• DISCLOSURE
  • LINK PARTIES

Little Bits of Home

Adventures in DIY

  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • DECOR
  • DIY PROJECTS
  • CRAFTS
  • ORGANIZATION
  • PRODUCTS I LOVE

Bathroom Countertop Tray



January 14, 2016

Hey Friends! I seriously miss you all when I haven’t gotten to post! We are finally almost all feeling better at my house. Wahoo! You all know what that means, right? More projects! Yay!

Today’s project is actually one that I finished a couple months ago and has been working hard for us ever since! I’m not sure about you, but our bathroom counters tend to get cluttered really quickly. Hair ties, jewelry, hair products I haven’t put away yet… You name it, it gets left out on the counter in a rush. I had to stop the madness and get some sort of organization going on!

I’ve had two little glass vases full of Q-tips and cotton balls out on our counters for years and love them. I think that was literally the very first idea I saw on Pinterest and copied! I wanted to keep those vases, but add a tray to ground them and give me space to set my jewelry and a bottle or two of frequently used products.

I was planning to DIY a little tray, but ended up finding an unfinished wood tray at Michael’s for only a couple dollars after using a coupon. Score! I filled any rough spots and wood grain, then sanded it down nice and smooth.

After I got it all prepped, I gave it a couple coats of gray spray paint. Clearly, I’m not a good photographer while spray painting. That, or I really wanted to show you my hand. #notahandmodel

Now comes the blogger fail… I took a picture of the next step, but it has vanished! I can’t find it anywhere. Thankfully, it’s pretty self explanatory. I cut a piece of gray and white striped wrapping paper to fit the bottom of the tray, brushed some Mod Podge to the bottom of the tray, then working from one side to the other, gently laid the paper down, scoring it with a credit card along the way to get any air bubbles out. After the paper was completely down, I brushed a layer of Mod Podge to the top of the paper to give it a water resistant seal.

To further finish off my tray, I attached two decorative handles to the sides. I knew that I wouldn’t be moving the tray except to clean, so I took the easy, lazy way out and glued the handles on. #rulebreaker  If you attach yours the normal, correct way so you can actually use the handles, be sure to sink your screws so that the tray lays flat on the counter.

I love that I have a designated dish for my jewelry when I’m in the shower and having the cotton balls and Q-tips out is super handy! It’s also a great spot to leave my facial moisturizer out without it looking messy. Of course, nothing will help my continual cycle of finding a forgotten bobby pin in my hair while shampooing and trying to throw it over the shower wall and make it onto the counter. It always lands in the sink. Ha! Some people never learn…

What are your bathroom organizational tricks and tips?

Product Sources:
Tray- Michaels
Handles- Lowes
Wrapping Paper- Home Goods
Square Vases- Walmart circa 2009
Jewelry Dish- World Market (only $1.99!)
Flowers- TJ Maxx

Linking up with Savvy Southern Style, Remodelaholic, and many other awesome blogs!

CATEGORIES ~ Bathroom, Organizing 39 Comments

Comments

  1. Blake D says

    January 15, 2016 at 2:28 am

    Super cute! Thank you for sharing 🙂

    http://www.glitteryourdash.com

    Reply
  2. Marie Blackburn says

    January 15, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    This is so pretty! Love the paint color and especially the chrome handles. Visiting from the Creativity Unleashed party. Pinned to share 🙂

    Reply
  3. Robin Johnson says

    January 15, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    Looks amazing! And oh so handy to round up all those little bathroom essentials.

    Reply
  4. Sam @ Living The Dutch Dream says

    January 16, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    I love the tray, this is my favourite colour. It looks so fresh in the bathroom with all the bits and bobs on it.

    Reply
  5. Army Wife Quilter says

    January 17, 2016 at 12:21 am

    love the tray. and totally love the milk glass.

    Reply
  6. Kimm Boes says

    January 19, 2016 at 3:58 am

    So pretty! I love the color you chose. I can't stand counter top clutter, so we use a metal basket. It's amazing how well just one storage/display item can make us feel organized! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Carole West says

    January 20, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel so my tips would be simplify! I love this tray and the milk glass is fantastic! I can't stand clutter at all so I had these cabinets that I removed the doors from painted and framed with molding, all in white. This is where all the clutter went, leaving open counter tops.

    Carole @ Garden Up Green

    Reply
  8. Angela Boone says

    January 20, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    This is gorgeous! Love the color!

    I am wandering over from Work it Wednesdays. I love your blog.

    Reply
  9. Suzy Ray says

    January 21, 2016 at 5:22 am

    The handles make it look so polished and pretty. Now I want to go to michael's and see if I can find one for myself. 😉

    Reply
  10. Sarah Moore says

    January 21, 2016 at 7:16 am

    Looks amazing! I'll have to diy my own bathroom tray!

    Reply
  11. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Thanks so much!

    Reply
  12. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  13. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks! Yes, the handles really helped amp it up a notch!

    Reply
  14. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    Thank you! I just discovered this shade of gray spray paint and am in love!

    Reply
  15. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    Thanks! That was a fun TJ Maxx find!

    Reply
  16. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    Yes, right?! I love your metal basket idea!

    Reply
  17. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I bet it is going to look amazing when it's all done! Yes, simplify is a must. I finally got rid of every single forgotten hair accessory, bottle of half used products that I haven't touched in a while, and old makeup. Feels so good!

    Reply
  18. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    I bet it is going to look amazing when it's all done! Yes, simplify is a must. I finally got rid of every single forgotten hair accessory, bottle of half used products that I haven't touched in a while, and old makeup. Feels so good!

    Reply
  19. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by!

    Reply
  20. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Thanks! They seemed to be a regularly stocked item, not a seasonal thing, so hopefully you'll be able to get your hands on one, too!

    Reply
  21. Samantha says

    January 24, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Awesome! 🙂 🙂

    Reply
  22. thevintage vixen says

    January 25, 2016 at 5:18 am

    Love it!!! Such an elegant project!!!

    Reply
  23. Jenny Leads says

    January 25, 2016 at 5:18 am

    Beautiful!! I love how it turned out, and the color is perfect!

    Reply
  24. Michelle James says

    January 25, 2016 at 5:55 pm

    Love this! I need one for my bathroom! On my to do list!

    Reply
  25. Brenda Young says

    January 26, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    Great little project, wonderful color combo the handles really set it off, and I love that hobnail vase!

    Reply
  26. Barb says

    January 28, 2016 at 5:28 am

    The tray is beautiful! Looks so professional. I just made one (actually painted an old one) for my granddaughter. I gave my daughter one for Christmas and my granddaughter said, "Nanny, you should make me one like Mama's." Well, hers is very different but I put on it what she asked for! The color paint on yours is very soothing and the handles look very nice!

    Reply
  27. Carol says

    January 30, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    I love having a tray on the bathroom counters, and yours is super-cute…..really like the handles!

    Reply
  28. lynn cockrell says

    January 31, 2016 at 5:50 am

    That tray is really nice, Samantha. The gray paint is perfect and the chrome handles pop. Everything looks so neat and tidy sitting in the tray!

    Reply
  29. Vicky says

    February 2, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    What is the spray paint and color?

    Reply
  30. Vicky says

    February 2, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    Love those handles. Where did you find them?

    Reply
  31. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Thanks so much! I found them at Lowe's! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    THank you so much!

    Reply
  33. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:07 pm

    Thanks so much! Funny how much of a difference handles makes, right?!

    Reply
  34. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Thank you! Good luck with your tray!

    Reply
  35. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Thanks! I lvoe that vase, too! I know it's totally impractical, but makes me smile! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Awesome, good luck! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Thanks so much, Jenny!!

    Reply
  38. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Thanks for the sweet comment!

    Reply
  39. Samantha says

    February 3, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    It's Rust-Oleum Gloss Spray Paint in Winter Gray from Home Depot. Here's the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Painter-s-Touch-2X-12-oz-Gloss-Winter-Gray-General-Purpose-Spray-Paint-249089/100670423

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Vicky Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I'm Samantha! I'm so glad you stopped by! When my husband Jeremy and I aren't busy chasing our kiddos, we're usually up to our elbows in paint and sawdust! Join us on our DIY adventures to make this house our own!

LET’S BE SOCIAL

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

GET THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

INSTAGRAM

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

POPULAR POSTS

Star Wars Bedroom Reveal

Fall Tablescape 2016

Fall Home Tour

Simple & Foolproof Tutorial for Making Your Own Lettered Wood Sign

How to Paint a Stairwell Without Hiring Help

PIN WITH ME

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

RECENT POSTS

  • Kitchen Reveal
  • Little Girlie’s Purple + Pink + Blue Room Tour
  • Hallway Update
  • Easter Decor {2021}
  • Office Renovation- Construction Complete

GET IN TOUCH

littlebitsofhomeblog@gmail.com
"Do small things with great love."

- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -