How to Make a Bathtub Tray

Charlotte J. Devine
by Charlotte J. Devine
6 Materials
$30
40 Minutes
Medium

Who doesn’t like to come home and take a relaxing bath by candlelight, while reading a good book and listening to your favorite music? It’s an irresistible plan, right? With this step by step you can create a wooden tray for the bathtub very easily at home. An ideal and very practical accessory that will help you to have with you that glass of wine that you like so much, or a good book, while you relax without worry.

1. CUT THE PIECES OF WOOD


The first step you will have to do to create your bathtub tray will be to cut the slats that will shape the structure of this accessory. The structure of the tray will have two long slats that will support and cross the bathtub, and on them, shorter pieces perpendicular to form the surface. We have used 14 pieces of wood: twelve short 20 x 4.8 x 0.8 cm; and the remaining 2, the support slats, measuring 68 x 3.5 x 1.3 cm.


These measurements are the ones we have used depending on the width of our bathtub, but you can change them to fit the size of yours


Begin by marking the pieces with a pencil. Then cut with the jigsaw one by one. We recommend that you replace the pieces to be able to work more comfortably and safely, in this way the slats will not move while you make the cuts.

2. SAND THE WOOD

Now is the time to sand all the pieces of wood that you just cut. This step is important in this project since the tray will be in your bathtub and in contact with you, and of course you will not want to hurt yourself with chips. In addition, in this way you ensure a good finish, eliminating any possible burrs that may have been caused after the cutting process.


We recommend that you sand the entire surface of the slats with fine-grained sandpaper so that the products that you use later to decorate penetrate well into the wood, and have a great finish.

3. PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER


Next, it’s time to put all the pieces together to form the structure of the bathtub tray . To start, glue the short pieces on the long slats with a little white glue, perpendicular and leaving a centimeter between them. When they are all glued and the glue is dry, reinforce the joint with a pair of screws per piece, one at each end.

Recommendation! Make a hole with a small drill bit before inserting each screw, in this way you will prevent the wood from breaking.

4. APPLY A MULTIPURPOSE TREATMENT


Like the bathtub tray that you are creating is going to be in a humid place and it is going to get wet, it is convenient that the wood you use is special for exteriors and apply a treatment that prevents the appearance of mold and prevents deterioration of the furniture.


In this case, we used a long-lasting multipurpose treatment of V33. For its application, shake the product well and spread it over the entire wooden surface with a trowel. Wait about 20 minutes and repeat the application.

5. APPLY WOOD STAIN


We love this step, decorate! Once the multipurpose treatment has dried, apply wood stain that highlights the grain. We have chosen a light oak color, which gives a very cool Nordic style. If you like it, copy the idea!


To apply it, use a trowel or brush. In our case, we have used a circular brush, which allows us to reach all the edges and nooks of the slats. After application, remove any excess that may have remained with a cloth.

6. APPLY SPECIAL OIL FOR BATHS


This last step is very important, since the bathtub tray will be in constant contact with water and humid environments in the bathroom. For this reason, we recommend that you apply a special oil for bathrooms that prevents the wear of the wood.

Your bathtub tray is ready! How about? Would you use it in your bathroom? Leave your opinion in the comments!

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Charlotte J. Devine
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Frequently asked questions
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  1 question
  • Em Em on Dec 16, 2020

    What keeps it from falling in the water?

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  • Des49284694 Des49284694 on Dec 21, 2020

    I need a tray like this for my bathtub. It's exactly the same how do you get the tray to stay.....

  • Vic64306796 Vic64306796 on Jan 03, 2023

    I am going to make one for my whirlpool tub. I am going to Ann two boars on the tub side of the long slats to keep it from shifting off the tub edges, Antwon handles to the far surface boards to be able to lift and carry it easily.


    I am looking forward to using it!!!

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