How to Decorate Plastic Trays

If you don't like the look of plastic trays, or if you're in the mood for a quick style change, you can embellish them in a snap. All you need is a few quick craft supplies, and your imagination is the limit. This is a good activity to do with your kids. You can help them decorate their own trays or decorate trays for them as a surprise gift. It's also a fun way for adults to transform thrifty furnishings into stylishly chic ones.

Instructions

1

Start with either a base coat of spray paint or a fabric covering. If you choose fabric, first lay the fabric over the tray to make sure it fits. Then use a hot-glue gun to lay thin beads of glue along the creases and edges of the tray. Alternatively you could also use a spray-on adhesive. Smooth the fabric over the glue immediately, using your hands to press out any wrinkles or air bubbles as you go.

2

Embellish with stencils. Either trace them in with a marker to create patterns or tape around them and then spray-paint. You can scatter the stencils across the tray or line them up to create a border around its edge.

3

Add stickers if you have some that match whatever theme you've chosen for your tray. A wide variety of stickers should be available at craft stores, party stores and in the toy section of almost any store.

4

Try your hand at drawing on the tray. Use pencil first, if possible, so that it's easier to cover up if you make a mistake. Then trace over the pencil with a marker or a thin paintbrush dipped in acrylic paint.

5

Cover the finished tray with a clear spray-on acrylic sealer to protect it if you plan on using it to carry liquids or foodstuffs.

6

Paste embellishments like dried flowers, funky beads or costume jewelry around the outside edge of the tray where they won't interfere with anything you want to place in the tray.