Give Your IKEA RODEBY Armrest Tray A Modern Feel To Fit Your Space

Nothing completes a great night of TV series-binging like having your snacks and drinks within arm's reach. Though you may have picked out the best coffee table for your home to hold your snacks, having them on a tray on your couch's armrest brings convenience to the next level. YouTuber @sharonthesmilingblonde already had an IKEA RÖDEBY armrest tray at her disposal, but decided to personalize it with a modern make-over that she shares in a clever DIY.

The rectangular RÖDEBY armrest tray is made of bamboo slats arranged side by side, allowing it to be draped across a couch's armrest. To give it an exciting upgrade, the YouTuber drew and cut out an organic shape on cardboard and had the bamboo tray custom-cut to match her template. After smoothing its sides with sandpaper, she stained the tray to a shade that fit her living room's color scheme and aesthetic, resulting in a unique and modern armrest with an elevated look. This DIY works with the flexible armrest trays, which can easily be cut with a jigsaw, an amazing tool for home DIY projects. If you don't own a power tool or want to leave the cutting part to professionals, ask to have them cut in your home improvement stores. 

You can experiment with different stain colors for your armrest tray. Select a darker stain to liven up a neutral color scheme, or keep its natural bamboo material to complement a vibrant couch. To ensure an even coating of spray paint on bamboo, use an acrylic primer first and dry it thoroughly before applying your chosen color.

If you want to customize your armrest tray even further, try adding a steady base at the center of the mat. This will give your tray a hard element to hold items while keeping its sides flexible enough to drape over the couch. The XIMISISE Bamboo Vanity Tray is a good option to start with, but there is a wide selection in different sizes, shapes, and prices to choose from. 

Alternatively, you could attach an IKEA FÖRSEGLA bamboo coaster to the armrest tray to get a dedicated drink holder. To ensure a better grip for mobile phones or glasses, you can attach anti-slip rubber mats to the bamboo, like the Zorratin Anti-Slip Rubber Gripper Pad. Cut the mat to your desired dimensions before adhering them to the armrest tray.