Build an easy pipe bed tray!
Every morning, I glance outside, stretch, then reach for my iPhone. Checking the time, I quickly scroll through a few quick things online, then begin my day.
However every evening, I always wish I had my laptop nearby. But with nothing to put it on, I’ve never bothered… until now!
Building an easy pipe bed tray with tons of rustic farmhouse charm was just what I needed!
Here’s how I did it:
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This post is also sponsored by Halls.
Build an easy pipe bed tray!
Visit this original gate project HERE
Bed tray supplies:
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Reclaimed wood (I repurposed wood from a DIY gate I made HERE)
Pipe fittings
Cordless drill and screws
Saw
How to design a bed tray
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1.Decide the size of your tray based on how you desire to use it.
I placed my laptop on top of the wood to get an idea on the size of my own.
My finished tray size ended up being 36″ x 16.
2. Cut the boards to desired lengths, creating a base and two side support boards. (as shown above)
Length of my boards – 36″ / support boards – 14″
Assembling the bed tray
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3) Screw the boards together.
I flipped the works upside down and attached screws from the bottom so they didn’t show when uprighted again. Just make sure the screws aren’t too long to protrude through the support boards!
Attaching pipe handles and legs
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4) Select pipe fittings to create 4 legs and 2 handles.
This was a little like playing blocks. You mix and match the sizes and pieces you need. And to shake things up, I chose a mix of black and galvanized finishes.
I basically sit on the floor of the hardware store and assemble until I’m happy.
The handles were ½” fittings and the legs, ¾”. I believe the legs are 6″ long. They were the perfect height!
Creating pipe handles
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5. With pipes already assembled together, attach them through the flanges to the boards as shown above.
The tray was first flipped upside down, as I attached the legs on all four corners. Then the tray was uprighted, attaching the two handles to the support planks. So simple!
The pipes really do all the work for you!
If your reclaimed wood is fairly old, you may find pre-drilling holes helpful to avoid splitting the wood as you attach the pipes.
The bed received a new light fluffing too. With all white pillows and quilt (I already had), the crisp laundry off the line look was ready to chime in spring!
The finished pipe handled bed tray or serving tray!
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And the pipe handled bed tray was ready for fun!
Whether that be a beverage, internet scrolling or movie watching, or perhaps even writing… so many options!
The legs come in especially handy so you can stretch out your legs while scooting the serving tray up close to you! Just like a real deal bed tray.
Or you can even remove the legs and use it as a standard serving tray too!
A touch of colour with bright spring blooms and a pretty mug was the perfect finishing touch. It wasn’t that long ago that I had the sniffles and went to bed for a midday nap. I was so wishing for something to put a nice mug of soup on, or the laptop. And now I have it!
And the odd evening my son hogs gets the TV, it would be so nice to watch Netflix from the comforts of my covers.
I am just beyond thrilled this tray has finally happened!
Just note, there is weight to this tray from all the pipes. But that makes it nice and sturdy, which I love.
Preparing for cold season
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Since I was somewhat preparing for future sniffles when making this tray, I also picked up some sugar free Black Cherry HALLS® on my hardware run. I always like to have a stash of soothing drops for when the cough and sore throat hits.
There’s nothing worse than having to think of these things when you should be enjoying your puffy white pillows and pipe handled bed tray! 🙂
I actually had no idea there were so many flavours! I’m on the lookout for the sugar free Breezers non mentholated drops.
You know… for when you still enjoy your coffee when you shouldn’t be drinking it. 🙂 I did really like the Kiwi Apple flavour though!
Dare I even wish that I had the sniffles JUST enough to need to enjoy this little slice of heaven? I think I’ll just encourage my boy to hog the TV this weekend. Works for me!
Fun tray, isn’t it? Think you’ll give this pipe handled bed tray or serving idea a go yourself?
When you have a cold, HALLS is the #1 cough drop that most people choose for effective relief. Did you know that the same HALLS you trust is also effective for allergy-related coughs and sore throats? Don’t let allergies get the best of you. Grab your allergy cough by the throat and try HALLS Cough drops or HALLS Breezers throat drops as a complement to your primary allergy medication regimen.
Other related posts you may enjoy:
See many other unique tray ideas HERE
And visit many other industrial pipe projects HERE
Locate the sign stencils shown HERE
Donna, well done again! And your tray can easily be adapted anywhere outside the bedroom, too, due to its’ utilitarian, cool design. Another gem. Sweet!
P.S. Other uses: dessert tray, dish caddy, centerpiece…. The list goes on!
Thanks Ken, and so true, if you unscrew the legs, it makes a great everyday tray, perfect for a coffee table that requires coasters.
I love this tray. And I am going to make one sometime soon also. Not my first priority, but so cute. And I have not had a cough drop in so many years. I used to love the Citrus Mixed style with Vitamin C though. The grapefruit is my favorite. Before those, it was always just lemon drops for my throat.
Well, please don’t get sick just to use your cute, new tray. I think using it for morning coffee will work much better…. grin.
YES!! Going to try it this weekend on a Saturday morning for sure… cannot wait! 🙂
LOVE, love, love this! I think reclaimed wood and industrial pipe look perfect together – I might just have to make one of these for myself!
Thanks so much for sharing.
This is awesome! Don’t you love the plumbing section? So many great ideas in those isles! Your photos are magazine worthy! Cheers.
Aw, thanks Feral! The new camera has indeed been a good move it seems!
Yes, I adore the plumber’s section… love the electrical section too. Kinda getting into a whole lotta trade sections lately. 🙂
That looks great and love the lilacs, nice touch with those funky flavored halls. Who knew? Sometimes I feel like I live in the stone age. Love this tray and the hardware is excellent. As always LOVE it!
Carole @GardenUp green
love it, where did you buy the pipe fittings?
They carry them everywhere! I got mine from Home Depot. 🙂
I love it!! Last night I was looking at bed tray at Goodwill, but I just didn’t like it – when I find one I like, I don’t like the price tag!! This is fantastic, and I’m already in the middle of building several things, I should end up with enough leftover wood! A bathtub tray is already on my list, why didn’t I carry that thought over to this?? I’m very glad you did!!
I love that bed tray! Wow, so creative and beautiful!
Gigi @ Old World Patina
LOVELY! You have such great vision:)
I love that tray! The industrial look of all the pipes is just too cool. And I could snuggle in there for a nap today – for some reason I’m terribly sleepy this afternoon!
This is so great! I desperately need something like this, working from home in whatever room my two year old wants to be in! Seeing how you are always putting pipes to use is helping me work up the nerve to try some. Any chance you could post a picture of the underside so we can take a look at how you assembled the legs?
Hi Cassie, thanks! If you look at the 5th picture down, the pipes to the right are the legs. They were just screwed directly to the underside of the tray, just like the handles were. A picture of that would have been a good idea! I may do that at some point if the instructions are still a little vague. Thanks for your feedback!
Thank you Donna! I see it now, I must have been too excited looking at your great pictures and wasn’t paying enough attention!!
The tray is such a great design. GREAT JOB!
Very cool! Love the industrial flair that it adds as well.
Stacy
http://www.anygirlcandoit.com
Donna, does the pipe stain the white bedding? I love it, and have some pine baseboard that we just removed. This will be great! Used the pipe in my walk in closet already.
Hi Sally! I made sure to use a degreaser on the pipes and it seems to be fine! I imagine you could even use a clear spray sealer on it too if desired. So far, so good here!
I want one! This is SO much cooler than the broken plastic tray I use for my laptop 🙂
Love this! I have also always loved all white bedding, so fresh and inviting! Pinned it twice!
Cindy
It’s late, I’m tired but still want to get these old emails done…and seeing these pictures of your bed & new tray want me to say the heck with it and curl up in my own comfy bed with my cats & phone (or laptop…but I think I’ll need one of these before I bring my laptop to bed with me, even though I have one of those fan stands for it). I love all the hardware you used!
Debbie 🙂
I adore this tray. So, I went to HD and collected all the hardware. However, I put it all back, as the rough estimate was over $100, not including the bottom flange (or whatever its called) for the legs. Someday, though, I’ll make this tray. :}
Thanks for sharing!!
Ugh… I hear ya. I just LOVED the pipe look so I spent what it took. I don’t think mine came to that high of a price… what about just using pipes for the parts you desire and wood for the rest to save $$?
I need this in my life!!! Absolutely love it!
This really didn’t inform me on hhow to make it. I don’t know if it’s justme but, I am a follower-to-the directions kind of girl, so it would’ve been nice to have a directions paragraph.
Thanks
Hi Elise! I just read through the post again and it appeared self explanatory to me. That said, I have since changed the format of my tutorials to be more step-based vs. story-like. So I dug in and edited this post so it better reflects an easy to follow tutorial. Thank-you for your feedback and the reminder that the new way is more legible! Let me know what you think!