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
You are here: Home / Outdoor Projects / How To Build a Simple Tray to Expand Your Deck

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

Completed Hand Painted Pennant Flag Banner Kid BedroomDIY Pennant Banner for Kids RoomCompleted Large Lighted Two and Zero NumbersDIY Lighted Marquee NumbersBrick Retaining Wall How to Waterproof and PaintWaterproofing Vertical Masonry WallSitting on Back Steps After Finally Sealing BricksStripping Paint from Bricks

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

5 months in and she’s at the top of my favorites 5 months in and she’s at the top of my favorites list!🥰
.
.
Couldn’t resist using this audio.😅
Using my grandmother’s cookie press to make 🎄 Using my grandmother’s cookie press to make 🎄cookies I used to make as a kid in our brand new kitchen. My heart could burst!😭 I hope you are enjoying the preparation for the main event 😇and bring love and joy to your home, no matter what it looks like.❤️💚
.
.
#christmascookies #christmastrees #familytraditions #christmasbreak #newkitchen #kitchendecor #kitchendesign #madewithlove
3D art install in my girls’ girly bedroom!🦋😍Love this $13 pack of butterflies that comes with everything you need to fill a large wall! And it only takes 30 minutes!🙌🏻 Putting the link to the butterflies in my bio! (https://amzn.to/3VmfZsB)
.
.
First step is to layout the flow of your fluttering butterflies with the large and medium sizes from the pack, leaving room for the small ones. Then fill in spaces with the small size and pat yourself on the back! So easy!
The whole Wolfpack has been staying at my parents’ house on the river for the past week while our hardwood floors are being refinished. Since the kids had the whole week off of school it has really felt like a vacation! Complete with a sunny Sunday boat ride after Mass!🥰🚤☀️Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 😘
.
.
#generationalliving #3generations❤️ #4kidlife #grandparentlife #boatday #riverside #riverlifestyle #fowlriver #alabamalifestyle #alabamablogger #nofilterneeded
Dad and I got our tickets to the gun show!💥 . . Dad and I got our tickets to the gun show!💥
.
.
@todayshomeowner @visitmobileal #exploreyourhometown #hometownpride #mobilealabama #battleship #ussalabama #visitmobile
Watching a craftsman at work is something to behol Watching a craftsman at work is something to behold! Cabinet installers were at our house until 7pm last night working to install them just right. One cabinet isn’t tight against our old walls so they’re coming back to tweak it and close the gap. They could have just covered it with trim. Today 2 carpenters from our construction company briskly installed our old (gross) baseboards and new crown molding. It still always amazes me the difference molding can make in a project looking finished! Now…time to paint! What color for crown? Match the cabinets or go with white throughout?!
.
.
Wallpaper is vintage
Cabinet color Virtual Taupe (@sherwinwilliams)
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 © 2023 Checking in With Chelsea • All Rights Reserved