SURPRISING PLACES TO STORE SERVING TRAYS

Over the years, I accumulated serving trays, charcuterie boards, and platters. At some point, I guess I needed:

melamine, gingham print serving tray
serving trays with handles that extend the width of the tray by 3″ on each side
round trays that roll like a penny if given the chance
Chargers that moonlight as serving platters
ceramic oval trays that are delicate and want to summersault out of the upper cabinets
wood, metal, and wicker trays like this one I found at Goodwill.

And not only was I running out of places to store them, but once stored I forgot where I stashed those must-have serving trays. So it was time to get creative with storage solutions for the bulky, awkward, or oversized serving trays. It was time to hide my trays in plain sight.

Scroll to the bottom to watch my YouTube video on where I found storage. I had no idea my glasses would cause such a distraction!

WICKER BASKET WITH GREEN PLANTS ON OTTOMAN IN LIVING ROOM

WHERE TO STORE SERVING TRAYS

1. CENTERPIECES

Round serving trays with handles make a great base for centerpieces in the dining room or kitchen.

Trays with handles make it easy to move a floral or table arrangement when it is time to eat. I have an identical tray in my kitchen hiding under a fern.

I store one of my handled trays on top of this milkcan.

2. HIDE TRAYS IN PLAIN SIGHT

Do you see my huge wood barrel lid in the living room? Neither do my guests (or my family). But this heavy, solid oak barrel lid is right under the plant.

The oak barrel is a seasonal favorite tray so I like to have it nearby. I stored it under my Homegoods clearance Christmas tree. It added a few inches to the tree and I won’t forget where my turnstyle oak barrel lid is hiding.

And I am not hauling the solid wood oak barrel top up two flights of stairs.

3. STACK TRAYS VERTICALLY

Several of my trays came in sets with different sizes. I stack smaller trays, chargers, and wood slices and top it off with a pumpkin or plant.

I store my oversized wicker chargers under this faux olive plant.

So my kids would question why not store my tray collection in the hall closet. Storing trays on a shelf eight feet above the wood flooring is risky. Those trays can wobble and manage a triple somersault out of the hall closet.

FURNITURE

This hutch is located off the living room in my home office. Instead of dishes it now holds office supplies and client files. There is valuable real estate for small serving trays on top of the hutch.

HUTCH STORAGE #2

When I moved the hutch into my office I made sure to install this behind the hutch .

I realized that if I moved the hutch two inches from the baseboards there was untapped storage for bulky trays and seasonal wall prints. I shared this on my youtube channel.

Note to self: Do not wear glasses while making a video and speak louder!

Tip: All of my serving trays, out-of-season prints and chargers are all on the main level. So a glance around the main level and I will find (not forget) where I stored the serving pieces.

5. CRATES

I have a few wood crates that I either forget to use or they clutter up my office. When we built this library wall I loved the look of my favorite navy paint color on the planet against wood grain decor.

So I solved a storage problem with my bulkier crates. I just added them to the library wall (or a bookcase). When I need them for entertaining they are in the living room with easy access. No running around looking for random, repurposed crates.

SURPRISING PLACES TO STORE TRAYS AND PLATTTERS

6. FURNITURE When I found this hutch at Marshall’s the manager was thrilled to get it out of the store. He helped me load this into the back of my car days before the retail stores shut down in 2020.

This clearance find had a walnut stain and two cabinet doors with open storage inside. I knew it would be the perfect cabinet to store trays.

So never underestimate a Marshall’s hutch.

Would love if you pinned it this image to your Pinterest boards for others to find.

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