Whether you are looking for something exquisite to display your perfume collection on, or simply want a fine serving tray to compliment your meals, a mirrored vanity tray is one of the best ways to do this. These kinds of trays have made a resurgence in recent years thanks to sites like Pinterest, which have show how quick and easy it is to spice up your home with one of these trays. There are many different models for sale on the market today, so how do you go about separating the good from the bad?
In this post we are going to talk about what to look for, and have a closer look at some of the better trays we have come across a little further down the page. However, let’s start by talking about what to keep an eye out for before making a purchase.
How do you choose a tray?
Before you pick out your ideal model, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. The first is your intended usage scenario.
Intended Usage
Most people like to use these kinds of trays in the bathroom, so the first question you should think about is the finish of the tray. Is it going to hold up to the humidity and water exposure in the bathroom? It could be is a little hard to say whether it will or not, so this is something you might have to gamble on.
If the model you are interested in has some user reviews, then it is certainly worth your while to read through some to see if any kind of rusting is mentioned. Most chrome vanity trays are a safe bet for retaining their finish in a wet bathroom, so keep this in mind.
Getting The Correct Size
Next up will be the size of the tray. This is quite an important factor, especially if you have a close fitting area where the tray will sit. Being too big is not the only issue, as you may end up with something smaller than you hoped. We’ve noticed that some of the cheaper Chinese made models look suspiciously larger in their promotional photos than real life, which is to give off the appearance that you are getting something bigger than you really are.
Almost all the models will have the tray size in the product listing, so if the size is a concern then you should use a tape measure to ensure you are getting something adequately sized for what you require.
Ease Of Cleaning
And finally, you should also consider how easy the mirrored vanity tray is to clean. If you intend to use it as a serving tray, then it will likely need to be cleaned more than a stationary bathroom tray for example due to potential food and liquid spills. If it is an intricately designed tray that has lots of nooks and crannies, then that may not be ideal for serving food and drinks. Of course if you aren’t a clumsy person, then this shouldn’t factor too much in your choice! But we do like to mention this as not too many people consider this when looking at using them as serving trays.
Now that we have an idea what to look out for, let’s take a look at some of the more popular models you will find on the market.
Alexis Silver Mirrored Vanity Tray
Starting things off, we come to the Alexis Silver Vanity Tray. This model is on the cheaper end of the price spectrum, with a retail price of around $25. This tray has two handles which jut out, and feature a twisted rope kind of design which looks great. This tray has a burnished silver kind of finish, with a glass mirror in the base. This tray is quite large in size, with a length of 18″ and a depth of 12″. The sides of the tray are almost 3″ high, and these feature a vintage style scrolling pattern.
The tray is made out of metal, and therefore feels quite sturdy and well made. If you like the look of a vintage style tray with a decent amount of space, this one could be ideal for you.
You can find out more about this particular silver mirrored vanity tray over on the Amazon product page.
Home Studio Fine Vanity Tray
Next up we have the Home Studio Fine Vanity Tray. This model is a little pricier, coming in at around $30. This tray features a round crystal border, which is secured at each corner with bronze joins.
We should note that while these bronze joins look great, they are more of a matt bronze than a polished bronze (which is how they appear in the photo). It is a little smaller than the Alexis model we looked at above, with measurements of 14″ long x 9″ wide x 1.5″ high.
This tray certainly has a classy look, and makes a stunning addition to any room. At the time of writing this model had a 4.1 star out of 5 user rating on Amazon, so it certainly looks like a good choice. You can find out more about it and read some of the many user reviews over on the Amazon page.
Taymor Chrome Vanity Tray
And finally we come to the very stylish Taymor Chrome Vanity Tray. This model is the priciest of the bunch at around $35, although this is still quite reasonable for what you are getting.
Unlike the other two rectangular models, this is a oval style tray. It comes with four rails on either side of the edges, which are made with plated steel. This gives it a more open look, which allows the focus to be on the contents of the tray.
The dimensions of this model are roughly 11″ length x 8″ width by 2″ high. This model is more of a contemporary style design, and it feels very well made. With a large range of happy user reviews, it seems like we aren’t the only ones that love this tray. You can get more info on this model and have a closer look at it over on the Amazon product page.
Summary
So that is a look at some of the more popular mirrored vanity trays you will find for sale. We’ve listed three different, yet unique designs to give you a rough idea what is available. All three of them are decent choices, so it all boils down to what kind of style you are after. Remember to do your own research though, to make sure you are getting a quality product at the end of the day.