Make your home holiday-ready, step by step and room by room. Welcome back to the 4-week house spruce-up series! I’m thrilled to be collaborating with an amazing group of bloggers – Becky of This Is Happiness, Shelley of Crazy Wonderful, Julie of Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss, Katie of Miss Dixie, Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles, and Pam of Simple Details. Together, we’re bringing you fun, actionable ideas and projects to tackle before the holiday rush begins.
This week’s focus is the living or family room, and I have a fabulous DIY project to share with you. Let’s dive in!
Elevate Your Living Room with a Stylish Tray
Using a tray on a coffee table is an excellent way to create a curated vignette and corral decorative items. Add a touch of the season with fresh flowers, greenery, or thematic accents. For example, a small white pumpkin is perfect for Thanksgiving, while a few ornaments bring festive cheer during Christmas. This simple addition can transform your living space into a warm and inviting hub for the fall holidays.
Now, who else loves browsing the clearance section at HomeGoods or Target? One treasure I often find is acrylic trays with designs or text on the bottom, like the one I snagged for just $5. Though the white bottom was a bit worn, I saw it as an opportunity for a creative makeover. And guess what? This tray now shines with a mirrored finish that’s perfect for the season.
Ready to learn how to give your own tray a stunning transformation? Let’s get started!
How to Remove a Design from an Acrylic Tray
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Acrylic tray (minor scratches are okay, but avoid ones with significant bottom damage)
- Citristrip (furniture stripper)
- Looking Glass spray paint
- Spray sealant (optional)
- Painters tape
- Tape
- Tarp
- Rub n’ Buff (for added details)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Removing the Existing Design
Choose Your Solvent: I tested various options, including paint thinner and Goo Gone. While they worked, they required significant effort. My go-to, Citristrip, was a game changer. It began lifting the design almost immediately upon application.
Tips for Success:
- Use Citristrip outdoors and wear rubber gloves for safety.
- Apply the stripper with a disposable brush, paper towel, or rag.
- Allow the stripper to sit for 10-15 minutes to effectively loosen the design.
- Most importantly, wipe off the stripper with a rag or paper towel. Avoid using a scraper, as it can scratch the acrylic surface. Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
Clean Up: After removing the design, wipe off any excess stripper and wash the tray thoroughly. Dry it completely before moving on to the fun part.
2. Adding a Mirrored Finish
Prep the Tray:
- Place the tray face down on a tarp.
- Use painter’s tape to cover the edges. Fold the tape to catch any overspray.
Apply the Looking Glass Spray Paint:
- Spray the bottom of the tray in 2-3 even coats, allowing each layer to dry fully.
- Flip the tray over to admire the reflective finish! Though acrylic doesn’t achieve the same clarity as glass, it still creates a beautiful effect that reflects light and adds elegance.
3. Add a Touch of Glam
Enhance the Edges: For extra flair, apply Rub n’ Buff to the tray’s edges. I used my fingertip for precision, but a small, trimmed paintbrush works well too. The gold detail adds a festive touch that’s perfect for the holidays.
Styling Your Tray
Once your tray is complete, it’s time to style it! Here are some ideas:
- Use it on your coffee table to group candles, books, and seasonal decor.
- Incorporate it into your bar cart to organize liquor bottles and glasses.
- Create a cozy cocoa station with mugs, spoons, and marshmallows.
The possibilities are endless, and the tray’s unique finish ensures it will be a standout piece wherever you use it.
Lessons Learned
While this project was incredibly rewarding, it wasn’t without its challenges. The biggest takeaway? Be gentle with the acrylic surface. Scratches from my initial attempt to remove the design were visible, but they became less noticeable once the tray was styled.
Despite the imperfections, I’m thrilled with how this tray turned out. It’s a versatile piece that I’ll use throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
Catch More DIY Inspiration
I hope this tutorial inspires you to create something special for your living room this fall. For more creative ideas, be sure to check out the incredible projects from these talented bloggers:
- Becky of This Is Happiness
- Katie of Miss Dixie
- Julie of Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
- Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles
- Shelley of Crazy Wonderful
- Pam of Simple Details
Don’t miss the final post next week, where we’ll tackle the dining room!
More Fall Holiday Inspiration
Catch up on previous posts in the Fall Into the Holidays series:
Thank you for stopping by, friends! If you enjoyed this tutorial, I’d love for you to join my mailing list. Get more DIY projects, design ideas, and home tips delivered straight to your inbox.
