For the ultimate flexible work space, serve up everything on a large, sturdy tray. With this grab-and-go helpmate, you can pay bills and pen thank-you notes (or a novel) upstairs, downstairs, or even in bed.

How to Set It Up

Choose a wood or plastic tray with a glossy finish (to resist coffee-mug rings) rather than a paper clip–snaring basket weave, and avoid patterns in favor of a single color (the easier to spot a stray rubber band).

Though you can squeeze a laptop onto some, most trays are pen-and-paper affairs. Look for accessories with rubberized bases, which will stay put when you carry the tray from room to room. Acrylic supplies are ideal, since they’re easy to clean when spills happen.

Opt for a tray with handles for easy transport. The sides should be a few inches deep to contain supplies.

The perfect companion for this traveling tray is a lightweight cordless phone.

The Goods

Lacquer serving tray (22 by 22 by 2 inches), $195.
To Buy: www.jonathanadler.com.

Tip: Measure before selecting a tray to make sure it will fit in your chosen space, whether that’s on a sideboard or between the coffeepot and the toaster.