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It’s difficult to judge which furnishings and decorative objects control that nebulous idea of “making a house a home.” I’ve seen beautiful classic abodes filled with antiques that feel cold and spartan. I’ve also seen modern, minimalist ones with hardly anything in them feel warm and inviting. We can disagree on wallpaper, we can disagree on figurines, and we can disagree on light fixtures, but there are certain details that consensually spice up any space. This is where I’d like to make the case for serving trays. Related Stories The 10 Best Kitchen Faucets With Pull-Down Sprayers That Make Cleanup a Breeze Robb Recommends: The High-Powered Electric Toothbrush That Gets Everything Just Right Robb Recommends: The Future-Proof Clothing Line That Kills Germs and Withstands Fire
Everyone has different tastes and every room is unique, but there’s something universally special about having the right serving tray in a room. The function of these home accessories is so straightforward and utilitarian (they hold things), from books to candles to cocktails. But the best ones are able to stand alone, adding some texture and sense of intrigue to a space. Personally, I have a giant vintage Hermès serving tray on my ottoman. It has followed me from apartment to apartment. It has become an essential component to my home’s atmosphere.
If you’re to follow my example, check out the best serving trays to give or receive this season.
The first question you need to think about when looking for the best serving tray is whether its function will be utilitarian or purely decorative. Options designed to carry things will need to be larger and sturdier, whereas others that serve as mere accessories can be more delicate and ornamental. From there, these are some attributes to keep in mind.
Dimensions: Consider the proportions and scale of a particular serving tray before you commit to it. You’ll also need to consider where it’s going to live in your home—and whether it’s going to look too big or too small for a given ottoman or table.
Material: Trays can be made of woods, leathers, acrylics, metals, and even marble. If you plan on actually using one to actually serve food and beverages, consider something lighter weight. Wood and leather options would be most ideal for this scenario, as they are both durable and less cumbersome than, say, something made of stone or plastic. And if you’re looking for a statement piece, consider styles with more heft.
Style: The refreshing thing about design these days is that there really are no rules. Live in a colonial house but have a penchant for midcentury modern? No problem! Is your space decidedly minimalist but you prefer artisanal or natural-feeling pieces? Go right ahead! Serving trays come in every design style under the sun, and if you search hard enough you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. Luckily, we did the heavy lifting and curated the best serving trays of the season.
Ralph Lauren’s iconic home collection is all the rage these days—and for good reason. Primarily, it’s designed with a classic sensibility that feels modern and versatile enough to work in any home. This tray in particular is part of the brand’s Wyatt line, handmade with luxurious calfskin that brings Ralph Lauren–approved elegance to any room. It has the perfect size and heft to feel substantial but is also low-profile enough to be styled according to your personal taste. Dimensions: 20 x 14 x 3 inches. Material: Leather. Style: Transitional.
A lacquered tray works wonders for any room. This colorful piece from Jonathan Adler—designed with one of the brand’s signatures, a serpent design—is both sophisticated and playful. It’ll make a great addition to maximalist rooms or make a statement in more neutral ones. Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 2 inches. Material: Lacquer. Style: East Asian.
Is there any brand that does leather better than Hermès? The two handles on this beauty are made from highest-quality saddle-stitched bridle leather, a hallmark of the storied French label. The attention to detail continues with the material; this tray is made of mahogany, cassia, and oak, with perfectly executed comb joints. The leather, the carpentry, the grain of the wood: Everything about it is truly excellent. In fact, it may be too beautiful to serve its intended purpose. Dimensions: 20.1 x 14.6 inches. Material: Leather and wood. Style: Transitional.
Every man needs a reliable mid-sized wood tray in his home—whether it’s for serving charcuterie at a cocktail party or serving style in a den or office. Indeed, there are many options available, but this one from the Conran Shop, a brand celebrated for creating the sleekest wood accessories, tops our list. It is made of walnut with a rich veneer and is sensibly sized to fit on most end tables, coffee tables, and credenzas. Dimensions: 14.7 x 12 x 1 inches. Material: Walnut. Style: Midcentury modern.
Form and function go hand in hand with the tray from Nambé. As its name clearly indicates, this item is meant for serving spirits, a great addition to an at-home bar. It is made of stainless steel, which means you can easily wipe off stains, and hand-stitched leather accents for added richness. It’s simply begging to have a cocktail shaker and a Martini glass put on top of it. Dimensions: 13.25 x 1.5 inches. Material: Stainless steel and leather. Style: Midcentury modern.
When it comes to contemporary home accents, it rarely gets any better than Georg Jensen. The brand is a master of metalwork, creating interesting silhouettes that simultaneously feel classic and futuristic—and this kidney-shaped serving tray, made of mirror-polished stainless steel, is no exception. Admittedly, it works best for modern interiors, but it could also act as a fun counterpoint for more classic and transitional spaces. Dimensions: 8.6 x 17.3 inches. Material: Stainless steel. Style: Contemporary.
This serving tray is beautifully proportioned. At nearly two feet long, it has plenty of space to hold all the drinks and snacks for your next party. It’s also made of an easy-to-care-for acrylic that’ll definitely pop in any space. But if bright orange or lime green is too bold for your liking, the style also comes in clear acrylic. Dimensions: 21 x 16 x 2 inches. Material: Acrylic. Style: Modern.
Lean in to cottagecore with this wicker tray set, which includes not one but two nest-esque trays. The thick and sturdy wicker will look at home in more rustic, coastal, and traditional interiors. It’s just the thing you need for your ski chalet. Dimensions: 4.5 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches. Material: Wicker. Style: Farmhouse.
Durable, safe, easy-to-clean: There are plenty of reasons to admire pewter. It’s easy to see why our Revolutionary War–era forebears loved it so much. This extra-large serving tray has the right scale to make for a dramatic addition to all your dinner and cocktail parties. The handles are sturdy, and it’s crafted in a beautiful matte finish for a vintage-inspired appearance. Dimensions: 14 x 17.75 inches. Material: Pewter. Style: Classic.
Your toast, French press coffee, and orange juice will taste so much better each morning when served on this striking Dolce & Gabbana tray. It’s crafted from a lacquered wood with a glossy finish in a signature Mediterranean-inspired motif that evokes all the sights, scents, and emotions of being a coastal retreat in Sicily. Dimensions: 18.15 x 11.75 x 2.25 inches. Material: Wood. Style: Mediterranean.
Todd Plummer is a Boston-based style and travel writer. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harper's Bazaar, New York Times, Vogue, W and more.
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