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The bathroom tray guide

The bathroom tray, styled and sized

A good tray does three jobs: it fits the surface, it survives the splash zone, and it makes a few everyday bottles look chosen. Measure first, pick the material for how wet the spot gets, then style it with three to five things.

Find my tray Size chart

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Plate I A marble vanity tray: a soap pump, a perfume, a candle and one sprig for height.
i.

Start with where it sits

The spot decides the size and the material. Pick yours for the shapes that fit, what to measure and what to put on it.

Most searchedVanity traysRound, rectangular and tiered trays for soap, skincare and perfume by the sink.Lid about 17 to 20 inToilet tank traysTrays and baskets sized for the tank lid, with spare rolls, towels or a candle.Across the rimBathtub traysExpandable wood and bamboo caddies for a book, a glass and a candle.Narrow ledgesCounter traysSlim amenity trays and organizer trays for a busy sink.Dresser or vanityPerfume traysMirrored, marble and brass trays that keep bottles grouped and off the finish.SHOWER TRAY = SHOWER BASE OR PANUK termShower traysNot a decor tray: what a shower tray is, US names, and UK sizes.
ii.

Then choose the material

Every material looks good on day one. What matters is how it handles water, soap and steam in your bathroom.

iii.

Three rules for a tray that looks right

Get these right and almost any tray in a style you like will work.

  1. Measure the surface

    Toilet tank lids are mostly about 17 to 20 inches wide and 7 to 9 inches deep (Frank Webb). On a vanity, leave a few inches of open counter around the tray. Size calculator.

  2. Match the material to the splash

    Next to the faucet, choose ceramic, acrylic, metal or sealed stone. Keep rattan, raw wood and mirrored trays where they stay dry. Care by material.

  3. Style in three heights

    One tall piece, one medium, one low, set in a loose triangle, reads as calm. Use what you reach for every day as the base and add one thing that is only there to look good. Styling ideas.

iv.

Find your tray

Three taps: where it goes, your style, and what matters most. You get the tray type, how to size it, any care warning, and two Amazon searches.

1 Where will the tray sit?
2 Your bathroom style
3 What matters most?

Your tray

v.

Sizes at a glance

Measure the surface, not the tray you have now. Here are the numbers that decide what fits, with where each one comes from.

TANK LID, TOP VIEWTRAYLid width: about 17 to 20 in7 to 9in deepLeave a margin on every side so the tray sits flat on the lid
Plate II A tank tray should sit inside the lid with a margin all round. Lid sizes vary, so measure yours.

Bathroom tray sizes at a glance

SurfaceTypical sizeWhat to knowSource
Toilet tank lidAbout 17 to 20 in wide, 7 to 9 in deepMeasure your lid upside down at its widest points; lids vary in small steps.Frank Webb
Toilet tank, side to sideRarely over 20 in; most 18 in or lessSmall tanks can be about 15 in. A tray should be shorter than the lid it sits on.Hunker
Vanity trayHalf to two thirds of the clear counterOur styling rule of thumb, not a standard: it leaves a few inches open on each side.Styling guide
Slim amenity trayExample: 11-1/2 x 3 inUmbra lists its Junip chrome amenity tray at this size: long and narrow for a sink ledge.Listing
Bathtub caddy trayRange must include your tub widthMeasure across the tub from outer rim to outer rim, then check the listed minimum and maximum.Bathtub trays
Shower tray (UK term)Smallest common size 700 x 700 mmA shower tray is a shower base, not a decor tray. UK sizes are listed in millimeters.Bathroom Mountain
vi.

Style, organize and care

How to fill a tray without clutter, how to plan a counter, how to clean each material, and the brands worth knowing.

TALLMIDLOWStyle and careBathroom tray ideasDAILY TRAYKEEP CLEARStyle and careOrganize a bathroom counterMILDStyle and careHow to clean a bathroom trayStyle and careBathroom tray brandsTANK LID, TOP VIEWTRAYLid width: about 17 to 20 in7 to 9in deepLeave a margin on every side so the tray sits flat on the lidToolsBathroom tray sizes
vii.

Shop by type

Straight to current listings. Read the matching guide first if you are not sure what size or material you need.

viii.

Questions people ask

What is a bathroom tray for?

A bathroom tray gathers the small things that live on a counter, toilet tank or tub, such as soap, skincare, perfume, cotton and a candle, into one spot. That makes the surface easier to wipe, keeps drips off stone and wood, and makes a handful of everyday bottles look deliberate instead of scattered.

What size tray do I need for a toilet tank?

Measure the lid. Most toilet tank lids are about 17 to 20 inches wide and 7 to 9 inches deep, according to the parts retailer Frank Webb. Pick a tray narrower than your lid and no deeper than it, so it sits flat and lifts off easily when you need inside the tank.

What is the best material for a bathroom tray?

It depends on how wet the spot gets. Glazed ceramic, acrylic and metal shrug off splashes. Marble is easy to wipe but etches from acids. Wood, bamboo and rattan look warm but should be kept dry, and mirrored trays can darken at the edges if water sits there.

What do you put on a bathroom tray?

Start with what you use every day, such as a soap pump and a lotion, then add one thing with height (a bud vase or diffuser) and one low thing (a soap dish or small jar). Three to five items usually look calmer than eight. The styling guide has layouts for vanities, tank lids and tubs.

Is a shower tray the same as a bathroom tray?

No. In the UK, a shower tray is the waterproof base you stand on in a shower, called a shower base or shower pan in the US. A decorative bathroom tray is a small tray for the counter, tank or tub. This site covers decor trays and has one page explaining shower trays.

Sources: Frank Webb, Hunker, GSA, Civic Screens, Merlyn. We have not tested these trays; see how we choose.