If you’re reading this at your desk and putting off work, don’t hate me — the family and I are on our annual trip to Myrtle Beach. It’s one of our favorite places with so many memories.
I’m excited to introduce you to four incredibly sweet and talented blogger friends while we’re away. I hope you love them as much as I do.
Blessings,
Lauren
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Hi everyone at Bless’er House! I’m delighted to share practical tips for styling a vintage printers tray. I’m Michelle, and I write at Dandelion Patina, where I focus on DIY, crafts, and home decor—transformations that honor both timeless charm and current trends. I enjoy reinventing pieces and refreshing rooms, blending farmhouse, industrial, and coastal cottage styles. Please stop by sometime and say hello—I’d love to have you join the journey.
A big thank you to Lauren for inviting me today!
Vintage printers trays are one of my favorite finds, but they can be tricky to style. Those many little compartments are perfect for displaying small treasures, yet it’s easy to feel stuck about how to arrange them so the whole display feels balanced and intentional.
Have you felt that way?
Confession time: I’m obsessed with vintage cubbies. All those little squares are an invitation to curate a collection—small keepsakes, found objects, and bits of history that bring personality to a wall. Printers trays are also wonderful as architectural salvage: they add texture, patina, and a sense of story to any vignette.
Who’s with me?
I found this particular printers tray some time ago and had the perfect spot in our kitchen. I simply added hanging hardware to the back and hung it horizontally. With that base in place, I planned a small wall vignette that complements the tray and highlights favorite flea market and antique finds.
The first step was adding a focal element above the tray. I used an old dovetailed crate board, which has great typography and dovetail details on each end. That top piece introduces shape and visual interest while tying into the tray’s rustic character.
To create balance, I mirrored that weight below. An old rolling pin provides contrast with its curves and worn texture, offering a pleasing counterpoint to the tray’s grid of squares. I tied jute to each end and hung it from a nail beneath the tray—simple but effective.
Greenery makes everything feel alive, so I centered a boxwood wreath in the middle of the display. The green creates contrast against the wood tones and pulls the vignette together. Boxwood wreaths are forgiving and easy to maintain—just a few light spritzes of water a few times a week will keep them looking fresh for a long time.
To echo the metal elements found on the left of the tray, I added a few antique metal door plates with keyhole details on the right. Their cool, aged patina helps create cohesion across the composition and adds a hint of hardware-style charm.
Personal touches make a vignette tell your story. I love coffee, so when I found a stamped metal coffee scoop, I knew it belonged in our kitchen vignette. The stamped lettering is a small detail that draws the eye and adds character.
For a whimsical, changeable element, I used Scrabble tiles to spell short words. It’s an easy way to add seasonal phrases, a favorite quote, or a rotating sentiment without permanently committing to one message.
Ready to style your own vintage printers tray?
Start by gathering a handful of elements you love—mixed textures, small vintage objects, a bit of greenery, and one or two focal pieces. Lay them out and play with placement until the composition feels balanced. Think about symmetry and contrast: match heavy pieces with lighter ones, repeat materials to create cohesion, and let a touch of greenery soften the overall look.
Below is the finished vignette I created—consider pinning a photo to your mood board to refer to when you style your own tray. If you want more styling guidance, I’ve also written about shelf styling and ways to use trays and frames throughout the home. Printers trays work beautifully as wall art in bedrooms, layered with frames on a dresser, or showcased in an entry for an immediate dose of personality.
If you’d like to follow my projects and get more tips, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter under Dandelion Patina—no links here, just a warm invitation to connect.
XOXO,
Michelle