DECORATING How To Decorate With a Basket Tray

Have a large tray and trying to find ways to use it? Here are nine different options for how to decorate with a basket tray.

You all asked?

And today? I’m going to deliver.

When I posted all about how to remodel a kitchen on a budget (and every time I post a kitchen post) I get asked about this basket.

Whenever you’ve asked in the past, I’ve looked for a similar basket. I got this one over 10 years ago at Hobby Lobby and I should have bought a gazillion of them because apparently, they are rarer than a solar eclipse.

But this time?

I was NOT going to be defeated.

I took it on as my personal mission to try and find a similar basket and it took me several hours.

BUT I WAS VICTORIOUS.

Sigh.

I loved typing that sentence.

So for all my basket questioners? This is the post for you. I have several different options from different stores at different price points (some a little fancy and spendy and some surprisingly cost-effective).

And I’m sharing 9 different ways I decorated with this basket.

Are you ready for some basketeering?

LET’S GO.

First of all, let’s start with the dimensions of the basket.

It measures 35″ x 22″ give or take a little based on the edge of the basket.

The basket has two handles on each side and it has an edge that measures 3 1/4″ on the sides. It’s made out of wicker that has broken in places (it was all intact when I bought it) so it looks a little vintage as a result (which is perfectly fine with me).

It’s kind of perfect.

And hard to find.

Until now.

Tray option #1:

This is actually an underbed basket from The Container Store.

It’s about the length of my basket and not quite as wide, but it’s taller.

It measures 35 1//4″ long and 19″ wide and 6″ tall.

The basket doesn’t have handles, but it has a liner.

You can see this basket here.

Tray option #2:

This isn’t a basket, but it was so close to the right size that I included it.

It’s a wooden tray that measures 40″ (longer than my basket) and 20″ wide.

It’s only 1.1 inches tall (so way shorter than my basket) and it doesn’t have handles (but you could add handles to this one.

The wood is so pretty and it’s kind of big and perfect for a kitchen island.

You can see this wood tray here.

Tray option #3:

Finally.

Some handles.

This is another option from Antique Farmhouse that’s slightly smaller than my basket, but so pretty.

It measures 30″ w x 13″ d x 6″ h and it’s made from seagrass rather than wicker.

You can see this basket tray here.

Tray option #4:

This one was SO CLOSE.

But it’s a lot narrower than mine at 12″–but look how pretty.

It’s made of rattan with metal handles.

And it measures: 38″ x 12″ x 2.5″ h

You can see the basket here.

Tray option #5:

This one is ALMOST the perfect size and look at that vintage wood.

It’s the most expensive tray on the list, though.

The tray is made of reclaimed wood and measures: 32″ x 22.5″ x 5″ h.

SO CLOSE.

You can see the wood tray here.

Tray option #6:

Hear me out on this one.

It’s a scalloped tray that measures 20″ x 20″. It’s affordable and you could put two side by side on a counter which would end up being similar to the size of my basket.

Plus—scallops.

Yes, please.

You can see the scalloped tray here.

 

Now we have our tray (or facsimile thereof).

But what do you do with it?

How do you decorate it?

No worries. I have a few tray decorating ideas up my sleeve.

Here are 9 ways to decorate with a basket tray.

How to decorate with a basket tray

Add a tiered tray and fresh herbs

Here’s a basket tray I decorated for spring several years ago.

I started with a tiered tray that I found downtown at the antique mall—it’s made out of seed trays.

I added the tiered tray to one side of the basket tray and then layered in fresh herbs.

You can decorate (and use it for cooking, too).

Add spring decor

Here I decorated with bunnies and carrots.

I started with a glass vase full of these amazing branches that I’ve shared before.

Then I filled a vintage truck with stuffed carrots, added in layers of books and a tiny topiary or two.

Then I added bunnies hopping all over the basket.

Easy and fun way to decorate a basket tray for spring.

Add Christmas trees

It wouldn’t be a basket tray post without Christmas.

And Christmas trees.

I started with a cutting board (please note I’m always starting with something to vary the height—like books, trucks, pedestals, cutting boards).

A little height keeps it from being boring.

After you add the height—then just layer in different types of Christmas trees.

Add flowers and a silverware basket

This time I kept it simple.

I added a vase full of flowers and this glass vase full of these amazing branches that I’ve shared before.

Then I added another basket full of silverware.

I got this silverware basket at a yard sale. I love decorating things I use with every day—like silverware or plates.

Add cutting boards and books and rustic accents

I wish I had a more pulled back picture of this display, but hopefully you can get the idea.

I think this was around fall, so I kept it relatively neutral.

Cutting boards, stacks of vintage books and this wood calendar.

I think there were a few pumpkins that showed up, but were shy about being photographed.

Add flowers to the tray

Here’s another example of how to add height—a cake stand.

Then, I added three flower pots and a candle.

Super simple and easy to put together.

Add pumpkins

Hello fall.

More books and a few different types of pumpkins.

(total aside: displays like this work so much better when you have different textures).

Finally, I added eucalyptus stems all around the pumpkins on the basket tray.

Add a topiary centerpiece

This is the display this year.

(total aside: I just had a decorating revelation about myself—I think my displays are getting more complicated.)

I went from three flower pots to a whole lot of topiaries.

The star of this show?

This wooden replica of the house–added in with faux topiaries and a eucalyptus bush and fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s.

Hang a wreath on the tray

I saved this idea for last because it’s one of my favorites.

At the farmhouse in Kentucky, I hung the basket on the wall and then added a wreath to the basket.

I couldn’t find a picture of it, but I’ve also hung a wreath from a ribbon and a few Christmas ornaments, too.

This works for this tray, but it’s also a great idea if you have a smaller tray or even a wood tray.

I hope that this was a little helpful.

My only sadness is that I couldn’t find the EXACT basket.

I was so close.

But don’t worry. I’m on the task. I’ll keep looking until one day I’m sure a basket tray like this will show back up.

Everything old is always new again.

Just look at stirrup pants.

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