Checking In With Chelsea

DIY ideas, crafts, and tips for your home

subscribe and never miss a thing!

Receive Free Email Updates

  • About
  • Videos
  • Projects
    • Indoor Projects
    • Outdoor Projects
    • Craft Projects
  • House Tour

How To Build a Simple Tray to Expand Your Deck

July 10, 2020 By Chelsea Lipford Wolf 2 Comments

DIY Plans for an Easy Handrail Serving Tray

Build this simple serving tray to sit on top of your deck handrails and create more space for food and drinks on a small deck while entertaining outside! A beginner DIY project you’ll use for many years!

Completed DIY Serving Tray Extends Use of Deck

Materials

  • edge-glued panel*(Mine is 4 feet)
  • (2) 1″x2″x6′*
  • 2″ deck screws*
  • exterior urethane*
  • cheap brush*

This project is sponsored by Exmark Mowers. You can watch my full how-to video (and many more outdoor videos!) on their Backyard Life website!*

Cut 1×2 to Size

The first step is to measure the width of your deck handrail. Mine is 5-1/4″ after 8 years of weathering.
Cut one 1×2 in half (3′). For the other 1×2, you’ll want to cut (1) piece at 46-1/2″ with mitered ends. Then cut (2) at 16-1/2″ with a miter on one side of each. These measurements allow for a 3/4″ inch reveal on the tray after they are installed. (More on that in a bit.)

To add a slightly decorative touch, I cut the blunt ends of the 16-1/2″ pieces at a 45 degree angle that stopped 1/2 an inch up.

Cut Decorative End on 1x2 Pine Tray Side Rail

Attach Supports

Glance over your wood panel and select the ‘pretty side’. Put it face down on your work table so we can attach the rails underneath first.

I’m placing my support pieces 5-1/2″ apart (and centered lengthwise) to give my 5-1/4″ handrail a tiny bit of breathing room for expansion. Pre-drill 3 holes on each 1×2 with a small pilot bit.

Pre-drilling Hole to Attach 1x2 to Bottom of Serving Tray

Then use 2″ coated deck screws through the 1×2 to attach it to the wood panel.

Now turn it back over to get the top ready!

Install Tray Sides

Using a straight edge (like a 4′ level) and a tape measure, mark 3/4″ down the length of 3 sides so you can uniformly install the sides of the tray.

Hold the longer piece in place while you attach it from underneath using the same 2″ deck screws. Installing from underneath keeps any fasteners from being visible and keeps water from puddling in the screw holes if left out in the rain.

When you install the shorter pieces, match up the miters well before screwing in.

Mitered Ends of Deck Tray Side Rails

Seal everything, top and bottom, with a coat of exterior urethane or spar varnish to keep it looking its best for many parties to come!🎉

Chelsea Lipford Wolf with DIY Deck Rail Serving Tray

For more details on my workshop makeover where I built this tray, check out this video!
And watch my video on building that fun wood initial planter by clicking here!

Don’t forget to click over to Exmark’s Backyard Life for my full how-to video on this unique project for your deck!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea

*This post contains affiliate links.*

Subscribe for Free Updates!

Stay up-to-date on Chelsea's latest projects, tips, useful resources and more.

Previous Post
How I Kill Weeds Without Chemicals
Next Post
How to Refresh Your Wood Deck for a New Look

Related Content

Simple Board and Batten Fireplace UpdateDIY Double Batten Accent WallCompleted Wire Shelf Pantry UpgradeWire Shelf Pantry MakeoverCompleted $200 Front Porch Makeover$200 Front Porch MakeoverFrosted Windows in Blue Tiled BathroomHow To Install Beautiful Privacy Window Film

Comments

  1. tommygullett says

    July 16, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Thankyou!

    Reply
  2. Brian C says

    July 17, 2020 at 6:28 am

    Great Deck idea, Chelsea.

    Reply

Please Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome!

I’m Chelsea. DIY
enthusiast who loves
sharing my victories
and mishaps!
Learn more
here.

CHECK IN WITH CHELSEA ON INSTAGRAM

Happy 3rd birthday🎈to the biggest mama’s girl Happy 3rd birthday🎈to the biggest mama’s girl I’ve ever known! She weighs as much as her big siblings but still likes Mommy to hold her.😜 She’s got plenty of sass and insists on doing everything herself. Which is why she normally has hair in her face and a tornado of chaos all around her. Pretty much our life since she came into it. But the best kind of chaos that grows and stretches you and teaches you to slow down and accept them just the way they are.☺️
.
.
Can’t believe it’s been 3 years!🥺
.
.
#celebratethem #birthdayshoutout #girlbirthday #girlparty #3rdbirthday #springbreak2022 #familyvaca #vacay2022 #vacationmode #visitflorida #staugustinefl
Cheers to the weekend, friends! May it be filled w Cheers to the weekend, friends! May it be filled with plenty of sunshine and bright spots!☀️🥰
.
.
#happyweekend #friyay #feelslikesummer #weekendvibes✨ #mothersdayweekend #beachday #plentyofsunshine #pocketfullofsunshine #girlbedroom #twinbeds #pinkvibes
FINALLY painted this eyesore of a wall and finishe FINALLY painted this eyesore of a wall and finished just before dark last night!🙌🏻 My husband and I decided instead of starting a new project (ahem a baby nursery) we should finish the projects we’ve already started. Since baby is due in the summer, it will be so nice to have our backyard up to par so we can rest and relax out there during recovery. ☺️
.
.
We started this project back in October by stripping and scraping the many layers of paint so we could waterproof the bricks and paint the wall to match the house. But the house was painted exactly a year ago. So it was way past time to knock this huge item of the time-do list. And it feels like such a relief to not have to walk by the unfinished-ness every time we come home now!
.
.
Next up we’ll slowly tackle patching hardwood floors and finish painting and replacing our interior doors that are taking up room in our garage.👏🏻
.
.
What’s something you’ve knocked off your to-do list lately?!
Happy Sunday! Love these little Easter babies of m Happy Sunday! Love these little Easter babies of mine! And definitely loving this beautiful spring weather we’ve been having lately!☀️Don’t forget Sunday is a day of rest and to give yourself some time to relax today.💆🏼‍♀️
Easter Sunday always feels special!✝️✨ Easter Sunday always feels special!✝️✨
Azaleas under oak trees never gets old. Welcome, S Azaleas under oak trees never gets old. Welcome, Spring!🌸🌺🪴
.
.
#naturalbeauty #natureisbeautiful #natureinstagram #azaleacity #mobilealabama #southerncharm #canopyoftrees #springhassprung #springhascome #springishere☀️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Indoor Projects Outdoor Projects Craft Projects
Facebook Pagelike Widget
  • Contact
  • FAQs
  • Advertise with Chelsea
  • Media
  • Today’s Homeowner

Search This Site

Receive Free Updates Via Email

Copyright © 2022 Checking in With Chelsea • All Rights Reserved