A few weeks ago while wandering through Walmart I found these cute Pioneer Woman melamine plates that came in three different sizes. They're made to mix and match and sort of give off that eclectic thrift store vibe.
Although I don't see them online anymore, I have seen them at my local store in the clearance section just this week.
I thought these plates would be a great way to show you how to make a tiered tray.
Not a tiered tray in the farmhouse style that you decorate with all sorts of seasonal decor (although those are so cute). But more of a tiered tray you can use to put cookies and desserts on.
Think grandma's house at Christmastime in the 1980's, but with less ducks and geese.
✨ BTW, today is Thrift Store Decor Wednesday, so make sure your hang around to the end of the post to see the rest of the team's thrift store repurposes for the month!
I originally was going to go to the thrift store and disassemble someone's discarded tiered tray so I could just use the hardware parts for my own. And then I decided to check on Amazon and lo and behold they sell tiered tray hardware!
Who knew!
OK, if everyone knows this then just scroll on by.
How To Make A Tiered Tray
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
Supplies
- 3 Plates of varying sizes
- 1 Set Cupcake Stand Hardware
- Drill
- ⅛" Drill Bit
- ¼" Drill Bit
- Hammer
- Metal Punch/Awl or Nail (to start hole)
- Felt Tip Marker
- Yummy Desserts
Safety Gear
Since we're drilling things here and might have melamine pieces flying around, it's always advised to wear appropriate safety gear.
- Gloves
- Eye Protection
- Dust Mask
Time needed: 30 minutes.
DIY Tiered Tray
- Find The Middle Of Your Plates
Take a tape measurer and measure to the middle of your plates. Mark with a black dot with your felt tip marker.
- Tap An Indentation In The Middle Of The Plate
Using your metal punch/awl/center punch (it goes by different names) or nail tap an indent into the middle of the black dot.
This creates a divet so your drill won't start drifting when you start to drill. - Drill Pilot Hole
Take your small ⅛" drill bit and drill straight through the plate creating a pilot hole using the divet you created as a guide.
This pilot hole makes it much easier to drill your "real" sized hole without cracking the plate. - Expand Your Hole
Use your ¼" bit you will now go through the ⅛" hole to make it the correct size.
It may seem silly to take three steps to drill one hole, but depending on what type of plate you are using they will crack or chip if you try to do it all at once with just the large drill bit.
Repeat on the other two plates. - Attach Bottom Hardware
On the bottom of the very first plate (largest plate) slide a metal washer followed by a plastic washer (they come in the kit) over the screw (also comes in the kit) and thread it up through the bottom.
Maggie was supervising this project and was VERY interested in the washers. - Attach Washers And Spindles
Flip the plate over and attach a plastic washer on top of the screw followed by one of the spindles. Screw the spindle on firmly.
- Attach Next Washer
Attach another washer on top of the spindle which will be sandwiched between the spindle and the bottom of the next plate.
- Finish Off The Stack Of Plates
Attach the rest of the plates in the same fashion - by having a plastic washer under each plate and a plastic washer over each plate.
- Add The Handle At The Top
The very last item you will attach is the spindle with the handle on it.
At this point, you can tighten up the spindles.
Making A Tiered Tray With China, Glass Or Ceramic Dishes
The instructions would be the same except you would use drill bits rated for glass, ceramic and tile to drill through the plates. These would be carbide or diamond tipped bits and the package should specifically say they are for use with glass, ceramic and tile.
Any time you're drilling through china, glass or ceramic it takes one of these stronger and sharper bits and a little more elbow grease. The drill bits tend to heat up and it's suggested to use either water or a lubricating oil to keep them cool.
The ones that are advertised as DRY diamond drill bits do not require cooling down the surface with water while drilling through the dishes though. Those are nice if you want to spend a few more dollars and not have to worry about manually keeping things cool.
Other Items To Make Tiered Trays Out Of
- Thrifted Pie or Cake Pans
- Loaf Pans
- Old Wooden Salad Bowls
- Metal Holiday Serving Trays circa 1960
- Cookie Tins With Fun Graphics (just remove the lids)
Thrift Store Decor Team Projects
Now let's go see what the other Thrift Store Decor Team members are up to today!
Quilt And Pom Pom Fringe DIY Pumpkin - Petticoat Junktion
Medallion Wall Art Makeover - Our Southern Home
Navy Blue Bar Stools with Rub-on Transfer - My Repurposed Life
Goodwill Wooden Wagon Makeover - Organized Clutter
Plant Cloche from a Geometric Pendant Light - Sadie Seasongoods
16 Creative Thrift Store Makeover Ideas - Reinvented Delaware
Galvanized Tub Shelves - Shop At Blu
DIY Tiered Tray From Dinner Plates - House Of Hawthornes (that's me)
Christy @ Our Southern Home
I had no clue that you could buy the tiered stand hardware set. Now I want to go and make all kinds of tiered stands! I absolutely love those plates. Pioneer Woman has the prettiest dishes at Walmart. I LOVE this!
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
Super cute tiered tray with the colorful plates! Fun!
Sarah @ Sadie Seasongoods
SO ADORABLE, Pam!! And YES to what Christy said- I had no idea the cupcake stand hardware sets were even a thing! How awesome is that?
Barbara
I simply adore your tiered tray. I have tea parties with my friends and relatives, so I use these a few times a year. Yours is so colorful and "happy-looking!" I have a "hardware kit" in my amazon cart right now! Thanks for sharing this.
Sue at Blu
So many great tips here! Who doesn’t need room for more goodies??!! So cute…and no paint!!
Gail Wilson
Whoa! Game changer! First. Let me say I love the plates and was so happy to see you didn't change them up. I just put a set of hardware in my cart for later. Genius!
Pinned!
Gail
Cindy
Love the colors of these plates! They are so festive 😊 The hardware would have helped me with so many tiered tray projects that we sold in our vendor booth over the years! How in the world did I not know they existed!! Thanks for sharing Pam!