Coffee and hot cocoa themed Christmas and everyday interchangeable TV tray
Yesterday was a BIG day. The big, old sofa left the building, which made so much more space for the new one!
I’ve been playing around with what else the room needs since getting in the new furniture, when it hit me… we didn’t have a TV tray. We’d always carefully balance a hot bowl of soup on our knees if wishing to take in a little TV during dinner.
So! That wouldn’t do with new furniture now, would it?
And can you now tell where I’ve been eating dinner lately?
I’ve had this TV tray in my junk stash for at least 2 years. I loved the fact that it was solid wood, and the shape of the top was oval, which was unique.
I actually nearly got rid of it because… I don’t even know. I think the yellow wood just threw me off.
And now I needed it. So this is why we must hoard.
Here are some on Amazon that could work! (contains affiliate links)
So a little plan of action was implemented… with Christmas upon us again, this would become a Christmas AND everyday TV tray!
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How to make this Coffee and hot cocoa themed Christmas and everyday interchangeable TV tray
Supplies used:
(contains some Amazon affiliate links)
reclaimed wood – I used *pallet wood
*use pallet wood with caution where food is concerned. Read pallet wood safety tips HERE.
heavy grit and fine grit sandpaper
wood stain of choice
masking tape
paint of choice – I used Fusion Mineral Paint’s Coal Black and Fort York Red
stencils – I used Homestead Blend Coffee and Christmas Blend Hot Cocoa found HERE
Preparing the table
1. Remove finish from the top.
I chose heavy grit and fine grit sandpaper and chose to try sanding it. It worked perfectly, getting the finish right off down to the bare wood with little effort.
2. Stain the top (not shown)
The top was stained with some stain I had on hand. I found it got too dark, so I tried sanding some of it off after it was a little dry. It helped!
It was an oil base which I kinda regret using. The poor TV tray still smells. Oh well. Time to stock some water based stain.
3. Paint the legs (not shown)
I coated out the legs in Fusion Mineral Paint’s coal black with no prep work. 2 coats, and it was done!
Building the tray
1. Cut strips of pallet wood planks to desired size. Allow room for support boards.
The tray was flipped upside down onto the boards, then allowed room for 2 small support planks. The small planks would hold the tray boards together, AND keep the tray from slipping off the TV tray top.
Tip: I suggest adding small support chunks of wood in other areas, to keep the tray from spinning, which mine does.
2. Screw wood strips to the pallet wood planks from the underside, as shown.
I found with these wood strips, that pre drilling pilot holes wasn’t needed. But do that step if you find the wood splitting on you.
3. Sand the top level.
Reclaimed wood is a funky thing. You can try with all your might to get the wood to fit perfectly this way and that, but it generally won’t. And that’s the beauty of a rustic build. It doesn’t really matter.
Unless it tips your coffee onto your new sofa! So I sanded the board joins to blend the seams in nice and smooth.
Because I don’t have other fancy equipment that would do the proper woodworking method. But this did work for my kinda building talents.
Find the Homestead Blend Coffee stencil HERE
Find the Christmas Blend Hot Cocoa stencil HERE
4. Stencil on your chosen designs, one everyday, and one seasonal.
I decided to make the TV tray by itself everyday, then with an added tray for Christmas.
But if I love using the tray on it more, I’ll just make an everyday tray too! That’s the beauty of a custom build. You can do whatever you wish.
Incidentally… these two chosen stencils are designed to mix and match, so you can have everyday hot cocoa, or Christmas coffee too!
5. Paint on the grain sack lines first.
Position the grain sack lines in the middle of your tray. Then walk your fingers along while you stencil, to hold the stencil in place. Especially important with the long grain sack lines.
If you find the lines not quite long enough, simply move the stencil a few inches down to finish.
Red paint – Fusion Mineral Paint’s Fort York Red
New to stencilling? Learn how HERE.
6. Stencil on the next design.
After grain sack lines are dry to the touch, tape the next stencil into place, then paint.
Because these stencils are mix and match, they have several different registration triangles inside the design. Be sure to tape over them too!
7. Stencil heavier in areas that cover the grain sack lines.
I usually like a lighter hand in stencilling for a more worn finish, but because of doubling up the colours, a heavier hand is needed if you don’t wish for the lines to show through.
8. Fall. In. LOVE!
And here is the result… with my pretty new sofa! I’ve yet to show you… but you can see a chair HERE.
The reveal
You handsome thing you.
Now I wish I had stocked two of those yellowish things!
The TV tray really is a good height for plate kinda eating, but I may shorten it a little to help for sturdiness.
It’s just sooooo me!
And works well with the new stuff.
And now how about a little Christmas cheer? Plunk that tray on top, and you’re ready for hot cocoa.
Two handles were added to the tray top for extra detail.
The tiny touch of red is perfect! It’s a subtle nod to the season, crate / vintage style.
Funny story… I was looking high and low for certain iron styled handles I KNEW I had on hand. Couldn’t find them anywhere, so I added these two different rust toned ones.
So, where were the handles? On the farmhouse styled bathroom cabinet.
Oh… right.
Well, that was a fun challenge!
And now I want coffee AND hot cocoa…
These food projects aren’t helping my non existent diet one bit.
What a great idea! I love the stripe on this stencil, your rustic trays are awesome!
The stripe is my most fav part! I think it goes with everything. And I know you get it!
Lovin’it!!!!!
Great ideas and I love the red strip down the center. I plan to make a tray this season think something like that will be great for my next place. Enjoy now and later.
Haha! That diet is making me fat! Love what you did here and it is actually a two for one project. The tray looks great with your new sofa.
Just goes to prove why diets just don’t really work. 🙂
And thanks! I’m loving the change! Now for that oil fragrance to leave the building… ugh! That right there will help this diet some I’m sure…
What a great idea! I love this.
I have four of those yellowish wood TV trays…THANKS….now I know how to improve them! Yours turned out great! Enjoy!
Oh goodness… four! Lucky you! I hope you go for it! This was so fun!
“So this is why we must hoard”….Ha Ha Ha! I love that motto!
You will ALWAYS get affirmation on this site. Hoard away, friend! 🙂
So cute. 🙂
Donna, that post was almost 3 years old on the bathroom cabinet! You sound just like me: where are those handles? I JUST saw them here in my stash. Oh, I used them 5 years ago, lol.
TELL ME ABOUT IT.
Good thing I wandered into the bathroom… or I’d have never forgiven myself. LOL
I love your ideas! They inspire me.
What a cute project. Fun and clever with the additional tray. Love the red stripe!
Thanks Sharon! This was one fun challenge! And now I can say I decorated for Christmas, right? haha (I wish…)
Last week my daughter had a post on facebook that said “I’ve discovered that I think with exclamation points!” and your posts make me think that way! I have a set of four of those t.v. trays but mine are rectangular. I’ve been yearning to paint them for a while, so seeing your makeover is inspiring me! My weekend plans may be cancelled so … now I know what to do. I even have that Fusion coal black!
I’ve been considering starting a blog and soon it will be time. Thank you for the inspiration!
Oh Melanie! Go for it! And to have FOUR! Lucky you! It’s so cool to put your own spin on things. I hope you share the outcome on my FB page when you are done! Pretty please! 🙂
Great job!
Love these! I have a question; I have a couple of pallets in the garage. They are new and safe but how can I make them age a bit? Your wood is so warm and cozy.
How cute and useful is that!!!
I love this. We really need to use dinner trays because we eat dinner in front of the TV EVERY DAY (shameful huh?). I know I’ve got some trays in the garage somewhere that I can make over…
I love this! I have a set of four tray tables that I seldom use. Maybe I’ll make one for each holiday. Or maybe each season. Hmmm… decisions, decisions ….
Love this!!! Time to get cracking on my TV stands that are collecting dust in the closet! Thank you for sharing your incredibly crafty talent 🙂
Very cool…and creative. It is the kind of project that offers that warm homey feel! Great job.
I love your projects, they are beautiful