Our Hopeful Home: DIY Wooden Tray Target Decor

I recently picked up a round wooden Target tray from - you guessed it - Goodwill. I knew it would be a perfect fit for the top of my Pottery Barn cask round lidded basket which I've featured here before. The tray was new, and the price was right ($2.99), but the color wasn't. It also had a weird pattern on it that I didn't like. So I'm sure you can take a guess as to what I did with it.

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The Round Target Tray "Before"

Yikes! Here it is in its original condition. See what I mean? Due to its rather unique color I knew I'd probably need some sort of primer. Luckily I had some Rustoleum American Accents 2x Ultra Cover Spray Primer on hand. I also recently purchased a Rustoleum Comfort Spray Paint Grip and I was excited to try it. I'm not being paid to talk about either one, I just really like them both and wanted to share some of my (admittedly novice) spray paint tips with you. I'll be including a supply list at the end of this post for those of you who are interested in getting your spray paint groove on.

spray paint can holder Rustoleum Comfort Grip

I must say it made the priming job a real breeze compared to traditional spray painting. Without the grip I've been known to end up with drips and clumps of paint rather than an all-around smooth finish. It worked quickly and easily, and it's crazy inexpensive for the value it provides, so I have to say that the Rustoleum Comfort Spray Paint Grip is a real winner. I also think you end up using less paint with it, because it makes it easier to have a light hand. And speaking of hands, my hand didn't hurt when I was done! Note: Before painting it I placed the tray onto some risers and set them up on a lazy Susan, so that I could slowly turn it around as I painted it.

The Round Target Tray After Priming

Here's the tray after one coat of primer, which is all it needed. I didn't have to worry about any primer (or paint) getting on the actual flat carrying surface of the tray since I knew that I was going to be covering it up with my favorite Dollar Store contact paper. I fell in love with the pattern when I used it for another recent thrift store tray transformation. If you can't find this pattern at your local Dollar Store I know that Amazon carries it as Con-Tact Creative Covering Self-Adhesive Vinyl Shelf and Drawer Liner.

Trace and Cut Out Your Contact Paper

If you're going to go this route, before painting, be sure to place the tray onto the contact paper and draw an outline around the tray. You'll end up with a round piece of contact paper that is just a tad big for the inside of the tray. After you cut it out you can place it into the tray and adjust the size at that time for a more perfect fit before permanently adhering it to the tray.

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting White

I used DecoArt's Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting, which is - surprise - a lovely shade of white. Since the paint was not spray paint I had to paint the tray by hand.

I love the ultra matte look it produced.

The Round Target Tray "After"

And here it is after two coats of paint and the contact paper insert.

I know I said I intended to use the tray on top of my lidded basket in the family room, but I really love how it looks in our kitchen eating area on top of my vintage metal storage cart. It's in keeping with my underlying farmhouse feel and I love it!

Here it is on top of the basket. I really do need a tray there since the basket lid is not flat enough to serve as a side table on its own.

It really makes it much easier to place items on top of the basket, like the lamp, as well as any vignettes I might want to create in the future. Guess I'll just have to move it back and forth from one room to the other!