DIY Bathtub Tray

I don’t take baths often enough but I think I’m going to change that and start soaking in my big garden tub a few evenings a week. The idea of it just evokes a feeling of calm and serenity … and who couldn’t use a bit of that in their life? In light of my new resolution {smile}, I made a simple DIY bathtub tray to hold a book or magazine, a candle or two, and a glass of wine or liqueur. Or maybe just a cup of tea, depending on the day. This bathtub tray really is simple to make even if your power tool experience is limited. And the best part? You can whip it up in just a few minutes!

To make this bathtub tray, you’ll need two pieces of wood, six inches wide, 1/2 to 1 inch thick, and as long as needed to cross the tub and sit comfortably on the sides. You’ll also need a piece of wood for each end. I used a bed slat and that was long enough for both end pieces. The only other thing you’ll need are two handles or drawer pulls. You can use anything that suits your style. I like simple and industrial so I used gate handles for my tray.

To build the tray, place the two six inch wood pieces side by side, place the smaller slat across the top and screw the pull into place, making sure the screw goes through all thicknesses but doesn’t protrude out the bottom. Repeat for the other side and the building part of this project is complete. So easy, right?

Sand the tray to remove any rough, splintery edges, and finish it however you like. You could stain it, paint it, or even just use a clear wax for a simple finish. I opted to finish my tray with a color wash technique using white paint.