SAVE MONEY WITH THESE TIERED TRAY TIPS
This blog post may include affiliate links
A few years ago I thought a tiered tray was reserved for cupcakes and deviled eggs.
Now this multi-story tray is a decor staple at my house. Tiered trays are perfect if you’re short on counter, table, or living space because they utilize vertical space.
Think of a tiered tray as the condo of all tray designs. For comparison, a coffee table tray is more like a ranch-style home.

A multi-level tray is an affordable staple if you rent or live in a tiny apartment but want to celebrate the holidays.
TIERED TRAY BUNDLES
If you are new to tiered tray “bundles” are the mini decor signs (or small objects) used to fill the tray. Bundles are easy to swap out for holidays and seasons.
I am a big fan of making an apartment or rental feel like home. Tiered trays are an easy way to celebrate seasons without taking up a ton of space on a counter.

Now that I joined the trend, my tiered tray is a kitchen table staple for the seasons and the holidays. I love it! The point of a tray is to corral stuff. It’s like celebrating the holidays in a contained space. It is an investment piece.

TIERED TRAY TIPS
When this tray went on sale I snagged it in white. Honestly, I would love it in the stain too.
Over the last year, I have accumulated a few tray tips and learned how to save money on cute little tray decor items.
TIERED TRAY TRAITS
In a slightly overdramatic voice, tiered trays changed my life.
At least my kitchen table’s life. Tiered trays:
- use vertical space to save valuable counter space for all holidays
- can be used year-round
- work great for holidays, food trays, and even a hot cocoa station like this one.
- It can be used in any room, from bathrooms to kitchens.
Our only limits are our imagination and budgets. Speaking of budgets.. here are a few tips or suggestions because tiered trays are a thing.
TWO-OR-THREE-TIERED TRAY
- Two or three-tiered? I ordered a two-tiered tray because my galvanized tiered tray did not fit under my cabinets. Yes, I know this is my burden.
- Two-tiered trays require fewer seasonal pumpkins and 4th of July woodblocks.
- Three-tiered trays work well on kitchen islands or tables as long as they don’t hit the lighting. If you buy a tray, double-check the width and height.
- My galvanized tray is perfect for the patio and on the kitchen island, but it is too tall for below my cabinets. In the spring and summer, I fill my tray with lemons, limes, and fresh fruit. It motivates me to eat more fruit!


- TIERED TRAY BUNDLE TIPS
If you are asking what a bundle is, I’ve got you! Tiered bundles are cute holiday or seasonal-theme wood blocks specifically designed for a tiered tray.
A bundle is a genius way to sell (and buy) lots of cute finished woodblocks designed for these popular trays.

Tiered bundles are all over Etsy. They are very cute, but if you bought enough “bundles” to fill your two-tiered tray gets pricey. This is why an Etsy gift card is a great birthday or holiday gift.
Here re is a cute Halloween sign.
Bundles for tiered trays can get pricey. Here are a few ideas to save money!

HOW TO SAVE A BUNDLE ON YOUR BUNDLES
- Look for seasonal sales on Etsy or consider buying a two-bundle pack (Etsy sellers offer customers a variety of options and price points).
- Recently, I found small seasonal decor objects at Hobby Lobby and Marshalls.

HOW TO STORE TINY SEASONAL DECOR
I have large bins for my big stuff, but I purchased these plastic containers with lids for every holiday and/or season.
I stack them on a storage shelf in the basement so I can see crossover holidays.
What’s that? A cross-over or multi-seasonal bundle is when this cute pink truck works for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and spring. The see-through stackable bins make it easy to find and sort.

ANOTHER IDEA TO SAVE MONEY
I save random 2×4 scraps. Don’t have scraps? Check out the scrap or cull wood bin in the back of the lumber section at Home Depot. It is scraps of wood. It is a great find if you do not have a friend or spouse with a tablesaw.
Recently, I painted the opposite side of an Etsy 4th of July block. I plan to add a cute sticker.

Thank you for stopping by today. I feel a little like Annie Wilkes, the character in the movie Misery. I am a tiered tray’s biggest fan! I would love it if you could pin the image below for others to find.

I would love it if you could share these tiered tray ideas on Pinterest or follow me on Pinterest.










Great tips and ideas on tiered trays! Cute tray displays, too. Drop by Southern Sunflowers and link up for “Happiness is Homemade.” Hope to see you there.