Simple wood tray - great for gifts!

A follower-friend recently asked me to share building plans for a gift I was making and had shared on FB. This is for you Debra-Ann!

How to Build a Wood Tray with Mitred Corners

There’s something classy about a wood tray. It screams, “I’ve got my life together enough to serve drinks without juggling cups in my hands!” And when that wood tray has mitred corners? Well, you’ve just crossed into woodworking royalty.

If you’re thinking, “Mitred corners? Isn’t that woodworking for people with monocles?” don’t worry. I’ve got your back—and I promise this guide is simple

Step 1: Gather Your Materials (and Your Courage)

To build a wood tray, you’ll need:

Wood: Choose something sturdy like pine, oak, or even plywood if you’re feeling frugal.
Saw: A mitre saw makes life easier, but a handsaw will do if you’re patient.
Wood Glue: To hold your dreams together.
Clamps: Because gravity is not on your side.
Sandpaper: For smoothing out your (ahem) imperfections.
Paint or Stain: To cover up said imperfections.
Handles: To turn your wood tray into something actually functional.

Optional: A snack to keep your spirits up during the process.

Step 2: Cut Your Wood (and Try to Keep All Your Fingers)

Here’s where the magic happens—or where you wonder why you ever started this project. Measure and cut your wood for the tray:

Base: 13 ¾” x 7 ¾” x ½” plywood is what I’m using, but feel free to adjust sizing for your needs.
Sides: (2) pieces at 15″ long cut at 45-degree angles on either end. (Your short side will be 13 ¾”)
- (2) pieces at 9″ long with 45° angles on either end. (short side will be 7 ¾”)

The height of my side pieces is 2 ½”, but again, you can make your tray deeper or shallower if you like.

Pro tip: Double-check your angles. A 46-degree corner is the woodworking equivalent of showing up to a wedding in jeans—awkward and noticeable.

Step 3: Glue It and Clamp It

Apply wood glue to the edges of your base and attach the side pieces. This is where your mitred corners come together like a beautifully choreographed dance… or a slightly offbeat one.

Clamp everything in place, and don’t be stingy. Your wood tray needs all the love (and pressure) it can get. Let it dry overnight, even though you’ll be tempted to poke at it in an hour.

Add finishing nails to hold it in place while it dries if you like, but the glue is doing the heavy lifting (holding), so as long as you let it dry completely, you won’t actually need nails.

How to Build a Wood Tray with Butt Joints

The only thing changing between the mitred corner build and the butt-joint build is how you cut your sides

Base: 13 ¾” x 7 ¾” x ½” plywood is what I’m using, but feel free to adjust sizing for your needs.
Sides: (2) pieces at 15″ long
- (2) pieces at 7 ¾” long

When gluing up your butt joints, tuck the shorter sides inside the longer ones. Easy-peasy!

Step 4: Sand Like You Mean It

Once the glue is dry, grab your sandpaper and channel your inner Mr. Miyagi: wax on, wax off. Sand down the edges, corners, and any glue blobs you were too heavy-handed with.

This is also a good time to reflect on how awesome you are for building a wood tray. Or several if you assembly-lined it like I did!

Step 5: Paint, Stain, or Pretend It’s Rustic

Now comes the fun part: deciding how to finish your masterpiece.

Stain it for a classic look.
Paint it for a pop of color.
Leave it plain and call it “minimalist chic.”

Pro tip: Don’t forget to seal it with a clear topcoat. Nobody likes a soggy wood tray.

Step 6: Add Handles and Flaunt It

Attach handles to the sides of your tray. Pick something that matches your decor—or go for something quirky and unique. You’re officially a tray artisan now; own it.

Pro Tip: buying bulk boxes of handles is much cheaper than buying singles. These black handles are the ones I used for this build (Amazon affiliate link. For full affiliate disclosure, please see the bottom of the page)

Test it out with some cups or a stack of cookies. If it holds, congratulations—you’ve successfully built a wood tray! If it doesn’t… well, let’s call it a decorative piece.

Why They’ll/You’ll Love Your Simple Wood Tray

It’s Practical: Coffee in bed, anyone?
It’s Fancy: Those mitred corners? Pure sophistication.
It’s Brag-Worthy: “Oh, this tray? I made it myself.”
It creates a vignette: Corral like items to tell a story; think hot cocoa station or a set of candles
Get organized: quit spreading your toiletries all over his side of the counter.
Price: a functional and fabulous gift that costs a fraction of what you’d spend in-store