A serving tray may not be the first item that comes to mind when you think about versatile home decor, but it should be. From serving food and drinks to organizing clutter and displaying decor, a serving tray can be used in a wide variety of ways to make your home more functional and stylish.
One of the great things about serving trays is that they come in many different styles, sizes, and materials, making them easy to customize to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you're looking for a sleek and modern tray for serving cocktails or a rustic wooden tray for organizing your jewelry, there's sure to be a serving tray that fits the bill.
In addition to their practical uses, serving trays can also be used to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home decor. A beautifully styled tray on your coffee table, for example, can serve as a centerpiece and make a statement about your personal style and taste.
Overall, a serving tray is a versatile and essential item for any home. It can be used for serving food and drinks, organizing clutter, displaying decor, and adding a stylish touch to any room. So why not invest in a few different trays and see how they can enhance the functionality and aesthetic of your home?
What are the different types of serving trays and their uses?
Serving trays come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, each designed to serve a specific purpose. Here are some of the most common types of serving trays and their uses:
- Platters: Platters are large, flat serving trays that are typically used for serving main dishes, like roasted meats or grilled vegetables. They can be made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, glass, or metal, and can be round, oval, or rectangular in shape.
- Cheese boards: Cheese boards are small to medium-sized serving trays that are specifically designed for serving cheese and crackers. They often have a flat surface with a groove or channel around the edge to catch any crumbs or drips.
- Appetizer trays: Appetizer trays are small to medium-sized trays that are designed for serving hors d'oeuvres and other small bites. They can be divided into sections or compartments, making it easy to serve a variety of different appetizers at once.
- Tea trays: Tea trays are small to medium-sized trays that are specifically designed for serving tea. They often have a flat surface with a raised edge to prevent spills and can come with a built-in coaster or space for a tea kettle.
- Breakfast trays: Breakfast trays are small to medium-sized trays that are designed for serving breakfast in bed or in a cozy nook. They often have foldable legs for easy storage and can come with a built-in handle for easy transport.
- Bar trays: Bar trays are small to medium-sized trays that are specifically designed for serving drinks. They often have a non-slip surface to prevent glasses from sliding and can come with a built-in handle for easy transport.
By understanding the different types of serving trays available and their intended uses, you can choose the right tray for your needs and make your next meal or event even more special.
What are the different styles and materials of serving trays?
Serving trays come in a variety of styles and materials, each with their own unique features and benefits. Here are some of the most common styles and materials of serving trays:
- Wood: Wooden serving trays are popular for their natural and rustic look. They are durable and can be made from a variety of woods, including bamboo, acacia, and teak. They are often finished with a protective coating to prevent stains and warping.
- Metal: Metal serving trays are sturdy and durable, and can be made from materials like stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. They are often used for formal occasions and can have a polished or brushed finish.
- Glass: Glass serving trays are elegant and can be used to showcase food or decorative items. They are easy to clean and can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- Ceramic: Ceramic serving trays are versatile and can be used for both casual and formal occasions. They can be decorated with intricate designs and patterns, making them an attractive addition to any table setting.
- Plastic: Plastic serving trays are lightweight and durable, making them ideal for outdoor events or for use around children. They are often dishwasher-safe and come in a variety of colors and styles.
- Wicker: Wicker serving trays are perfect for a casual and rustic look. They are often used for outdoor events or picnics and can be lined with fabric or plastic for easy cleaning.
By considering the different styles and materials of serving trays, you can choose the right one for your needs and make your next meal or event even more special.
Conclusion
serving trays are undoubtedly one of the most versatile items for the home, serving multiple purposes while also adding an aesthetic touch to any room. From serving food and drinks to carrying small items and organizing spaces, serving trays are a practical and elegant addition to any household. Whether you're hosting a party or simply looking for a way to keep your belongings organized, investing in a good quality serving tray is definitely worth considering.
With so many different designs and materials available, there's a serving tray to suit every style and need. So, if you haven't already, consider adding a serving tray to your home decor collection today and experience the many benefits it has to offer!
Need help? We've done the research for you and found the Best Serving Tray on Amazon. Every day, we read hundreds of reviews and try the highest-rated products we have on our list.
Best Serving Tray - Reviews
The Best
About this product
- Elevate your culinary presentation with this sturdy 3-tier serving stand. Showcase your delicious creations such as tantalizing appetizers, mini samples, fresh fruits, and decadent desserts with ease. With endless creative possibilities, taking your food display to the next level is effortless.
- Assembly is fast and simple with all the necessary hardware included. The serving platters can be disassembled for space-saving storage, making this serving stand an ideal choice for entertaining.
- The clean white color of this stand provides a professional and relaxed look, perfect for any occasion. Its attractive slanted front design fits in with any establishment, and it can be displayed to the left or right for easy access to your selection of treats.
- The LAUCHUH platters set is packaged well in foam and a gift box, ensuring well and quick delivery. With its cost-effective value for money and trustworthy quality, this serving stand makes an excellent choice for personal use or as a gift.
This serving stand is actually quite nice and pretty easy to set up, and clean. It adds another dimension to a buffet. The platters are a perfect size for all kinds of food. The white porcelain platters are heavy-duty and dishwasher-safe.
Some customers received used products and a few had damaged porcelain platters. This is a lovely serving tray but the platters don’t fit properly inside the stand. Others said that the frame is not steady and it wobbles.
Our Thoughts - Displays dessert items beautifully! Can be used to place items for a breakfast or coffee bar, it definitely has a variety of uses.
Very Good
About this product
- This glossy tray is a perfect blend of functionality and modern design, crafted from Medium Density Fiberboard, Faux Leather made of Polyurethane, and 201 Stainless Steel. It is hand-made and imported, promising durability and quality.
- Use it to decorate and organize your home or office space with its eye-catching polished gold stainless steel metal handles. This tray is a versatile addition to multiple areas of your home, such as your dining room table, living room coffee table, ottoman, or kitchen counter.
- It can serve many purposes, including serving food and drinks, breakfast in bed, and organizing daily essentials like keys, mail, remotes, perfume, makeup, hand soap, toiletries, and hand towels. It can also be used to display flowers, pictures, and snacks and serve alcohol during events like weddings, baby showers, housewarmings, birthdays, and holidays.
- Ensure its longevity by following the care instructions, which include hand-washing only, wiping clean with a damp cloth, not letting water remain inside the tray, and drying it immediately. This tray is a perfect blend of elegance, style, and practicality, making it a must-have for any modern home.
The colors are gorgeous and the texture is perfect. We love this tray, it holds a lot, it's very sturdy, easy to clean, and the perfect accessory.
A few customers said that they received a tray with clear resin spots all over it, the material is cheap and the workmanship is sloppy where someone basically covered a tray in something resembling textured wallpaper. It looks cheap, the handles show the seams to the tray cover. Some mentioned that they received damaged trays.
Our Thoughts - We were pleasantly surprised by this tray. Great quality and design for a great price. The design is nice and sturdy the gold handles place it in a higher class.
Good Value
About this product
- This lightweight and shatter-resistant plastic tray is an excellent choice for self-service operations like schools, fast food, and cafeterias. Its basket weave texture enhances grip, reducing the chances of spills and slips, making it an ideal option for high-traffic restaurants or establishments.
- Besides being slip-resistant, the tray's low replacement cost makes it a practical choice. You can replace it quickly without breaking the bank, ensuring that your establishment runs smoothly without any interruption. This tray is a perfect blend of convenience, functionality, and durability, making it an excellent choice for any self-service operation.
A very useful tray carries your meal from the kitchen to the table, or another room, for messy toddlers to catch the food so it doesn't land on the nice tabletop or tablecloth, for a resting spot for doggie water and food, and a great price.
A few customers received used and abused trays. Other customers received the wrong color.
Our Thoughts - Sturdy nice for eating while watching TV. We love it.
Good
About this product
- This white serving tray with handles on the side is perfect for serving breakfast, appetizers, coffee, desserts, and food in bed for guests or use after surgery on a regular basis. With the handle cut fairly high on the side and the corners sealed, this tray is spill-proof, making it easier to carry without worrying about spills or leaks.
- The acrylic tray organizer is not only spill-proof, but it's also perfect for preventing water from plant pots from spilling onto your carpeting, placing under an espresso maker, holding wine bottles in the bar, or storing spice oil jars in the kitchen cabinet. This tray is both practical and decorative with its clean white look that takes up little visual space, making it easy to corral remote controls and magazines on the coffee table or display toiletries on the dresser.
- To protect your countertop from scratches, the tray comes with DIY anti-slip matting, which can be easily placed under the tray. This feature makes the tray stable enough to stay on the countertop without sliding around.
- Overall, this tray is a perfect blend of functionality and style, making it a great addition to any home.
This clear acrylic tray is large enough to carry 2 dinner plates. Convenient for containing takeout dinner trays and to enjoy without spilling while watching a TV movie. Crystal clear and sturdy. Doesn't clash with any decor. The tiny cushions included for you to stick on the bottom are a bonus.
Some customers said that they received a damaged or broken tray. Corners and edges are way, way too sharp, even dangerous. They should be rounded off. Very cheap acrylic and scratches easily.
Our Thoughts - Great size! We love it, it's huge! Holds the meal plus dessert when dining in front of the TV.
Good
About this product
- Featuring a Modern Style: This black acrylic tray has a modern and eye-catching appearance, with a smooth edge design that makes it safer to use. Its spill-proof design helps keep your home mess-free. Made of sturdy, glossy black acrylic, this tray will be an elegant accent in your home for years to come.
- Versatile Use: This tray has multiple functions and can be used for serving breakfast, appetizers, wine, coffee, beverages, and snacks for guests or as a bed tray for eating. You can also use it as a decorative tray for your lovely home or workplace, indoors and outdoors. It's perfect for use as a countertop organizer for your kitchen, living room, and ottoman trays or vanity table trays. It can even be used as a bath tray that is perfect for your bath decor.
- Sturdy and Environmentally-Friendly Material: Unlike other common acrylic trays that are 1/8" thick, we use premium 3/16 inch thick acrylic to ensure our products are sturdy and safe to use for years. This makes it a better quality and better-priced tray that is also environmentally friendly.
- Timeless Look: This tray's elegant and timeless look makes it the perfect addition to your countertop, kitchen, living room, lobby, or vanity table as a makeup organizer. It's a wonderful decor item that will complement your wonderful life.
- Dimensions and Material: The tray measures 12W x 16L x 2H inches with a thickness of 3/16 inches. It's made of environmentally-friendly black acrylic material that is light but sturdy and easy to clean.
Pleased with the tray. This acrylic tray is super sturdy, durable, and easy to clean. We love the quality of the material that the tray is made of. It’s a great tray to serve coffee or any other drink. This is a cute and clean look, we like the fact this is light too!
Some users said that it's a brittle material and chips easily. A few customers said that it is smaller than expected. Others said that based on the use of acrylic trays and storage containers in the past, this one is thinner/lighter than what they are accustomed to, and the edges around the handgrip opening are rough in spots.
Our Thoughts - Exactly as described in the ad, beautiful, and a high-quality product.
Good
About this product
- This 4-piece set is made in America and includes four divided trays that measure 15 inches by 5 inches each.
- The trays are made of lightweight plastic material that is free of harmful chemicals.
- These trays are perfect for serving food at buffets or displaying dishes on tables.
- They are also ideal for outdoor events such as patio parties or poolside service. Each tray has a dimension of 15.00 inches in width and 5.00 inches in depth.
These 4 white plastic compartment trays are awesome! Great quality plastic, shiny, and roomy compartments. It looks like ivory Corelle or porcelain. These will dazzle with food inside them. These are fairly sturdy trays, with generous compartments.
These serving trays are definitely not dishwasher-proof. A few customers said that they received broken and used dirty trays. Some mentioned that even the second order arrived shattered. Not shatterproof.
Our Thoughts - Large enough for small snacks like nuts, and big enough for cheese and crackers. Heavy enough to not blow in the wind for outdoor parties and not too heavy to carry to the party.
