Boost Your Kitchen's Style with an Island Tray Centerpiece
Kitchen islands are hugely popular in modern home design, providing extra prep space and storage as stylish centerpieces. But even the handsomest island can start to seem bland after a while. If your kitchen island is looking lackluster, never fear! Decorating with trays is an easy and affordable way to instantly give your island a fresh new look.
Trays are useful for neatly corralling all the items that tend to clutter up kitchen counters. A tray adds organization while serving as a decorative display piece. Strategically styled trays can transform your kitchen island from boring to beautiful. Keep reading to discover clever tips for upgrading your island with the perfect trays.
Choose an Island Tray
When selecting a decorative tray for your kitchen island, consider which size and style best suits your needs and decor. Here are some top tips for choosing trays with both form and function in mind.
Size
First look at the amount of available space on your island. A larger tray around 18-24 inches works nicely as an anchor piece and focal point. Then supplement with smaller trays, baskets or bowls for additional storage and display options.
If your island is on the small side, one medium tray placed toward the front edge or center should suffice. Just be sure to leave enough room for meal prep and cooking.
Material
Island trays come in a variety of materials like wood, metal, ceramic, woven rattan and more. Neutral options like wood trays and ceramic platters blend with nearly any kitchen decor. While sleek, modern choices like stainless steel, glass or marble trays better suit contemporary spaces.
Consider ease of care when deciding on a material. For instance, a silver serving tray won't show fingerprints, while a painted wood tray is less prone to chipping. Pick what best suits your lifestyle and design scheme.
Shape
The most common island tray shapes are rectangular, oval and round. But don't overlook unique shapes like hexagons and octagons for extra visual appeal. Just ensure the shape pairs well with your island's contours.
Match shapes to functions too. For example, a rectangular wood tray neatly corrals rectangular jars and bottles. While curved oval trays complement round bowls or decorative balls.
Styling Your Island Tray
When styling your kitchen island tray, aesthetics and practicality should go hand-in-hand. Follow these top tips for pulling off a tray display that's both functional and fabulous.
Use as Functional Decor
While your new island tray provides a pretty foundation, remember to use it! Arrange items you regularly grab like fruits, breads, oils, utensils, napkins or kitchen towels.
Having must-use pieces right at your fingertips makes prep and serving so much easier. And frequently changing out fresh fruits, flowers or other accessories keeps your display looking fresh.
Create a Cohesive Look
Aim for a coordinated appearance by choosing a tray style that complements your overall kitchen decor. For example, a dark wood rectangular tray suits a traditional kitchen with cabinetry in similar hues.
Repurpose decorative bowls, baskets, and jars from around your home as functional containers on the tray. Tying colors and textures together makes everything look cohesive and pulled-together.
Change Items Along with Seasons or Holidays
Varying your tray display along with seasonal produce, motifs and color schemes is an easy way to keep it looking fresh. Rotate fruits and vegetables as they come into season, always offering a natural pop of color.
Incorporate festive yet subtle holiday touches like mini pumpkins and gourds for Thanksgiving or red and green apples for Christmas. Then return to neutral whites and metallics after the holidays.
Clever Island Tray Ideas
Browse this garden of creative ideas for stylish and handy ways to use your kitchen island tray.
Breakfast Tray
Make hectic mornings more civilized by setting up part of your island as a DIY breakfast bar. A large wood tray corrals everything needed for making and serving hot drinks along with quick bites.
Include containers of sugar, honey and lemons. Then add pretty mugs, cloth napkins, a small vase of fresh flowers or greenery and a dish for baked goods. Using your island as a casual breakfast nook makes starting the day so much nicer.
Entertaining Tray
When hosting get-togethers, a decorative island tray keeps party foods and serveware organized yet easily accessible. Arrange cheeses, dips, spreads and crackers for easy self-service.
Surround food with accessories to embellish the look. Think wood boards, serving tools, candles, floral arrangements or greenery. Keep additional wine glasses, napkins and plates at the ready nearby.
Baking Tray
For avid home bakers, a countertop tray helps streamline cookie and dessert projects. Corralling key ingredients in matching ceramic canisters provides easy access when following recipes.
Include frequently used tools like mixing bowls, measuring implements, rolling pins and spatulas too. Pretty glass jars hold bulk supplies like flour and sugar to complete this baker's must-have tray.
It's simple to elevate lackluster kitchen islands with the strategic addition of decorative trays for holding beautifully displayed necessities. Use our tips to select trays to match your space, keep them usefully stocked and vary the contents. With a little creativity, your kitchen can gain style and organization from island trays.
Island trays instantly add visual interest while keeping your most-used items right at hand. As useful as they are beautiful, a tray centerpiece pulls any kitchen together with a touch of easy elegance.