A serving tray can do more than just serve. It can organise, elevate, and express your style, all in one beautifully curated surface. Whether perched on a coffee table, dressing up a kitchen counter, or organising your bedside table, a tray can bring cohesion and intention to any space.

And with the newest addition to our homeware collection, the DUO Tray, we’re more convinced than ever: the smallest pieces can make the biggest impact. So, here’s how to style yours like a pro.

1.CHOOSE A PURPOSE, NOT JUST A SPOT

Start with intention. Ask yourself what the tray is for. Will it serve breakfast in bed, house your morning coffee ritual, or act as a landing pad for your keys and sunglasses? Knowing its purpose helps define what belongs on it and what doesn’t.

*Style tip: A catch-all by the door should be minimal but functional. Think a beautiful tray for keys, a slim notepad, and a good-looking pen for jotting down those last-minute thoughts.

2.MIX HEIGHTS AND TEXTURES 

A visually interesting tray has contrast, soft against structured, tall beside flat, smooth next to organic. Layering items of different heights, like a tall candle (we’re thinking the Osaka Candle Holder) beside a short vase, keeps the eye moving and gives your arrangement depth.

*Style tip: Stack a couple of your favourite books, with our Bookends, or coasters as a base layer, then build upward with sculptural or tactile items such as wood, glass, ceramic, or metal.

3.ADD SOMETHING FRESH

Nothing softens a space quite like something organic. Seasonal produce, your favourite florals or fresh ingredients. The key is to keep it low-maintenance, so your tray still works hard without asking too much of you.

4.DON'T OVERDO IT

A good tray arrangement needs breathing room. If it feels too full, take one thing away. The goal is to frame a few beautiful objects, not stage a showroom. A little restraint lets each piece shine.

*Style tip: The DUO Tray was designed with simplicity in mind. Its soft curves and solid  base speak for themselves, so it doesn’t need much else to look at home.

5.IT'S AS SIMPLE AS SERVING

Don’t overthink it. Sometimes the best way to use a tray is exactly as intended, for serving. Whether it’s breakfast in bed, afternoon tea, or snacks for guests, a well-designed tray adds a touch of elevation to the everyday.

*Style tip: Brighten up your morning with a slice of toast served in our Kiru Toast Rack, paired with the powder blue DUO Tray. It’s all about elevating the small, often overlooked moments and turning them into something a little more special.

STYLE, SERVE, REPEAT

A serving tray might not take up much space, but it has serious styling potential. Whether you’re using it to organise the everyday or highlight a few of your favourite things, the right tray can elevate your whole space.

And if you’re looking for one that does it all?

Meet the DUO Tray

P.S. If you’ve made it this far, you clearly have an eye for detail. We think you’d love the piece we’ve written on How to Style a Feature Wall with Studio Melissa Louise. It’s a thoughtful read with lots of inspiration!