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Sarah Hearts

Sarah Hearts

diy, home
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March 23, 2015

DIY Polka Dot Wood Tray

Make an affordable and stylish wood tray for your home! Click through to learn how to transform a plain wood tray into a cute polka dot tray.

Polka dots are one of my go-to patterns. I love them on dresses, glassware, and even doors. You just can’t go wrong with something covered in cute dots! In fact, I use the pattern so much that I pretty much consider it a neutral, perfect for mixing with florals and stripes.

So what on earth could I possibly put more polka dots on? A wood tray of course! I’m paired up with DecoArt and some of my favorite blog friends to share how you can DIY one thing five ways. We each started with the same exact unfinished wood tray and created 5 completely different, easy to DIY, looks.

Americana Multi-Surface paint is the perfect paint for creating a polka dot wood tray. It covers so well!

Time: 1 hour + drying time
Supplies: Americana Multi-Surface paint in Shrimp and Cotton Ball / wood tray / wood stain / foam brush / foam pouncer

Use dark walnut wood stain to transform a plain unfinished wood tray into a new stylish polka dot tray.

Step 1: Apply wood strain in any color you like (I used dark walnut) using a foam brush. Paint the stain on in the direction of the wood grain. This part can be pretty messy so make sure you cover your table top and I’d recommend wearing gloves.

Use a paper towel to remove excess wood stain immediately after applying it. Click through to see the full polka dot tray tutorial.

Step 2: Remove the excess stain using a paper towel. Allow the tray to dry completely.

Use a foam pouncer to create perfectly round polka dots on a wood tray or any surface.

Step 3: If you want to make the same coral blush colored dots as I did, mix equal parts of Cotton Ball and Shrimp Americana Multi-Surface paint on a paper plate or tray. Then place the foam pouncer (I used the 1.5″ one) in the paint and cover the bottom of the sponge with an even layer of paint.

A foam pouncer creates perfectly round circles without having to use a stencil or paint brush.

Step 4:  Lightly press the foam pouncer onto the tray and turn it left and right slightly to create a solid polka dot. Be careful to not press too hard because the paint will bleed and the edges of the circle will be uneven. You can apply the dots in a random pattern, like I did, or you can apply them in more of a grid. Once you finish, you may notice some spots are uneven. That’s no problem—just apply the paint again in the same way once the first coat of paint has dried. You can also touch up a few areas with a tiny paint brush. Once the paint is completely dry your tray is ready to be used!

Love this DIY polka dot wood tray! It's such a simple project that can be used for serving food, on a bedside table, or even on a coffee table.

Note: This is optional, but if you plan on using your tray a lot, I recommend sealing it with a clear varnish once the paint is completely dry. This will help prevent the paint from chipping and make the wood water resistant.

Check out the other ways to DIY a wood tray:
A Bubble Life
Oleander + Palm
Pars Caeli
The Crafted Life

Want to DIY your own tray? We’re giving away a $50 Amazon gift card so you can buy all the supplies you need to create your own tray. Enter below to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love this polka dot wood tray! Click through to see 4 other ways to DIY a wood tray.

This post was created in partnership with DecoArt. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that keep this blog going!

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18 Comments
  • Monique | WritingMonique
    March 23, 2015

    I love polkadots so much! This tray is absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply
  • Jess
    March 23, 2015

    Super cute and springy!

    Reply
  • Laurel (@abubblylife)
    March 23, 2015

    I love these colors!!

    Reply
  • Carrie
    March 23, 2015

    It’s SO fun!! Well done!

    Reply
  • Amy @ Homey Oh My!
    March 23, 2015

    Soooo cute, Sarah! Love the way it looks with your amazing pink sofa <3

    Reply
  • Lacy
    March 23, 2015

    Fun! I’d love to see some wall art!

    Reply
  • sharon stanley
    March 23, 2015

    love this…i’m a dot person so this is just perfect!

    Reply
  • Kristen
    March 24, 2015

    5 ways to diy a bag lunch!

    Reply
  • Tasha Thomas
    March 24, 2015

    Would love to add this to my daughter’s changing table to hold items!

    Reply
  • Janssen
    March 24, 2015

    Some DIY art!

    Reply
  • R
    March 24, 2015

    DIY Throw blankets!!!! #5waysToDIY

    Reply
  • Alexis @ Persia Lou
    March 25, 2015

    So cute!

    Reply
  • Gale
    March 25, 2015

    Love stain and paint on the same piece, great looking tray! :)

    Reply
  • Rhonda G
    March 26, 2015

    I would love to see outdoor decor diy!

    Reply
  • Manda
    March 26, 2015

    Super cute, quick, and easy! Love it!

    Reply
  • Kae
    March 26, 2015

    Some kind of DIY with indoor potted plants!

    Reply
  • Sarah
    June 13, 2015

    Love it! Polka dots are one of my go to patterns as well. I did curtains and my garbage can! xo

    Reply
    • Sarah
      Sarah
      June 13, 2015

      You seriously can’t go wrong with them! And a garbage can! That sounds like an amazing idea!!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Sarah

Hi, I’m Sarah

Hi I'm Sarah Rivero Khandjian and I'm a graphic designer turned maker. I find joy in creating things and helping others do the same!

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I made the new (and free!) @helens__closet #OrchardDress for myself and my mini! #sarahheartssews 
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Fabric: knit almost non stretch swim-ish fabric from @topstitchatl 
Pattern: #orcharddress (up to a 60” chest)
Sewn on my @babylocksewing Soprano
.
For June’s version, I printed the size 0 at 70% scale and then cut about 4” off the length of view B. She’s a size 4/5 in ready to wear clothes. Mine is a size size 10 graded to a 12, shortened 3” and then 2” were taken off the straps (I’m 5’3”).
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If I don’t have a kid at my feet, I have a dog there. #sarahheartssews #babylockambassador #babylocksewing 
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Top: @helens__closet #ashtontop (up to 58” chest)
Shorts: @papercutpatterns #tulashorts (up to a 63.7” hip)
Fabric: slub texture linen from @stylemakerfabrics
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If I don’t have a kid at my feet, I have a dog there. #sarahheartssews #babylockambassador #babylocksewing . Top: @helens__closet #ashtontop (up to 58” chest) Shorts: @papercutpatterns #tulashorts (up to a 63.7” hip) Fabric: slub texture linen from @stylemakerfabrics
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I made a swimsuit!!! #sarahheartssews #babylockambassador #babylocksewing
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Pattern: @fridaypatterncompany #seabrightswimmer 
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I made a swimsuit!!! #sarahheartssews #babylockambassador #babylocksewing . Pattern: @fridaypatterncompany #seabrightswimmer Fabric + lining: @fabricfairy Sewing machine: @babylocksewing Soprano
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