Bamboo Serving Tray with Handles

Carrying things around the house is one of those small daily jobs nobody thinks about until it goes wrong. A mug balanced on a plate, a sandwich in one hand and a book in the other, and something always ends up spilled on the stairs or the rug. A good tray fixes all of it, but only if it is the right size for what you actually carry.

The Bamboo Serving Tray with Handles comes in five sizes for exactly that reason. The smallest carries a cup and a book to the sofa, while the largest takes a full breakfast without anything hanging over the edge. With cut out handles and a raised lip, it is sized for carrying breakfast, a tea set or drinks from the kitchen without a wobble, and it doubles as a decorative tray on an ottoman or a worktop.

What makes the bamboo serving tray stand out

The range of sizes comes first. Five sizes are offered: 7.9 by 5.9 by 1.57 inches, 11.8 by 7.9 by 1.57 inches, 13.8 by 8.7 by 1.57 inches, 13.8 by 8.7 by 1.97 inches and 15 by 9.8 by 1.97 inches. That spread means there is a tray for a single coffee, for a tea set for two, and for a full breakfast in bed.

The handles come second. Cut out handles at both ends give a firm grip with a full load, and because they sit flush with the tray, it stacks flat in a cupboard instead of catching on everything.

The raised lip comes third. It is what keeps a mug from sliding off on the way from the kitchen, and it contains the odd drip before it reaches the floor.

The bamboo comes fourth. Solid bamboo with a natural clear finish takes the odd spill better than a painted tray, and the grain warms up a plain worktop or an ottoman when the tray is not being carried. Grain and tone vary from piece to piece because it is a natural material.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Bedrooms. Breakfast in bed on the largest tray.
• Living rooms. On an ottoman as a steady surface for drinks and a remote.
• Kitchens. On the worktop, holding oils and salt beside the stove.
• Patios. Carrying drinks and snacks out to the table.
• Home offices. A cup and a notebook carried to the desk.

It suits Scandinavian, farmhouse, coastal and natural modern homes, and the warm grain softens a white kitchen or a gray sofa. It also makes a practical gift for a new home or for anyone who likes a slow breakfast on the weekend.

Many households end up with two sizes: a small one for coffee on the sofa and a large one for breakfast trays and serving guests.

Choosing the size and placement

The Dimensions section above lists all five sizes. Think about what you carry most often before choosing.

• 7.9 by 5.9 by 1.57 inches: a cup and a book, or a small snack.
• 11.8 by 7.9 by 1.57 inches: coffee for two or a light lunch.
• 13.8 by 8.7 by 1.57 inches: a tea set or a few drinks.
• 13.8 by 8.7 by 1.97 inches: the same footprint with a deeper lip.
• 15 by 9.8 by 1.97 inches: a full breakfast with nothing over the edge.

If the tray will live on an ottoman, measure the top first so the tray sits fully supported. Keep it away from direct heat, such as a radiator or a hot stovetop, so the panel does not warp.

Pairing it with other pieces

Bamboo pairs easily with white ceramics, glass and linen. For breakfast, add a linen napkin, a small bud vase and your favorite mug. On an ottoman, set a candle, a small plant and a book on the tray for a styled surface that clears in one lift. In the kitchen, a stoneware jar and a bottle of oil look neat on the smaller sizes.

Browse the decorative trays collection for trays in other shapes and woods, or the table linens collection for napkins and runners to go with it. A second tray in a different size covers both carrying and display.

Buy 2 or more items and save 10%, which makes it easy to take two sizes at once.

Is the bamboo serving tray right for your home?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Carry drinks, snacks or breakfast around the house.
• Want a tray sized to what you actually carry.
• Need a surface for an ottoman that clears in one lift.
• Like warm, natural bamboo that stacks flat.

It is not the right choice if you want a tray that goes in the dishwasher, since standing water lifts the bamboo grain. For a tray that stays wet as part of its job, such as rinsing a tea set, a draining tea tray will suit better.

Care is simple: wipe it clean with a soft, damp cloth and dry it straight away, do not soak it or put it in a dishwasher, and keep it away from direct heat so the panel does not warp. Every order ships free across the US, most arrive in 6 to 9 business days, and unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Questions go to info@norafurnish.com.