Father’s Day DIY Desk Tray

Looking to corral all of the hubby’s odds and ends that end up on the bathroom counter, nightstand or dresser?  Better yet, why not use it as a serving tray too??!!  Well, we have the perfect solution and it is just in time for Father’s Day or any other occasion.  Here is a fun DIY for a valet tray or as we call it around here a MAN TRAY!!

Here is a quick overview how you can make one too!!

You will need the following supplies:

1/4″ craft plywood base (we found ours at Joanns and used a 12″x12″ precut piece)

2″H x 1/4″ thick craft plywood pieces cut to fit the ends of the base

Wood Glue

Fabric

Leather Cuffs

Screws

Corner brackets

Spray Paint

Misc. Supplies – scissors, drill, saw, sanding block, screwdriver

I started with the wood base and traced the shape onto the backside of this AWESOME Nate Berkus Fabric I score on sale at Joanns and cut it our a little smaller that the outline.  Once it was cut out, I used spray adhesive to secure the fabric to the wood base.

Next, I cut down the sides to fit and then I painted them with Rustoleum spray paint.  Once they were dry, I also spray painted the corner brackets and used them to measure holes that needed to be pre-drilled.

Once I had all of the sides pre-drilled, I started to assemble the tray’s frame using wood glue and the corner brackets to secure them.  Since the wood pieces are only 1/4″ thick, I opted for a 1/2″ machine style screw with a nut so there were not any pokey ends.  Once the four sides of the frame were secured, I attached the base of the tray using my Ryobi Airstrike Nailer with 5/8″ nails.

Next, came this super cool idea…I found leather cuffs at Joanns and cut them down to use as the handles for the tray.  It adds the perfect amount of awesome!  I eyeballed the placement and secured using the same screws and nuts as I did for the corner brackets.

 We are pretty stoked about how this turned out!!!  Pretty awesome, huh?!!!!

Now, here are two ways that your main squeeze can utilize his new & fabulous MAN TRAY!!!

OPTION #1  This makes the perfect snack tray!!  Oh yes!  Your dude will be super happy if you stock his lil’ ole tray with his favorite frosty beverages and yummy snacks.

OPTION #2 Snack time over?  Now it’s time to use this kick-butt tray to help keep your husband’s trinkets organized.