Trays
Trays in Saudi Arabia — in a Saudi home, a tray is never just a tray. It carries the dallah to your guests, gathers dates and finjan on the coffee table, and brings order and beauty to every surface it touches. At RIS you will find luxury hand-painted iron trays — Panama, Flora and the bold Occhio eye designs in yellow, red, green and white — each one a serving piece and a work of art. Set yours beside our tableware and host the refined way.
Read more
A Serving Tray and a Decorative Tray in One
A hand-painted iron tray works twice as hard as any other piece in the room. By day it is décor — a confident circle of colour standing on a console or resting on a coffee table. By evening it is service — carrying coffee, tea and sweets to your guests in one elegant trip. The painted eye and floral designs are made to be seen, so choose a tray you would happily leave on display, not hide in a cupboard.
Serving Saudi Style — Dallah, Dates and Finjan
The classic arrangement is simple: the dallah in the centre, finjan cups in a neat row, and a small bowl of dates at the side. A large tray keeps everything together and protects the table beneath from heat and drips. Keep the tray uncluttered — coffee service looks most luxurious when each piece has space around it, and your guest's eye goes straight to the welcome, not the crowd.
How to Style a Coffee Table With a Tray
A tray is the stylist's first tool because it turns scattered objects into one calm composition. Place the tray slightly off-centre, add one stack of books, one object with height and leave the rest of the table empty. On a console or sideboard, stand a painted tray upright against the wall like artwork behind your glasses and bottles — the hand-painted designs were made for exactly this.
How to Care for Hand-Painted Iron Trays
Wipe your tray with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it at once — iron and water should never sit together. Do not soak a hand-painted tray or put it in the dishwasher, and keep strong sprays away from the painted surface. Use coasters or a cloth under a very hot dallah, and your tray's colours will stay bold and bright for years.
Delivery Across Saudi Arabia
RIS delivers across Saudi Arabia, with free delivery in main cities on orders of 2,500 SAR or more. Every tray is wrapped flat and protected, so the painted finish arrives at your home in perfect condition — or come and choose your colours in person at our Jeddah showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tray used for in a Saudi home?
In a Saudi home a tray works for serving and for styling. It carries the dallah, finjan and dates to guests in one trip and protects the table from heat and drips. The same tray gathers candles, books and glasses into one calm arrangement on a coffee table or console.
How do I serve dallah and dates on a tray?
Place the dallah in the centre of the tray, the finjan cups in a neat row beside it, and a small bowl of dates at the side. Leave space around every piece — an uncrowded tray looks luxurious and pours without spills. Serve from the tray itself rather than passing cups hand to hand.
Can a hand-painted iron tray carry hot items?
Yes, a hand-painted iron tray carries hot items well, because iron handles heat. For a very hot dallah, set a small cloth or coaster under it to protect the painted finish. Lift a fully loaded, warm tray with both hands.
How do I clean a hand-painted iron tray?
Wipe a hand-painted iron tray with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately. Never soak it or put it in the dishwasher, and keep strong sprays away from the painted design. Iron and water should never sit together — that is what keeps the colours bold and rust away.
What size tray should I buy for a coffee table?
Choose a tray that covers roughly one-third of your coffee table's length. It should fit a dallah, cups and a small bowl with room left around it, so the table still looks calm and open. For serving a full majlis gathering, step up to a tray of 40 cm or more.
Can I hang a decorative tray on the wall?
Yes, a hand-painted tray makes striking wall art. Stand one upright on a console against the wall for a relaxed look, or hang it with a secure plate hanger. The Occhio eye design is especially loved as a single, bold wall piece.
Do iron trays rust?
Iron trays rust only if water is left sitting on them. Dry your tray after every wash and after serving cold, wet glasses, and store it somewhere dry. Cared for this way, painted iron stays clean and rust-free for years.
Are hand-painted trays a good gift?
Yes, a hand-painted tray is one of the finest Saudi home gifts: useful every day, beautiful on display, and easy to match because the colours are classic. It suits housewarmings, weddings and Ramadan visits, and guests always find a place for it.
How do I style a tray on a console table?
Stand the tray flat or upright against the wall, then add one tall piece — a candle holder or a vase — and one low piece such as a small bowl. Keep the group to one side of the console and leave the rest of the surface free.
What colours of hand-painted trays are most popular?
The Occhio eye design in white and green is the most loved, yellow brings a warm, joyful note, and red is chosen for bold, confident tables. All four colours — yellow, red, green and white — are painted to sit happily beside gold, wood and marble.
Can I use a tray in the bedroom or bathroom?
Yes, a tray works in the bedroom and bathroom too. On a dressing table it gathers perfumes and jewellery into one refined place; in the bathroom it holds hand towels and scent bottles neatly. Just dry it after any contact with water, as with any iron piece.
Do you deliver trays outside Riyadh and Jeddah?
Yes, RIS delivers trays to all regions of Saudi Arabia, packed flat with protective wrapping so the painted finish arrives unmarked. Delivery is free in main cities on orders of 2,500 SAR or more. You can also choose your colours in person at our Jeddah showroom.
What size tray do I need for serving Arabic coffee?
A tray of 25–30 cm is the right size for Arabic coffee service: it holds the dallah in the centre with a neat row of finjan beside it. For tea, sweets and larger majlis gatherings, choose a serving tray of 40 cm or more so nothing crowds or spills.
