I often get asked if I use all the cake stands I have displayed on the open shelves in our kitchen, and the answer is always a YES! I love having my cake stands displayed on our shelves, because they help add some decor into our kitchen, but they are also easy to grab whenever I want to set up a pretty display for a party. So today I’m sharing some tips on how I use my cake stands to style a brunch buffet in our dining room.
Come and see ~
I recently shared a LIVE tutorial for this process in my Facebook group “Coffee with Bre”, and thought it would be fun to share my tips on here as well. I mentioned during the LIVE demonstration, that I believe the success to any buffet lies in the presentation of the food. I also joked that you don’t have to be the best cook – in fact none of the food I used to style this brunch buffet I made. Nope, it’s all store bought our grocery store bakery and Trader Joe’s!
Tip 1 – Add Height
Using cake stands to style food is a great way to add height to any display. Whether you have a small table, a kitchen island, or you are using your dining room buffet, like I did, adding height gives you more room to style your food.
Tip 2 – Incorporate Varying Sizes
Using cake stands in different heights and sizes adds variation to your display and keeps the eyes moving at all the yummy food you are serving. In decorating we like to add different textures in to add interest, using varying sizes works the same way when styling the tabletop you are serving food on.
I also love to stack cake stands on top of each other to add even more height which also equals more serving space. You might not be able to add more horizontal space, but this is a great trick to add space vertically, especially when working in small spaces.
Tip 3 – Highlight your Drink Station
I also love to use a cake stand as a pedestal for my decanter. It creates a mini-drink station easy to find, and also makes it easier for people to pour their own beverages.
Cake stands don’t have to be just for cake either. Think of them as cute little serving pedestals that you can use to elevate bowls with tasty treats in them as well.
A bowl full of popcorn is a great serving snack for any party. Placing it on top of a cake stand makes it easier to serve since it’s not too crowded around other food.
Tip 4 – Using White Serveware
This next Tip isn’t necessarily about using cake stands, but whenever I am styling a buffet to serve food on, I grab all my white plates and bowls. This also helps when you are coordinating colors, but I have found that using all the same color serveware helps not only your food look better, but gives an overall better presentation visually too! When you use all the same color serveware, it doesn’t matter if they are all from the same set, the matching color gives you more options when choosing which pieces to use.
Tip 5 – Coordinate Colors
Coordinating the colors in your food and drink throughout your buffet, adds a cohesive feel to your display, and helps things look more purposeful and elegant when styled together.
One of the ways I also add color is by adding flowers ~
These faux peonies add little touches of pink that coordinate with the frosting on the cupcakes, the pink and white popcorn, pink lemonade, and little frosted cookies.
Another great way to coordinate your colors is with silverware, napkins and plates. It’s a simple detail that can add a big impact.
I hope these 5 Tips help the next time you get ready to host a brunch, baby shower, or perhaps even spread a little Valentine’s cheer with your family or close friends this weekend!
