A bit lavish? Maybe, but once you scroll through our edit of the best bath trays you’ll find yourself wondering how you coped without one for so long. Besides being infinitely more stylish than cluttering your bath products precariously on the corner of the tub, many of the best bath caddies now come with a dedicated area to rest your iPad/book/phone as you relax, and some even have a holder for your well-deserved glass of wine or hard seltzer at the end of a long day – told you you'd want one. And while it'd be incorrect to narrow self-care down to just getting a manicure, doing a face mask and binge-watching the Real Housewives of wherever for the 10th time in a row, they certainly help. When buying a bathtub tray, people should consider its purpose first," says Merchant. "Will the tray be used for decorative purposes only and moved to the side when the tub is in use? Will it be used for bathtub reading?" Think about how you’ll use your tray most commonly–to store bath and shower essentials, for browsing on your tablet or smartphone, or for holding candles, glasses, or other decorative items, as a few examples–and let that guide your initial search for products. Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer who specializes in lifestyle and home decor. She covers home accents and organizational solutions at The Spruce. You can read more of her work on MyDomaine and Travel + Leisure. Bath trays are the accessory you didn't know your evening wind-down needed and, yet, now that we've brought it to your attention, it's also the one you simply have to have.

Laptop Bathtub Tray - Etsy Laptop Bathtub Tray - Etsy

Linzie Merchant, Decorist interior designer who offered product recommendations and buying tips for selecting a bath tray Ideally, a bathtub tray will have silicone or rubberized grips on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. If yours doesn't have a grippy base, the most important thing is that it's plenty wide, so the edges sit securely on the sides of your tub.

Take your time in the tub to the next level by shopping from our edit of the best bath trays below.

We love that this lightweight bathtub tray is easy to move around and lift out of the way as needed. It also scores extra points for its adjustability, which allows it to work with tub widths from 18 1/2 to 25 1/4 inches. However, it’s not designed for all tubs; hot tub style models, or those with unusual edges, may not be able to use this tray with the same level of stability or ease. Ultimately, though, for your typical tub, it makes for a perfect fit.

Miro Wooden Bath tray and Laptop bed desk Bath caddy tray

You can also cut a piece of wood in the exact width of the basin and attach it to the bottom of the tray. If you plan to keep the tray there permanently, you could use a waterproof adhesive and seal it to your tub. Just remember that you won't be able to slide it around or adjust it once it's attached. After considering dozens of models from various retailers and brands, she ultimately chose high-quality, aesthetically pleasing caddies with standout features.Regardless of how you plan to put your bathtub tray to use, it’s a good idea to look for a design that has slots, stands, and holders for everything you'd like to place on it. The more available trays, stands, or specific holders (like the Umbra Aquala Bathtub Caddy, which includes a specially designed wine glass holder!) you have at your disposal, the more useful your tray will be. When browsing bathtub trays, look for a style that complements your bathroom decor. Natural bamboo finishes and plain white caddies will work with most design schemes, but if your space has a specific theme, play to that aesthetic. For instance, a wood tray like the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Slatted Wood Bathtub Tray might be just the thing for a modern farmhouse bathroom. A metal or stone caddy, like the Rebrilliant Castelli Bath Caddy, may be a better choice for industrial-inspired spaces.