How to Make a Bed Tray


I found this little table at the thrift store,
pretty ugly but $2 and it had potential.

Bed Tray DIY

I am adding affiliate links to similar products you can purchase at no extra charge to create this look. Click on the bold text to open the link.

I started out by painting it with chalky paint in an off white. 

bed tray painting and diy

It went on really smooth and dried almost instantly.
I felt like I was painting with heavy cream.
So far, so good...

white distressed bed tray

When it was dry I traced on a design using carbon paper
and an image from the Graphic Fairy.

bed tray with wreath and initial

Next I tried something new, I used a black paint stick to 
fill in the design instead of a brush and paint. It is important to choose oil based so the paint dries hard for the next step. 

It worked great!

distressed bed tray diy

Next I sanded and distressed the whole piece.

It sanded beautifully and came out as smooth as glass!

graphics fairy image on a bed tray

The oil paint stick distressed beautifully too.

I applied a coat of clear wax to seal the piece when I was finished. 

distressing chalky paint

 I added a handle on each side.

white distressed bed tray DIY

And now I have myself a very awesome bed tray.


White distressed diy bed tray on the bed

I hope you enjoyed this project and you'll take a look at my Amazon Shop for craft supplies I recommend. Also while you're here please sign up for the Homeroad emails on my sidebar so I can send my latest DIY post straight to you. 







Homeroad
Homeroad

I am Susan, the author and creator at Homeroad. I am a wife, mother of 4 daughters, and a grandmother of 5 and counting. I am a retired teacher, a DIY blogger and an artist at heart. .

Comments

  1. Isn't it great, Susan? You sound like me when I did my post on using it for the first time! : ) I love the graphic you put together for the top. I recently bought a paint pen/marker{?} that I thought I might try for ease of use. It sounds like you really liked the paint stick.

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  2. Hi Susan! This is a really sweet project! I've heard a lot about thsi chalk paint and would love to try it out :-)

    I came to your post via Brag Monday. Check my blog out when you have a spare moment :-)

    Thanks for sharing!

    Emily
    emilysummers-designer.blogspot.com/

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  3. Very nice looks great with the pillows!

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  4. This looks fabulous!!! I want to make one too!

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  5. This is adorable-love the laurel leaves from the graphic fairy-I'm a follower and now I want some chalk paint too!!

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  6. Congratulations! and it looks great!

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  7. This looks beautiful, Susan! And I love your nautical mantel.

    I am now following you too. The "Follow" thingy was out again last night for a while.

    I'm happy you joined in on the Overstock Giveaway. I have just been informed of an update to $100 is I have 500 entries.

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  8. Such a lovely makeover, that makes a fantastic bed tray! Chalk paint sounds amazing to work with.

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  9. Awesome makeover! I have been dying to try this paint too and you just sealed the deal! I definitely got to now! Congrats on your win! Lucky girl!

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  10. Shut up! You lucky duck! I've been wanting to see what all the hype is about as well, but there's no way I'm paying that kinda money for it.

    So what's the deal with the wax? What is it's purpose in life?

    The tray turned out super cute. Love the stencil you picked. I've never heard of a paint stick. I'll have to remember that. Are they used mainly for stenciling?

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  11. I love the tray! I tried the Annie Sloan paint at Gina's last weekend and LOVED it! I am so glad you liked it too. I'm going to order some for myself ASAP. Lisa~

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  12. So great for you to win. Your bed tray looks fantastic!
    I need to buy some Annie Sloan paint.

    Dee

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  13. Beautiful, I love it! You are going to get a lot of use out of your newest creation! Yet another gem of inspiration I will be stealing from you!

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  14. that looks awesome, susan! that was the perfect design for it!

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  15. I'm so honored that you chose to join the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop. Thank you for adding this special masterpiece to rock my party :)

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  16. Sweeeeeet, Susan! Congrats on winning that magical paint! I just purchased some and can hardly wait to try it out. Your tray turned out so beautiful! Nice job!!! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  17. Hi Susan! Congrats on your win! The bed tray turned out fabulously! Did you find the paint as wonderful as everyone is saying?? I've been using the Caromal colors by Country Living and I like it very much, but I'm always looking for other paint choices.
    Have a great week!!
    xo,
    Karen

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  18. i LOVE it! i want to try the paint too, but i'm saving my pennies! lol what kinda of paint stick did you use, really great idea. thanks for partying with me! i just love your blog.

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  19. Wow!! I love i! I'd say that was the best $2 spent ever!! Congrats on winning the paint! How awesome! I really really like your pillows too! Did you paint them??

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  20. So glad you are enjoying the paint!

    Great little project - looks fabulous for only $2!

    Would love to have you stop by and share at my weekly Chalk Paint Link Party.

    www.ShadesofAmberInc.blogspot.com

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  21. Congratulations...you put your win to good use. I'd like one sitting on my bed!

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  22. Saw your link at Thrifty 101. This is awesome...and I'm glad to hear you liked the wax. I have used Minwax but I think I need to order some Annie wax. Love your pillow too!

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  23. Congratulations on the win! How thrilling, and i have to say I love love love you bed tray. I need to try graphics fairy but have not transfered images before, I am wondering what method you use to transfer the image to your furniture? Looks lovely! My problem I am sure would be wanting all the colors........and did one coat take care of this?

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  24. Congrats on your win Susan and your first projects looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Oh, I love this too! I just purchased some chalk paint over the internet and can't wait to get it! Love your blog and following along now!
    Jenn :)

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  26. Oh you have the chalk paint!!!I'm waiting for good fortune (ie: some money) to get my own.

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  27. Hi Susan - found your link over at thrifty 101. Your finished bed tray looks amazing! And, I love the monogram. {Allison}

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  28. It looks fantastic! Love the monogram. I haven't tried that paint before but I've seen it popping up all over lately.
    Thanks for linking this up as well!

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  29. Wow I have been dying to try that paint too! I'm ganna have to give in and buy it! I hope you will share this at my party! : )

    http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2011/07/craft-and-tell-no-15.html

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  30. Beautiful!
    I'm so happy I found your blog through Kara's linky party today. :) I love it!
    I'd like to invite you to share your creations sometime at my weekly linking party as well. I am really trying to grow my party to include lots of creative projects just like this one. Thanks for the consideration and here is the direct link if you'd like to check it out :). ~ Tracy
    T.G.I.F. Linky Party

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  31. Yum!
    I Pinterested this post---couldn't help myself!
    I was with Lisa at Pennington Point when she tried the chalk paint on a desk (she even let me paint a drawer! :) It is awesome stuff!
    Have a blessed day making your home!
    ~me

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  32. I've never tried this paint before, but now I want to. I love the war everything turned out. Too cute;) thanks so much for linking up to blissful and domestic. See you next week!

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  33. This is just gorgeous - really professional results!! I feel like I want to make one for my birthday... think it will get me breakfast in bed?? ;)

    Happy to be your newest follower ~ Adrianne
    happyhourprojects.blogspot.com

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  34. I'm your newest follower! I found you on "Boost my Blog Friday" (Last week's since this wk hasn't posted yet). I just started blogging myself but have a great start! Stop by if you get a chance:
    http://yesyolanda.blogspot.com/
    I looovvee the tray makeover!! Looks so high-end & the picture looks like something from a fancy bed & breakfast! Great job!!!

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  35. LOVE IT! So beautiful and now I'm sold on trying chalk paint and wax ;)

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  36. Oooh Oooh so pretty! I too am still waiting on trying the paint. Just can't seem to cough up that much money. I'm cheap what can I say. LOL. Please come by and show this off at my VIP party today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/vip-party-21.html

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  37. That came out SO great! I have been trying out my Annie Sloan paint for 2 weeks now! I am painting everything in sight!! Ha ha! Teachers gotta love School vacation! I get so much done!

    I am new at waxing, myself so I wasn't sure what I was doing (at all). I'm glad you said you liked it. I think I need a bit more practice!! But you're right. I want the dark wax now, too!!

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  38. Where did you get the paint stick? What brand is it?

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  39. I love what you did to that old tray. It looks modern and new now. I like the idea of putting a print on it. This project is indeed a fantastic one.

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Have a nice day.
Susan