The Ultimate Guide to Styling and Displaying Bathroom Trays
Bathroom trays are multipurpose items that serve both decorative and organizational functions. Strategically placed trays prevent clutter on counters while also adding stylish accents. With so many materials, sizes, and design options, trays are endlessly versatile for bathrooms.
Read on to learn about tray materials from marble to rattan, get ideas for placement on vanities, shelves, and walls, and discover pro styling tips. With this information, you can elevate your bathroom with beautiful, useful trays suited to your taste and storage needs.
Materials for Bathroom Trays
An excellent starting point is choosing your ideal tray material. The options range widely--consider durability, texture, weight, and style preferences. Here are some top materials for bathroom trays:
Wood Trays
Wood brings natural warmth and style. Hardwoods like teak and maple have durability advantages. Trays can be left natural, stained, painted, or finished. Rustic, manufactured parquet, midcentury modern--wood trays complement any style. Just take care to avoid constant water exposure.
Metal Trays
For a sleek, modern look, metal bathroom trays shine. Stainless steel, copper, brass, and nickel offer luxury. Metal resists moisture, cleans easily, and is very durable. Match metals in tray, fixtures, and accessories for a cohesive effect.
Woven and Rattan Trays
Natural woven and rattan trays align with bathroom tray decor ideas like bohemian, beachy, or eclectic styles. The textural element suits relaxed spaces. Ensure proper sealing for bathroom humidity. Sturdy synthetic rattan is very durable.
Marble, Stone, and Concrete Trays
For elegance and luxury, marble, stone, and concrete exude sophistication. Travertine, limestone, marble, and concrete make substantial trays that become focal points. Their durability and weight also make these materials ideal choices.
Glass and Acrylic Trays
Glass and acrylic trays enable transparency to display contents while adding shine. Glass offers an ultra-sleek statement but requires caution. Acrylic is more durable and affordable but still breakable. Use padded shelf liners for extra protection.
Styling and Displaying Bathroom Trays
Now that you've selected materials, it's time for the fun part--deciding where and how to display your trays. Use these tips to artfully incorporate trays throughout your bathroom.
On Bathroom Vanities
Vanities offer ideal flat surfaces for placing trays. Position them atop vanities to corral daily essentials. Or tuck trays inside drawers to organize contents. Allow ample breathing room around sinks. Risers boost tray visibility. Complement vanity styles like modern pedestals or traditional cabinets.
Inside Drawers and Cabinets
Maximize vertical storage with stacking trays inside drawers and cabinets. This keeps items visible and sorted. Use tray dividers and inserts for totally custom organization. Frosted acrylic trays double as see-through drawer organizers. Mirror the vanity's interior with matching tray finishes.
On Shelves and Ledges
Floating shelves and windowsills lend themselves perfectly to displaying trays. Curate the contents for occasion-specific organization like makeup or shaving kits. Try open corner shelves to conserve space with angled tray placement. Enhance ledges with risers to angle trays attractively.
On Toilet Tanks and Cisterns
An often-overlooked spot, top of the toilet tank provides a useful tray location. Opt for lightweight materials like bamboo or rattan to avoid tank lid damage. Or, choose a covered tank with tray space built in. Trays also conceal unsightly plumbing fixtures and pipes.
Mounted on Walls
Get creative with wall-mounted trays to save counter room. Affix floating shelves or rail systems with built-in hooks to hang trays. Position near sinks or mirrors for handy access. Trays become art themselves when creatively displayed on walls.
Bathroom Tray Styling Tips
When it comes to decking out your trays, don't hold back! Use these pro styling tips to create a functional, beautiful look:
Mixing Materials and Textures
An eclectic blend of tray materials and textures makes for visually appealing vignettes. Contrast cool metals with warm woods, combine matte and shiny finishes, and mix natural and synthetic materials. The options for textural trays are endless--from braided seagrass to mother of pearl inlay.
Incorporating Greenery
Living plants infuse fresh vibes and bring nature indoors. Mini succulents, air plants, and flowering cuttings flourish in bathroom trays. Build a terrarium garden or fairy garden display. Just avoid overwatering, direct sunlight, and greenery that drops lots of leaves or petals.
Displaying Candles and Lighting
Set the mood with candlelight in elegant candlestick holders or strings of battery-operated fairy lights. Trays keep wax drips contained and enable you to move lighting around. Just take safety precautions. Opt for battery powered candles for worry-free ambience.
Storing Daily Essentials
Medicines, toiletries, cosmetics--trays organize daily bathroom necessities for quick access. Having a dedicated spot reduces search time. Maintain balance between open decorative storage and concealed storage to minimize clutter.
Adding Personal Touches
Make trays truly your own with personal mementos. Display cherished photos, inspirational quotes, or favorite small artworks. Feel free to rotate decor seasonally and curate to match your mood. Even simple framed mirrors or vases give trays personality.
With unlimited potential for style and organization, it's no wonder bathroom trays are having a major moment. Use the tips in this guide to get creative with tray placement and styling in your own space. Experiment, have fun sourcing special pieces, and let your trays become both beautiful and highly functional.
Trays are design accessories that can make all the difference in elevating a bathroom's aesthetic. Beyond just being pretty, they also provide invaluable hidden storage and decluttering capabilities. It's a win-win design investment that pays dividends in both form and function.