Round Wooden Serving Tray

The simplest pieces are often the ones used most. A plain round wooden tray does not ask for attention, but it quietly earns its place every day: holding a candle and a vase on the coffee table, carrying drinks out to guests, gathering perfume on a dressing table. Plain is exactly what lets it do all of those jobs.

The Round Wooden Serving Tray is that kind of everyday piece. It is solid wood with a raised turned rim and a natural clear finish, turned from a single piece so there is no glued seam to come apart when it gets wet. It comes in four diameters, so one can hold a candle and a small vase while another carries a full round of drinks. That flexibility is what makes it such a useful decorative tray.

What makes the round serving tray stand out

The rim comes first. The raised rim is what makes this work as a coffee table tray rather than just a board, because everything on it stays put when the tray gets moved. Glasses, candles and small objects stay inside the edge instead of sliding off.

The construction comes second. It is turned from a single piece of solid wood, so there is no glued seam to come apart when it gets wet. That makes it a sturdier choice for serving than trays assembled from several parts.

The sizes come third. Four diameters are offered: 9.4, 10.6, 11.8 and 13 inches. A small tray suits a dressing table or a side table, and a large one carries a full round of drinks or anchors a big coffee table.

The finish comes fourth. A natural clear finish shows the grain, and because the grain pattern and color differ on every tray, each one has its own look. It is plain enough to disappear under whatever you put on it, which is exactly what a good tray should do.

It is also a natural companion for other wood in a room. Its simple finish sits comfortably next to oak, walnut and pine furniture without competing.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Coffee tables. A candle, a small vase and a stack of coasters.
• Dining tables. Carrying a round of drinks or a bowl of bread.
• Dressing tables. Perfume and a jewelry dish on a small size.
• Kitchen counters. Oils, salt and pepper gathered by the stove.
• Bar carts. Glasses and a small bottle ready to serve.

It suits Scandinavian, farmhouse, rustic and natural modern rooms, and it softens a room full of hard surfaces with a little warm wood. It is also a practical housewarming gift that almost everyone will use.

Many homes end up with two sizes, a small one for decor and a large one for serving, since the matching finish ties them together.

Choosing the size and placement

Four diameters are offered: 9.4, 10.6, 11.8 and 13 inches. The Dimensions section above lists the same measurements. Each order is one tray in the diameter you select.

• Choose 9.4 or 10.6 inches for a candle and a small vase on a side table or a dressing table.
• Choose 11.8 inches for a coffee table arrangement.
• Choose 13 inches to carry a full round of drinks.
• Measure your coffee table and leave space around the tray for cups and books.

When serving, carry the tray level with both hands and keep heavier glasses toward the center. The raised rim keeps things in place as you walk.

Between uses, leave a small arrangement on it so the table still looks finished.

Because it is plain, it adapts easily through the year. It can hold a small pumpkin and candles in autumn, fresh lemons in summer or a pine cone arrangement in winter without ever looking out of place.

Pairing it with other pieces

Plain wood pairs with almost everything. On a coffee table, set a candle in a glass holder, a small vase and a couple of coasters on it. For serving, add a linen napkin and simple glasses. On a dressing table, pair it with perfume bottles and a small dish for rings.

Browse the decorative trays collection for trays in other shapes and finishes, or the table linens collection for napkins and runners to go with it. Warm wood with soft linen makes a table feel relaxed and welcoming.

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

Is the round serving tray right for your space?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Want one simple tray for both serving and decor.
• Like natural wood with a plain, clear finish.
• Need a tray with a rim that keeps things in place.
• Are happy to wash and dry wood by hand.

It is not the right choice if you want a tray that goes in the dishwasher, or one with handles for carrying heavy loads over long distances. For that, a serving tray with cut out handles will suit better.

Care is simple: wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, hand wash with warm soapy water and dry it immediately, keep it out of the dishwasher and away from standing water, and wipe in a little food safe oil now and then to stop the surface drying out. 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.