The DIY Tray Light Project (inspired by Geneva Vanderzeil)

Tray light front side showing light effect and reverse side showing string of lights with battery

Honey, I get it. I’ve totally been there. You’re lying in bed at night thinking “what the heck’s wrong with my life?”. Then, at 2.53am you sit BOLT UPRIGHT. Some kind of guardian angel has infused the answer right into your head. “You need a wall tray with a soft mellow back light, gently wrapped with a string of warm twinkle lights and lovingly hung at an angle that shows off the delicate curves and colours”.

If you’ve been struck with this little nugget of wisdom you’ve come to the right place. All you need to do is follow these steps:

Step One. Grab a copy of Home is where you Make It: DIY ideas and styling secrets to create a home you love, whether you rent or own by Geneva Vanderzeil.

Step Two. Go to page 140 - Plate Wall Light Project. As Geneva says “Creating a beautiful low-light environment is absolutely key to a space that helps you transition from a big day of work or study to feeling relaxed and sleepy” (so right), and “Lighting projects can be tricky, but this one includes a clever hack that will make you want to experiment with lots of different styles”.

Now, I’m pretty sure no-one thinks I’m a Crafting Queen… HOWEVER… this little project is SO easy you’ll be making tray lights for all your friends and neighbours, and probably all your neighbours friends as well.

Step Three. If you can’t get a copy of Geneva’s book, grab a tray, a glue gun, a short string of LED party lights with a battery and side switch (I used a 2 metre string), and a removable picture hanging strip.

Step Four. Glue the battery section of the string lights to the back of the tray.

Step Five. Wait a couple of minutes for the glue to dry, then wrap the lights around the battery section. Use some glue or sticky tape to fix the lights in place.

Step Six. Attach the picture hanging strip to the battery section and stick the tray to the wall**

Step Seven. Stand back and bathe in your brilliance (and/or the light of the tray).

**Make sure it’s totally safe and secure. And keep it away from kids, especially all the little ones with *that* look in their eye.