Scavenger Chic

Thrift Store Tray Makeover with Shutter Slats

• By Joan
• May 22, 2019
• 2 Comments

A couple weeks ago when I shared with you the green side table with black glaze, I mentioned that on my last trip to the thrift store I not only found that side table but also a little red wagon and a serving tray.  Haven’t figured out exactly what I’m doing with the little red wagon but today it’s the trays turn for a makeover.

Yes, it started out this way, with no bottom.  Actually, without the bottom, it was easier to envision a makeover.

I did consider a few other finishing treatments that you might want to ponder. Hmmm, how about a stencil, wrapping paper, paint, pallet wood, wall paper….but I did finally settle on shutter slats since I still had quite a few leftover from past projects.

Cut a piece of thin, 1/4″ plywood, to fit into the bottom of the tray.

I placed the piece of plywood on the existing 2 metal cross pieces which already had holes so that I could secure the plywood with screws.

Paint the bottom black.  If there are any gaps between the shutter slats, you want the gaps to  look like shadows instead of the white wood.

Hopefully you have shutter slats laying around, whether from a shutter that fell apart or from a project where you only used a partial shutter (like a chalkboard memo board, or the end of an L shaped desk).

No shutter slats?  Think outside the box, like paint stirrers or my old favorite, pallet wood.

Cut each slat  to fit inside the tray and sand.

Use wood glue or construction adhesive to attach the slats to the plywood backing.

Seal with a couple coats of polyurethane.

The chances of you finding a tray exactly like this one are probably pretty slim but you could use the same slat technique to transform an existing tray or make your own from scrap wood. The possibilities are endless.

Stay inspired.

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Upcycled Shutter Serving Cart Flea Market Flip Upcycled Wooden Dolly Coffee Table Pallet Wood Louvred Door Bookcase Small Pallet Wood Christmas Tree Collar