How to Add Fall Tray Decor

fall tray decor

I’m sharing how to add fall tray decor to an antique piece on our Bombay chest in our entryway.

Today I’m joining my blogging friends to share tons of inspiration for decorating trays, for the fall season. Katherine from Katherines Corner is our host and thank you for putting this together I understand how much work it takes to put it together.

graphic for blog hop
Welcome autumn blog tour

If you are coming from visiting Lynne at Thrifting Wonderland welcome and I hope you loved her pretty fall display.

Welcome to Cloches & Lavender my name is Cindy and I love all things for home decorating, crafts & DIYs, and simple recipes too. If this is your first time visiting I welcome you and hope you enjoy your time visiting. I hope you join our family and follow along so you never miss what I’m sharing with my readers.

Have you ever wondered how to decorate trays?

Some find them tricky but actually, I’m here today to see if I can offer help. And I hope the information I’m sharing is going to be helpful.

Because we shouldn’t be stressing about adding decor to our homes. We should enjoy the process.

What Types of Trays Are There?

Types That are Available to Add to the Home

There are so many options today for trays. For example, there are woven trays, wooden trays, copper, and brass, small trays, decorative trays, and galvanized to name a few. Tiered trays are great to use on an island filled with seasonal items. Look for tiered tray decor sets for budget-friendly options to add to your collection.

Also, shallow wood crates and shallow woven baskets make great trays too for home decor and styling.

These can often be found while out at thrift stores, antiquing, or even at Amazon, Etsy, and Michaels craft store which are all affiliates of mine.

closeup of real acorns and pumpkin stems

*As an Amazon Associate and other Affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases*

As an Amazon Associate and other Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission with no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own

Trays also work whether your home is French Country, Farmhouse, Country, or Contemporary style too.

What Should I Display on Trays?

What to Display on Trays?

During this time of year, I find decorating a tray to be easy especially for the fall and autumn seasons because nature offers the best gifts. Think about adding candles, pinecones, acorns, nuts in their shell, small pumpkins, orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, and foliage to match your color scheme.

Incidentally, if you are a small pumpkin lover this idea I shared last week is easy and will make a great centerpiece for your Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering. By the way, when I say easy I’m talking about fifteen minutes max. Not bad right?

Add red apples, green apples, faux pears, artichokes, and oranges from your local grocery store for fall decor.

lantern filled with nuts and flameless candles

Another example how about adding hardcover books or old books bundled together with satin ribbon or twine. Tuck a dried flower from the garden inside to add a touch of nature.

Also, add a vase filled with fresh flowers or purchase faux flowers from the craft store and add wooden beads with a vintage clock.

Where do You Put Decorative Trays?

Places to Add Decorative Trays

  • Bedside table tray
  • Hallway table
  • Desk accessory tray
  • Coffee table
  • Bathroom tray
  • Perfume tray
  • Centerpieces for a dining room table or kitchen table
  • Accent tables

Decorating a Tired Tray

Tired Tray Decorating

Many wonder what to add to a tired tray. Here’s a list of examples that work well for styling a tray.

  • small faux or real plants or flowers
  • wood bead garlands
  • small candles
  • fall mugs
  • small bowls filled with candies for the season
  • faux fruit or vegetables
  • mini baskets or buckets
  • small framed family photos

A Wooden French Crate on Our Entry Table

Wooden French Crate on an Entry Table

Today for the tray tour I’m sharing an antique wooden French crate I have had for a long time and is one of my favorite pieces to add to our seasonal home. It’s so much fun adding fall, Christmas, or everyday items to this piece.

For fall this is filled with many of my favorite things about fall and that’s using natural elements. As mentioned above this time of year nature offers us so many gifts for the home and the best part is they are free and if they aren’t they add little cost.

This year I filled this with a cast iron raised leaf shape dish I found thrifting years ago. Besides truly loving the piece, I love filling it with some of my collection of dried stems and acorns I found in our own backyard. I’m over the moon in love with real acorns. Are you? Because if you are I have a great treat where I share the easy process of cleaning and preserving these for years and years! Also if you are a fan of natural elements for the home I share how I added these pieces to our home for my Fall Home Tour.

closeup of acorn branch with caps
Bucket filled with wheat and dried lavender

Other Pieces in the Box

Additional Items in my Fall Box

I also added these dried gourds that are so soft in color and pretty. I found this on Esty since NJ doesn’t seem to have these available for a fantastic price. You will also notice I added a large faux pumpkin that has a real stem. I’m telling you to save those real stems from the pumpkins on your front porch. They are throughout our home. Some large pumpkin stems and some small stems from baby boos.

how to add fall tray decor the coner of the with artichokes and gourds
how to add fall tray decor showing our piece filled in the foyer

I’m all about the stems when buying pumpkins. We just finished our front porch and when I share it you will see some great stems to add to my collection.

You may also notice the branch above isn’t in all the pictures. This is because I found many larger real acorns and branches to clean and preserve. So make sure to look at the link I share to clean and preserve these!

the entire foyer

Finally is added a collection of walnuts some in their natural state and some painted with champagne and gold craft paint. And I love dried artichokes so they are added too.

how to add fall tray decor showing walnuts

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to add fall tray decor and found helpful information as well. Now please hop over to visit my friend Barbara from Mantle and Table. Everything she shares is beautiful and elegant. Please click the links below for more inspiration!

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Pin for Pinterrest

fall centerpiece ideas on a budget
fall centerpiece ideas on a budget

FALL CENTERPIECE IDEAS

chalk paint pumpkins
How to chalk paint pumpkins to make them look real

PAINT PLASTIC PUMPKINS TO LOOK REAL

easy  pumpkin candle holders
easy pumpkin candle holders

EASY PUMPKIN CANDLEHOLDERS

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
amazon prime early access sale Christmas wreaths and large tree

This is a great tree from National Tree Company 6.5 – a big seller

And this is another beauty from National Tree Prelit Wreath 36″ – Also comes in other sizes!

If you love red for Christmas this is the perfect National Tree Wreath Red Berries 24″

Love Pinecones this is so PRETTY! National Tree Wreath 24″

Want a Bit of Elegance for a Christmas wreath? National Tree Wreath

So Pretty in Red is another perfect for a red Christmas

It’s a big Seller and so Pretty and Different Sizes for this wreath

And a Pretty Tree Skirt for the Road! It’s truly a Pretty Knit!

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46 thoughts on “How to Add Fall Tray Decor

  1. Love this Cindy and I will pop over soon to learn your tips on preserving the acorns and branches! I never thought to use artichokes but they add so much to your display. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Have a beautiful day!

  2. What a great crate Cindy! I can see why you use it often – it’s a statement all on its own! 🙂 Love your pretty acorns too, and pumpkin stems! Thanks for the reminder to save mine this year! I’m definitely pinning and coming back to this for more inspiration. So nice touring with you! Happy Fall!

  3. This is so beautiful! And, I love all of the great tips! Apples would be so colorful and fun, and, although I decorate with books, I love the idea of wrapping them with ribbon or twine and adding florals. Thanks for the great tips!

  4. This crate display is lovely. The crate itself is simply wonderful, but you styled it with so much great organic texture. Perfect for fall. I really enjoyed all your wonderful tips as well. It’s fun to be hopping with you today. XO- MaryJo @ masterpiecesofmylife

  5. I love all of the natural items on the tray! It looks stunning. So glad to find you on our blog tour this month! Pinned & following you on Pinterest & IG!

  6. Very pretty, Cindy. I especially love the leaf dish. All of of your elements come together to make a beautiful display.

  7. Beautiful tray Cindy! I can see why that french box is one of your favorites. I love all the natural pieces form nature you added. I am going to save all my pumpkin stems this year. You have me convinced! I am so excited to be touring with you today. Pinned!

    1. Oh I’m telling you save the stems. Store them in a cool, dry and dark place in a brown paper bag. I have more than you saw yesterday throughtout the house. Save the tiny ones too!

      Great touring with you. Following your blog and Pinterest too

  8. Hi Cindy, the wood box was a great foundation for the tray. All the natural elements you selected went together beautifully. I also liked the walk through on how to choose items for a tray. Lynne

  9. Cindy, that crate is special, and the artichokes are one of my favorite ways to add texture to any display. I think I need to take a closer look at the softly colored gourds you purchased on Etsy. They are something I would love to incorporate in my fall vignettes.

    As always your displays are very special.
    Happy October Hugs to you!
    Rachelle

  10. Cindy, every time I see that French crate/tray I get giddy, it’s such an amazing piece! You put together the most beautiful natural element vignettes and you’ve outdone yourself this time. I’ve been collecting pumpkin stems for several years and this year I changed out a bunch of tired faux pieces. The real stems do make a huge difference on how fake pumpkins can look more realistic. You’ve created the perfect fall tray, LOVE it!!!

  11. Such a lovely and earthy Autumn mix Cindy, and I loved what you said about pumpkins, it’s all about the stems! Love your vintage French tray too. I am a huge fan of using artichokes in tablescapes and centerpieces and yours look wonderful playing with the pumpkins and acorns. Wishing you a beautiful Fall season, and so nice hopping with you~
    Jenna

  12. Your tray items are great additions to the overall feel of your entryway. I love trays that can stand on their own and that can also fit into an overall theme. You might have convinced me to collect pumpkin and gourd stems……we’ll see!

  13. Hi Cindy! I adore your antique French wooden crate! What a wonderful base for a Fall vignette! I also love to use real pumpkin stems on faux pumpkins, it makes them look amazing! Loving all the natural elements, the artichokes are y favorite!

  14. Nobody does nature inspiration like you, Cindy! I love the way you hightlighted so many beautiful things in your fall home decor. You know that French crate has me swooning over here! Hugs, CoCo

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