I know what you’re thinking: decorating a tiered tray looks expensive, right? The truth is, it doesn’t have to be. So I’m walking you through how to decorate both a two-tier and a three-tier tray without spending a lot.
Everything I used came from Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, or things I already had at home. I love showing you how simple it can be to make something beautiful without emptying your wallet.
Tiered trays are such a fun way to bring charm into your kitchen or dining area. Whether it’s for every day or for the holidays, they let you show off your favorite pieces in one place. I’ve been collecting farmhouse finds for years, and this project brings them all together.
Laying Out Your Decor
Before I start decorating, I always spread everything out on a table so I can see what I have. This makes it easier to mix colors and textures. A lot of my pieces are DIYs I’ve made in past videos, and some are small things I’ve picked up from Dollar Tree.
I also like to “shop my home,” meaning I reuse decor I already have. It’s an easy way to keep things fresh without buying new items.
For this setup, I used a mix of black, white, and green to keep everything looking clean and timeless. Those colors fit right into my dining room and blend perfectly with the rest of my farmhouse decor.
Choosing Statement Pieces
Every tray needs a few standout pieces that grab your attention. For mine, I added a small “Farm Sweet Farm” pig sign from Hobby Lobby and a few DIY pieces I’ve made. Little details like that help fill the tray without cluttering it. I also used a couple of black and white canisters from Dollar Tree. I just took off the lids and tucked in a few sprigs of greenery.
Simple, easy, and instantly pretty. The small black houses came from Target’s dollar section after Christmas one year. That’s one of my favorite times to shop because everything’s marked down, and you can find neutral pieces that work year-round. Those little houses cost less than two dollars each, and they look adorable on any tray.
Adding DIY Touches
If you love crafting, this part is where you can really have fun. I used one of my faux leather Dollar Tree signs and added a custom transfer on top to give it a rustic feel. I also made my own beaded garland using wood beads and a small goat charm from More Decal and Decor.
The rolling pins were another easy DIY. I painted them white, added transfers from Dollar Tree, and tied a bit of ribbon around them. They add texture and fill the empty spaces perfectly.
I like using small things like that because they’re inexpensive and can be switched out anytime. You can paint them for different seasons, change the ribbon color, or even add new decals. Once you have a few handmade pieces, decorating becomes a lot easier because you already have a collection of items that fit your style.
Mixing Greenery and Texture
One of the best tricks to make your tray look full and finished is greenery. I used boxwood stems from Walmart — they’re only two dollars for a small bunch. You can tuck them behind decor pieces or lay them flat around the base of the tray.
It softens all the hard edges and makes everything look layered.
If you can’t find boxwood, try lamb’s ear. It has a muted gray-green color that looks beautiful with farmhouse tones. You don’t need a lot, just enough to peek out between your decor pieces.
This small touch makes your tray look like something you’d see in a magazine.
Decorating the Three-Tier Tray
My three-tier tray is one of my favorite pieces to decorate. It’s tall, sturdy, and gives me plenty of space to layer items. The key is to balance everything so it doesn’t feel crowded. I start from the bottom and work my way up.
The bottom tier usually holds the biggest pieces: things like small crates, signs, or candle jars. I used a Dollar Tree wooden crate and added a few farmhouse-style accents inside. The middle tier is for medium pieces like small signs or jars, and the top tier gets the lightest pieces, such as greenery or tiny ornaments.
I like to repeat colors on each level so the whole tray feels balanced. You’ll notice the same black and white tones on each tier, along with bits of green to tie it all together. When it’s done, the tray looks cozy and complete without being overdone.
Two-Tier Tray Styling
For my smaller two-tier tray, I followed the same idea but kept it simpler. The tray came from TJ Maxx and cost $14.99. I reused a few pieces from the larger tray, one of the black houses, a few DIY signs, and some greenery. You don’t need a lot to make a smaller tray stand out.
I also added a small clock from TJ Maxx and a galvanized piece from Hobby Lobby. The mix of metal and wood adds that classic farmhouse touch. The trick is to play with height and shape. If one side feels too heavy, swap things around until it feels balanced.
You can even mix in items from different seasons. For example, I added a little pig house I made from a Dollar Tree shadow box a few years ago. It’s one of my favorite DIYs and fits perfectly with the rest of the pieces.
Keeping It Budget-Friendly
The best part of this project is how affordable it is. Most of the decor came from Dollar Tree or Walmart, and each item costs around one or two dollars. Even the more expensive pieces, like the trays from Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx, are things I’ve had for years.
When you decorate with a mix of new and old, it saves money and still looks beautiful.
If you ever feel like you need new decor, try shopping after the holidays when everything is discounted. Look for neutral items like small houses, signs, or greenery that you can use all year.
Decorating doesn’t have to be about buying more. It’s about finding creative ways to reuse what you already love.
Bringing It All Together
Once both trays were finished, I stepped back and looked at how everything came together. The three-tier tray sits in my dining room, where the black, white, and green colors match perfectly with my other decor. The smaller tray sits on my counter and ties everything together beautifully.
Every item has a purpose, and nothing feels out of place. That’s what makes farmhouse decorating so fun. You can mix simple pieces and create something that feels warm and personal.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a lot to make your home look special. With a few DIYs, some greenery, and a handful of Dollar Tree finds, you can style a tiered tray that looks like it came from a high-end store. Take your time and enjoy the process. Move things around until they look right to you. Decorating is about creativity, not perfection.
If you try one of these tray setups, I’d love to know how it turns out. Share your version with me in the comments and tell me your favorite color scheme to decorate with. I hope these ideas show you that beautiful decor doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
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