How many modern women know what a dressing table is? It sounds pretty daunting just by incorporating the word vain into it. The name arose centuries ago because they contained the items that women wore to look their best. Thus, the rest of the community calls them vain. Due to the invention of bathrooms and closets, these trays were used less and less.
Modern women may not realize that the decorative tray that holds your perfume is called a vanity tray. In recent years they have become a stylish and decorative piece. They range in size from a basic 12 inches to nearly 24 inches. This can be in silver, gold or a painted design. Some are made of metal, others are made of glass and the most common type of this item is the mirrored background. If you’re looking for something more upscale, there are jeweled versions that involve crystal, glass, real emeralds, or diamonds. These fall into definite status symbols.
A dresser is a great place to store your perfume bottles and turn them into a decorative piece on their own. This is especially great for all those perfumes you get for Christmas or birthday gifts that just don’t appeal to you. If you can’t return it, turn it into bedroom art. If you have a mirrored background, be sure to clean it at least once a week. Just basic daily wear and dust create smudges and dirt that is magnified by the mirror itself.
A more popular version of the vanity is to create your own using a photo frame with your favorite photos. This is easily accomplished with a regular wooden picture frame and two cabinet handles. Find the right cabinet handles to match the decor of the person the dresser is being made for. Attach the handles using the hardware that came with them. If they don’t come with screws, ask your local hardware person what size you’ll need. After attaching the handles, insert the photo(s). This makes an original and somewhat homemade gift.
Whether you’re looking for an original type of vanity or something classic and bejeweled, you can find it on sale. Truly a decorative way to keep clutter organized on your bathroom counter or dresser. If you don’t want to use it to organize tools, try hanging a larger tray on the wall for an ornate vanity mirror.