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$15 Turns a Plain Tray into a Stylish, Functional Kitchen Organization Piece

Megan Baker Detloff
Megan Baker DetloffDirector of Home Projects at Apartment Therapy
I cover home upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, how-tos, and plants. I’ve written about home decor and renovations for more than a decade since earning my degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University. Before AT, I was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine.
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published Dec 19, 2020
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Before: plain wood tray on a console
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Credit: Tray: Walnut Hollow

Talented DIYers can take one look at an ordinary item and see something extraordinary lying in wait. That’s what inspired the first season of Megan’s Mystery Makeover, and this season, we’re taking it up a level.

This time, we tasked three amazing DIYers to all transform the exact same piece: a plain wood tray. We chose this item because we figured it had a lot of potential—it’s solid wood, making it easy to paint or stain, and the large, flat surface made it a versatile canvas for our DIYers to put their own spin on.

Of course, that’s not all: We also limited their budget to a measly $15, and DIYers were told they could only use two items they already owned. What can we say? At Apartment Therapy, we love a good challenge.

Last week, A.V. of A.V. Does What did her magic, turning the boring wood tray into a colorful, pattern-happy lap desk.

This week, Wendy of The Kwendy Home (@thekwendyhome on Instagram) is at bat. (Wendy’s no stranger to Megan’s Mystery Makeover, having created a beautiful boho hanging planter from a dollar store plastic basket in season one.)

Wendy decided to give the tray a new spin—literally—by turning it on its side and outfitting it with trendy items like cane webbing and cork. Also on the supply list: a picture hanging kit and a clipboard. She nabbed all the supplies at the dollar store, coming in well under the $15 budget.

Watch the video above to see what she created using all those materials, and how she’s using it—and tune in next week to see the final episode of this season’s makeovers.

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