The Complete Guide to Buffet and Shelving Decor

Buffets with shelves above are a popular furniture choice that can serve both stylish and functional purposes in the home. From the dining room to the entryway, a well-decorated buffet and shelves can be an elegant focal point and storage solution. This complete guide will explore how to choose the perfect buffet for your space and expert tips for decorating the surface and shelves to create an eye-catching display.

A buffet table offers versatile storage for dining essentials or home accessories while the shelves provide an opportunity to add visual interest. When decorated effectively, the entire display can anchor a room and exhibit your design taste. By following decorating basics like using a cohesive color palette, creating dimension with a variety of object sizes, and incorporating greenery and lighting, you can fashion a buffet vignette that is both beautiful and useful.

Choosing the Right Buffet

When selecting a buffet, consider the size and shape that will best suit your space. Look for a piece that provides adequate tabletop area for your needs and shelf space for displaying decorative objects. A rectangular buffet offers the most surface area while a rounded shape can provide a softer look.

Consider Size and Shape

Choose a buffet size that fits the wall space while allowing enough room for traffic flow around the piece. Scale the size appropriately to dining tables and other furnishings in the room. Rectangular buffets maximizes usable tabletop space while curved buffet shapes create a softer aesthetic.

Materials and Finish

Popular buffet materials include woods like oak, walnut, and teak that convey natural beauty and durability. Painted finishes offer endless color options from bold hues to soft neutrals. Consider factors like children, pets, and intended use when selecting durable, family-friendly finish options.

Storage Space

Evaluate the storage space you need for dishes, table linens, serving pieces, or other dining essentials. Closed cabinet storage offers concealed space while open shelving provides visibility. Decide if drawers or an open design will best suit your storage needs and accessibility.

Styling the Buffet Surface

A runner, placemats, or tablecloth can provide decorative texture and protect the buffet surface. Use trays to layer and display decor items at different heights for visual interest. Incorporate eye-catching focal pieces like a floral arrangement, artwork, mirrors, or candles to draw attention to the buffet vignette.

Finishing Touches

Add finishing touches like a tablecloth or decorative placemats to enrich the buffet surface. Trays create levels to style vases, bowls, candles, books, and objects in an attractive, layered display.

Focal Pieces

Make your buffet shine with a bold floral arrangement, artwork, mirror, or other striking focal point that grabs attention. This could be a vibrantly-hued vase or a mirrored tray reflecting candlelight.

Practical Decor

Include functional yet stylish accents like woven baskets for storing napkins and serving utensils or candles to set a moody tone. Stacked books, bowls, and trays add texture while keeping must-have items easily accessible.

Decorating the Shelves Above

When decorating the open shelves above your buffet, create visual harmony using color cohesion, symmetrical or asymmetrical balance, and a variety of sizes and shapes. Include greenery for freshness and use lighting to illuminate your decorative display.

Hierarchy and Balance

A mix of small, medium, and large accessories creates dimension and hierarchy. This helps direct the eye and prevents clutter. Focal points add emphasis while symmetrical or asymmetrical balance bring equilibrium.

Style Within a Color Palette

Using a tight color palette ties the entire display together. Rich accents like wood trays, ceramic vases, or metallic frames contrast beautifully with the core colors. Neutrals help brighter tones pop.

Accessories and Greenery

Plants, faux botanicals, and fresh florals infuse life. Photo frames, candlesticks, and other personalized accessories lend character. Group in odd numbers for visual interest.

Extra Touches

Draw the eye upward with accent lighting illuminating your shelves. Mirrors and wall shelves layered above the buffet provide additional opportunities to append visual allure.

Lighting

Strategic lighting instantly livens shelving. Try adjustable sconces or track lighting to spotlight beloved keepsakes and decorative objects. This adds depth and dimension.

Visual Impact

Floating wall shelves staggered artfully above the buffet create a place for more precious items or artwork. An eye-catching mirror can reflect light beautifully.

Storage Solutions

Maximize the storage potential of your buffet with solutions to neatly corral essential serving pieces, table linens, dishware, and more. Keep the interior organized for easy access.

Practical Buffet Storage

Store table linens, serving platters, pitchers, dishware, and other dining and entertaining essentials within the buffet. Glass doors allow visibility of beloved pieces.

Keep Organized

Use trays, baskets, dividers and bins to neatly contain items like napkins, placemats, and silverware. Labeling helps identify contents at a glance.

With a myriad of possibilities, decorating a buffet and shelves can be an extremely rewarding design challenge. A beautifully styled buffet showcases personal treasures while providing smart storage. By following the design fundamentals, your personalized buffet will elevate your space. We hope our complete guide has sparked inspiration to reimagine your buffet into a stunning focal point that expresses your unique style.

When selecting your buffet, consider the size, shape and storage that caters to your needs. Adorn the surface beautifully using finishing touches like trays, runners and eye-catching focal pieces. Decorate the open shelves artfully by varying heights, using your color palette, and infusing life with greenery. Lighting and mirrors enhance visual appeal. Store dining and home essentials neatly within using solutions like baskets and dividers. With these tips, your buffet can become a functional and stylish display.

We encourage you to experiment with different looks and pieces until you discover a combination that resonates. This can become a fluid process and evolve as you acquire new treasures or want to freshen up your space. Most importantly, allow your buffet decor to exhibit your personal taste and tell a captivating style story. Your home will thank you.