The Dollar Tree Tray DIY That Will Elevate Any Surface In Your Home

Trays: the ultimate way to elevate any surface with little to no effort. All you need is a stylish tray as the base. Then, by adding a few ornaments, a candle, coasters, and maybe even a plant, you've created a lovely vignette for your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or bathroom. While you can easily find trays all over the internet and in your local home stores, what if you could make your own expensive-looking piece for less than $5 instead? Dollar Tree doesn't sleep on the DIY tricks these days, with people finding the most clever ways to upgrade their home on a budget. All you need to build your own tray is a bamboo cutting board and some small wooden blocks for the legs, which you'll attach with strong glue.

Budget-friendly Dollar Tree tray DIYs are everywhere, and this one might be the simplest yet. Once you arrive at Dollar Tree, head to the kitchen aisle and pick up a Bamboo Cutting Board. You could even buy a few if you want to make multiple trays; after all, they're only $1.25 per board. This is one underrated Dollar Tree item you should stop overlooking. Next, go to the crafting aisle and pick up a pack of the Crafter's Cubes, which come in a 36-count. If you don't already own wood or Gorilla Glue, purchase some as well so you have everything you need for this project. It's easy to personalize your piece with a coat of paint, so if you prefer a different aesthetic than bamboo wood, grab some paint in any color you desire, too. 

This craft takes very little prep, and you really only need a flat surface to complete it. Flip your cutting board over, remove any stickers, and paint it first if you decide you want to upgrade it from the standard shade it comes in. Allow this to fully dry, then add the blocks to the four corners of your board, gluing them in place. Hold each one down for several seconds to ensure they adhere. Make sure to leave a little room (½ an inch to 1 inch) between the edges of the board and the blocks. This will keep the blocks from showing and create a more realistic "tray" base. Once the blocks are dry, you can add small planters, frames, knick-knacks, diffusers, candles, or even spices and other kitchen items. You can repurpose this Dollar Tree tray whenever and for whatever you want.

If you want your bamboo tray to feel a little more elevated (both literally and figuratively), you can use short wooden legs instead of blocks to set your cutting board up higher. You might need to paint or stain both the board and the legs so they match if you opt for this upgrade, and don't go too high or the dimensions could come off as unbalanced. This tray should be simple and understated, which is why it works in any room and on any surface. This is a great way to repurpose Dollar Tree finds to organize your space.