Top 5 Dessert Table Tips
Setting up a beautiful dessert table for a party doesn't require a big budget or a background in event planning. After 10+ years of throwing kid and adult birthdays, bridal showers and baby showers, I've learned a lot along the way and have landed on five easy tips to elevate your dessert party table at your next celebration, without spending hundreds of dollars. Whether you're decorating a dessert table for the first time or just looking to level up what you're already doing you are in the right place.
And if you're new here, I fully embrace my tagline “There is no wrong way to celebrate” you will never see me throwing shade at a Costco sheet cake and dollar store paper plates. Not all our birthday dessert tables are pinterest perfect either, so you do you at the age and stage you are at now 😘
#1 How to decorate a dessert table
Ditch the Folding Table and Tablecloth
This is my single biggest tip when it comes to decorating a dessert table- if you can use literally anything aside from a folding table with a plastic tablecloth, you are well on your way to an elevated dessert table! This isn't the first time I've used an entry way table as a dessert table and it worked perfectly with the cowgirl theme and peach baby shower. If you can't get away from the folding table, linen tablecloths are actually quite affordable and can be reused!
For this Western Rodeo Cowgirl Birthday Dessert Table, I started with the elevated horse head cake as the central focal point, and built my way outward with a symmetrical dessert table set up. I added a quick texture win by wrapping mason jars in rope to hold the flowers, and layered dollar store bandanas and lace to bring in the Western theme.
Not only did I use our foyer entry table instead of a folding table for this donut wall dessert table display, I used the window frame that sits on it on a daily basis too! This "Sweet as a Peach" baby shower dessert table was basic and beautiful. The mix of white and glass serving platters and trays, with pops or peach orange from the linen napkins and simple cricut bunting banner made a beautiful focal point and adding fresh florals to any dessert table is an easy and inexpensive way to add height or color.
For Landon's Soccer Birthday Party, I repurposed a plant shelf from my living room for a completely unique dessert table display with a modern twist. The shelves each held a cake plate with a mix of cookies, donut holes and cupcakes, then I used soccer equipment and the soccer tableware to bring the theme together, and again, flowers to add height!
#2- Dessert Table Ideas on a Budget
Shop your Home for Decorations First
Dessert tables don't have to be limited to just desserts! You can use sporting equipment for sports themed dessert tables, ballerina shoes for a ballet party, sunglasses and tropical fruit for a summer party. Think beyond just the dessert items and cookies to elevate your dessert table.
For this construction party dessert table, I used my husband's tool boxes as risers in addition to cake plates, and hexagon cubes I took right off the wall of my sons bedroom! Then of course, using all his toy construction vehicles that littered our house made this theme a no brainer and brought this modern construction dessert table to life without spending a dime on table decor!
Party Zone Ahead: Shop the banner here or See the Construction party here
There were so many eggselect items from my house for this rustic chicken birthday party dessert table too, like the egg cartons, and our egg storage spinner, the farm to table sign from our kitchen and galvanized chicken silhouette from our coop. I upcycled Starbucks Frappuccino bottles that made perfect vases for fall florals as a budget friendly option too.
#3 Dessert Table Decorating Ideas for Any Theme
Choose a Seasonal Theme
If you can pair your color scheme or theme with a seasonal holiday, you can often find party decorations at a fraction of the price, which means your dollar stretches further to decorate and you can add a bit more to your plates (literally!). Summer baseball birthdays can often pair with red, white and blue 4th of July themes, spring themes like butterflies and berry sweet can often snag Easter decorations with neutral florals or bright spring colors and the same can be done for many holidays throughout the year when you choose your theme wisely.
This buffalo plaid decor for our joint sibling camping birthday party was all purchased from 70% markdown bins after Christmas and was perfect for the camping theme, plus now it's a staple in my Christmas decor! Win-win on not adding to the bin of themed party decor which I will likely never use again but can't seem to part with. (who's with me? 🙋)
The Mountains are Calling: Shop the woodland birthday banner here or see the camping birthday party here
#4 Best Dessert Trays and Platters for Birthday Tables
Mix and Match Treats and Heights
I know most people don't have a plethora of cake plates at their disposal, but getting things off the table at varying heights makes such a huge impact for dessert tables, and you can use other things besides just cake plates. Get creative and on theme to elevate your treats and mix & match desserts on each plate or tray for a wow factor!
You can also use other non food items to add height to your table like greenery branches, flowers, or candles. Or try something themed like a football for a football party, cowboy hat or boots for a western theme bash, toy animals for a jungle party etc.
Blushing Bride: Check out this floral bridal shower here, shop the matching decor here
Another way to mix and match the heights is to vary the desserts on each dessert tray or platter. Instead of a tray for cookies, a tray for cupcakes etc. try mixing and matching your treats on each platter! It adds an extra visual interest to each plate.
#5 Dessert Table Styling Essentials
Invest in a few key party pieces
I saved this for last because this is not a “keeping up with the Joneses” advice, but if you are looking to elevate your decor game and you have a good eye you will see I use these few key pieces in almost every one of my party set ups. I won't link any cake plates as I have purchased most of mine at HomeGoods, but they are pretty easy to find anywhere.
Wooden Crates: I own 4 of these crates that double as party storage after the party is over and you will notice they are in almost every dessert table because they are a great way to add height and can be used in so many ways. I have stained them, spray painted them, covered them with bandanas etc. I have also tilted them every which way and upside down placing desserts on top of them or cake plates inside them. They were in the chicken party, camping party, floral bridal shower and football!
Touchdown: Shop the personalized football banner here, or see the indoor boys football birthday party.
Tiered Serving Tray I love the versatility of this tiered serving platter, not only is it great to add height when it is assembled, but the white rectangular plates are removable and can be used as serving platters on their own if the black wire framing doesn't match your party aesthetic. I love the 2 for 1 duel purpose of this. I often place the individual trays on top of my crates! Plus, it disassembles to pack up into a small box, unlike cake plates which are a nightmare to store!
Saw Horse Brackets If you go back to Tip #1 where I suggested to use anything except a folding table, these saw horse brackets are my go to for doing just that! I have removed the legs off my ikea office desk to make the table top, used plywood and of course, our old decking that makes an appearance in all my early on parties as an alternative to a folding table with a plastic tablecloth.
While we could use some serious tips from step 4 on adding height to this dinosaur birthday dessert table, this was the peak of quarantine when we threw this party and my 4 year old took great pride in putting together this table himself. Since life was upside down, we went with it and had a great time.
If I were to create this dinosaur dessert table again, I would have loved to spray paint some dollar store dinosaurs to add height and put some of the platters on risers or crates! I also probably would have made a quick stop at the grocery store to add some donuts or donut holes to this dessert table for a bit more variety to go along with the homemade baked goods for only a few dollars. Reese's Chicken Birthday Party dessert table is a great example of pairing store bought desserts with professionally baked goods to create an overflowing and full dessert table.
Rawr! Shop the dino banner or see the dinosaur party here
I hope these 5 dessert table styling tips helped boost your confidence to elevate your dessert table game on a budget! If you have any questions, or need help picking out the perfect party theme, don't hesitate to contact me! I always love to chat parties, and remember, there truly is no wrong way to celebrate!
Looking for more party tips? Check out these easy ways to hang your vinyl birthday banner
Pin These Top 5 Dessert Table Party Tips for Later
If you enjoyed these tips, I would be forever grateful if you would take a minute to pin an image or two! It helps small business owners like myself more than you know! Thank you!
Dessert Table FAQs
What dessert trays are best for birthday party tables?
A mix of heights and shapes is the secret to a great birthday dessert table display! A tiered serving tray is my number one recommendation because it adds instant height and the individual trays are removable for versatility. Round cake plates, rectangular platters, and wooden crates used as risers round out the rest. You don't need to match everything perfectly, the variety is actually what makes it look intentional!
How do I decorate a dessert table on a budget?
Shop your home first! Cake plates, wooden crates, toys that match the theme and even decor off your walls can all be repurposed as dessert table decor. Lean into your party theme and look at what you already own through that lens before spending anything!
What desserts should I put on a party table?
Mix store bought and professional or homemade baked treats for the best of both worlds. A store bought cake dressed up with a themed topper, bundtinis or cupcakes with fun food picks, and one batch of homemade or professional baked treats is a winning combo for an epic dessert table.
How do I add height to a dessert table?
Cake plates, tiered trays, wooden crates, and upside down bowls all work great as risers. You can also use themed props like toy animals, cowboy boots, a football, or florals to add height while tying into your party theme.
