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Styles

How to Decorate a Buffet

Author Kristin Minasian

Last Updated May 15, 2024

More than just a practical surface space for serving meals, dining room buffets can act as statement accent pieces reflective of your personality.

1. Choose a Design Concept: Minimailsm vs. Maximalism

Before you get to styling, it may help to first consider two main design concepts – minimalism and maximalism – and how each can influence a room’s aesthetic.

— Minimalism —

A buffet with a sleek, pattern-less front calls attention to just a few accent pieces, embracing minimalism to the core.

Every piece on this simple-yet-stunning buffet server serves a practical purpose while maintaining a chic design – giving off a minimalist mentality without feeling boring or uninspired

Rustic textures like unrefined wood and indoor houseplants defy over-the-top glamour and instead give minimalism a casual, organic elegance.

— Maximalism —

Notice how the accent pieces atop the buffet play off the patterns of the buffet itself without clashing; this is thanks to an overall color scheme kept in neutral, subdued shades.

Traditionally, against a buffet server, one wall art piece is enough – but maximalism has never followed tradition – and there’s no reason to start now!

While there is enough surface space left on the buffet to allow for minimalist influences, this portion of a dining room embraces standout style with bold colors and designs, giving it more of a maximalist edge.

2. Add a Crisp Backdrop

Once you’ve decided on a design concept, focus on balance through crisp wall art to highlight your décor.

Notice the strategic use and balance of height incorporated into this dining room buffet server: the oversized photograph rests slightly to the right to give the table lamp breathing room – and draw the eye away from the large stretches of empty surface space.

decorate a buffet server with table lamp

The dark wood finishes and black details in this dining room might feel a tad moody and overpowering – were it not for the brightening splash of blue and red over the buffet server.

If you’re working with a mostly-dark wood buffet server, incorporate statement wall décor in gold or silver to call attention to any areas of lighter patina and detailing.

3. Define with Statement Decor

Once you have an idea of the decorative concepts you want on the server – and the art over it – look for one or two statement pieces to bring it all together.

Statement buffet décor doesn’t have to follow the rules of gravity! Branch out – literally – from the norm by contrasting metallic tabletop accessories with hanging greenery.

Two matching lamps, one on each end, provide automatic symmetry, making it easier to style whatever décor you want between them – without having to worry about drifting away from a refined, pulled-together aesthetic.

In modern dining room buffet decor, a large glass jug half-full with water for flowers offers a splash of unexpected – yet refreshingly cool – style.

Traditional Dining Room Buffet Decor

Palazzo Brown Solid Pine Wood 4 Door 4 Drawer 87" Sideboard Buffet | Storage

$995

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Table Lamp-Tona Ivory

$60

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Catalina Natural Modern Wood 4 Door 66" Sideboard Buffet

$995

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Rainier 50" Grey Entryway Console Table

$250

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Harly Natural Farmhouse Wood 2 Door 48" Sideboard Buffet Cabinet | Drawers | Storage

$795

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Artemis Black 3 Dimensional 2 Door 59" Sideboard Buffet | Storage

$895

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Ml Industrial Wine Holder

$95

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7 Inch Aluminum Metal Oval Shell Dish

$55

Quicklook

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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.