Once you’ve mastered the basic steps for creating jewelry display trays, the next step should be adding personality and functionality into its design. With careful thought and planning, your tray can become a statement piece that showcases your jewelry’s beauty whether sitting on a bedroom vanity, retail counter, or craft fair table. Below are 8 tailored design ideas organized by style and purpose that may inspire your next DIY project.
- Minimalist Modern Tray (Great for Home Vanities & Contemporary Retail)
Minimalism emphasizes clean lines, neutral tones and an understated elegance–an ideal combination for displaying jewelry such as dainty necklaces, thin bracelets and geometric earrings. This minimalist modern tray provides the ideal display surface to do this effortlessly. - Structure: Choose a low-profile (1-inch tall sides), rectangular or square base (10×10 inches for vanity use; 14×8 inches in retail stores). When grouping similar pieces together, opt for 2-3 wide, shallow compartments 4-5 inches wide each that provide easier organization.
Materials: Start with white or light gray MDF as your base; paint it with matte acrylic paint for a seamless look. Line its interior with ivory or light gray linen fabric–its subtle texture adds warmth without overshadowing jewelry displays. Finally, for an extra luxe touch add thin brass strips along the top edge of each side and attach with metal glue.
Pro Tip: Create an elegant jewelry storage area by including a small, recessed circular compartment (2 inches in diameter) in one corner for holding jewelry such as rings or cleaner. Not only will this solution look good, but its functionality will prove extremely handy!
- Vintage Cottage Tray (Ideal for Antique and Handmade Jewelry) mes This timeless design lends itself to cozy nostalgia, making it a wonderful way to display vintage brooches, beaded necklaces and handmade earrings from boutiques with rustic aesthetics or in bedrooms with rustic decor.
Structure: Select an oval or rounded rectangular base (soft shapes add more vintage charm) with 1.5-inch tall sides, creating irregularly sized compartments–some small (1×2 inches for earrings and some larger (3×4 inches for brooches–to mimic the charm of old jewelry boxes.
Materials: Repurpose an old wooden cigar box or small wooden crate as the base (lightly sand it to maintain some distressing). Line each compartment with cream-colored velvet (velvet is associated with vintage luxury) or floral-patterned cotton fabric featuring daisies or roses in small prints, adding hand-painted designs on its outside (try small roses, polka dots or the words “Jewels” in cursive) using acrylic paint and a fine brush.
Pro Tip: Add an easy-carry vintage-style metal handle (available at craft stores) for easy transportation and an authentic old world aesthetic. 3. Bohemian Macrame-Trimmed Tray (Perfect for Craft Fairs & Boho-Style Homes)
Bohemian design entails texture, color and free-spirited details – ideal for displaying beaded bracelets, tassel earrings or layer necklaces at craft fairs or complementing boho vanity spaces. This tray will make an eye-catching statement at craft fairs!
Structure: For an authentic boho aesthetic, opt for a hexagonal or asymmetrical rectangular base with 1-inch tall sides and keep compartments open and flexible; use one long and narrow (6×2 inches) compartment to store necklaces and several smaller open sections to hold earrings.
Material Selections: Choose bamboo plywood (its natural grain adds warmth) or thick cardboard covered in jute fabric as your base, then line its interior with either terracotta-colored felt or tie-dye cotton to avoid clashing colors and patterns. Finish the top edge of each tray’s sides using macrame cord woven around its edge before trimming off with small tassels made from the same cord (these will look more sophisticated).
Pro Tip: Attaching small hooks (fastened on one side) for lightweight earrings or charm bracelets will increase space efficiency while adding visual interest.
- Travel-Friendly Stackable Tray (Imperative for Frequent Travelers) A stackable tray designed specifically to protect jewelry while traveling is essential, fitting easily in either your suitcase or travel vanity bag.
Structure: Create three identical 6×4-inch trays that stack on top of each other and contain 1-inch tall sides and compartments specialized for rings (6-8 slots total). Tray 1 should feature small slots (1 inch wide by 0.5 inch deep).
Tray 2 contains tiny square compartments (1×1 inches) for stud earrings (12-16). Tray 3 features one long compartment (6×2 inches) suitable for necklaces or bracelets (add an elastic loop inside to prevent any potential tangling issues).
Materials: Create your stack by using lightweight cardboard or foam core as the base, lined with black microfiber fabric to prevent scratches and hide dust. Add small magnetic strips at both the bottom tray and top tray – these help secure it during travel.
Pro Tip: Protect jewelry from moisture or spills with clear plastic covers cut from plastic folders – ideal for each tray in your organizer system.
- Luxury Black Velvet Tray for High-End Jewelry and Retail Displays) Its When presenting fine jewelry–from diamond earrings and gold necklaces to pearl bracelets–in a boutique or retail setting, black velvet trays add sophistication. Perfect for boutiques, stores or home safe displays!
Structure: Start with a rectangular base (12×8 inches for retail and 8×6 inches for home use), with 2-inch tall sides (higher sides tend to feel more luxurious). Create several compartments within this rectangular shape; two large and deep compartments (3×3 inches, 1 inch deep each) are best for bracelets and small necklaces, and three shallow (3×3 inches, 1 inch deep each) can store bracelets and small necklaces.
1 row of narrow slots (1 inch wide and 0.75 inches deep) designed for rings (8-10 slots).
Materials for creating one long and shallow compartment (10×2 inches). We used thick black MDF painted with glossy black acrylic paint as the base and lined all surfaces–base, sides, dividers–with high quality black velvet (avoiding cheap velvet with loose fibers) before adding thin gold or silver metal borders along the top edges (using adhesive metal strips from craft stores as border strips) for an “upscale” effect.
Pro Tip: Use a small, clear acrylic riser in one compartment to highlight an eye-catching piece (like a diamond ring), drawing attention and adding dimension.
- Nature-Inspired Wooden Tray (Great for Earthy Jewelry & Rustic Homes)
This tray celebrates natural materials and earthy tones, making it ideal for earthy jewelry such as wooden, stone or leather pieces. Additionally, this design fits in beautifully in any rustic home, cabin, boho chic interior or boutique that promotes “natural living”.
Structure: Begin with a live-edge wooden slab (available at hardware stores or craft fairs) as your base, using its irregular, organic form as inspiration for design. Keep sides low (1 inch tall), made from thin wooden strips curved around its curve. Create three to four small compartments (using thin wooden dowels as dividers) in accordance with its form.
Materials: To enhance the natural look, leave your wooden base unfinished (or add a clear matte sealer for protection) so as to showcase its grain. Line compartments with suede fabric in warm tones like tan, brown or olive green for contrast; suede’s texture adds depth. Glue small pinecones or dried lavender sprigs onto outside corners as an “outdoorsy” touch!
Pro Tip: Drill small holes (1/8 inch in diameter) in one compartment for storing stud earrings–inserting them through these holes so their backs rest against the bottom keeps them organized and visible.
- Kids’ Colorful Character Tray for Playrooms Make jewelry storage enjoyable for your young one with this colorful tray featuring their favorite characters, bright colors, and playful shapes – ideal for holding plastic earrings, beaded bracelets or hair clips!
Structure: Select an engaging base shape such as a heart, star or cartoon character like a unicorn or dinosaur for this project. Keep its sides short (0.75 inches tall), so children can easily access their jewelry. Design large and simple compartments without small slots (to prevent frustration) to accommodate different kinds of jewelry pieces.
Materials: Create your box using lightweight cardboard or foam core as its base (easy for kids to handle). Paint its exterior in vibrant hues like pink, blue and yellow before adding character designs (using stencils or freehand drawing). Line each compartment with fleece fabric featuring bold patterns like polka dots, stripes or cartoon prints–fleece is soft yet easy to keep clean!
Pro Tip: Add a Velcro strip to one side of your tray so children can attach hair clips or bracelets as part of an “eye-catching display”.
- Wall-Mounted Display Tray (Space-Saving Solution for Small Homes) If space is at a premium in your bedroom or bathroom, wall-mounted trays offer an effective space-saving solution that keeps jewelry organized while adding some wall art flair. They’re great additions for bedrooms with limited floor space or boutiques.
Construction: Create a shallow tray (0.75 inches deep, 10×6 inches wide) without a front side to easily access jewelry. Create several shelves (1 inch high) inside for stacking bracelets or rings and then secure D-rings at its corners to hang it from.
Material Requirements: Choose white or light wood MDF as the base and paint it to match your wall color, then cover its shelves and back of tray with pastel-colored felt (light pink, mint green or lavender) for an inviting soft look. Lastly, attach small hooks at the back of tray so necklaces or earrings can hang from it easily.
Pro Tip: Position the jewelry display tray so it is easily visible and accessible, pairing it with a small wall mirror to transform this area into a mini “getting ready” station.
