1x3 and 1x4 Wood Box Tray

A simple, good-looking decorative tray — the kind that holds a candle and a couple of books on a coffee table, or corrals clutter on a counter. Three 1x4 boards glued edge to edge make the bottom, framed with 1x3 sides standing proud to form a lip. Add handles if you want to carry it.

The only technique is the glue-up: join the three 1x4s edge to edge and let them fully set before you do anything else, because a tray bottom that hasn't cured will spring apart when you nail the sides on. Then measure the actual combined width of your glued panel and cut the end trim to match — nominal math won't be exact once three boards are joined.

Stain suits it better than paint, and a couple of coats of a wipe-on finish protect it from candle wax and coffee rings. Under an hour of work plus drying time, and it makes a solid gift.