Build Your Own Sofa Arm Tray Table To Suit Your Home's Style

Balancing drinks and snacks on the arm of your sofa can be a dangerous game, often leading to obnoxious stains and spills around your living area. If your home is lacking in side tables or you just want something a bit more chic, you might be on the hunt for a solution that is both stable and affordable. That's where a simple DIY woodworking project using stair treads comes in handy, creating a beautiful arm tray for your sofa out of an unconventional wood source. This DIY tray sits comfortably and securely on the arm of your sofa, keeping your movie essentials within arms reach to prevent any mishaps while you unwind.

Nobody wants a cluttered couch, especially as they are trying to relax. But traditional arm trays have a tendency to prioritize functionally over style, and cost more than a simple stair tread. That's where this trick comes in handy, providing you with an inexpensive solution to your couch storage problems. By using stair treads, you can completely customize your sofa tray to match the design of your home, all while maintaining its functionality. And it can be fitted to the exact size of your sofa, providing further stability for your storage needs. 

An added benefit? You'll have extra wood left over for a few other wooden projects. For a low cost solution, this custom tray is surprisingly effective at keeping your living room clutter free, whether it's a wine glass, your favorite snack, or book of the week.

Creating a custom arm tray for your sofa only requires a few materials and basic tools to get you started. First you'll want to measure the length and width of your chair's arm. Grab yourself a piece of 0.5-inch by 1-inch stair tread in about any length. A 42-inch long piece will cost around $28 and provides more than enough wood for your tray. Use a pencil to mark the measurements on the wood and cut your wood into three pieces. The middle piece or the surface of the tray itself should be longer than the others, and cut at an angle on the sides. The other two pieces should have one angled edge that fits securely into the larger piece on both sides. If you want to elevate the look of your tray, you can use a jigsaw to scallop the opposite edge from the slant.

Once all of your pieces are cut, give them a thorough sanding. On each slanted edge, you want to apply a generous amount of wood glue and clamp the pieces together. After securing all three sides of your tray, allow the glue to dry completely. Depending on the style of your space, you can decorate your tray in any number of ways, from a simple coat of wood stain to a vibrant and ornate paint job. All you need to do now is adorn your custom creation with a bit of living room clutter.