How to Style Your Entryway with a Catch All Tray
Share
Your entryway is the first thing you see when you walk through the door. It sets the tone for your home and, let’s be honest, it can either feel calm and inviting or cluttered and stressful. The difference often comes down to whether or not you have a system in place. That’s where the catch-all tray comes in. Small, stylish, and surprisingly powerful, it helps you keep essentials in one place so you never leave home without them. But it’s not just about function. Styled right, a tray can make your entryway look like it belongs in a design magazine.
Why Start with a Catch-All Tray?
A catch-all tray creates a natural landing spot for the things you grab every day. Keys, wallets, sunglasses, and mail all need a place to live. Without one, they tend to wander across tables and counters. Think of it like this. Your tray is the stage, and your daily essentials are the actors. The stage keeps them together, and you never have to search for them again. Here’s the thing about styling. You don’t need a huge entryway or designer furniture. Even a narrow shelf or a small console can feel polished when topped with a thoughtful catch all. I learned this the hard way when I lived in a tiny apartment. My keys were always lost, usually at the worst times. Once I added a cement key holder tray by the door, the stress melted away. It was such a small fix but it felt like a lifestyle upgrade.
What Should You Put in a Catch-All Tray?
The beauty of trays is their versatility. You can keep it simple or layer in personality.
For most people, the essentials include:
- Keys, stored neatly with a key holder attachment if needed
- Wallet or card case
- Sunglasses or reading glasses
- A candle or small decorative piece for warmth
- A tiny plant or fresh flowers for life and colour
If you’re the type who always drops random coins or receipts at the door, the tray will keep them contained instead of scattered. Here’s an insider tip. Add just one decorative object like a candle, sculptural stone, or ceramic dish. It creates balance so the tray looks intentional instead of messy. For more ideas, check out Organisational Trays: The Secret to a Calmer, More Collected Home.
How Do You Choose the Right Tray?
Not every tray fits every home. Think about three things: material, size, and colour. Materials matter because they set the mood. Cement feels modern and minimal. Wood feels warm and natural. Glass and metal bring a touch of elegance. Size depends on your needs. A large family might need a wide tray to handle multiple sets of keys and wallets. If you live alone, a smaller tray is plenty. Colour is often overlooked. A dark tray hides dirt and blends with modern decor. A lighter shade brightens a small space.
The Goodboy Palette strikes the perfect middle ground. Made in Melbourne with a matte cement finish, it feels timeless while still standing out as a design piece. It’s heavy enough to stay put and versatile enough to hold keys, jewellery, or even a candle you light at night.
Can a Catch-All Tray Work in Small Entryways?
Yes. Even if you don’t have space for a full console table, a catch-all can fit on a narrow floating shelf or even a wall-mounted ledge. Ask yourself, where do you usually drop your belongings when you get home? That’s the best spot for your tray. It’s about creating a habit loop. The tray acts like a visual reminder that tells your brain, This is where the keys go. For more inspiration on compact spaces, you might like MINIMALIST LIVING: WHY LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO HOME ACCESSORIES.
How Do You Style the Tray Itself?
Think in terms of layers. Start with the practical items you use daily. Then add one or two personal touches.
Examples of styling combinations:
- Keys, wallet, sunglasses, plus a small candle
- Jewelry you wear daily, with a sprig of greenery in a bud vase
- A makeup tray nearby for last minute touch-ups before you leave
Balance is key. If your items are mostly angular (like phones and wallets), add something round like a stone or candle. If your items are already decorative, keep the tray itself minimal. I once styled my tray with a candle, a tiny brass bowl, and my sunglasses. Guests always commented on how “designed” it looked, even though it was just everyday objects arranged neatly. If you want to go deeper into the lifestyle side, read CREATING RITUALS AT HOME: THE POWER OF SMALL OBJECTS.
Final Thoughts
A catch-all tray is one of the simplest tools for transforming your entryway. It saves you time, reduces clutter, and adds instant style. If you want something that looks as good as it works, the Goodboy Palette is designed to be that perfect piece. Locally made, built to last, and versatile enough for all your daily essentials, it turns ordinary routines into something intentional. So ask yourself, what’s the first thing you see when you walk into your home? If it’s a jumble of keys and clutter, a tray might be the small change that makes the biggest difference.