A Few Tips for Setting Up A Buffet Table

Because sometimes all the food can't fit on one table for a big meal.

Buffet table I styled at home with a lovely variety of cabbage flowers by Adrienne Ryser Acoca of L’Arrosoir.

How do you feel about buffet tables? Or do you prefer placing all the food down the center of the table and then passing the dishes to serve? I ask because with Thanksgiving around the corner, this is a question that comes up in my family and with my Friendsgiving groups. We all want to sit around the table but sometimes there are just too many platters and then the table feels festive but way too crowded.

I did a deep dive on Pinterest looking for buffet inspiration and only came up with pages of graze boards tables for weddings. Graze board are fun to make and I often love a crowded apéro or brunch buffet table as well. But what about tables when you have salads, heartier meat options, casseroles, and sauces? How can you style that instead of just a basic lineup? My disappointing Pinterest search made me realize there should be more info shared out in the interwebs on buffet tables, so here are some of my tips to help you this holiday season and year round.