Oval Wooden Serving Tray

A good wooden tray is one of the most useful things in a home. It carries a snack to the sofa, holds a candle on the coffee table, gathers keys by the door and turns a few pieces of cheese into something that feels like an occasion. The trick is finding the right size and shape for each of those jobs.

The Oval Wooden Serving Tray makes that easy by offering a whole family of shapes. There are fourteen options in all, from a 4.7 inch round to an 11.4 inch long rectangle, including slim ovals, squares, a rounded rectangle and two live edge boards. Each is made from wood and ships ready to use, for serving at the table or styling around the house.

What makes these wooden trays so versatile

The range is the first strength. Rather than one tray that is too big for a nightstand and too small for a cheese board, you choose the shape and size that fits the job. A slim oval, such as 11.4 by 4.1 inches, holds a row of bread slices or a line of small bites. A square, 5.1 or 5.9 inches, sits neatly under a candle or a plant. The 4.7 inch round is a perfect landing spot for rings or keys.

The material is the second. Wood brings warmth to any surface, and it looks natural beside ceramics, linen and greenery. With a little care, including an occasional coat of food safe wood oil, the finish stays rich rather than wearing down the way a painted or coated tray can.

The live edge styles add character. Their natural outline keeps the shape of the tree, so each one feels relaxed and organic, a lovely choice for rustic tables and casual gatherings.

The smaller shapes also make the most of awkward spaces: a narrow shelf, the corner of a bathroom counter, the gap between a lamp and a clock on a nightstand. A tray of the right size turns those spots from clutter into a small, organized display.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Dining tables. A long oval or rectangle for bread, cheese or appetizers.
• Coffee tables. A square or round tray to gather a candle and a small plant.
• Kitchen counters. A tray for oils, salt and pepper beside the stove.
• Entryways. A small round tray for keys and sunglasses.
• Bathrooms and dressers. A neat base for soaps, jewelry or perfume.

Because there are so many shapes, it is easy to use several around the house in the same wood, giving rooms a quiet sense of continuity from the kitchen to the bedroom. In a bathroom, a small tray keeps soaps and a little plant together and off a wet counter.

Choosing the shape and size

Sizes run from a 4.7 inch round up to an 11.4 inch rectangle, so check the option you choose against where you plan to put it. A few simple guidelines help:

• For serving, choose a long oval or rectangle, such as 9.1 by 3.9, 9.8 by 7.1 or 11.4 by 4.1 inches.
• For styling a coffee table, choose a square or the rounded rectangle.
• For small everyday items, the 4.7 inch round or a 5.1 inch square works best.
• For a relaxed, rustic look, choose one of the live edge boards.

Measure the surface first, and leave a little room around the tray so it does not look crowded. The Dimensions section above lists the sizes of the main styles.

Pairing it with other pieces

Wooden trays are natural partners for candles, small vases and ceramics. On a coffee table, set a candle, a small bud vase and a stack of coasters on a square tray for an easy, finished look. On a dining table, pair a long oval of bread with a small bowl of oil and a sprig of rosemary.

Browse the decorative trays collection for other materials and shapes, or the candle holders collection for pieces that sit beautifully on wood. Mixing two or three shapes of the same wood on one table looks deliberate and warm. For a gathering, set out several at once, bread on a long oval, cheese on a square, olives on the round, for a relaxed spread that still looks planned.

A little care keeps the wood looking good. Wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it right away rather than soaking it, and refresh the finish with a food safe wood oil if it starts to look dry. Treated this way, a wooden tray only grows more beautiful with use.

Is the wooden serving tray right for your home?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Want a wooden tray in exactly the size and shape a spot needs.
• Like serving bread, cheese or small bites on natural wood.
• Enjoy styling coffee tables, counters and dressers with trays.
• Are happy to hand wipe and occasionally oil wood.

It is not the right choice if you want a dishwasher safe tray or a large tray for carrying a full tea set or several plates at once. For those, a larger tray with handles will suit better. As a gift, though, one of the smaller shapes is an easy, useful choice for almost anyone.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about shapes are answered at info@norafurnish.com.