Wooden Serving Tray with Handle Cutouts

 

This classic wooden serving tray is a perfect beginner project that produces a highly practical and attractive item for your home. The design features a shallow rectangular tray with convenient oval handle cutouts on opposite sides, making it easy to carry drinks, breakfast in bed, appetizers, or decorative items from room to room.

What makes this project particularly rewarding is its combination of simple construction with a professional finish. You'll practice basic box-building skills while learning to create smooth, ergonomic handle cutouts that are both functional and decorative. The low sides keep items secure while still allowing easy access.

This tray is incredibly versatile - use it for serving guests, organizing items on an ottoman, displaying candles and decor, or even as a breakfast tray. It also makes an excellent handmade gift. The straightforward design means you can complete it in a day or weekend, and you can customize the size to fit your specific needs.

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Estimated Dimensions (in cm):

• (Height/Depth): 6 cm
• (Width): 30 cm
• (Length): 45 cm

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General Construction Instructions:

Materials Needed:

• Wood board for the tray bottom
• Wood strips for the four side walls
• Wood glue
• Small finishing nails or screws
• Sandpaper
• Wood finish, stain, or food-safe sealer

Assembly Steps:

1. Cut the base - Prepare a rectangular bottom panel that will form the floor of the tray.
2. Cut the side pieces - Prepare four strips for the walls, with two longer pieces for the length and two shorter pieces for the width.
3. Mark handle locations - On two opposite side pieces, mark where the oval handle cutouts will be centered.
4. Create handle cutouts - Carefully cut elongated oval openings in the marked side pieces, ensuring they're smooth and comfortable to grip.
5. Assemble the frame - Attach the four side pieces to the base panel, creating a shallow box with raised edges all around.
6. Reinforce corners - Apply glue and fasteners at all corner joints to ensure the tray is sturdy and won't come apart with use.
7. Sand extensively - Smooth all surfaces, paying special attention to the handle cutouts and edges where hands will grip.
8. Round the edges - Slightly round or bevel sharp corners and edges for a more refined, comfortable feel.
9. Apply finish - Use a food-safe sealer, stain, or finish to protect the wood and make the tray easy to clean.
10. Final inspection - Test the handles for comfort and ensure the tray sits flat and stable on surfaces.