Learn how to transform old frying pans into a one-of-a-kind rustic tiered tray you can also separate to use as decorative bowls! Trimmed with grapevines and burlap for the perfect rustic touch! This beautiful piece can be used so many different ways, and will make a major decorating statement anywhere you display it!

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Today, you’re in for a treat! I’m teaming up with the Thrift Store Decor Team, where we are all sharing what we made with a thrift store find! Thanks for your visit to see mine! The rest are located at the bottom of this post.

Before you is a typical teflon coated frying pan found at the thrift store.

Not long ago, I made a decorative bowl or tray out of a frypan which I fell in LOVE with!

I meant to get the tutorial up on the blog earlier, but now I have an even better idea… instead of just one, I’m going to make two so they can become a tiered tray!

Tiered trays are so cool! They help you layer items in one area so you get major impact and save space. Plus the added height adds visual uniqueness to an area, making them easy and fun to display with.

However, this tiered tray also comes apart so the two bowls or trays can be used separately as well. And since the pans have nice rounded edges, they hold a ton without anything falling out!

I just LOVE how they turned out. The design has loads of rustic charm and is neutral enough to work in any given space. I use them for everything!

Ready to see how my little brainstorm came to be? Here’s what I did:

Repurposed frying pans turn into a rustic tiered tray

 

Supplies I used:

 

  1 larger and 1 smaller nonstick frying pans with removable handles via screws (this makes it easier)

Fusion Mineral Paint in Cast Iron (get 10% off)

Fusion’s TSP Alternative (get 10% off)

Burlap fabric Small thicker branches for handles

Mod Podge

Chip brush for Mod Podge

Fusion’s Flat Brush (10% off) for painting

Fabric scissors

Thin grapevine garland

Hot glue gun

4 round wood door pulls

Tools:

 

Cordless drill and drill bit that makes holes

Bosch variable speed orbital sander

Removing the fry pan handle

 

1. Remove the handle from the fry pan, saving the original screw for later.

I chose two frying pans that have removable handles with screws, making removal a whole lot easier than having to grind them off! 

Fusion’s TSP Alternative (get 10% off)

Removing the grease

 

2. Clean off all the grease, inside and out. I recommend to use an SOS pad all over the pan first, then follow up with Fusion’s TSP alternative.

It’s really important all the grease is removed, or the paint won’t adhere properly.

Fusion Mineral Paint in Cast Iron (get 10% off)

Painting the frying pan

 

3. Sand the outside of the frypan with an orbital sander, then paint 2 coats on the sides and bottom using Cast Iron.

I chose Cast Iron for its deep neutral tone, which looks SO good with my other chosen supplies I used!

While 2 coats of paint on the metal did turn out ok without sanding, the paint went on better when I sanded the first frypan, thanks to the sanding removing every bit of remaining grease.

Adding burlap inside the fry pan

 

4. Position the painted fry pan open side down onto some burlap, then cut larger than the frypan size.

Burlap is the perfect material to use for this project, since the loose weave easily curves with the pan sides without wrinkles or folds!

5. Flip fry pan open side up, then coat the inside well with Mod Podge.

Since Mod Podge can be very thick, I added a little water to it.

6. Position the burlap inside the frying pan, then press it with your hands so it forms to the pan shape. Paint the top of the burlap with Mod Podge until completely covered.

I also added more Mod Podge in between the pan and fabric edges for extra bonding power.

Since the burlap weave captures so much Mod Podge, I used a rag to dab across the surface to pick up any overly soaked areas so it would dry quicker.

Once dry in a day or two, the Mod Podge magically turns clear!

Trimming the burlap once dry

 

7. Once burlap is dry, use fabric scissors to cut the burlap along the edge of the pan.

Glueing grapevine garland to the pan edge

 

8. Cut, then hot glue some thin grapevine garland around the edge of the pan.

I think the pan would look wonderful edged with thicker twine or cotton rope too!

Creating branch handles

 

9. Using a cordless drill, drill a hole into a small branch so the original fry pan handle screw slips through it.

10. Screw the branch handle onto the fry pan. Instant branch handle!

The larger fry pan had two screw handles, and the smaller just one. But I think even with one on the smaller, it still adds a cute decorative touch.

Adding feet to the large pan

 

11. To add feet to the large fry pan, paint, then hot glue wooden door pulls onto the bottom.

Feet could be added to the smaller top pan as well, however I chose without since I am showcasing this project as a tiered tray.

Adding a riser to create a tiered tray

 

12. Select a riser of sorts. I had this beefy wood candle stick holder in my stash which I think works perfectly!

Other riser ideas could be an upside down tall cup, block of wood, etc.

13. Position the riser inside the larger pan, then top off with the smaller pan.

I didn’t glue the riser in place so I have the ability to use the two pans as separate decorative trays or bowls as well.

Tiered tray with Christmas decorations

 

Then load up your new tiered tray with whatever you wish! Since Christmas is just around the corner, I decided to style it with bottle brush trees, ornaments and greenery. It’s just SO cute!

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Shop this look! Green and white bottle brush trees / copper ornaments / wicker ornaments / pinecones / evergreen branches

I just love all the rustic, twiggy goodness with the branch handles, grapevine trim against the burlap. Teaming up with that deep paint, it’s the perfect combo!

Tiered tray to display faux plants

 

  And here’s an everyday idea for the tiered tray, used with faux plants. How fun! 

Other ways to use this tiered tray:

 

• home decor
• fruit bowls
• candles
• plant stand
• small faux Christmas tree base
• serving food or snacks using a protective napkin
• organizing craft or office supplies

So let’s separate the bowls next…

Bowls or trays displayed separately

 

  And just like that, I now have two large decorative bowls that can be used for anything! The large is a nice size to cart around like a serving tray, holding a couple of mugs, used as a fruit bowl, decor, or whatever you wish! And they even look cute propped up on a shelf as decor, ready to be used when needed.

As decorative bowls, they can also be used for:

 

• home decor
• serving tray
• food
• cookie platter
• candle centerpiece
• small faux Christmas tree base
• as part of a gift basket filled with treats
• arts and crafts (yarn)

And how perfect is the twiggy theme to showcase these rustic pumpkins made from firewood and branches?

The large bowl was also used to display these fabric pumpkins made from socks!  As you can see, these decorative bowls really come in handy!

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Video tutorial – fry pan tiered tray

 

 

Visit above to watch a short video of the tiered tray process!

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I hope this inspires you to take a 2nd look at simple frying pans to see how they can help you organize or decorate in a very unique way! What would you use them for in your home?

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Next up, let’s now visit our creative friends to see what they made with their finds!  

1. Revamp a Lamp
Our Southern Home

2. Old World Santa Christmas Tray
Our Crafty Mom

3. Salvaged Jewelry Suncatchers
My Repurposed Life

4. IKEA Secretary Desk Makeover
Exquisitely Unremarkable

5. Mahogany Side Table Upcycle
Shop At Blu

6. Beautiful Thrifted Thanksgiving Tablescape
Redhead Can Decorate

7. DIY Christmas Bells
Songbird

8. Fry Pan Tiered Tray and Decorative Bowls
Funky Junk Interiors

9. Gingerbread Village from Christmas Houses
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia