3 chic bathtub trays you can DIY for under $30

Do you like lounging in the tub, but don’t have anywhere to rest your book or bath time snacks? Anthony Bellusci has the bathtub tray for you.

Slat Tray (pictured on the left)

Materials & Tools

  • Wood flat stock – 1/2 x 2’s – 2 pieces (30 inches or longer)
  • Wood flat stock – 1/2 x 2’s – 16 – 20 pieces cut to 9 inches in length
  • Sand paper
  • Stain & foam brush
  • Urethane & foam brush
  • Wood Glue
  • Drill, drill bits, screws & screwdriver

Instructions

  1. Cut two pieces of 1/2 x 2’s – 30 inches or longer (width of bathtub including tub deck).
  2. Cut 16 – 20 pieces of 1/2 x 2’s to 9 inches in length.
  3. Sand all cut edges.
  4. Stain all pieces.
  5. Lightly sand all pieces and urethane.
  6. Position two long pieces approximately 9 inches apart.
  7. Glue 9 inch pieces along length of two longer pieces creating a ladder design with equal spacing between each 9 inch piece (save two 9 inch pieces for next step).
  8. Turn dried assembly facing down and secure two remaining 9 inch pieces to be positioned just inside width of bathtub interior – secure with screws to long pieces.
  9. Optional – add felt pads to underside of tray where contact is made with bathtub surface.

Approximate Cost $30

 

Stair Spindle Tray (pictured on the right)

Materials and Tools

  • Two stair spindles – cut to 30 inches or wider
  • Hardboard 10 inches x 24 inches (1/4 inch thick)
  • 2 – 4 vinyl place mats
  • Glue (strong glue)
  • Sand paper
  • Paint & paint brushes
  • Scissors
  • Drill, drill bits, screws & screwdriver

Instructions

  1. Cut vinyl place mats to cover both sides of hardboard.
  2. Glue place mats on both sides of hardboard.
  3. Sand spindles and prepare for painting.
  4. Paint spindles and edges of hardboard.
  5. Place spindles 10 inches apart (parallel to one another).
  6. Place hardboard over top aligning edge of hardboard with spindles.
  7. Drill pilot holes to secure hardboard to spindles from underside of assembly with screws.
  8. Optional – add felt pads to underside of tray where contact is made with bathtub surface.

Approximate Cost $20

 

Carrara Marble Tray

Materials and Tools

  • Kitchen cupboard door (30 inches long / tall or larger)
  • Wood stock – 1 x 2’s – 2 pieces cut to 8 inches in length
  • Wood glue
  • Wood fill
  • Sand paper
  • Cabinet pull handles (2)
  • White & Grey paint
  • Feather
  • Water in misting bottle
  • Cloth
  • Drill, drill bits & screwdriver

Instructions

  1. Fill former cabinet holes with wood fill and sand smooth.
  2. Paint cabinet door and 1×2 cut pieces white.
  3. Glue 1×2 pieces on back of door – positioned perpendicular to the long side of the cabinet door and placed apart just inside the width of bathtub interior.
  4. Mix three parts grey paint with one part water.
  5. Using a feather, dip in grey paint mixture and lightly drag and twist feather along white tray surface.
  6. Mist paint with water and dab off excess with cloth.
  7. Repeat vein painting.
  8. Drill pilot holes for pull handles.
  9. Secure handles in place.
  10. Optional – add felt pads to underside of tray where contact is made with bathtub surface.
  11. Optional – coat tray with protective clear coat / urethane.

Approximate cost: $20