Looking for a unique and striking way to style your buffet table for your next party? Use these 5 steps to add dramatic impact, flair, and functionality to your shindig!

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,
5 steps to setting up a display table || Jeweledinteriors.com, buffet, table, party, holiday, event, drink, appetizer,  rustic, chic, Christmas, tree,  wallpaper, backdrop

A buffet table is an easy, beautiful, and functional addition to parties and events. In fact, a well styled display table is the perfect way to add style, tie in the theme of your party, and display your beautifully prepared food. However, there is a lot more to a memorable buffet table than plopping some plates on your counter. Let me walk you through a step by step process and reveal secrets along the way!

1. Design it!

There are five major factors I take into account when designing a buffet table.

  1. Which room or space will it go in?  Ideally the table should be in a location with good flow, easy access, and a statement making presence.
  2. What is the theme of the event?  Whether it be a great gatsby bash or a little girl’s tea party, the buffet table and tablescapes are the perfect places to play-up the theme.
5 steps to a beautiful buffet table|| Jeweledinteriors.com, gold pineapple, Kate spade, black, white, striped, Hawaiian, pineapple, florescent, party, event

3. What are the colors in the room?  Take the color of your curtains, pillow, or rug and work it into your buffet table scheme.  This is a detail that is sometimes overlooked, but a few simple tweeks in your design can make your soiree look right at home in your abode or event location. 

5 steps to setting up a display table || Jeweledinteriors.com, buffet, table, party, holiday, event, drink, appetizer,  rustic, chic, Christmas, tree,  wallpaper, backdrop
5 steps to setting up a display table || Jeweledinteriors.com, buffet, table, party, holiday, event, drink, appetizer,  rustic, chic, Christmas, tree,  wallpaper, backdrop, napkin, pinecone
5 steps to setting up a display table || Jeweledinteriors.com, buffet, table, party, holiday, event, drink, appetizer,  rustic, chic, Christmas, tree,  wallpaper, backdrop, napkin, pinecone

 4. Have an attention grabbing design backdrop.  Ideally, I like to have something behind the table to give it presence. This could be a sign, painted sheets of plywood or cardboard, or as simple as a piece of art. 

5 steps to a beautiful buffet table || jeweledinteriors.com, black and white, art, salad, drink, table, party, display, backdrop

5. Consider a centerpiece.  Do you have something on the buffet table to add to the ambiance?   The obvious choice is a large bouquet of flowers, but other options include a chocolate fountain,  or even a DIY doll house as you see here from a party I designed for the Kimber from the pinningmama.com and easyfamilyrecipes.com or a deer statue I used for a rustic Idaho themed event.

5 steps to a beautiful buffet table || jeweledinteriors.com, black and white, gold, Burgundy, blush, Christmas, holiday, food, drinks, appetizers, garland,
5 steps to a beautiful buffet table || jeweledinteriors.com, black and white, gold, Burgundy, blush, Christmas, holiday, food, drinks, appetizers, garland,  rustic, chic

3. Table it!

Now that you’ve come up with a design plan it’s time to start putting it together. I generally like the portability of a card table, but have used a variety of other options.

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,

2. Anchor it!

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,

Although quite optional, bonus points go to anyone who anchors the buffet table area with a rug, space permitting. Here I have simply taped together two inexpensive IKEA rugs for this event.

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,

4. Cover it!

When covering your table don’t feel limited to actual table cloths.  In fact, I generally layer two to three tablecloths, curtains, or large cuts of fabric to my tables.  

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,
How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,

I like to differentiate these layers with a garland, swag, tassel, or ribbon.

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,  spray paint, gold,

Why not just use one table cloth and call it good you ask? See step 5 my friend.

5. Build it!

If you have layered your tablecloths then this step is where the magic happens…time to build various layers to your table.  If you look at the buffet table below you will notice that the trays are all displayed at different heights.  The trick?  

Use a combination of old boxes and books under your top tablecloth!

Also, don’t be afraid to place your trays of food on a diagonal.  

The use of mirrors under and behind your display gives the illusion of more food!

6. DETAIL IT!

Top things off with a variety of textures like fresh clipped greenery or faux fur. Not only does this add visual interest, it can fill in the holes around the dishes. 

 Also, to tie the entire space together add color coordinated food lables, disposible appetizer wrappers, and paper straws.

Notice the use of multiple table cloths, boxes, under trays, cake plates stacked on top of each other and mirrors under and behind. Also, check out the coordinated appetizer cups and food lables on the buffet table below. This was a very simple display, but these little touches make a big impact.

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,  pink, gold, dinner

Doesn’t that food look amazing? Don’t forget to pop on over to the easyfamilyrecipes.com and thepinningmama.com to get the deets on all of your favortie holiday meals.  Kimber has AMAZING recipes and tricks to make them easily.

Make your next holiday party fab with yummy food and a stunning buffet table || Pie, apple, cranberry, potatoes, turkey, blush, peach, Burgundy, black, white, gold, pink, Christmas, holiday
We are crushing on this HOLIDAY HOME TOUR!!! || Blush, Burgundy, white, black, gold, stockings, Christmas, holiday, tree, fireplace, stockings, monogram, wrapping paper
We are crushing on this HOLIDAY HOME TOUR!!! || Blush, Burgundy, white, black, gold, stockings, Christmas, holiday, tree, fireplace, stockings, monogram, wrapping paper
We are crushing on this HOLIDAY HOME TOUR!!! || Blush, Burgundy, white, black, gold, stockings, Christmas, holiday, tree, fireplace, stockings, monogram, wrapping paper
How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,

I can’t wait to show you the entire HOLIDAY HOME TOUR.

Also, Check out last year’s Rustic Chic Christmas 

Want more Holiday tutorials?
1. From Barbie House to Christmas House
2. DIY Dalmatian Wallpaper
3. No Cut Wooden Placemats

4. Pinning Mama’s Holiday Menu

-xoxo Jewel

How to make a holiday buffet table from a Barbie house! 5 simple DIY tips to Christmas party greatness!  || Holiday, Christmas, buffet, jeweledinteriors, Burgundy, Dalmatian, party, black and white, ideas, DIY, tutorial,  pink, gold, dinner

I want More Inspo!

Like what you see?  Join the list for project updates and interior design ideas.

You have Successfully Subscribed!