thrift for home decor. If you really don’t want to go thrifting, head to the dollar store or IKEA for cheap trays. It’s best if they’re wood, since wood is easier to paint. Some plastics and synthetic materials don’t always let the paint adhere or go on smoothly.
So let’s get into it. First things first, always sand your piece, assuming it’s wood. Depending on what’s on it, this could be an easy swipe around the entire piece or a take a little more time if there is, say a painting on it. Make sure to always take a wet cloth and wipe off the tray after sanding.
Next up, paint the base! Now if you’re thinking, let me keep the wood and do color blocking with white and orange I’d say, that sounds awesome! I love it and I’m totally here for it – it’ll look great! Otherwise, let’s start with the white paint like I did.
Now you have two options here. You can use a more rustic looking paintbrush and paint the white on gently for a more rustic, easier-to-paint look. Or you can use a good paintbrush where the bristles are close together, and paint on two layers for a more modern, clean look. I went with the more rustic approach, but both would look fabulous.
Once that dries, I give it a day just to be safe. You’re going to figure out your color blocking pattern. I opted for a simple, classic color block pattern for the DIY fall tray. To make sure you achieve a smooth and straight line you’re going to place a paper down on the tray.
These next steps, with the paper, are for very visual people. I had to see the pattern before I committed. If you know what you want. Then skip the whole paper layout and just take your ruler and draw the lines you want on the tray right away. Then skip down to the painters tape part.
Visual folks. Using a ruler, figure out the shape of the color block – which in this case are two triangles. Using a pencil and a ruler, trace the line onto the paper keeping a straight edge by tracing it along the ruler. Repeat with a second piece of paper for the second shape, in this case the orange color.
Next, fold both papers along the lines you traced, being careful to keep that straight line.
When I folded over the paper, I had to trim some excess paper with scissors because it didn’t fit nicely into the tray. But I used that excess paper to help me form the rest of the point to the triangle. Then tape those two papers together.
Now that the pattern is down, you’ll need to put the painters tape down for one color area, in this case the color that will be painted over, brown. So while the paper, in the shape of a triangle, is laid down on the tray, run the tape along the other side. Once that’s done make sure to place tape on the side and bottom of the tray’s inside as well. Get all those edges!
Time to paint the triangle brown. I cut in the sides first, then took long lines from the top to bottom of the triangle to achieve a cleaner look. Avoid going along the same line a bunch of times, your paint will end up catching on the dry spots and it’ll look not-so-great.
Let dry. I waited till the next day to be extra sure but about three hours should do it. Now it’s time to place the painters tape down for other color – orange. Put your paper triangle down and place the tape along side that. Making sure, again to put the tape onto the three sides of the tray.
Paint it orange! Once you’re done you might have a few paint mishaps. I did! Now is the time to take a very small brush and fix any of those blemishes.
Ta-Da! You’ve just made a DIY fall color block tray. My mother happens to think this makes a great gift. She’s already requested that I make her one!
How to Make a DIY Fall Color Block Tray
Supplies
- Tray
- Sand paper
- Rag
- Paper
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Painters tape
- Wide bristled paint brush
- Brown acrylic paint – I used DecoArt in Burnt Umber
- Beige acrylic paint – I used FolkArt in Vintage White
- Orange acrylic paint – I used DecoArt in Canyon Orange
Directions
These directions are for very visual people. If you know exact how you want the shapes and you’re cool with not seeing the design first. Then you can skip steps 4 & 5 and just draw the lines you want on the tray right away.
- Sand the tray
- Wipe clean with water
- Paint the base white
- Figure out the pattern you want to colorblock
- Place the paper on the tray
- Use a ruler to figure out the shape of the color block – I used two triangles
- For the brown triangle. Take a pencil and a ruler, trace a line onto the paper keeping a straight edge by tracing it along the ruler at whatever angle you like. I just eye-balled it from the top left corner to about two-thirds of the way over on the bottom
- Repeat with a second piece of paper for the second shape, in this case the orange color. Tracing from the top right corner to about two-thirds of the way over
- Fold the two papers into their triangles
- Fold the paper along the line for the brown triangle, being careful to keep the straight line. You might need to trim some excess paper with scissors because it didn’t fit nicely into the tray. Use that excess paper to help form the rest of the point to the triangle. Then tape those two papers together
- Fold down the other paper that will be used for the orange triangle as well. Using the same steps
- Tape the brown triangle
- Do this while the paper, in the shape of a triangle, is laid down on the tray, run the tape along the other side. Once that’s done make sure to place tape on the side and bottom of the tray’s inside as well
- Paint the brown triangle
- Cut in along the corners and sides first, then paint the inside. Taking long lines from the top to bottom of the triangle to achieve a cleaner look. Avoid going along the same line a bunch of times, your paint will end up catching on the dry spots and it’ll look not-so-great
- Let the paint dry. I waited a day again, but you’ll be fine waiting at least three hours before moving on
- Tape the orange triangle
- Sam steps as number 6, making sure to put the tape up onto the sides of the tray as well
- Pain the orange triangle
- Same steps as number 7
- Dry the paint
- Fix any blemishes. I had some mishaps so I went in with a really small brush and touched up any areas that needed some extra love
- Use your tray! I wouldn’t put food on it, but if you use a plate you’re good to go. Or set it out as fall decor
