Rustic Wood Bathtub Tray
There are days that I want to crawl into a hot tub of water and disappear for a few hours. If you have children or even a rough day I’m sure you can relate!
Today I have just the thing to ease your frazzled nerves. A Rustic Wood Bathtub Tray so you can lock the bathroom door and soak in a warm bathtub. You can prop a book and a glass of wine on your tray. Or maybe some tea and the iPad so you can binge watch some Netflix. Hey, whatever you need to recharge is okay with me.
Fill that tub with a bath bomb and put this Rustic Bathtub Tray to good use!
Materials:
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- 1″x6″ x 3′ board
- Measuring tape
- Cotton rope
- Knobs with key hole opening or handle
- Miter saw
- Sander
- Minwax Early American Stain
- Oil-based Minwax Polyurethane
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Wood glue
- Safety googles
- 1.5″ finish nails
- Hammer or nailgun
Instructions:
Measure the exterior width of your tub.
Cut two small pieces about 1″ wide from the board (these will be the stops to hold your tray in place.) Then cut your board to the width of your tub. Sand the wood smooth.
Measure the lip of your tub and mark the location of the inside edges of the tub onto your board.
Hold the 1″ strips under your board and test to see that it fits inside the tub but against the walls to keep your try from sliding side to side.
Add some wood glue to the underside of the 1″ strips.
Secure the strips to the underside of the board using finish nails. Repeat for the opposite side.
Mark the location for your handle, centering it front to back on the tray edges.
Using the larger drill bit, drill slightly into the bottom of the tray.
Use the smaller drill bit to drill through the tray at the same location.
Set the handle screws into the bottom of the tray and make sure the screw sits inside the surface of the wood. (No need to have rusty screws leaving marks on your tub.)
Stain your board by wiping the stain on, let it sit a minute and wipe off any excess. Repeat until desired color is achieved. Apply 2-3 coats of polyurethane to protect your tray from the water. Allow the tray to dry.
Install the knobs for the handle into the tray.
Tie the rope between the two knobs. To keep the rope knots secure, add a dab of glue inside the knot.
Fray the ends of the rope if you desire.
It’s time to slip away to your bathroom and lock the door!
Enjoy some calm time to yourself to recharge.
Did you like this simple tutorial? Want to create some more simple projects for your home like a rustic wood serving tray?
Check out my entire Build It project gallery for more fun projects!
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It is so simple and cute thing for bath. Never thought about it but is great for people in certain ages. or as extra shelf in bath. I love long baths, and this would be handy for placing my tea or laptop. Thanks for sharing.
I love it! I love to read in the tub and could use something like this. Plus, I remember those Calgon commercials. I still say, “Calgon, take me away,” and I’m sure no one knows what I’m talking about anymore. Hilarious!
This wood bathtub tray looks really nice. Easy to make too. I especially like the rope handles
Thank you Mary Sue!
How cute is that!
A useful accessory in the bathroom. Easy and practical, you can do it faster in some parts of old wood and some pieces of rope. A great ideas, I love it!