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A Valet Tray Will Help You Keep Track of Your Valuables

A valet tray is more than just a place to put your things.

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By Evan Malachosky

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Although the valet tray — also known as a catchall or catchall tray — seems like an excessive addition to any desk space, it’s actually quite useful — despite its simplicity. It holds things. That’s it’s only job. It’s easy, and it’s also elegant, in an outdated sort of way.

What Is a Valet Tray?

Valet trays are not just a place to put your things. They’re a reminder about how important those things are. At least for me, without a place to put them every single time I return home, I’m more likely to lose them (i.e. leave them in a pocket or drop them into the bottom of a bag).

Having a home base for your phone, keys, wallet and whatever else (cologne? car key?) means never worrying about where you left either of these items again. And it’s also a stylish way to display that well-patinaed wallet or clever brass carabiner your keys are attached to. If you opt for a bigger tray, you can store bigger things — even anchors like a bottle of whiskey, a paperweight or an oft-used tool like a tape dispenser or a mug full of pens and pencils.

Truthfully, the valet tray is a blank space, but it’s important to consider the material it’s made from, because leather ones will age well and look more at-home within your swanky desk setup, but metal ones might be better saved for your garage. However, no matter what place on your tray, there are several clear reasons you should make room for one of your own. Isn’t clearing your cluttered desk or dresser incentive enough?

The Best Valet Trays

Billykirk’s popular leather valet tray comes in three sizes, Original, Large and XL. The large offers more than enough room, plus you can add a customizable embossed logo or monogram for only $15 dollars more. To spot clean this full-grain vegetable tanned leather tray, use a damp rag.

Dimensions: 9 by 7.5 by .75 inches

On the left side of Courant’s Italian leather CATCH:3 tray is a wireless charging dock for an iPhone 12 or 13. On the right, there’s room for, as seen here, sunglasses, jewelry, cologne or another small bottle, plus a wallet and keys.

Dimensions: 11 by 8 by 0.6 inches

Yamazaki Home’s simple steel trays are easy to clean, match and move. Given the size, there isn’t as much room on this one as, say, Billykirk’s, but you cannot beat the quality for only $15 dollars.

Dimensions: 4 by 8.7 by 0.6 inches

This Graf Lantz tray features a combination of materials: sturdy American vegetable tanned leather for the frame and soft merino wool for the liner.

Dimensions: 9.75 by 12 by 1 inches

Unlike most valet trays, which are made from leather or metal, Craighill crafted its iteration from wood. But not just any wood: American maple milled in Michigan. There’s a raised lip between both sides of the tray, creating a subtle division.

Dimensions: 7.5 by 11 by .5 inches

If you’re storing fragile items like jewelry, glasses or a phone, you’ll want a tray with a soft center. Parachute’s lightweight leather tray has a soft felt liner that cradles even the most scratch-prone items. Plus, an elevated divider helps keep items away from one another.

Dimensions: 6 by 9 inches

Although not ideal for super small items since the tray doesn’t have a complete outside edge, DSPTCH’s American-made steel Base Object 04 works perfectly for oft used, and fairly durable, things like your keys, wallet and sunglasses case.

Dimensions: 8 by 6 by 1.5 inches

If you want to fine tune your tray specifically to your space, go with one from Leatherology. There are over a dozen different leather colors, plus the option of embossed, hand-painted or puffed lettering on the inside. The edges are snap closed so you can unfold the tray should you need a little additional room.

Dimensions: 5.75 by 5.75 by x 1.5 inches

This tray, designed by Dawn Sweitzer, is truly one of a kind. Each iteration will be slightly different because it’s made from hand-painted glass and a unique wooden rim. This is also a bigger option, which means it’ll accommodate someone who’s sharing the tray, whether in a communal workspace or at-home with a partner.

Dimensions: 17 by 9.5 by x 1.5 inches

Designed by David Irwin for Case, the Trove Tray is completely made from cork. The walls are high, offering plenty of protection for the contents inside. Plus, if you buy several of these, they stack very neatly.

Dimensions: 12.99 by 4.33 by 1.57 inches

Here is another all-leather tray with snapped edges. However, you can’t undo these like the others. The four corners are connected with brass rivets to create a catchall in the center for loose keys, change and other items.

Dimensions: 5 by 5 by 2.5 inches

This hand-stitched version features sewn leather edges and a soft suede interior. It isn’t as big or durable as others on this list, but it’s also only $45 bucks.

Dimensions: 8 by 5 by 1.25 inches

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