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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Old Cabinet Door Turned Serving Tray

Old Cabinet Door Turned Serving Tray

by Lindsay Ballard on July 20, 2009 55 Comments

A few months back, I ran across a tutorial on CraftyNest to turn a salvaged cabinet door into a serving tray. I immediately knew I had to attempt to create my own tray, although I knew that mine would be no where as wonderful as the one she created.
People, she drew that design freehand and then painted it with a paintbrush. I am usually totally delusional about my artistic abilities, but you and I both know there is no way I could do that.
So, I decided to do it how we non-artists would do it – spray paint!
Reclaimed Cabinet Door Serving Tray
1. I found this old cabinet door at the ReStore for $1. I was more concerned with the shape and size than the color of the door. I also wanted one that was solid wood. I knew I was going to use this mostly for decorative purposes, so the size of the inset wasn’t that important to me. If you were going to use this to actually serve drinks and such, you’d want a larger inset (see the original inspiration picture).

2. I removed the existing hardware with a screwdriver (and the help of a “diggie” and some Legos) and sanded the entire door with 220-grit sandpaper. It’s a fairly small door, so I just sanded it by hand.

3. Then, I primed the entire door – front, back and sides. And yes, I did it right there inside my house because it was literally 108 degrees outside.

(Oh, and the photos start to get really speckled or something starting here. I’m not sure what happened, so I just apologize in advance.)

4. Next, I sprayed the entire door with Krylon’s Satin Brushed Nickel paint. Don’t worry, this is just the undercoat. After the paint dried, I taped off the border with painter’s tape.

5. I bought a super cheap yard of lace at Walmart and laid it on top of the door. I taped the lace to the ground so it wouldn’t blow around, but you don’t have to do that if it’s not windy where you live.

6. Then, I simply sprayed a light coat of white paint on top of the lace. I sprayed one pass from side to side and then one pass up and down. After I sprayed it, I immediately removed the lace to reveal the new design underneath.

Pretty cool technique, huh? Again, sorry about the weirdly speckled photos.

7. After the paint was dry, I applied two coats of wipe-on poly so that it would be protected. I also installed two cabinet drawer pulls on either side of the drawer to use as handles. You may also want to add the little felt pads to the underside corners of the door so that it doesn’t scratch any surfaces.

For now, I’m displaying my tray in the vignette on top of a dresser in my bedroom. The dresser is getting ready for a huge re-do, and I think I’m going to like the tray on top of it.

I love this project because it was very easy and yields a pretty interesting result. There are so many creative things you could do to embellish the tray other than the lace design – add stencils, chipboard designs, or even one of the awesome vinyl designs you can find in the back40life Etsy store. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win one of her designs!
I’ve added this post to Kimba’s DIY Day over at A Soft Place to Land. Head on over there and check out some other great DIY ideas!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

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Comments

  1. Monica the Bride says

    July 20, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Great job Lindsay! I love it.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer@Wheretheheartis says

    July 20, 2009 at 10:43 am

    You did a great job! It's so pretty. I was thinking I don't know if I would actually use it as a tray but I love it just sitting on your dresser like it is. It's eye candy! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    July 20, 2009 at 11:33 am

    What a neat idea! I love it!

    Reply
  4. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    July 20, 2009 at 11:34 am

    The tray looks fabulous. I love it. I saw a window that was frosted using lace. Very interesting. Great job. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Chris says

    July 20, 2009 at 11:48 am

    What a great idea! It looks so nice where you have it displayed! Love the lace technique!

    Reply
  6. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    July 20, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Smarty pants! Kimm at Reinvented did a tray using a frame very similar to this and I've had it in the back of my head for a while. Maybe this weekend, now that you've inspired me all over again!

    Reply
  7. Mom in High Heels says

    July 20, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Beautiful! I just bought some cabinet doors from the fundgrube (scratch and dent) section of IKEA for 1 Euro a piece(about $1.41). I didn't know what I was going to use them for, but I knew I had to have them. Now I have an idea for at least 1! Thanks.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 20, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    How inspirational you are. I'm keeping my eyes open for cabinet doors at yard sales. Love it and especially love the lace overlay. I think yours is prettier than the original. Great! Martha (mvaughan408 – Twitter)

    Reply
  9. twinklescrapbooks@yes! that's my child screaming! says

    July 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    This is too lovely!!! I really want to try this now. My hubs is an artist so I can get him to draw me a design. 🙂
    tina

    Reply
  10. The Blushing Hostess says

    July 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm

    I love it and never in one million years of staring at that door come up with any use for it that would actually have made it useful, maybe just a pretty canvas for some paint! Well done.

    Reply
  11. Empty Nest Full Life says

    July 20, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    Beautiful tray! Love the project! Jackie

    Reply
  12. Nicole @ BugaBoos says

    July 20, 2009 at 1:18 pm

    I LOVE it!! I want one!! I love the lace idea and the after looks so pretty! This is perfect, you did a great job on it!

    Reply
  13. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    July 20, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    Neat project, Lindsay!!!! 🙂 I would never ever have thought to use lace. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Dawn says

    July 20, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    That's beautiful! The lace was a great idea!

    Reply
  15. Annchan says

    July 20, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Looks good! I would try to use a piece of wood that has less of a grove in the middle though, so there is more solid surface area.

    Reply
  16. Kimm at Reinvented says

    July 20, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    I love it! What a great idea to use the lace as a stencil of sorts.

    Reply
  17. Beki - TheRustedChain says

    July 20, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    *that* is cool!!

    Great job Lindsay!

    Reply
  18. Kara@ Creations by Kara says

    July 20, 2009 at 11:20 am

    I love it! Such a great idea to use the lace. Thanks so much for sharing, I never would have thought of that.

    Oh, and the whole arrangement looks wonderful!!

    Reply
  19. Amy says

    July 20, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Yeah! Just picked up a few cabinet doors yesterday without a clear plan for them. Love the inspiration picture, and I love your interpretation!!! Great job!

    Reply
  20. Deals, Steals and Heels says

    July 20, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    that's so cool!!! i love it.

    Reply
  21. Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam says

    July 20, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Wow – it's AMAZING! What fun, and I have lots of cabinet doors in my attic. 😉

    Reply
  22. Jo - To a Pretty Life says

    July 20, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    What a terrific idea to use the lace! The finished product reminds me of those old-fashioned coffee-cakes with the icing sugar sprinkled through a paper doily on top. Your tray is gorgeous.

    Reply
  23. Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training says

    July 20, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    Ahhhh this is a wonderful idea! Another reason I wish I was a painter, but I do love the twist you put on it. This would make a wonderful house warming gift! I am now on the hunt for an old cabinet door. Humm I wonder if we need all ours….just kidding, I’m not that bad.

    Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training

    Reply
  24. Denise says

    July 20, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    I have a closet full of doors that I've been wondering what to do with. If I was smart, I'd start creating now for Christmas. Thanks for sharing–and yours was just as snazzy!

    Reply
  25. ~Amy Rose says

    July 20, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    Oh my….so pretty! Great job….and great idea! I will have to try that! On top of the 1o00's of other ideas you have given me!

    Reply
  26. Tami says

    July 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm

    I love the way both trays look! What a great idea using the lace. Great project!

    Reply
  27. Rachel@oneprettything.com says

    July 21, 2009 at 1:26 pm

    That is sooo pretty! I love the lace, what a great idea. I'll be linking.

    Reply
  28. Christina says

    July 21, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    Wow–Cheap lace to fabulous idea!

    Looks great!

    Reply
  29. MelanyTN says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Oh man! I saw that too and loved it and then forgot about it…and I saw some great cabinet doors yesterday! Well, I will have to go back. 😉 I LOVE the one you did as well. The lace idea is sooo cool. Thank you. So happy to have just found your blog!

    Reply
  30. Richella says

    July 22, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Okay. You are officially amazing.

    You should try your lace technique using the colors in your blog background. It looks so good on the screen; I'll bet it would look good on something like your tray.

    Have a great day!

    Reply
  31. abeachcottage says

    July 22, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    wow this turned out fabulous!

    there's no way I would have thought of doing that

    Reply
  32. Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says

    July 22, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    This is great! Love the clever use of lace as a "stencil" 🙂 Amy

    Reply
  33. Kammy says

    July 22, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    I think yours turned out great ! I didn't even know about cabinet door trays – I think it is super cool !
    Hugs ~ Kammy

    Reply
  34. Katie says

    July 22, 2009 at 11:27 pm

    What a great idea using the lace as a stencil. I suppose you could use a doily if you wanted a bolder design since they're less flimsy than lace. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  35. Twice Remembered says

    July 23, 2009 at 1:50 am

    Incredible! I love the lace trick – what a nice touch!

    Reply
  36. Erika @ Oops! I Craft My Pants says

    July 23, 2009 at 2:20 am

    You are such an inspiration. I absolutely love that!

    Feel free to check out my blog, it's brand new and still in the making…But, the link is http://oopsicraftmypants.blogspot.com

    Reply
  37. Melissa @ The Inspired Room says

    July 23, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    very clever! i like it!

    Reply
  38. Sue @ Laundry for Six says

    July 23, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    You are so cool! I have used a paper doily and confectioners sugar on top of a cake, but I never would have thought to do this! I love it! {And I looked for that Krylon color when you mentioned it before and I can't find it 🙁 }

    I have the same frame you have your wedding photo in. Which makes me feel very chic now that I see you have it!

    Reply
  39. Kristi says

    July 23, 2009 at 9:09 am

    You did an amazing job. What a creative way to paint it…and it looks fantastic on your table display.

    Reply
  40. Danielle says

    July 23, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    This is amazing! I bought an old cabinet door 8 months ago and I have been SO lazy about trying to figure out what to do with it. Thanks! Now I know what I'm doing the next craft night I get!!!

    Reply
  41. Its So Very Cheri says

    July 23, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Very cute.This is my first time to your site. Come for a visit–I have a give away going on.
    Its So Very Cheri

    Reply
  42. worldgazing says

    July 24, 2009 at 12:13 am

    i have to admit i love what you did with the lace. what a cool idea. very smart. cant wait to try it.

    Reply
  43. Ruth says

    July 24, 2009 at 7:40 am

    This is a great idea. I love the way yours came out with the lace. Awesome.

    Ruth

    Reply
  44. klutzymama says

    July 25, 2009 at 7:46 am

    I love this! I think this may be something that I can actually do, thanks!

    Reply
  45. Sabrina says

    July 25, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    Holy Cow Wow! Love, love, love this idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  46. melissa * 320 Sycamore says

    August 31, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Lindsay~ I featured this on my blog today and linked up~hope it's okay! 🙂

    Reply
  47. kaki says

    September 11, 2009 at 11:13 am

    Great idea! My husband refaces cabinets and he throws the old doors out. I wish I knew of someone who could re-use these doors. I live Phx, AZ. Anyone close out there that can use them e-mail me at boorn1@netzero.net Thanks!

    Reply
  48. Christina says

    September 18, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Sooo pretty! I linked to this project on my blog…come check it out! Thanks for the inspiration!

    http://christinasadventures2010.blogspot.com/2010/09/free-cabinet-doors.html

    Reply
  49. Kathy says

    February 18, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    Love this idea, lace was very creative!!!

    Reply
  50. Tami says

    February 19, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    Awsome idea. Love it . Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  51. FERİDECO says

    April 20, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Harika olmuş ellerine sağlık

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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