Repurpose An Old Cabinet Door Into The Coolest Decorative Serving Tray

Whether you're looking for smart ways to repurpose old kitchen cabinets after a renovation or you're in need of a serving tray for your next get-together, this DIY is a super simple project to craft a gorgeous tray out of an upcycled item. A cabinet door, two handle pulls, and paint is all you need for this project to look stunning, though you might also want some wood putty and sandpaper. If you'd like your serving tray to last for a long time, consider applying a clear, waterproof varnish at the end. There are also tons of options for customizing your tray. For example, you might simply paint or stain it one color, or use a stencil to paint a unique design in the center. Distressing the paint can also give your project a rustic look. Alternatively, you could use personalized vinyl transfers if you have a Cricut machine.

For those who haven't recently undergone a kitchen renovation, try looking at thrift stores for old cabinet doors or cabinets. Retailers like Habitat for Humanity ReStores often have supplies like this, as well as drawer handles for the sides of your tray. When choosing your cupboard door, consider what size you'd like your tray to be and how much flat space there is for your dishes or decorations. If you don't need a serving tray to bring drinks and snacks to guests, you can still glam up your living room with this budget-friendly decorative tray and use it to display your knickknacks.

Before you start painting and getting creative with this project, remove any hinges or other hardware from your cabinet door, including the knob. Now, thoroughly wash the door with soap and water to remove any kitchen grease splatters. Fill any holes in the wood from removing the hinges with your putty or filler and sand those spots until smooth. If your cabinet door has old paint on it or you're concerned your stain or paint won't adhere well, sand the entire thing.

Once the wood has been prepped, you can paint it by hand, spray paint it, or use a wood stain on your project. Allow your tray to dry with this base color before adding unique features, like a painted design or a vinyl transfer. When your tray is looking perfect, apply your clear coat, and now it's time to add your handles. Hold your drawer pulls over the short sides of the cabinet door to decide the perfect placement. Use a pencil or marker to make a dot where the ends of the handles go and drill a hole into each. Finally, set your drawer pulls over the holes and insert the screws into the back. If you're concerned about your tray scratching your coffee table, place felt furniture pads onto the bottom corners. With this crafty way to repurpose old cabinet doors, you can make a gorgeous serving tray for any occasion.