How to Make a Serving Tray out of an Old Baking Sheet

How many of you could open up your kitchen cupboard and pull out something that looks a little like this?

So this is not going to be a post on how to revive an old and beaten up baking sheet. As you can see from the above picture, I have tried what Pinterest says will make my "old baking sheet like new", and it didn't work. However, after replacing the baking sheet, for some unknown reason I couldn't bring myself to just toss this bad boy in the garbage {I have issues, I know}. It didn't take long for me to come up with another use for this old baking sheet.

Yup, I made it a serving tray. Here's how...

First, my idea was to drill holes in the sides, thread some rope through, tie a knot, and have my handles. I did some research on how simple drilling a hole into a baking sheet would be and Google produced some websites that claimed is was "so easy". {lies}

This is the result I had after about 5 minutes {ok maybe not 5 but much longer than "so easy" should have taken}.

So scratch the idea of the cute little nautical look with the rope and knots. I decided since I wasn't going to be drilling anything, I would start painting and brainstorm a little more about some handles.

I tried to use spray paint at first because let's be honest, spray painting is the easiest and fastest way to paint things. I tested it out on the bottom, I guess I kinda knew it wasn't going to work. Here's how it turned out

Not very well. Time to get out the paint and brushes. I used leftover white paint we had from painting the stripes in our bedroom. It covered the tray way better than I thought it would, actually. I only had to use two coats of the white.

For some style, or at least some attempts at being cute and creative, I painted a pink stripe across the middle using some ceramic paint I just so happened to have.

Mainly, I used this because I liked the color. I didn't have any other paints in this color and I didn't want to have to purchase anything so ceramic paint it is. Ceramic paint is great for items you want to be able to eat off of, although I'm not planning to serve food directly on the tray, it's good to know I have the option {at least on the stripe}.

After the stripe, I started thinking about the handles again. I created the handles using twine and multiple braids. I used 9 pieces of twine, braided them into three pieces, and then braided those pieces together to achieve a thick roped look.

To attach them, I tried several different kinds of glue, but I wasn't really confident that any of them would keep the handle in place and not give out when I'm carrying a tray full of glasses or something. I decided that duct tape is the best way to go. Don't worry, it was cute duct tape.

I found this duct tape a couple years ago at Target, I couldn't locate the exact pattern online, but they have a ton of colors and patterns to choose from if you're interested. I simply taped around the entire side of the tray and folded it over the bottom. The tape is super adhesive to the tray and so far I have seen no risk of the handle loosening.

I added a little personalization to the tray for some flare, using a chalk pen, of all things.  It was super easy to write with, much easier than a paint brush. After it dried, I tested trying to rub it off and it was quite difficult, much to my surprise.

And there you have it! How to make an old and decrepit baking sheet new and useful again! Of course I had to test out the tray right away, and what a better way than to serve wine, berries and sugar, and chocolate on the balcony!

To give it a glossy, finished look you can spray it with shellac as well. 

Cost: Free! All of the supplies could be found right here at home. 

Time: This project spanned over about 3 days, due to paint drying time. But the actual time working was much less. About 2 hours for painting, braiding the twine for handles, and writing out our personalization. {This does not include the time spent attempting to drill a hole though the side}

Have you been inspired to replace your old baking sheet? What are some other ways you have upgraded an old item?

Thanks for visiting!