DIY Easy Modern Farmhouse Tray- Less Than $10

Do you ever go to a store and see an item that you know you’re supposed to buy but have no idea why? It’s not something that you need but it is calling out to you. You must buy it. That was my experience with this tray that I found at Target in their dollar spot for $5. Which I turned into a modern farmhouse tray to add to my home decor.

There were a pile of them underneath the kid’s coloring books, dollar hand towels and greenery pieces. My first look at it, I immediately knew I was supposed to buy it. If you’ve read Best Places to Buy Affordable Home Decor then you know how much I love to shop for home decor and how hard it is for me to walk away from a good deal.

I didn’t have a plan for it at first but as I finished my shopping I brainstormed and decided I wanted handles on it.

I jumped from store to store trying to find a good deal on handles and in the midst of searching for good hardware, I came across a beautiful piece of scrapbook paper.

Again, I must buy it. I just had that feeling. Again. Maybe it’s a gift. (Insert wink face)

I’m so excited to share this tutorial with you on how to make your own beautiful modern farmhouse tray. I hope you get that same feeling I did when I first saw it.

This was honestly so simple and fun to make! And that fact that it was less than $10 was an absolute bonus!

DIY Easy Modern Farmhouse Tray- Less Than $10

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Materials Needed

Wooden Tray
Cabinet Hardware
Scrapbook Paper
Elmer’s Glue
Mod Podge
Paint Brush

Step One

Screw the cabinet hardware (handles) to the sides of the tray. I do this step first so that all the shavings of wood from the screws going in won’t get stuck on or under your paper.

You can get any hardware that you like! I went for cheap because I wanted something black and simple but feel free to get something fancier if that’s your style. Just know that they start to get expensive fast!

I went to Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart. Lowes had the best selection, but Walmart had the cheapest ones for what I liked. Click HERE to get the ones I got.

Unfortunately anything you find in the dollar spot section at Target is often only in-store or only stocked for a short amount of time. So, I can’t link the exact tray that I found, but I did find another one online that is very similar. Check it out HERE.

Step Two

Measure the inside bottom of the tray. This is where you are going to put your paper. Take those measurements and cut your paper to fit.

The paper is where you can really get creative! Choose a pattern that really jumps out at you. I prefer a modern farmhouse style for our home so I chose a print that I felt would keep in tune with that style. I got mine at JoAnn Fabrics for $0.60.

Step Three

Glue your paper to the bottom!

Drizzle Elmer’s Glue all over the bottom of the tray and then use a cheap, sponge paintbrush and brush the glue around to make sure glue gets on the edges and corner of the tray to prevent the paper from lifting up.

Step Four

Mod Podge the top of the paper. This is the final step, but it is so important! Paper is not durable and can easily rip- if you haven’t noticed. Brush on a few layers of Mod Podge on top to seal the paper and prevent it from ripping up and help it last longer.

The Mod Podge comes in a glossy or matte look. I decided to go with the matte because I liked the rustic feel and look and I felt like the glossy might be too much. Plus Mod Podge in itself can look pretty glossy- it didn’t need any extra.

Here’s a few ways you could style this new modern farmhouse tray! I love the modern farmhouse style mixed with a little industrial for our home and I think it is the perfect amount of everything.