How to Style an Autumn tray Celebrating the Sumptuous Harvest

I get amazing joy from decorating my home for the holidays and the seasons. It can be something grand like a imposing display across my mantel or something more simple like a vignette or a tray. A decorative tray can hold anything and can be used anywhere. I will admit, I like using trays of any kind, wood, ceramic, metal, mirror, seagrass or wicker. Welcome to my Autumn tray, if you are joining from Katherine, I am so happy to have you here!

I am so happy to be joining Katherine, from Katherine’s Corner for a delightful event, an, “Autumn on a tray tour”.

Autumn, also known as Fall in North America, is one of the four temperate seasons, this one, marking the transition from Summer to Winter. Of course, one of the most commanding events of autumn is the beautiful changing of the leaves to resplendent colors as they prepare to fall.

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You can read more about the allegories of autumn at Wikipedia, where you can learn some unique things associated with the season.

Where to use trays:

• coffee tables
• beds
• dining tables
• entry tables
• bathroom counters
• dressing tables
• ottomans
• kitchens
• nightstands

Why to use trays:

• To corral items
• To keep items handy
• To serve up food
• to display pretty things

An Autumn Tray with food:

I like to keep things organized. Trays are a great way to do that. Instead of items all over the table, the tray keeps everything organized. I selected this seagrass basket tray to style for a casual evening snack of cheese and crackers.

A wedge of brie and some blueberry-vanilla goat cheese were served up with some Fig and Rosemary cracker crisps. I wasn’t making a big cheese plate, just something simple, but I did add a few berries and spiced almonds.

I added autumn accents of pumpkin adorned plates and these pretty Hester & Cook cocktail napkins featuring oak leaves and acorns.

You can find the cocktail napkins here: Hester & Cook

My favorite thing about serving cheeses at this time of year is using this set of spreaders with these oak leaf and acorn handles.

Of course, this was the perfect time to display a collection of my yarn pumpkins. I have had so much fun making these little cuties this year. You can see all about how I made them at DIY Yarn Pumpkins. If I had the time, I think I could make another 50 of these this year!

The big wood slice was another nod to cozy fall decor. I tucked artificial oak leaves and artificial acorns around the pumpkins and other items on my tray.

Styling an Autumn tray on a coffee table:

Now, you know I don’t have food sitting out on my coffee table all of the time. That doesn’t mean I don’t have the tray there. The food has been put away, but the fall decor accents have stayed.

A galvanized lantern, a pair of pumpkin adorned plates, wood slices, the yarn wrapped pumpkins with their twig stems all lend a natural air to this seagrass tray.

Instead of adding a candle to my lantern, I filled it with more pumpkins and oak leaves.

Wood accents, the cutting boards, and wood slices are tucked among the pumpkins.

When styling a tray, use items that are a variety of heights and textures. The pumpkin dishes are smooth and hard. The yarn pumpkins are soft and fuzzy. The lantern added the height to the tray.

Shop this look:

Pumpkin plates
Bargain Wicker Tray
Luxury Wicker Tray
Faux Oak leaves
Galvanized lantern

Now, your next blog on the tour is: Design and Events

Looking for more fall inspiration:

Visit these blogs for more beautiful Autumn trays:

Debbie Styles Life
My Hubbard Home
The Crowned Goat
The Painted Apron
My Home of All Seasons
Dinner at Eight
Crafts ala Mode
Shoestring Elegance