How to Choose the Perfect Color for Your Ottoman Tray
Picking the right stain color for an ottoman tray might seem like a small detail, but it can completely change the look and feel of your space. The tray often sits front and center in your living room, so the color you choose should work with your furniture, lighting, and overall style. Here are a few practical tips to help you get it just right.
1. Think About Contrast with Your Ottoman
One of the easiest ways to make your tray stand out is by playing with contrast. A lighter tray on a dark ottoman instantly brightens the space and draws the eye in. On the flip side, a dark tray on a light ottoman (think walnut or espresso against beige or cream) creates a rich, bold focal point.
The main thing to avoid is picking a stain that’s almost the same color as your ottoman. When the tones are just slightly off, it can look like you tried to match but missed by a shade. A clear contrast almost always looks more intentional and stylish.
2. Make Sure It Fits the Room
Next, consider how the tray’s color fits into the rest of the room. It doesn’t have to match every piece of furniture, but it should tie in with at least one or two elements—like your floors, side tables, shelving, or accent colors. This connection makes the tray feel like it belongs, rather than something that was just dropped into the space.
For example, if you have warm wood tones on your floors, choosing a warm stain like golden oak or walnut can help the tray blend seamlessly. If your space is more modern with cool tones, a natural or whitewashed finish might be a better fit.
3. Consider the Lighting in the Room
Lighting plays a huge role in how wood tones look. In darker rooms, a lighter stain helps brighten things up and keeps the space from feeling heavy. In well-lit rooms with lots of natural light, darker trays can add depth and warmth.
A quick trick is to place a few wood samples on your ottoman and look at them throughout the day. Morning, afternoon, and evening light can change how the color reads, so testing before deciding can save you a lot of second guessing later.
4. Handles or No Handles?
While the stain color is the star of the show, handles are worth a quick thought. If you plan to move the tray around a lot—for serving food or drinks—handles make it way easier to carry. They also give the tray a more classic, decorative look.
If your tray will mostly stay in one spot as a centerpiece, skipping the handles gives you a cleaner, more modern aesthetic and a bit more usable surface area. Neither option is wrong—it just depends on how you’ll use it and the style you like.
Bringing It All Together
Choosing the right stain color for your ottoman tray comes down to a mix of contrast, cohesion, and lighting. Once you dial in those three elements, everything else falls into place. Whether you go with a bright natural finish or a deep, dramatic walnut, the right tray can instantly elevate the look of your living room.
