6 Ways to Use a Leather Valet Tray (That You Haven't Thought Of)

Any outsider scrolling through the endless lists of the high-quality leather products on my Popov Leather store may assume that all it takes is sheer hard work and influence to create such a brand.

But, truly, there’s more to it than meets the eye. For someone who has grown a business from a one-man team to a cohort of 15+ committed and hardworking individuals, I can confidently admit that my secret has been putting my customers first.

This approach has been as simple as offering discounts, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals on selected items, or as more intensive as investing in only the highest quality materials and hiring the best leather craftsmen.

But today, I want to talk about another factor that has made my leather products stand out from the rest—versatility.

Every leather item my team and I make is designed with versatility in mind so that you can use it in different ways.

Take, for instance, our Leather Valet Trays, which provide an array of possibilities when it comes to their usage.

They'll elevate your daily life in ways you never thought possible, from offering convenient storage solutions to organizing and decorating your entryways, living rooms, or even kitchen stands.

But that’s not all. Our leather valet trays can serve a multitude of purposes beyond their traditional role as catchalls for keys, wallets, and other everyday carry essentials.

Today, I’ll explore six innovative ways you can use our remarkable Popov Leather valet trays, transforming them into functional and attractive additions to any space, just as I designed them to do.

As you read through the article, you'll discover:

• Unique uses that showcase the adaptability of our leather valet trays
• Ideas to incorporate these trays into your daily routines and activities
• How to elevate your organization game with creative and practical leather storage solutions
• Ways to add a touch of sophistication and elegance to your home décor using our leather valet trays

So get ready to unlock the full potential of the Popov Leather valet trays with these inventive ideas.

Remote controls tend to get lost easily, whether they slip between couch cushions or end up misplaced in other areas of the living room. If you have kids, finding them can be even more challenging.

Thankfully, with a designated holder, you'll always know where to find your remote control when you need it.

Popov Leather valet trays are designed to be practical and stylish, making them perfect for repurposing as a remote control holder.

With these chic leather organizing trays, you'll enjoy the convenience of having all your remote controls in one place.

They can hold multiple remote controls for various entertainment devices such as your DVD player, TV, and game console, helping you keep everything organized and within easy reach.

Moreover, our leather valet trays have a luxurious look and feel, adding a touch of sophistication to your living room.

To use them as a remote control holder, simply place one on your coffee table or entertainment center. Their shallow, open design makes it easy to place and retrieve your remote controls.

Bonus: You can customize your tray by choosing a color that complements your living room decor or choosing initials you'd like to be engraved on the tray.

We offer four distinct colors to choose from: Brown, Black, Natural, and English Tan. Each color has its own unique look and feel, allowing you to select the perfect shade to match your personal style and preferences.

For a classic, timeless look, I recommend the Natural or English Tan valet tray. These colors age beautifully and develop a rich leather patina over time, further enhancing the trays' elegance.

If you prefer a sleek, modern look, the Black or Brown valet tray is your best bet. These colors offer a contemporary twist on our classic leather valet trays and will complement any living space.

Regardless of your color choice, our leather valet trays provide a high-quality storage solution that keeps your remote controls and other living room essentials organized and easily accessible.

Before I purchased my Black Popov Leather Valet Tray (yes, I also buy my own products), I found myself constantly searching for charging cables and outlets for my cell phone, power bank, and other electronic devices.

But that's not all. Whenever I charged a device, there were cluttered cords and cables scattered all over my desk, nightstand, or wherever the charging took place.

I never realized how something as simple as a valet tray could make such a difference until I got one. Designing a valet tray was a game-changer, not just for me but also for my staff and customers who faced similar challenges.

And if you're wondering what kind of devices you can charge in our leather valet trays, the possibilities are endless. Some specific ideas include smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, and portable speakers.

With the ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously, you can even charge smaller accessories like your smartwatch while charging other devices.

You can also use these leather valet trays as grooming essential organizers for items like:

• Hair styling products like combs, brushes, and hair gel
• Face wash, toner, moisturizer, body butters, and other skin care products
• Dental care essentials like your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Bath bombs, bath salts, shower steamers, and other self-care shower essentials
• Essential oils, potpourri bowls, and scented candles for aromatherapy benefits

You don't need ample storage space in your bathroom to make it functional. Simply use our valet trays to transform your available countertop space.

Here are some of the benefits you'll experience when using our line of leather valet trays to display your grooming supplies:

• Efficient organization: Our valet trays provide efficient organization for your grooming essentials. Their design allows for easy access and visibility of all your supplies, enabling you to quickly locate what you need.
  
  Despite their compact size, they offer ample storage without occupying excessive space on your bathroom counter.
• Stylish storage: In addition to their functionality, Popov Leather valet trays offer a stylish storage solution. Their timeless design seamlessly complements any bathroom decor, while the high-quality leather adds an element of elegance to your grooming routine.
  
  With four classic color options available, you can select trays that suit your personal taste and aesthetic preferences.
• Durability and longevity: Our valet trays are meticulously handcrafted using high-quality materials, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance.
  
  With proper care, they can withstand daily use and maintain their pristine appearance for years to come. Investing in our valet trays means you're making a wise investment that will save you time and money in the long run.

Explanation: A neutral color is one without much saturation or intensity. Examples include tan, beige, and ivory.

If you prefer a warmer color scheme, our English Tan valet tray is an ideal option. Its rich, warm tone adds a touch of coziness to any room and pairs well with other warm colors like burgundy, deep green, or even mustard yellow.

For a more natural and organic feel, our Natural valet tray is your best bet. Its light, neutral tone complements natural wood and greenery, creating a calming and soothing environment. It's perfect if you prefer a minimalist or bohemian aesthetic.

Lastly, if you love a classic and timeless look, you can never go wrong with our Black leather valet tray. It complements both light and dark colors and adds a touch of sophistication to any room.

Using any of our leather valet trays as a centerpiece is a creative and unique way to add style and interest to your coffee table or dining table. Their medium size makes them a perfect base for displaying candles, diffusers, or other decorative items.

For a simple and elegant look, consider filling the tray with fresh flowers in a small vase. This creates a cohesive and sophisticated appearance that is sure to impress your guests.

Alternatively, you can fill the tray with candles of varying sizes and heights for a warm and inviting glow.

You may also consider adding a few small succulents or air plants to the tray to introduce natural elements into the arrangement. Incorporating different types of candles, such as beeswax or soy, can add a unique and eco-friendly touch.

The shallow, open design of our leather trays is perfect for storing small spice jars and containers. It allows you to quickly reach for the spices you need while cooking, without having to dig through a cabinet or drawer.

The icing on the cake is the trays’ rich and warm texture, thanks to the USA-sourced full grain leather we use. This is the crème de la crème of leathers, and its high quality speaks for itself.

Here are some impressive qualities of our full-grain leather valet trays and other leather accessories that make them stand out:

• Full-grain leather is derived from the strongest layer of the animal hide, with thick and tight-knit fibers that make it resistant to scratches, wear and tear. When you purchase our full grain leather valet trays, you're investing in quality, durability, and longevity that will ensure they last a lifetime.
• Full-grain leather is in its natural form, with no alterations made to its grain pattern or texture. Therefore, every leather valet tray you purchase from us proudly bears the marks, scratches, and other "imperfections" of the hide, making it incredibly unique.
• As full-grain leather ages, it develops a patina—a rich sheen that forms over time as the leather interacts with the environment. This patina gives our leather valet trays a richer and more luxurious appearance with prolonged use, adding to their timeless aesthetic appeal.

Here are some unique and creative ways to use them:

• Compact drawing and coloring area: Place a small sketchbook or coloring sheets along with a selection of crayons, markers, or colored pencils on the tray. The raised edges of the trays keep art supplies contained, preventing them from rolling off onto the floor.
• Mini puzzle station: Store small puzzles or tangram pieces in the tray, providing kids with a designated space to solve and play with these brain-teasers. The tray's design also makes it easy to move and store the puzzle when not in use.
• Sensory play area: Fill the tray with materials like playdough, kinetic sand, or beads, allowing children to explore various textures and develop their fine motor skills.

Thanks to the full-grain leather material of the trays, they will develop a unique patina over time, making them truly personalized accessories that grow along with your child's creative journey. The solid brass snaps also provide a secure and stable structure, ensuring the tray stays in place while your child engages in various activities.
 

Furthermore, the easy-to-clean nature of our trays ensures that any spills or messes can be quickly wiped away, keeping your space tidy.

Follow these simple steps to keep our leather trays looking as good as new:

1. Begin by wiping their surfaces with a dry, non-abrasive, and lint-free soft cloth to help remove dust, grime, and any debris.
2. Use a slightly damp piece of microfiber cloth and a gentle soap to clean your tray in a circular motion. For stained areas, use a soft bristle brush, warm soapy water, and very light pressure to scrub the area.
3. Lay your valet tray on a cool, dry surface and let it air-dry completely. Avoid using a hair dryer or any other source of heat to speed up the drying process, as this may crack, dry, or bleach your tray, causing it to age prematurely.
4. Once clean and dry, apply a high-quality leather balm (such as our all-natural Popov Leather conditioning balm) to replenish the lost oils and prevent your tray from cracking and splitting.

Remember, it's okay to use some water to wash our leather trays and other durable leather products. However, you want to avoid soaking them or tossing them into the washing machine.

When long-lasting leather items come into contact with water, rubbing alcohol, or other liquids, their natural oil will wash off and evaporate with the liquid. The harsh chemicals in the washing machine may also leach the natural oils from your trays.

Without proper treatment, this can leave your trays dry or, even worse, cause them to wrinkle and eventually crack.

To salvage your valet trays in such situations, gently wipe away the water and then use a non-abrasive soft cloth to pat the leather before allowing it to dry completely.

Once dry, gently massage the Popov Leather conditioning balm into your leather valet tray, allowing the oil to enrich it. It may take two to three treatments for the tray to regain its initial buttery-smooth texture.

Leather valet trays are versatile and stylish, making them a popular choice for organizing accessories such as watches, wallets, and keys.

Watch us make a Valet Tray in our workshop:

However, as I've discussed, the uses for these special handcrafted leather goods extend far beyond these typical items.

Whether you're organizing your home or looking for a stylish solution to everyday challenges, Popov Leather's valet trays are the perfect blend of form and function. They not only add a touch of sophistication to your space but also guarantee quality leather craftsmanship.

It would be an uphill task to find sturdier leather valet trays than Popov Leather’s Valet Trays available in four different colors:

Constructed from high-quality, USA-sourced full-grain leather and featuring solid brass snaps that unsnap for easy storage, our valet trays are sleek and durable while fulfilling their task of catching all your essential everyday carry items.

Their chic design shines when displayed against a background with colors that complement their unique leather tones. 

And as the icing on the cake, these valet trays—just like our other custom leather goods—come with a lifetime guarantee. They are meticulously handcrafted, and if you desire a customized look, you have the option to engrave your name or initials.

So whether you need them for your bedside, bathroom, work table, or coffee table, grab one of these valet trays and keep your life organized in style.