DIY Magazine Tray

April 16, 2012 By

Hey guys!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  My oldest three were at their grandparents, so I got busy on a little project for my coffee table.  I love magazines (almost as much as Pinterest ;-) ), and decided I needed a little something for my table to hold them!  This project is super easy and cheap.  And it can be used just about anywhere! Woohoo!

You will only need 2 pieces of wood for this.  1 – 3″ furring strip, and 1 – 4″ furring strip.  Total cost for wood?? Under $4!

For those of you that don’t own a saw, it’s time to go get one.  You don’t have to buy a table saw.  A little guy like this one will do all the work you need for this, and many of our other projects.

That is under $15 at Lowe’s.  I have this and a table saw, and I still will use this one on small projects!  Easy!

Your wood cuts will be…

1×3″ furring strip – 5- 18″ pieces

1×4″ furring strip – 2- 12.25″ pieces and 2- 19.5″ pieces.

I assembled my tray using Gorilla Wood Glue and finish nails.

I started by attaching my 18″ pieces to my shorter side pieces like this…

Then I just attached my longer side pieces like this…

That’s it!  Pretty simple!  Took me all of 5 minutes!

Now for paint!  I used my vaseline method to finish this one, but I changed it up a bit!  I used Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch in Heirloom White as my top coat!  I LOVE the results!  You can read more about that paint method by clicking the link below!

Here is my base coat… A bit shanty I know ;-)

And my top coat that I spray painted on after my Vaseline!

After distressing it I wanted to add a little something!  Ash and I found these great metal pieces at Lowe’s for under $1 a piece.  You can find them in the framing/lumber section.

I just used some small wood screws to attach one to each corner.  Totally not necessary, but totally cute ;-) !

And it needed some handles too… Why not?  I found these in the hardware section of Lowe’s as well for around $2 a piece.  I put one on each end!

All done!

Let’s do the math…

$4 for wood and $8 for the optional hardware!  Yup… That’s pretty darn cheap!!

So… What do you think??

I hope you like it!  If you do, I would love for you to Pin it and share it below!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great Monday!!

~Whitney

37 Comments Filed Under: Accessories, DIY Crafts, Tabletop Decor, Woodworking Projects

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  • http://denverdietrich.wordpress.com Erin

    What do I think? I think I wish we were neighbors so we could have building parties together!

    • Shanty2Chic

      Haha I would love that :-) ! Thanks!!

  • Liz Prince

    FREAKING love! U guys seriously ROCK!

    • Shanty2Chic

      Thank you so much Liz :-) !!

  • http://alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com Claire

    Another AMAZING project! I bought furring strips last weekend so that I could try my hand at your lovely planter box but now I’m thinking this will be my first attempt! I don’t know how you constantly find new ways to inspire your readers. Everything is always so fresh!

    Thanks for the great tutorial!

    - Claire

    • Shanty2Chic

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment Claire!! Good luck on your first attempt!

  • http://innermostaspirations.blogspot.com Nicole

    How do you come up with this stuff?? You are totally amazing and I love every single one of your projects!

    • Shanty2Chic

      Thank you Nicole!! You are sweet :-)

  • Heather

    Very Nice!! I notice that you use a finishing nailer with many of your wood projects and was wondering if you could comment on the type that you use or would recommend for the type of projects that you do. Thanks!
    ~Heather

  • Patti

    I love the look of this! I am wondering if it could double as a serving tray or is it too heavy? Thinking to make one for a gift for a new bride!

    • Shanty2Chic

      It for sure could! The wood glue makes it super strong! :-)

  • Kellie

    Terrific Tutorial! I LOVE EVERYTHING you do! :)

    • Shanty2Chic

      Thank you so much Kellie ;-)

  • Vicki

    I am a newbie to your site…I am loving it!!! Wondering if the flowers in your magazine post are artificial and if they are where did you get them?
    Regards and happy building! :)
    From New Brunswick, Canada

    • Shanty2Chic

      They are artificial. I found them at Michael’s and they are cherry blossoms. Hope this helps! :-)

  • http://welcomehomefarm-tj.blogspot.com/ TJ

    Thanks just doesn’t seem to cover it! I am just new at woodworking and your tutorials make me think I really can do this!

  • Jennifer

    I love this! Thanks for the great idea. I’m going to make this and the mason jar this weekend.

  • lori

    HI
    wondering…..did you leave out a step or am I missing something?? don’t you want to glue the 1×3 together first?? (long sides together) or does glueing the ends of them to the side pieces hold them in place???

    • Shanty2Chic

      You can Lori, but the way I did it holds it all together well. Thanks!

  • http://www.nestcandy.com Kara

    This is gorgeous. I know just the person who would love to receive this as a gift. I think I’ll go make it for her right now!

  • Jamie O

    Another item that I need to make….your stuff is so fun and most of easy due to your amazing tutorials. Thanks! Also I know you said the cherry blossoms are from Michaels, I have been twice and I found two different ones that look like yours. The one is 4.99 and the other is 9.99, not on sale. Do you have any idea of what they cost you? I bought the cheap ones and they dont seem to look like yours, and of course the workers dont seem to know what a cherry blossom is!

  • http://irestorestuff.blogspot.com.au Sharon

    LOVE it!! How easy you make it sound. I think I’ll definitely be giving this a go! Love the industrial look of the metal edging too. Thanks for posting this I saw it on Pinterest.

  • Rhonda Tomlinson

    ok what is this thing at the left of your screen, the box for likes, it’s like it is on top of the screen. it takes up to much space in trying to read your blog, i have to scroll to the top of my screen to be able to read. sorry I had to ask, it really bugs me. but i love the tray and your blog!!

  • http://cottage4c.com Brenda

    I love it- as all of your projects! I think i might actually attempt this one! So many uses- and an awesome idea for a gift!!! Love!

  • http://[email protected] Annalea

    Okay, I just have to say, I LOVE all of these little projects you post. You make these look so straightforward and POSSIBLE . . . I want to go pick up my saw and get to work. :o ) This one has been pinned, along with quite a few others. Thanks so much!

  • lisa

    i just started on the planter boxes and used my miter saw. what do you use to remove the slivers of wood and soften the cut edges? I have a small file that i used, but it doesn’t seem to work very well.

  • Kathryn Fertick

    I just made this tonight, woohoo! I haven’t painted it yet or added hardware- I think I will opt for just handles, but might peruse the hardware too ;) . I’m still deciding what color(s) to paint it. Thanks for a great idea- I love all your fantastic and fun projects that you post about :)

  • Pingback: Magazine Tray « paris robinson

  • Kathryn Fertick

    I made this a couple of weeks ago, woohoo! I bought more wood to make another one. Thank you for a great idea, you have so many on here!!!! :) I posted about it on my blog, and gave the link (and credit) back to your tutorial. Thanks again! I’ve gotten friends hooked on your site too :) http://craftykat-mycraftyplayground.blogspot.com/2012/05/make-your-own-wood-tray.html

  • Catherine

    I just made this tonight!!! Still need to paint it- but so far so good. Although what kind of wood did you use?? I think the wood I bought was too heavy….

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      I used pine furring strips:-) I would love to see a pic of yours!

  • Judy

    Just wanted to remind fellow crafters to check and see if there might be a “Restore’ Thrift store in your area. They are run by Habitat for Humanity and sell all types of hardware, paint and building materials that have been donated at super discounted pries. Best of all its recycling to the max so it helps out all involved, all monies go towards helping rebuild homes for the needy:)

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Perfect reminder Judy! Thanks so much!

      • http://www.facebook.com/nanette.lewis.92 Nanette Lewis

        We have a Habitat Restore near me and I think it must be the only one that is way over priced. They do not bargain at all. I’ve bought items there that I felt were double what they were worth but did so because of the “donation”.

  • Suzan

    Looks great!

    • http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/ Shanty2Chic

      Thanks so much!! :-)

  • Amber Ayotte

    I just came across your blog and am in love! I have seen so many things I want to try! Thanks for the inspiration!