Sometimes trays are an afterthought when it comes to home decor. We put a lot of consideration into furniture, color schemes and accessories, such as artwork, lamps and pillows, but trays don’t get the same attention. Maybe they should. After all, think of the variety of serving trays and other trays you can use to enhance your design.

There’s a wood serving tray, a metal serving tray, a serving tray with handles. There are ceramic trays, glass trays and trays made with resin. Trays might be rattan or bamboo. A serving tray can be round, rectangular or oval. It can be flat, curved or have sides. Some trays have multiple tiers. Whatever their composition, whatever their shape, whether they’re large or small, trays are suitable for many roles around the house. Here are seven ways to incorporate trays into your home’s style statement.

1. As an Accent

Many trays are beautiful all by themselves. Some of the most interesting are the resin-based trays, which can be molded into intricate shapes and might feature striking colors and designs. Stainless steel and other metal trays fit in with either a contemporary or industrial theme. Glass trays go with most anything, and some wooden trays have finishing equal to any piece of furniture.

A tray doesn’t have to be gorgeous by itself to add luster to a room. It serves as a complement to whatever you to put in it. A flat tray becomes a dining table centerpiece when it holds a vase of flowers and a carafe. A tray on a bookcase might show off a planter and a small sculpture. Random items on a coffee table, such as some candles, a vase and a small book, tend to look hodgepodge, but when arranged on a handsome wooden tray they’re cohesive and focused.

2. As an Organizer

If your odds and ends have a tendency to strew themselves across dressers, desks and countertops, a tray brings order to chaos. If your kitchen has multiple utensil jars, they pair nicely side by side on a tray. Choose a round tray for your most common spices, and keep it on the counter or in a cabinet. Have a tray just for coupons, fliers and important business cards. If you sort mail and papers in your kitchen, an in-tray and out-tray will help keep track of which is which. On an office desk a couple of stylish trays are a more interesting than a utilitarian in-out box.

In the bathroom, a wooden or wicker tray keeps your lotions, creams and spray bottles organized and limits their counter space. If surface area is an issue, consider using a tall tray with two or more tiers. Whether on a nightstand, in your entryway, on a hobby table or desk, there’s no limit to how trays can help keep life in order.

3. As a Catchall

If someone in your household likes to dump their pocket contents, a tray is a sanity saver. Whether it’s in the entryway or on a dresser or desk, everyone can always know where their wallet, keys and change are. Use a tray in an office for pencils, pens, erasers, paper clips and push pins. Have one on a nightstand for a book or e-reader, reading glasses, jewelry, your watch, a water glass and your bedtime or morning meds. Keep a tray in the media room for remotes, the channel list and a card for your visitors with your Wi-Fi password.

4. As an Improvised Table

Enjoy the convenience of a tabletop no matter where you are. Set a large tray atop an ottoman for an extra surface for games or food. If you’re writing or working on a sofa or living room chair, use a tray to hold your pen, notes and phone. Set it on a side table or even next to you on the couch.

5. As a Serving Tray

Beside the convenience of carrying items to and from the kitchen, a tray adds a touch of refinement to your meals and snacks. Arrange a teapot and cups with a few snacks or a pitcher of iced tea with glasses and a small bowl for lemons. At a party, have several, each holding the specific ingredients for a favorite martini. Use your tray for cheeses and charcuterie. Small plates with pieces of cake are welcome any time, but they look nicer served on a tray. Have a tray with condiments and another with napkins and utensils to carry to the porch or patio.

6. As a Dining Tray

When you bring out the food it’s a serving tray, but when every guest gets one it becomes a dining tray. When you’re not at the table, setting everything on a tray is easier than handling a separate plate, glass, fork and napkin. It works great for breakfast in bed as well!

7. As Storage

If you like meals on the patio, there’s no need to put the napkins, paper cups and plastic ware away separately. Set the whole trayful in a cabinet or on a shelf ready to go next time. The concept also works with bathroom supplies for your visitors.

The best part is that one tray is not limited to one benefit. A tray can be both an accent and an organizer, and an improvised table becomes a serving tray. If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to make your home look better and run more smoothly, think about how a few trays might fit into your home furnishing and entertaining plans.