Wood carving
How to carve decorative wooden trays and serving platters with carved handles and beveled edges.
Creating elegant wooden trays and platters blends precise carving with thoughtful design, blending utility with artistry. Learn a practical workflow, from selecting hardwood to shaping handles and bevels, plus finishing touches that elevate everyday serving pieces into heirloom-worthy accents.
Published by
Matthew Clark
July 17, 2025 - 3 min Read
Crafting decorative wooden trays and serving platters starts with choosing the right wood, one that balances beauty with durability. Hardwoods like cherry, maple, and walnut offer tight grains and natural warmth that take finishes well. Consider the tray’s intended use: a display piece benefits from contrasting tones, while a food-serving surface needs a smooth, safe finish. Reserve a stable, defect-free board for the base, ensuring flatness so the final piece sits evenly on a table. Plan dimensions that accommodate common serving sizes and fit your dining or display space. A simple design lock-in helps maintain consistent results across multiple projects.
After selecting material, draft a clear pattern for your tray. A lightly curved edge with a beveled rim catches light and adds elegance without compromising stacking or washing. Draw the outer perimeter, inner cutouts for handles, and the channel for the bevel. Mark reference lines to guide shaping and carving depth. If you’re new to bevels, practice on scrap to understand how shallow or steep the angle should be relative to the depth of the tray. Maintaining symmetry is essential for a balanced, professional look that enhances any table setting.
Carving into a design requires patience, precision, and careful finishing.
Start by routing or sawing away material to achieve the tray’s outer shape. Use a straightedge and clamps to keep the line true as you remove waste. A drum sander or sanding block helps establish a uniform surface, eliminating pencil lines and tool marks. Take time to square the corners and ensure the bottom remains perfectly flat. When shaping the handles, carve scalloped or rounded cavities that feel comfortable in the hand. The key is to keep transitions smooth so fingers glide along the carved features without catching rough edges or abrupt angles.
Carving the handles and bevels adds the character that distinguishes a tray from a plain board. Begin with shallow cuts, gradually deepening to create gentle curves that echo the tray’s silhouette. For beveled edges, tilt your router or block plane to the desired angle and run along the inner rim, maintaining an even width of bevel around the tray. Carefully test the fit by holding a mock plate or glass to ensure no sharp corners interrupt its function. Sanding increments should taper from coarse to fine until you achieve a satin, inviting feel that invites touch.
Finishing routines sustain beauty, durability, and food safety.
A well-finished tray not only looks refined but also stands up to daily use. Start with a food-safe finish such as oil or a water-based varnish rated for kitchenware. Apply thin coats, allowing adequate drying time between sessions. Wipe away excess finish to avoid sticky spots and uneven tones. Consider a contrasting inlay or a subtle grain accent to highlight the bevels and handles. If you plan to use the tray for hot items, heat resistance can be enhanced by a mineral oil blend or a beeswax-based finish. Remember to cure thoroughly before placing items on the surface.
Maintenance matters as much as the initial finish. After each use, wipe the tray with a damp cloth, avoiding soaking it in water. For deeper cleaning, a mild soap solution followed by a quick rinse works well, then dry promptly. Reapply oil or wax periodically to replenish the wood’s protective barrier and keep the grain vibrant. Store trays away from direct sunlight to minimize fading and warping. If any small splits or cracks appear, address them early with a compatible wood filler and a light sanding before resealing. Regular touch-ups maintain their beauty for years.
Ergonomics, safety, and inspection ensure reliable results.
Beyond function, consider proportion and balance in each carved feature. A tray should feel cohesive, with handles that align visually with the bevels. The depth of the tray influences how it sits on a table; shallow trays read modern, while deeper ones suggest traditional charm. Simplicity often yields timeless results; a restrained profile tends to age gracefully. If you choose decorative elements, keep them subtle to avoid crowding the surface. The grain direction can guide your carving approach, ensuring that machined edges align with natural lines within the wood. Patience during each step translates into a refined end product.
Practical carving techniques empower you to realize bold ideas safely. Use sharp chisels and gouges to carve clean lines and avoid tear-out on difficult grain. Work with your wood grain rather than against it, which helps preserve structural integrity and yields smoother surfaces. When shaping the interior curve, light, repeated cuts reduce the risk of gouging. Clamps and hold-downs are essential to keep the stock steady. Check your progress under different lighting to catch subtle irregularities. Finally, test-fit a plate or mug to confirm fit, ergonomics, and comfort before final sanding and finishing.
Texture, color, and safety considerations round out the project.
Carving with bevels demands precise control of tool alignment. Use a guiding edge or template for consistency around the entire rim. If using power tools, keep the RPM modest to avoid chipping or burning the wood. Hand finishing with a sanding sponge helps preserve the bevels’ crisp lines while removing any tiny inconsistencies from routing. Work gradually to maintain uniform bevel width around corners, then blend transitions by feathering with a fine grit. Clean dust from the surface between passes to maintain visibility of your progress. A cool, dry environment minimizes warping during the curing phase.
Texture can enhance the tray’s tactile appeal without compromising function. Consider a light crosshatch or subtle grain-embossed pattern on the bottom surface using a small rasp or burnishing tool. Be mindful not to create unsightly ridges that trap food or moisture. If you prefer a matte finish, choose a satin sheened oil or wax blend that highlights the wood’s natural character. For more contrast, pair a lighter interior with a darker outer edge through selective staining, while maintaining food-safe compatibility. Consistency in texture across all components reinforces the piece’s craftsmanship.
When planning multiple trays, keep a standardized workflow to ensure uniformity. Create a simple template for handle placement and bevel angles so each piece echoes the others. Maintain a record of wood type, dimensions, and finish used for future projects. A consistent approach reduces guesswork and speeds up production without sacrificing quality. Tests on waste pieces help you refine the bevel depth and handle shape before committing to the final wood. As you grow more confident, you can experiment with different woods and slightly varied profiles to build a cohesive collection.
Finishing touches transform a good tray into a signature piece. Consider subtle accents such as a chamfer on the interior edge or a light burn mark to emphasize the edge profile. You might also add a small, unobtrusive logo or monogram discretely. Always ensure that any decorative engraving does not impact usability or cleanability. Finally, photograph and catalog your projects, noting what worked and what could improve. With practice, your carved trays will become reliable, cherished items that elevate everyday dining and display, reflecting your personal design voice.
