A tray is the simplest styling trick there is. Put a few everyday things on one and they stop looking like clutter and start looking like a choice. In solid marble, the tray itself becomes part of the decor.
Here are seven places around the house where a marble tray earns its keep, plus a few rules that make any arrangement look better.
1. The bathroom vanity
This is the classic. Corral perfume bottles, a cotton jar, a candle and hand soap so the counter wipes clean in seconds. Marble handles a damp bathroom well; just wipe up any spills of perfume or oil promptly.
2. Next to the stove
Olive oil, a salt cellar and a pepper mill live right where you cook. A tray keeps drips off the counter and makes the cleanup a one-handed lift. Wipe oil drips the same day so they don't sit on the stone.
3. The coffee table
A candle, a small plant and a stack of coasters. Three things, different heights, done. The gold handles make it easy to move everything at once when you need the table.
4. The entryway
Keys, sunglasses and earbuds always end up somewhere. Give them a tray by the door and you'll stop hunting for them on the way out.
5. The nightstand
Your watch, a ring dish, reading glasses and hand cream. If your nightstand is crowded with a charger cord too, our wall-mounted Apple Watch chargers clear that up.
6. The bar cart
A tray anchors a bar cart and gives it a finished look. Add a cocktail shaker, a couple of glasses and a bottle opener that says something about the host.
7. The dresser
Perfume, a jewelry dish and the things you reach for every morning. Pair it with a marble jewelry tree so necklaces hang free instead of tangling in a pile.
Three styling rules that always work
- Use odd numbers. Three or five objects look more natural than two or four.
- Vary the heights. Pair something tall, something medium and something low.
- Leave some marble showing. Empty space is what makes a tray look styled rather than full.
Caring for marble
Wipe with a soft, damp cloth and a drop of mild, pH-neutral soap, then dry. Skip vinegar, lemon and abrasive cleaners, which can dull natural stone.
Marble Jewelry TreeWhite or grey marble
Marble File HolderFor the desk or counter