The unlikely decor item that can transform any space and make even clutter look stylish

Bare surfaces on coffee tables and benchtops can look unfinished without anything on them, but deciding what to add there can be tricky if you feel overwhelmed or lack confidence when decorating your home.

One simple and budget-friendly item can change that by making any styling novice feel like a pro by making a simple group of objects – even a box of tissues or keys by the door – look elevated and considered. 

Interior stylist Cayley Scrooby from Sovereign Interiors told nine.com.au trays are “one of the easiest styling tools”. She likes to use them to add another material into the room to add some texture, and to make a group of objects feel like they belong together.

“Our eyes naturally like organisation. When objects are scattered across a surface, they read as clutter, but when they’re grouped together within a tray, they become one considered arrangement,” she said.

“It’s a simple styling principle we use all the time. A candle, a book and a small decorative object might seem unrelated on their own, but place them on a tray, and they instantly become a vignette.”

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A vignette is a small display of objects that add personality and ambience to your home by telling a kind of story with decor. This process is made easier by using a tray to ground or highlight these displays.

To come up with your own tray-based vignette, you can use things you already have or buy some new seasonal pieces. Since it’s not permanent, try playing around with different arrangements until you find one you like and feels right in the space.

Following basic styling principles like grouping odd numbers of decor together – such as three items rather than two or four, not including the tray – and imagining a triangle shape when placing varying sized pieces will have you well on your way to a gorgeous arrangement.

“I usually start with one larger piece to anchor the arrangement, like a vase or sculptural object, then layer in something lower, such as a candle or decorative bowl, before finishing with a book or smaller accessory,” Scrooby said.

“Varying height, shape and texture is what makes a vignette feel natural. You also don’t need to fill every corner of the tray. Leaving some negative space is often what gives the arrangement its sense of refinement.”

There are plenty of tray designs to choose from for your vignettes, ranging from plain timber and bamboo trays to painted, carved or etched options. You can also find metal and glass trays with metallic finishes, mosaic stone look trays, woven trays and – the trending look of the moment – marble trays. Look to the space the tray will be placed in for cues as to the best texture, material and colour to look for when selecting a tray.

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“I always choose a tray in the context of the room, rather than as a standalone object. If there’s already a lot of texture or pattern, a simple timber, leather or stone tray creates balance. If the room is quite minimal, introducing a woven finish or natural stone can add warmth and diversity,” Scrooby said.

“Rather than trying to match every finish exactly, I look for materials that echo what’s already in the space. Repeating timber tones, metals or natural textures creates a home that feels layered and collected rather than perfectly coordinated.”

But just because trays are an easy styling tool, doesn’t mean they should be used on every surface, and the same goes for other decorative objects.

“A beautifully styled tray on one coffee table will have far more impact than decorative objects scattered across every available surface. Good styling isn’t about adding more; it’s about being more selective with what you choose to display.”