Things to Put on a Vintage Breakfast Tray in the Bedroom

Framed Photographs

• Consider using your vintage breakfast tray to display photos of family and friends. Place the tray on top of your bureau or dresser then arrange the photographs inside the tray. You might choose to match the color or material of the frames to that of the breakfast tray, such as silver frames on a silver tray. Additionally, opening the legs on the breakfast tray and setting the photos on top gives height to your display. If you're worried about scratching the surface of the tray, place doilies or a lace napkin on top of the tray and underneath the frames.

Flowers

• Fresh flowers in your bedroom add color and decorative flair to the room and can be incorporated with a vintage tray. Place it on your dresser, bureau or large nightstand then add a vase that matches the overall style of the tray. For example, if the tray is art deco, find a period vase made of bakelite that features geometric shapes and bright colors with an angular and vertical composition. If the art deco vase is a true antique of the movement, it will have been produced around the 1920s through the '40s. If you're using silk flowers, change them to match the season or an approaching holiday, such as daisies in springtime or red roses for Valentine's Day.

Jewelry and Sundries

• Consider placing a small jewelry box on your vintage breakfast tray displayed on top of a bureau or dresser. Another option is to arrange accessories, such as colorful bracelets or hat pins, over a linen napkin on the tray. You'll be able to access them easily rather than hunting through a drawer as you decide what to wear. Not to mention, they'll be on display for you and others to enjoy.

Perfume

• A vintage breakfast tray can showcase your perfume collection. Jewelry bottles themselves are often decorative, which adds to the aesthetic appeal of this display. If you also collect vintage perfume pieces, such as atomizers, you could transfer recently purchased perfume into the older bottles, after cleaning them out thoroughly, to keep the collection in tone with the overall display.

Lotions and Creams

• Create a decorative space for lotions and creams that you apply in the morning or before bed by placing them on the breakfast tray. If the bottles or containers are not visually appealing, then purchase antique or vintage lotion bottles and transfer the lotion or cream into them. Consider placing a linen napkin or doilies underneath the bottles so any accidentally spilled cream does not stain or damage the surface of the breakfast tray.

Hair and Nail Products

• If you own vintage nail clippers, nail files, brushes or combs, display them on your vintage tray. Not only will it serve as a decorative piece in your room, but creating a grooming station filled with these items makes it functional as well. If you don't have a large mirror in your bedroom, consider adding a small vintage handheld mirror to the collection, with a matching comb and brush.