Anthro Knock-Off: Stacking Wood Trays

I have been coveting these wood trays from Anthropologie for the last 6 months but their steep price tag put the brakes on any intent I might have had to buy them. I mean, $128 for 3 wooden desk trays?! No thank you. Thankfully the knock-off challenge at SYTYC came bright and early this season so I finally had the motivation to make a set for myself.

They are the perfect addition to my newly organized office console, dontcha think? I started with some plain wooden trays for $7.99 a piece and added some dividers. After painting on the wording, I added a brass card holder/pull to each tray and called it a day. I guess you want better instructions than that? Check out the step by step below!


1. Start with some awesome drawer inserts. I found mine at HomeGoods after searching high and low for a couple of weeks.

2. Print out the text that you want to transfer to your boxes. Be sure to size it appropriately. Print & cut.

3. Tape the piece of paper in the position you want it on the wood. Trace over the outline of the text with a pen and a TON of pressure. Well, maybe not a ton exactly, but as hard as you can.

When you remove the paper, you should have a pretty clear outline left:

4. Paint inside the lines with the thinnest brush you have.

5. Set each tray aside to dry as you do the next piece. Go back and do three of the four sides. (I did the right side on the front and the edge closest to the front on each of the sides)

Now you're ready to add the brass bookplates! I found this adhesive variety at Staples in the Martha Stewart aisle.

6. The bookplates on the front of the Anthro originals did not have a background so I had to fix that on the set that I picked up. Using an xacto knife, cut around the inside of the bookplate.

When you're done, they'll look like this:

7. Apply the bookplates to the front center of the tray

8. Repeat on the rest of the trays, being sure to have the bookplates line up.

9. Now that you're done making the trays, you are ready to toss all of your office supplies into the little slots and call it a day!

So, for a little over $25 I got this awesome set. How do you think it compares to the original?

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

I'm linking to:

Tatertots & Jello | S3 | Classy Clutter | I Heart Nap Time | Mine for the Making | Flamingo Toes | Craftomaniac | Shabby Creek Cottage | My Girlish Whims | Stone Gable | Young and Crafty | Nifty Thrifty Things