Galvanized Tray: 3 Ways to Use It

Recently I purchased a beautiful galvanized tray with handles to use as a backdrop for food photography. But then I started wondering how else I could use it in order to get my money’s worth. I love its rustic finish and didn’t want to keep it in storage between food photo shoots so I came up with 3 additional ways to use it.

Since I’ve been using the galvanized tray as a backdrop for food photography, I thought, why can’t I use it as a backdrop for decorating?  I placed it on top of my white flea market dresser and added a few items to the vignette.

 

When in doubt what to include in a decorating vignette, always use a favorite item. For me, that means a white ironstone pitcher. You can’t go wrong when you decorate with things you love. Plus the white pitcher is easily seen against the gray metallic backdrop.

 

I added my rusty little iron bird, along with some feminine white alyssum in a painted box.

 

Above the galvanized tray I hung a painted cardboard pot with a small fern tucked inside.

 

For a little color, I draped a pink medallion garland over the tray. I can think of so many other places to use the galvanized tray as a backdrop, like the mantel or my kitchen shelves, but let’s move onto a more practical and obvious purpose.

 

Of course you want to use a galvanized tray for serving food and drinks. Mine is pretty big so lots will fit on it. It’s especially great for summer months when entertaining outside. You can fit many things on the tray for the trip outdoors, which means less trips in and out of the house.

 

I found the imported Italian water at the grocery store and thought the bottles were so pretty with their orange accents, and perfect for the summer season. Often, that’s how I decide which wine to buy … if I like the label I buy it. I’ve actually been pretty successful choosing wine in this very sophisticated way.

Before I decide I want to eat a piece of that cake which is currently in the refrigerator, I’ll get on with the third and final use of a galvanized tray.

 

Group items together on a galvanized tray for an easy coffee table vignette.

 

I love vintage books and use them a lot when decorating my home (which reinforces my earlier point about decorating with things you love). Instead of stacking all of them, I stood them up by leaning them against another white painted box holding a twine ball.

 

I found the beautiful pink fuchsia at our local nursery and decided to use it in my vignette before taking it outside to plant in the garden.

 

I love its delicate little blooms. It’s such an elegant plant.

 

Probably the best reason for using a galvanized tray on your coffee table is … if you need to remove the items to make room for a snack or drinks, you simply move the entire tray as opposed to all of those individual items.

 

What are some ways you’ve used a galvanized tray? I’d love to hear your ideas!