This $20 HomeGoods Hack Turns a Simple Shelf Into a Stunning Centerpiece

If you were a fan of the first wave of home design shows — Trading Spaces, Decorating Cents to name a few — then you might remember the decorator Christopher Lowell. When I was maybe 8 or 9 years old, he hosted a show called Interior Motives, and my mom and I used to watch it together. I’ve written about him before because the one thing I still remember, decades later, is that Lowell loved to set a table with “lifts and levels,” which was a catchy way of saying not everything should be flat on the table, all at the same height. 

My mom used cakestands as serving pedestals and even wrapped a box or two to create little elevated “dishes” when she set a holiday table with food, and it always added to the visual dynamism on the cheap. But HomeGoods and the brand’s team of stylists at its recent afternoon tea event (which you can see below)? They took this idea a step further by taking what would typically be a small tiered bathroom or bedroom shelf and using it to serve and display all sorts of party accoutrements. And it’s an idea that’s nothing short of brilliant. 

Putting a tiered shelf on a dining table sounds strange, but this decorating move not only adds drama to your tablescape instantly, but it’s also functional. You’re creating vertical real estate that will draw your guests’ eyes up and across the table, encouraging conversation. And this idea definitely gives you more space to work with for serving, which can come in handy if you’re hosting a group, and your table is on the smaller side.

The HomeGoods styling team put a few different styles of shelves to use in their buffet displays. Each unit, though, could sit upright on its own, was floating/open-back in form (which you want on a buffet or dinner table to keep things airy), and featured three glass perches, which are food-safe and easy to clean. They stacked things like jellies, jams, teas, and even little pastries on the shelves. Other materials might be a little tricky with actual food, but the idea could still work for favors or snacks in sealed containers. 

If you want to re-create this look, you might have some kind of shelving unit around your space that could work in the same way. Check out your local HomeGoods store for the gilded designs you see here; they fancy up the table and typically run around $20 to $30, depending on the size and model. 

Don’t want to leave the comfort of your home to try this tablescaping trick for your next brunch or party? I found a similar, house-shaped style on Michaels for just $10. At that price, you can buy two!