This project involved the redesign of a wooden couch tray—a popular home accessory that transforms the armrest of your sofa into a convenient surface for drinks, snacks, or devices. Our client approached Oxta Design with the goal of customising a base product into a more functional, modern, and manufacturer-ready version. The brief called for subtle yet thoughtful enhancements like integrated grooves, flexible phone holders, and silicone inserts—features that elevate user experience while keeping production feasibility in mind.
We supported the client with industrial design, 3D CAD development, and high-quality renderings, helping them confidently move toward sampling and manufacturing.
The couch tray market is saturated with basic designs—typically flat wooden panels that offer form but lack versatility. Our client saw an opportunity to stand out by offering a modular tray system that caters to real-life needs: holding mugs, accommodating multiple phone sizes, and keeping smaller items secure through silicone-lined storage zones.
The final concept focused on clean aesthetics, multi-functional slots, and easy-to-manufacture design updates. It needed to maintain the warmth and quality of natural wood while adding practical touches that improve everyday use.
Though visually minimal, designing a high-functioning wooden tray with custom groove geometries and modular phone attachments required thoughtful engineering:
Material Considerations: Wood presents limitations when it comes to tolerances, warping, and groove detail—especially with repeated use of removable inserts.
Mug Groove Design: The corner groove had to strike a balance between aesthetic minimalism and secure fit for different mug base sizes.
Slot Customization: Replacing two smaller slots with a single large one meant reworking internal spacing while still accommodating multiple item types.
Silicone Insert Fitment: The insert designs had to be tool-friendly for silicone moulding, yet precise enough to snap securely into the wooden slot.
Device Compatibility: Integrating two phone holder sizes that function well without visual clutter was critical for mass appeal.
The primary goal was to produce a visually refined yet highly functional couch tray that could be confidently presented to manufacturers and potential retail buyers. Our objectives included:
Create a corner groove similar to the client’s “mug groove” inspiration—offering visual consistency and improved grip for mugs.
Redesign slot layout to include one large central slot suitable for various items (remotes, notebooks, snacks).
Develop two custom silicone inserts, ensuring both aesthetic integration and utility.
Include modular phone holders—engineered in two sizes to hold devices upright securely.
Produce 3D renders and manufacturing-ready CAD files to streamline prototyping and sampling.
The final custom wooden couch tray design balances minimalist aesthetics with everyday utility. It’s modern, practical, and ready for the next stage of production.
Oxta Design delivered:
A precisely modelled wood tray, integrating the new mug groove and revised slot geometry
Two custom phone holders with clean form factors, suitable for a range of devices
A pair of silicone insert designs that can be produced via standard moulding processes
High-resolution 3D renderings showcasing material finishes, product usage, and modular components
CAD files, technical drawings, and part specifications ready for handoff to manufacturers
This project is a great example of how small, smart design choices can enhance a familiar product—resulting in something useful, marketable, and unique.
Whether you’re developing a new home accessory, furniture piece, or modular utility product, Oxta Design helps you bring your vision to life. From idea validation to production-ready CAD, we offer the expertise and support to move your concept forward with confidence.