Decorative Ottoman Tray

Although decorative trays aren’t new on the scene, they seem to be showing up more and more in design magazines and on Pinterest boards. They’re a simple design that adds so much to your styling — both practically and decoratively. Trays come in different sizes, colors and materials and, when placed on an upholstered ottoman, give you a hard surface on which to set drinks that won’t tip over. Whether you use them for corralling your remotes, setting out drinks and snacks or as a base to create a pretty vignette. Here are six tray ideas that are sure to suit a wide variety of ottoman styles and sizes!

Decorative Ottoman Tray

Buying Guide

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a New York-based interior designer and home decor writer with a strong focus on textiles and designer furniture. Drawing on rigorous training and a deep understanding of material quality and fabric care, she helps readers choose pieces that are both durable and visually refined, turning everyday rooms into cohesive, practical spaces.

What can I put on my ottoman tray?

Ottoman trays for home decor are a creative way to elevate the look of your living room. There are plenty of items you can put on your ottoman tray, from your morning coffee mug and newspaper to your work laptop, daily journal, and cell phone. Try to pick a tray with a gloss finish as this type of surface is easy to wipe down and clean. You should also pick a model that has built-in handles. This design feature allows you to move the tray off your ottoman whenever you want to put your feet up or use the cushion as an extra seat for a guest.

Style your ottoman tray so that it becomes a focal point of your living room. If you’re adding books to the tray, choose 3 or 5 and stack them from largest to smallest because an odd number generates visual interest.

Try to mix smaller accessories like mason jars, miniature picture frames, or fancy calligraphic pens with larger items like house plants or hardback travel books. Varying the size, material, and shape of the elements on your tray creates a diverse, stimulating, and attractive aesthetic.

What shape should an ottoman tray be?

Your ottoman tray should be square or rectangular. These two shapes for ottoman trays as home decor offer a larger display surface plus more functionality. Oval or round trays are fashionable but fit fewer items.

A square or rectangular shape also allows you to use the four-quadrant rule to display items easily. For this, you divide the tray into four equal quadrants, add a natural, practical, scented, and structural item to create a unified look.

If your ottoman is round, however, you may want to consider using a round tray. Less can be added to a round or oval tray, so keep it uncluttered by adding a stylish vase with flowers in the center.

Can you have 2 ottomans in a living room?

Absolutely! Having two of them is a great way of using ottoman trays for home decor, making your living room truly unique.

For example, a practical option would be to place two identical ones next to your coffee table instead of adding more chairs. This will result in a stylish but more casual vibe, preventing two backrests from inspiring a busier or cluttered feel.

In fact, having two ottomans is a clever space-saving choice, especially in smaller living rooms!