11. Reclaimed Wood Coffin Tray
Serve up spooky cocktails or display your collection of apothecary jars on a rustic, handmade reclaimed wood coffin tray. This DIY project combines functional serving-ware with a distinct, macabre shape, making it a stellar centerpiece for a Halloween buffet table or coffee display. By using weathered pallet wood or distressed craft pine, you can give the tray a rustic, hand-built look that feels authentic and historic, like a relic from an old frontier cemetery.
To construct the tray, draw a classic six-sided coffin template on a piece of paper to use as your guide. Cut a flat piece of plywood or joined pallet boards to form the coffin-shaped base. Next, cut thin strips of wood for the raised side walls, angling the corners carefully so they fit together snugly around the perimeter of the base. Secure the side walls to the base using wood glue and small brad nails. Sand the entire tray to smooth out any sharp splinters, but leave enough natural wood grain, knots, and imperfections to maintain its rustic charm. Stain the wood with a dark ebony or weathered grey finish, and screw two vintage-style black metal drawer pulls onto the ends of the tray to serve as handles. Line the bottom with spooky gothic-print contact paper for an extra touch of detail.