tiered centerpiece tray – 3 ways

I found a beautiful tiered tray at HomeGoods a few weeks ago and I’m in love. It has a pretty but rustic look to it, taupe colored glass plates and a scallop decoration on top. swoon. It was in the clearance section because the center plate was missing. I bought it anyway – a missing plate was easy to replace. Plus it was $34. How could I pass it up?

But when I got it home I didn’t really know what to do with it. Do I decorate it for fall? Use it for a party or special occasion? Or is there something else I could do with it? I didn’t want to pack it away so I decided to make it work for a variety of uses so it can shine whenever needed.

Today I’m sharing 3 ways I styled my tiered tray. I tried to keep my costs low and use a lot of what I had in our home already. It’s amazing what you can create when you round up a lot of your own collections.

FALL CENTERPIECE
I figured a seasonal display was a good place to start. 

Materials:

• Mini pumpkins and gourds. I bought a bag with a variety of gourds at our local grocery store for $7.99. I love the green, orange and white color combination. I also bought a gray and white fake pumpkin at Target for $3. I heart gray.
• Leaves – I used fake ones but you can use real leaves too.
• Grapevine wreath
• Sticks or floral spring – real or fake
• Moss – also from Michael’s

1. Since I needed a plate for the middle tier, I used one of my good China plates because it was a similar white/cream color and I loved the silver trim.

2. I added the stick wreath form as a grounding element. Since this added some height, I needed to place a smaller plate in the center.

3. Next, I added the pumpkins and gourds starting with the larger ones first. I like to make things a little crowded – I stack them, overlap them and make them very cozy. This makes the relationship of the items more interesting and work better.

4. Then I added the leaves. Lots of them. Tuck them in, under, and around your gourds. And let them extend off the plates a bit and try to balance the colors. The white from the top and bottom pumpkins picks up the white in the center leaves.

5. Now the moss. I love the chartreuse color of this moss but you can also get it in a variety of other greens too. Tuck the moss in any open areas as if it’s actually growing right under those gourds. Add any little sticks or fake sprigs you may have for a different texture and shape.

6. Now you have a pretty fall centerpiece!

PLANT & FLOWER CENTERPIECE
This is one that can be kept up all year or used as a centerpiece for a dinner party.

Materials:

• Plants – I used ALL the plants I had in my home that would fit. I noticed that they all had a similar color palette of green, black, white and yellow. I find that succulents and air plants are perfect for this project. Both are very hard to kill – which works for me.
• Candles – again, I used any candles I had that fit the size and color scheme.
• Fresh cut flowers – I had some already but you can also pick some from your yard if you’re lucky enough to have them. You could also use pretty leaves – hydrangea leaves are great for this.
• Natural items such as shells, rocks and acorns. I added real shells to relate to the shell design on this centerpiece. And we kinda collect pretty rocks so I added some – plus they relate to the small pepples in my succulent plant on top.
• Chalkboard sign – I had this in my stash and I can’t remember where I got it. I love the color and it breaks up all the natural elements.

1. Again, I needed a plate for the middle tier. I used one of my everyday white plates but I added a smaller plate with black circles over the bottom plate. Layering plates is a great way to add color and pattern to your piece.

2. I added the potted plants next and balanced them by color and size. The potted succulent works perfect for the top tier. Nothing more needed there! You could also add a simple candle here too.

3. I placed the candles and cut flowers tightly in – you don’t need to see each element completely.

4. Tuck in any other natural elements – I love how the shape of the shells mimicks the shape of the air plants.

5. A cute chalkboard with a simple message adds a finishing touch.

6. I love how my small plants really come to life all grouped together.

DESSERT CENTERPIECE
Perfect for party treats and it can work double duty as a decorative centerpiece. 

Materials:

• Sweets – This display is great for small dessert items like cookies, brownies, cupcakes and doughnuts.
• Candy – wrapped and unwrapped
• Small containers for candy
• Pennant, banners, small chalkboard or flags – you can find a similar one here.

1. I chose a more colorful middle plate for this display. Something about sweets and candy just says color to me.

2. Since most dessert items are small, I added a container to the center of each tier and filled them with candy to add some height to the layers. I didn’t have 3 of the same containers so I mixed it up by using two different kinds.

3. Next, I added the baked goods. I tried to break up the colors and again, layer and stack them to make them look more abundant and appealing.

4. Finally, finish it all off with some wrapped candy – like kisses and taffy – throughout. I surrounded the container on the top tier and then placed other pieces around the baked goods.

5. I placed my banner in the M&M’s on the top tier but you could also use dessert flags or another small chalkboard for a personal touch.

6. A centerpiece good enough to eat!

There are probably a gazillion ways to style this piece – Christmas time, Easter, Spring, or a wedding shower – so I think my clearance tiered tray will be put to good use. You might be seeing it again soon! But even if you don’t have a tiered tray exactly like this, any piece that you love such as a cake stand, a bowl, or tray can have many purposes and used more often. And you don’t need to spend alot of money to create something meaningful and beautiful. Always give those clearance items another look – you could find your new favorite thing!