I found these clip on couch/sofa arm trays at the thrift store for $1.50 each. I grabbed a couple and had fun upcycling them in a couple different ways.
Here’s one of the original trays I found at the thrift store. The rest of the materials for this project I already had on hand.
I lightly sanded the surface of both trays and wiped them clean with denatured alcohol to get them ready for painting.
For the first try I lightly painted on a couple coats of Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in the color glacier and let that dry completely.
I wanted to try hand blending paint, so I added Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in the colors – seaside & lilac. I dabbed on some of the paint and smeared it with my hands. You can see this better in the video with this post.
Once that had dried I added a Plaid stencil and held it in place with Plaid stencil tape. I dabbed on Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in the color white with my stencil brush and dabbed it onto the stencil. You can see the stenciling technique on the video provided with this post.
For my second tray, I painted the tray with a couple coats of White Waverly Chalk Paint and let that dry.
I then hand blended Waverly Chalk Paint in the colors crimson and ocean. I dabbed on some of the paint and smeared it with my hands. You can see this better in the video with this post.
Once that dried, I used Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in the color white and pounced my Plaid stencil brush onto the stencil. You can see the stenciling technique on the video provided with this post.
Once the trays were dry, I coated them with Folk Art Home Decor Varnish to protect it. I love how these 2 arm tables turned out.
They fit the couches perfectly and they’re getting tons of use.
They’re both really pretty!! I wish I could find some of these at my local thrift store. I’m always laying books on the arm of the couch and accidentally knocking them off. 😀
Thank you so much Michelle, and keep your eye out – you’ll never know what you can find at a Thrift Store 🙂
Totally awesome! I have never seen trays like these. And your upcycling of them turned them from something meh, to fantastic. Love it! Thank you for linking up to Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much Michelle, we’re really putting them to good use and enjoying them.
These trays are perfect for the family room. Love your up-cycle designs.
Happy New Year,
Kippi
Thank you Kippi and thanks for the kind words.
What a great idea! These turned out wonderful!
Thank you so much Sarah, we’re enjoying them and putting them to great use.
Hi, Chas. Thank you for sharing this on Traffic Jam Weekend! It has been chosen as a fave feature for this week’s party going live on Thursday at 5:00 pm CST.
Thank you so much Kimberly, I’m thrilled everyone is enjoying the post. See you at the next party.
What great items to find for $1.50 and make over! I love how they attach to the chair.
Thank you so much Kristie, we have been enjoying them and putting them to great use.
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too!
Thank you so much Marilyn – you’re the best
I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who uses her fingers! I always find I have better control of the result that way. These look great, Chas, I need to look for some in my travels!
Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s!
Thank you Ann, and – you’re right – sometimes our hands jut need to get dirty 🙂
These are such a great upcycle! Love their fun new farmhouse look.
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome upcycle with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!
Thank you so much Sam, we have been putting them to great use
I have not seen one of these ever, and you found them so cheap, I love the little bumblebee stencil makeover.
Thank you for joining the Waste not Wednesday party, and your post is one of the features.
Thank you Leanna, and thank you so much for the feature. I appreciate all the support.