Buffet Styling Tips
We have a very large buffet in our dining room and I like to restyle it at least every season. We actually found the buffet at an antique shop. It’s a very sturdy piece with 6 drawers and 6 cabinets below. My parents spotted it and had the idea to chalk paint it black. I fell in love and now it lives in our condo!
Since not everyone has a buffet, this could work for any table in your dining room: a console, a China cabinet, a bar cart, an end table. And for that matter, if your dining room spills into your living room, you may be styling a piece that lives in your living room. Whatever works! These styling tips are meant for hosting and functionality. Have fun!
Start Clean
First, I start with a clean surface. Clear everything off of the surface. The only thing I left were the two lamps that flank each side of the buffet and our Alexa that sits on the right side. I knew these weren’t going anywhere.
Go Hunting
Second, take a few minutes to gather items from your decor cabinets, closets, or other rooms. I like to see what’s not being used or noticed in my other rooms before I go out and buy anything new. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know I move things around frequently (check out my post on a gallery wall I created using all photos and frames I already had!)
Here’s what you’ll need:
A few framed photos of various heights and shapes (try for a mixture of prints/art and photos)
A tray to corral objects
A few (pretty) bottles of wine / liquor
Cocktail shaker & accessories
Vase of flowers
A potted plant or succulent
A candle
Some knick knacks with function or sentiment (I used a geode, a wishbone, beads, a crystal dish, and paper straws)
Now we are ready to style!
Lay Out Your Items
I like to lay everything out on a different table (in this case, I used our dining room table) to see what I have as I work. This approach works well for styling bookcases or shelves, too.
When I don’t know where to start, I start with function.
I knew I wanted to create a sort of “mini bar” on the buffet. We have a wet bar, but it’s all the way downstairs. And there is no room in our home for a bar cart, so we tend to stash wine bottles or frequently used liquors on the buffet anyway. Creating a “mini bar” makes it purposeful. To do this, I started with a tray. When you’re corralling lots of objects, always start with a tray! Just like on a coffee table.
Elements of a Mini Bar Tray:
Once I laid my tray on one side of the buffet, filling it became easy.
A bottle of red wine, since we almost always have one open!
Then I added tequila mezcal because I like the look of the cement bottle!
And some Tito’s vodka. Both very commonly used to make a cocktail around here.
Next, I added the cocktail shaker and measurement jigger (yes, it’s called that and yes, I had to Google it!).
I had some pretty paper straws, so I found a mini glass to display those.
A crystal trinket dish from my grandma was the perfect spot to put corks or the keys to our buffet cabinets (we have to keep them locked now that we have a toddler!)
Last, the Knick-knacks. A metal wishbone, a geode from my dad, and a little potted aloe plant!
Mini bar is done. And very functional, if I do say so myself. The wine and cocktail glasses live just below the tray, in the buffet cabinets.
Add Height with Picture Frames & Layer
After you’ve corralled times in a tray, it’s time to add some height. I like to add height with framed photos or prints. I had a vertical large sprigs print that I layered over the corner of the mirror hanging above our buffet. I think it’s important to layer slightly OVER other pieces, not just next to. Since the sprigs print was so big, I added a smaller framed photo layered on the right side to help anchor it to the buffet. Finally, I had a framed sketch I bought in Paris that was the same length as the tray. I added it behind the tray, leaning against the wall, and it really helped to anchor the tray and add dimension.
Add Ambiance
I don’t have to tell you that a candle and some flowers really add to the ambiance! I typically have a candle on almost every table in our home (ok, a few less now that we have a toddler). Adding a candle - on a wooden stand - is greatly functional on the buffet since we keep our lighters in the drawer below! I also draped some wooden beads onto the candle stand. You could also wrap the beads around the neck of a vase or the wine bottle. A vase of whatever fresh flowers you have on hand at the time works great to add some life to the table. Obviously the flowers are changed out as you go so they really help to reflect the current season or mood of the home!
And there you have it! Your buffet / table / bar cart is ready to entertain and provides functionality to your every day. Plus, it’s pretty to look at! I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you’re working on your own buffet styling, below are some items I love and use all the time in my home!
Happy decorating!