How I Turned an Old Wooden Stool Top Into An Upcycled Lemon Tray

I love a good upcycling project, especially when it turns something old and unwanted into something useful again. This time, I took an old round wooden stool top and transformed it into a bright, cheerful upcycled lemon-themed tray, perfect for carrying drinks outside during the summer months.

The shape of the stool top was already ideal for this project. It was round, sturdy and just the right size for a tray, so instead of throwing it away or leaving it forgotten in the shed, I decided to give it a fresh new look with paint.

A Bright Summer Upcycled Lemon Tray

The original stool top had a warm wood finish, but it was looking a little tired and scratched. I knew I wanted to make something fun and seasonal, and the round shape instantly made me think of a slice of lemon.

A lemon design felt perfect for summer. It is bright, fresh and cheerful, and it makes a lovely little tray for carrying glasses of juice, lemonade, iced tea or a couple of drinks out into the garden

Old Forgotten Wooden Stool Top

What I Used

For this project, I used:

• An old round wooden stool top

• White acrylic paint

• Yellow acrylic paint

• A sponge

• Paintbrushes

• A pencil or marker for sketching the lemon segments

• Clear varnish or sealer

• Optional tray handles

Step 1: Clean the Stool Top

Before painting, I gave the stool top a good clean to remove any dust, dirt or grease.

Because it had previously been used as furniture, it had a few marks and scratches, but that did not matter too much. Once painted, those little imperfections added texture and character to the finished piece.

Step 2: Add a White Base Coat

I started by covering the wooden surface with white acrylic paint.

Instead of aiming for a perfectly flat finish, I used a sponge to dab the paint on. This gave the surface a softer, slightly textured look and helped the paint catch in different areas of the wood grain.

The white base coat also helped brighten the surface so that the yellow paint would really stand out

Painting The Stool Top With White Acrylic Paint And A Sponge

Step 3: Sketch Out the Lemon Design

Once the white paint had dried, I marked out the lemon slice design.

I created a small circle in the centre, then drew lines out from the middle to create wedge-shaped lemon segments. I left space between each section so the white paint could show through like the pith of the lemon.

This part does not need to be perfect. Lemons are natural shapes, so slightly wonky lines actually make the finished tray look more handmade and charming.

Step 4: Paint the Lemon Segments

Next came the fun part: adding the bright yellow paint.

I filled in each lemon segment with yellow acrylic paint, leaving the white lines showing between the wedges. I also painted around the outer edge to create the rind.

The yellow instantly brought the whole project to life. It went from an old stool top to something fresh, bold and summery.

Step 5: Add the White Details

After the yellow paint had dried, I went back in with white paint to tidy up the lines between the lemon segments.

I painted around the centre circle and along the lines between each wedge to make the lemon slice design clearer. This helped define the pattern and gave it that classic citrus look.

Step 6: Seal the Tray

Because this tray is going to be used for carrying drinks, sealing it is really important.

Once all the paint was completely dry, I added a clear varnish over the top to protect the design. This helps guard against splashes, sticky drink spills and everyday use.

A wipeable finish is ideal for this kind of project, especially if it is going to be used outside during the summer.

Step 7: Add Handles

To make the tray easier to carry, you could add handles to each side. Simple wooden, metal or rope handles would all work well, depending on the look you want.

While I haven't added handles to my trray, simply because I don't have any yo hand, I love the idea of adding handles because it turns the stool top from a painted decorative piece into a practical summer tray.

The Finished Lemon Tray

I am so pleased with how this turned out. What started as an old wooden stool top is now a bright lemon tray that feels perfect for sunny days in the garden.

It is ideal for carrying drinks outside, serving lemonade, holding snacks, or even just displaying on a garden table as a fun seasonal decoration.

The best thing about this project is that it uses something that might otherwise have been thrown away. With a little paint and imagination, an old piece of furniture has been given a completely new purpose.

The Final Tray Ready For Handles

Final Thoughts

This was such a simple but satisfying upcycle. The round stool top was the perfect shape for a lemon slice, and the bright yellow paint made it feel instantly summery.

It is a lovely reminder that old furniture does not always need to be replaced or discarded. Sometimes, it just needs a fresh idea and a splash of colour.

Now all that is left to do is fill it with cold drinks and take it outside into the sunshine. 🍋