Make Cheap Trays Look Like Modern Wall Decor With This Impressive DIY

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Cookie sheets, pizza pans, and baking trays, for some, are just tools you use in the kitchen. But where some people only see a cooking tool, others come up with genius ways to use pizza pans around the home. The same is true for your basic cookie sheets. They're often the perfect blank canvas for a fun and crafty DIY. So, take a page from TikTok user diy_decoration_by_adisa and transform two of them into modern and chic wall decor.

To make something similar, you'll need two square baking pans. If you don't have old ones to use, you can find inexpensive ones, like these Cooking Concepts Square Tin Cake Pans from Dollar Tree. You'll also want to grab a piece of wood, wood strips, hot glue, spray paint, adhesive caulk, and decorative objects. The DIYer uses two small artificial potted plants in the video. Other options include dried or artificial flowers, figurines, or small rocks. While the finished project in the video is modern and sleek, put your own spin on yours, making it reflect your home's style and your personal taste.

This project is yet another reason not to toss an old cake pan. First, you'll want to paint the baking trays and wood a matching color. Spray paint isn't your only option, either, but it's often easier to apply compared to using a paint brush, which can leave behind visible strokes. Just be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. Let the paint dry as directed on the can.

While you wait for the paint to dry, assemble the wood strips into a grid. Place two strips parallel together, a slightly smaller distance apart than the width of the baking tray. Set additional wood strips on top, perpendicular to the first two, leaving about 1/4 inch of space between each one. Hot glue the top strips to the bottom ones. Repeat to make a second wood grid.

Now it's time to assemble the wall hanging. Use an adhesive, like Liquid Nails 10 oz Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive, to attach the trays to the long wood panel. Position the trays slightly off-center, like in the video, or align them. Let it dry as directed on the packaging, then hot glue the wood grids to the inside of the trays.

As a finishing touch, diy_decoration_by_adisa attaches two small, artificial potted plants to the front of the wall hanging. You can copy that, of course, or give the decoration your own personal stamp that best fits the vibe of your space. For example, use figurines, small toys, or old board game pieces that would be on theme in a playroom. Or, if you have a beach-themed living room, attach seashells or sand dollars to the front of the wood.

The wooden backgrounds can also be tailored to the look you want. For a more delicate, detailed design, use thinner slats. However, if you'd like the decor to be a bit more minimalist, simply use a solid wood square.

Play around with the shape of the tray, too. It doesn't have to be a square. A round pizza or cake pan can work. Instead of two smaller trays, you could also pick a larger one that can hold multiple designs.