How to Make a Frame Tray

Part of my search in trying to keep organised, tidy and keep some style is the search for the perfect bedside table and coffee table trays.  Ideally, glossy plastic or stylish glass trays that can hold a candle, hand cream, a book and lamp base or keep together some accessories, hold the TV bits and bobs - you know, together, organised and tidy.  These trays, of course, don't exist.  Or at least, they don't exist for my budget or in quite the simple style that I am after.

Making these finished my search and here's how.

My main reason for wanting a glossy tray was to sort out and tidy my everyday makeup area of my dressing table, which also shares space for my jewellery and office/computer area.
I chose the Ribba in high-gloss grey, size 13cm x 18cm - a RIBBA standard frame with a glass front.  £2.25 - beats the £40 ones I've been looking at any day!

In general, the tray is the frame, back to front:

I removed all the components: backing, mount cover and glass.

 From the back board, I removed the stand [it just pulls away, but if you want to be a little neater than me, you can easily unscrew it] and hanging - you can save the components in your 'man-drawer' and stand for future makes - it will come in handy and is sturdy and strong:

The cardboard backing now becomes the bottom of the tray.

Next, this can be decorated/covered [or used as a template] - I just used the frame cover as it was cut to size and I knew it was all going to be covered by my stuff!  Then slot the glass back in place and your frame is complete:

 So, so simple and achieves exactly the look and function I am after:

Percy says Hi.

I'm really pleased with the results and it's been a really simple and easy way in helping me organise some of the rooms in my home.  So I couldn't stop - 

I went up a frame size in white for my bedside table:

..and larger again in white for my coffee table:

Which is also perfect to use as a coffee tray when needed! I tried doilies as a pattern, but I think we all know this tray is meant to be decorated with grey chevron - the paper has been ordered and on its way, so I'll update here when complete:

With the white frames, the side frame fasteners need to be removed - a few pushes up and down and then the help of some pliers [I didn't have any so used blunt scissors] will remove them easily as these parts are not very strong at all.

If you wanted to add a bit of colour or fancy to the tray - the tops [which were previously the back of the frame] could be covered.  Believe me, it took everything not to cover them in washi tape!  If the tray is also going to be used for more practical to-ing and fro-ing - you can easily screw some handles to the sides [but I would recommend ensuring the sides are reinforced safely].