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Compose a mix of function and beauty.
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Never underestimate the power of a big decorative tray on your dresser, coffee table, or even media console. It’s the best place to contain all your collectibles, candles, and other miscellaneous items that otherwise might look messy when scattered across your tabletop surfaces. There’s no shortage of trays out there (I’m loving this one from West Elm right now), so once you obtain one, the next step is to style it.
“For trayscaping, I like to treat the tray as a small, composed still life rather than just a place to contain objects. The goal is to create a layered arrangement that feels collected, personal, and visually balanced, without looking overly styled,” says designer Maria Tenaglia. She suggests finding a tray that has its own “material presence” like wood, lacquer, metal, stone, or woven texture so that it doesn’t disappear beneath objects. Then you work in pieces of varying heights, shapes, and finishes from vessels and bowls to books to coasters to unique objects.
The goal? “Successful trays have a mix of function and beauty,” she adds. If you want some expert advice on how to style and fill out your tray, check out the essentials designers say you should have below.
“When it comes to trayscaping, I like to start with a strong foundation - usually a stack of beautiful coffee table books. They instantly ground the arrangement and set the tone.” — Michelle Kearns, stylist at JFY Designs/LeStudio
“Need to hide a remote? Keep playing cards handy? Create a spot for your keys? A decorative box is an easy go-to when styling a tray in any room. Mix shapes and see how a round box adds interest to a rectangular tray.” — Heather Kirk, founder of Kirk Riley Design
“A match strike is a thoughtful addition to any tray. It keeps everything close at hand, so you’re not searching when it’s time to set the mood with candlelight or fill a space with scent.” — Heather Kirk, founder of Kirk Riley Design
“I always begin with greenery or flowers as my foundation. It might be a small nosegay in a bud vase, an interesting vessel with a floral arrangement, or a sculptural footed bowl holding a plant. Natural elements instantly breathe life into a coffee table trayscape and add softness and texture.” — Thecla Glueck, founder of Thecla Glueck Design
“I always include something personal or unexpected, perhaps a small framed photograph, a decorative object collected while traveling, or visual, fun, and light small books that can be stacked for height to place a small sculptural piece of art on. Those pieces are what make trayscaping feel authentic and layered with personality. To me, the magic is in mixing the beauty with meaning, so the vignette feels curated rather than staged.” — Thecla Glueck, founder of Thecla Glueck Design
“Every styled tray deserves a tall element that lends a sense of scale and structure to the vignette. The height keeps the overall look from feeling bland or one-dimensional. I love incorporating dramatic tapered candle holders or a unique decorative object that instantly brings personality to the scene.” — Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home
“A set of beautiful coasters is a perfect addition to any trayscape, especially in living or family rooms where you always want a few extra coasters on hand. Function is such an important part of great interior design, so even when I’m styling an area for visual impact, I like to incorporate at least one item that’s truly practical for the space." — Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home
“I like to play with volume when trayscaping. I start with a faux arrangement—I love this one from Target, it's pretty and has a simple vase with a nice height. I love to pair that with a nice candle and a dish full of fun, bright colored candy. " —Kelsey Peterson, founder of Style and Space
“When styling trays in interiors, the three most important elements are usually a candle, a natural object, and something personal or functional, as together they create balance, warmth, and a sense of intention.” — Juliette Byrne, founder of Juliette Byrne
“Add a textural or layering element. This might be a stack of books, a beaded object, or a natural material like stone or wood. Texture adds depth and contrast, making the vignette feel rich and curated. It also helps tie the tray into the broader materials used in the space.” — Jackie Armour, founder of JMA Interiors
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