If you’ve ever read an article or seen a show about laying out a buffet table, you already know that varying the heights of your trays is one of the keys to creating a beautiful display. It’s important to make sure that your table is as functional as it is beautiful, and making use of tiered stands and cake plates is a very simple way to achieve this.

But what if you don’t have a china cabinet full of beautiful tiered platters?

Do not worry! With a quick trip to your cupboards (or the thrift store, see below), you’ll find everything you need to create the look of a gorgeous multi-leveled buffet table – without breaking the bank on fancy-schmancy dishes.

Instant Cake Stands

Materials:

Plates or trays of varying sizes

Candleholders or vases (or glasses) of varying heights

Poster putty (or a glue gun, if you’re going for permanence)

Really, this couldn’t be more simple: put a plate on top of a candleholder or vase, and secure it with poster putty. Really – that’s it! Your table will be transformed with just those few simple steps. However, if you’re in no hurry, take some time to experiment with mixing and matching your different plates and platters with various candleholders and vases to find just the perfect look for your buffet. You can even try filling the vases with flowers or colored water/marbles before placing a plate on top to add some very original and eye-catching details to your table. Then all that’s left is to fill your platters with delicious party food and sit back while your shower guests ooh and aah over your gorgeous display.

Have fun!

BONUS TIP: You want “funky?” You got it: head to the nearest thrift/secondhand store to find funky (and cheap) plates and candleholders just for the special occasion. The resulting cake stands will be rife with the “shabby chic” aesthetic people can’t seem to stop talking about.

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla blogger