Today’s DIY project is brought to you by MOMS EVERYWHERE who need something pretty in their lives! This easy DIY Organizing Tray would make a great Mother’s Day gift, because mom can use it well after her day of cleaning, I mean pampering, is over. Trays are great for DIY home organization projects, because they make everything look neater and give the illusion that you’re organized. You can customize this one to any size for any area of the house.
There’s not a lot of time before Mother’s Day so let’s get started (although I suppose you could build it for other occasions too)!
DIY Organizing Tray Materials List
1×2
1/4″ plywood (I used a project panel)
1/4″ square wood strip
Cut List
1×2
Cut each side with a 45-degree miter cut on each end.
-2 x 8″ on short side of the miter
-2 x 9 1/2″ on short side of the miter
Wood Backing Strip
2 x 9 1/2″
2 x 7 1/2″
Note: I made my strip cuts after the frame was already assembled, but these are the approximate dimensions (see instructions)
Plywood
8″ x 9 1/2″
Awesome Instructions
First, make your cuts. I did mitered edges to be all fancy, but butt (heh) joints would be fine here too.
Glue and attach your corners. I used nails to speed things up and will hide the nail holes later with wood putty. Shhhhhh.
Because my miters are never perfect, I cut the 1/4″ backing strip down to size as I was building. Apply glue to the strips on the inside bottom.
Attach the backing strips and carefully clamp.
Next, glue the perimeter edges of the plywood base …
… and lay it down on the strips. Either clamp or put something heavy on the tray while the glue dries.
Finally, fill in the corners and nail holes and this DIY organizing tray is almost ready for mom!
I chose a dark stain (Ebony by Minwax) to hide some of the teensy tiny imperfections. In DIY lingo, we have a term for the imperfect side: “the back side.” haha
If you will be using the organizing tray near a wet area (kitchen or bathroom), be sure to apply a coat or two of poly and you can also apply some rubber feet to keep the tray above water.
And that’s it!
A bigger version of this DIY organizing tray would be great as an ottoman tray or in any area where you need some DIY home organization. What mom wouldn’t love that?! Happy Mother’s Day!
Very helpful and saved me some money as well ’cause I was looking to buy a DIY organizing try but now I feel that I can build one by myself.
Thanks.