Transform Old Casserole Holders Into Cute Trays
Revamp Your Decor: Turn Old Casserole Holders into Charming Trays
Give your home a creative boost by upcycling old casserole holders into stylish, functional trays! This rewarding DIY project transforms forgotten kitchenware into beautiful pieces perfect for display, organization, or serving.
Finding the Right Casserole Holder
Success starts with selecting the ideal holder. When browsing thrift shops or antique stores, look for pieces with a defined “lip” or inner rim around the inside edge. This ridge is essential—it gives your wooden insert a place to rest securely without slipping through.
For example, a rectangular holder with a consistent inner edge all the way around is “perfect to sit a wood piece on.” This kind of detail ensures both ease of assembly and long-term stability.
Making the Wooden Insert
Crafting the wooden base involves precision and patience. Choose a board about 1/2 inch thick—this provides strength while fitting comfortably inside the holder.
Start by flipping the casserole holder upside down and tracing its inside edge onto your wood. Then, carefully cut outside the traced line with a jigsaw. After this rough cut, begin the process of trial and error to fine-tune the shape: test, trim, and repeat until the insert fits snugly. Note that rectangular shapes, with their sharp corners, can be trickier than rounds—but the effort is worth it.
Customizing the Look
Once your wooden piece fits, it’s time to personalize your tray!
You can choose to paint the metal holder—or not. If you do paint it, chalk paint offers great coverage, and sealing it with a clear topcoat like Krylon ensures durability. “Using a clear spray topcoat is an easy way to seal it if you painted.”
As for the wooden insert, you can paint, stain, or seal it depending on your desired aesthetic. A clear wax or polycrylic adds protection while preserving the natural wood grain.
Want to add flair? Try a rub-on transfer for a vintage vibe, use a stencil for repeating patterns, or even hand-paint your own design. In one example, the deeper shape of the holder inspired a non-painted finish—ideal for use as a condiment caddy or whimsical plant stand.
Securing the Insert
Whether or not you need adhesive depends on how the wood fits. If it’s a snug fit, glue may not be necessary—as one DIYer shared, “it fit very snug so I did not glue.” But if you want extra stability, options include hot glue for temporary holds or E6000 for a more permanent bond.
In designs where “the metal bows out like a doughnut,” adhesive is usually essential to keep the wood in place.
Experiment with Finishes
The customization options are endless. One creative route involved using Fusion-brand paint followed by decoupaged floral accents and multiple coats of brushed-on polycrylic for a striking, durable finish. Another method used a diluted paint wash to mimic a wood stain, offering a more natural look.
Hopefully, these ideas have sparked your own vision for a casserole tray makeover. This project is not only fun and practical but also a great way to breathe new life into overlooked items.
The piece I’m working on now has a metal shape that bows out like a doughnut—so I’ll definitely need to glue the wooden base inside for it to stay secure!
