DIY Desk Organizer Trays

Last Updated on March 3, 2022

OMG, how cute are these DIY desk organizer trays? Such a great way to organize important papers. And these stacking trays look so easy to make. Totally adding this to my list.

Hey friends! Desk organization can be super challenging for me, which is weird because I am fairly organized. But my desk always seems to wind up being a mess at the end of the work day. For me, the only thing that seems to be able to help is to sort documents and papers by category. It's not only practical, it's a really good reason to have to find some stylish storage for your desk! Of course, I fell in love with some stacking wood trays from Anthropologies that cost $128.00. That wasn't going to happen. So, I made these fun and super cute DIY desk organizer trays for only $21! Check out how to make them for yourself! his post contains some affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

OMG, how cute are these DIY desk organizer trays? Such a great way to organize important papers. And these stacking trays look so easy to make. Totally adding this to my list.

DIY Desk Organizer Trays Tutorial

Materials needed for 1 DIY desk organizer tray:

  • 1 unfinished wooden box with cardholder
  • Wood stain
  • Paper towels
  • Spray paint
  • Carbon paper
  • Black sharpie marker

Steps:

1) Remove the lid and the metal card holder. You will want to save your lid so that you can make these AWESOME Anthropologie inspired monogram clips :)

MUST PIN! Anthropologie Knock Off Stacking Wood Trays for a FRACTION of the price by Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body. #anthropologieknockoff

2) Stain your DIY desk organizer tray. Note that if you wipe down your tray with a damp wash cloth before you stain it, it will take the stain better. I used a darker stain that the Anthropologie tray both because I prefer it AND because I already had it on hand so it was FREE. You should choose any stain color that you like.

MUST PIN! Anthropologie Knock Off Stacking Wood Trays for a FRACTION of the price by Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body. #anthropologieknockoff

3) Next you will use carbon paper to transfer an outline of the typography onto your box. Type out your text in any word processing software. I typed “No. 1” “No. 2” and “No. 3” using Didot Font, size 60. Print it onto regular printer paper. Then cut out your typed text and a corresponding piece of carbon paper. Trace it onto each tray, in the two separate spots pictured. Then use your sharpie marker to color in the outlined text.

MUST PIN! Anthropologie Knock Off Stacking Wood Trays for a FRACTION of the price by Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body. #anthropologieknockoff

4) Now you need to spray paint your metal cardholder (if it is a shiny silver color, like mine was). I already had gold spray paint and oil rubbed bronze spray paint. I started with the gold, and while it was still wet, lightly went over it with the oil rubbed bronze spray paint to achieve a finish similar to the finish on the Anthropologie tray. Once your cardholder is dry, replace it on your DIY desk organizer tray.

That’s it! I just love how my DIY desk organizer trays turned out. Since I had all the supplies on hand already with the exception of the boxes, I was able to make all three boxes for only $21.00!

OMG, how cute are these DIY desk organizer trays? Such a great way to organize important papers. And these stacking trays look so easy to make. Totally adding this to my list.

OMG, how cute are these DIY desk organizer trays? Such a great way to organize important papers. And these stacking trays look so easy to make. Totally adding this to my list.

OMG, how cute are these DIY desk organizer trays? Such a great way to organize important papers. And these stacking trays look so easy to make. Totally adding this to my list.

Now my desk is a bit more organized and more stylish, too :)

 

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44 Comments

  1. I ♥ this! I’m doing a DIY jewelry organizer & think this might be a perfect solution. I went onto the Michael’s site and there is no dimension for the depth of the boxes -do you know what it is? I am putting them in an existing box/cabinet so they will be more like drawers but I would like to know how many I can stack. Thanks!

  2. Hi, thank you so much for sharing this project. It’s a wonderful idea and yours are indeed nicer than the others. I can’t wait to move to put your ideas in action.

  3. Tasha these are amazing! I can’t believe how much money you saved and yours are better!! Thank you so much for linking up to Get Your DIY On- Knock Off Projects! I hope you’ll join us on July 6th to link up your Summer Fun Projects!

    Mandy @ The Hankful House Blog