Transform A Basic Dollar Tree Tray Into A Vintage Statement Piece For Your Home

Vintage decor is never going out of style. Those old pieces you find at yard sales, antique shops, thrift stores, and your grandparent's attic are statement pieces ready to amplify your home's interior design. However, what if we told you that you can fake the look of priceless vintage decor from a basic Dollar Tree tray? It's true. With a bit of creativity and art supplies, the Crafter's Square Wooden Tray from Dollar Tree becomes a decorative vintage box perfect for styling as a catchall tray, ornamental storage case, or stylish wooden basket.

For this project, you'll need a wood stain, Modge Podge, and vintage vinyl printouts to turn the plain wooden box into a functional statement piece. It's a simple and budget-friendly craft. Since the crafter's tray is only $1.25, feel free to buy multiple and create a matching set. The stylish boxes could be a design element you use to unify each room. Plus, you can tailor this DIY to your home's aesthetic. Not a vintage fan? Then, use fun paint colors for an Art Deco look or sleek metal detailing for something modern. The plain base is versatile so you can decorate it however your heart desires.

Further, there are multiple creative ideas for styling your antique home decor. Place it on top of a desk or shelf and use it to organize books and trinkets. Styled on a table or countertop, it can be a centerpiece to house vases or fruits. Or simply prop it vertically or horizontally against the wall. It's a chic, versatile piece that is waiting for your personalized touch.

First, you want to give the raw wood an antique look. Using rich browns or red-tone wood stains is great for an old-school style. You can also layer different stain colors for more visual depth. Another method is to use Saltwash to add a vintage look to your DIY. Mix Saltwash powder with your paint, and the tray will have a weathered finish. For a rustic twist, use a blowtorch or heat gun to give the wood a burnt finish, similar to the Japanese technique Shou Sugi Ban. It adds to the old beauty of the piece. Any of these ideas work to create a vintage base. Once your crafter's tray goes from a newborn to 100 years old, it's time to decorate.

You can decoupage vintage print-outs, napkins, newspaper, and stickers onto the wood to embellish the tray and enhance the antique look. First, brush on a layer of Modge Podge, apply your design face-down, and then let it set for a few hours until it dries completely. For vinyl prints, you'll need to use a wet paper towel to remove any extra paper from the transfer. You can also distress the wood with a metal scour or carve a design into the planks. To further upgrade the piece, add antique table feet, like Mophee's Vintage Bronze Furniture Legs, or handles, like Dophee's Vintage Style Pulls. However, simple elements like twine, rope, and fabric straps also tie into the old-school look. You'll have unique vintage decor that you can use in several ways around your house, and it all starts with a Dollar Tree tray.