I don’t know about you, but I just love the look and versatility of tiered trays. They can be used in any room. I love the various ways you can decorate them and they are functional items as well. Seasonal displays, hosting gatherings, themed designs; tiered trays are the foundation for creative and personalized decorating.
But…I can hear some of you right now. “How do I go about creating that look that I loved at the store?” or “It just doesn’t look like I want it to!”
Whether you’re styling a tiered tray for everyday use or a special occasion, following a few simple steps can help you create a beautiful and cohesive display. Here are six simple steps to guide you through the process:
Pick a theme, color palette, or decorating style
Let’s not forget the other holidays like New Years, St. Patty’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving. And of course, we cannot forget the seasons.
Sometimes we begin with a color scheme or decorating style that we want to show off. In spring, I love to brighten up the space with the colors of nature and the flowers that are beginning to bloom.
Be careful to coordinate your color palette and not get too many colors on one tray. You may wish to stick with two or three main colors, not including the greenery you will add, to create a cohesive tray.
Choose your anchor item
You could begin by choosing the largest item you want to place on the tiers. I have also chosen something that spoke to me. This could be a sign, a decor item for the season, or a favorite vase. Use this as your anchor or foundation to your tiers.
For the tiered tray pictured, I just loved the pink sign. Spring colors were calling me, and the sign just made me laugh, so that is where I began. The black tiered tray created the perfect backdrop for the palette of whites and pinks of spring.
Fill with items of varying height and textures
Fill each level with an odd number of items. The top level is the smallest, so three to five items would be ideal; you do not want to overcrowd the tiers.
The other levels are dependent upon the sizes of your accessory items. If you choose larger diameter items, then you would use less items. Smaller items will allow you to add more to create a full effect.
If your chosen item is not the right height or getting hidden on your tray, use what my forestry husband calls cookies, small wood discs, or something similar to raise the item. Don’t worry if the wood shows, you will hide any imperfections when you add greenery later.
Many items lend themselves to stacking to create height. Placing one cup or bowl inside another will add height and depth to your design.
Add greenery
Don’t get too carried away with filling each level before adding the greenery or natural items such as twine/vine balls, etc. Use greenery to fill in all the bare spaces and nooks left by the decor items.
Greenery can also serve to hold items in place and to show off other decor items, making them stand out.
For this tray, we used a floral ball and a maiden hair spray in the front and a potted herb plant in the back. Notice how the fern drapes down, drawing your eye to the next level and tying the levels together.
Step back and assess
You will do this naturally as you are arranging your tiers, but when you are almost done, step back and assess your arrangement. Is there something that sticks out that just doesn’t belong? Maybe something needs to be in another spot.
Take time to rearrange items and fine tune your display. Look at the balance of all the items together. Adjust heights if needed using your wood pieces or by rearranging. Play with the tiers by moving things around and keep adjusting until it all works together and you are happy with it.
Add final touches
Adding a beaded garland can tie each level together and draw your eyes from one level to another. Garlands come in a variety of wood and metal, some with tassels that will add their own touch to your display.
You can create a cohesive design by repeating a certain item on each tier. For example, you may wish to add a variety of small pumpkins to each level for a fall or Halloween theme; bunnies or eggs for a spring or Easter theme. Be sure to alternate the placement side as you move to the next tier.
Decorating tiered trays can be a fun and creative way to add charm and personality to your home decor. With these six steps, you can put together a beautifully decorated tiered tray to create a look that reflects your personal style and creativity. Dive deeper with these tips to mix patterns and textures into your decor and tiered trays as well.
