Clutter, served up neatly.

I love my reclaimed wood tray, so I try hard to keep it clean!

Trays are a simple way to contain clutter and add a sense of order to things that otherwise look messy. I recently bought a tray made from reclaimed wood to use on my kitchen island. We toss mail, keys, phones, and anything else that doesn't actually belong on our kitchen counter, until we have time to attend to it. It's something functional, but also adds a rustic feel to our space. If you find a tray you love, you will be motivated to keep it tidy so that you can enjoying looking at it. 

Bathroom vanities are also great places to utilize a tray for organizing toiletries. Try using a lacquered, or other easily cleaned finish, like these brightly colored square trays from West Elm.  You can also add your personal touch to a tray by lining the bottom in a fabric or paper you love, and having glass cut to fit in the bottom to protect it.


West Elm Square Lacquer Trays