DIY Foldable Wooden Tray for Sofa

by DIY for Homeowners

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Intro: DIY Foldable Wooden Tray for Sofa

Until recently, there were no hard surfaces near Steph's couch to set snacks and beverages. We had seen this idea for a flexible hard surface on Pinterest and decided to give it a try!

We grabbed some wood molding and sticky felt and got to work!

Be sure to watch the video, it's really short, but it gives you the entire rundown on how to make one. It can be customized to whatever size you need.

Full supply list on our website here.

STEP 1: Watch Video!


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STEP 2: Cut & Sand Screen Molding

The tray is made with 25 pieces of screen molding all cut to 12" each.

Mark the first piece at 12" and cut in a miter box with a saw. This piece can now be used to measure all the rest of the pieces.

Using a piece of 150 grit sandpaper, sand any rough ends and edges. Remove the paper labels from the back of the pieces.

STEP 3: Stain or Paint Wood

If you're staining your tray do that now, let dry, then add a protective finish.

STEP 4: Add Sticky Felt to Back

Lay the pieces right side down, line the ends up with a straight edge like a ruler.

Remove the protective paper from the self-stick felt and put on the back and you're done!

STEP 5: Done!

This is a quick project that uses few tools and techniques. It makes a great gift! The size can be customized as well as the finishes to suit the recipient.

For more detail, please visit our website, MotherDaughterProjects.com

26 Comments

rjslsmith64 1 year ago

Love the Greythounds!! I am going to build this. Thanks for sharing.

edmatthews2010 2 years ago

Nice project and should be useful. I'm sorry the bill of materials wasn't included in the original article, and I can't imagine whose idea that was. PLEASE everybody, include everything you a reader would want to know in the original article. It ends up wasting time and causing people to not want to read more projects by this author--and it's too good a project for that to happen to nice people.

rsnowdale 3 years ago

Great idea! So simple! Love it

LeslieGeee 3 years ago

Great idea thank you for sharing. I am wondering if the molding is thick enough to drill 3 holes to string each piece together with rope or a thin string?

DIY for Homeowners 3 years ago

I think you could drill thought it with a small drill bit. -Steph

wes_van 3 years ago

Great idea and very nicely done, one of these is now on my 'to do' list.

georgemorgan 3 years ago

This really is a different idea to anything I've seen before. It will be so useful in a number of places around the house. Thank you.

LADY DIXIE T 3 years ago

I really do like this concept and can think of many uses for it other than for your sofa, but where do you purchase Sticky Felt at and, how is it packaged? I thinl I will add an elastic loop to one end so when it is rolled up I will be able to just slip it over the roll to hold it in place. Ladies, another smashing idea.

DIY for Homeowners 3 years ago

Hi! We bought it on amazon. It comes in sheets, and they were stacked one on top of the other (as opposed to rolled up). -Steph

lnxusr 3 years ago

That looks really good. My only concern is the stickiness on the felt between the slats collecting dust and other debris, especially when rolled up? Maybe a sprinkling of flocking powder between the slats would elevate that?

DIY for Homeowners 3 years ago

Hi! I will say we made this a few years ago and have not had an issue at all with things getting stuck between the slats. When it's folded up I keep it in a drawer and it has held up well. -Steph

ChrisWx 3 years ago

Flocking might work, but I'd be concerned it would bunch up and prevent it from flattening out. Another option would be to use canvas from a fabric store (7 oz. lightweight canvas may not work well. 12 oz. would be better), and wood glue. Place some wax paper on a flat surface, then place the canvas on that. You don't have to cut the canvas to size yet, just make sure it's at least a bit larger than the 'tray' you want to make. The canvas will absorb the glue, so the wax paper will keep everything clean.
Brush a decent layer of wood glue (but not drippy - read last paragraph!) onto the back of each wooden slat, and place it glue side down on the canvas. Glue and place all the slats close together, removing any glue that squeezes between the slats with a wet rag. Once all the slats are placed, get a board or book that will cover the whole 'tray' and place it on top. Stack some heavy items evenly on top of the board. This will ensure the glue is pressed well into the canvas and prevent any movement while it dries.
You can now trim the canvas as close as you like to the wooden slats. Once trimmed, put some of that same wood glue in a cup or small bowl, and add a little water to thin it out. Apply it to the cut edges of the canvas - just enough to get it wet. A foam brush works best, but you can even use your finger.
Unless you chose a really heavy canvas, the glue may show through on the back - not very attractive. You can use the sticky-backed felt to cover it, or any other cloth with iron-on basting tape. Take care, though. If a lot of glue soaked through the canvas, the felt may not stick well. Even basting tape might not adhere for very long. This is the reason for recommending 12 oz. canvas.

BakerBoy7 3 years ago

maybe just a staple gun or thumb tacks and use no glue?

asrcav8r 3 years ago

When I saw the thumbnail I thought "stitch them together like a bamboo shade"
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