Easy Decorating Trick: Using Risers To Style Your Home

Decorating with risers is a stylish and practical way to elevate your home decor. Discover my favorite decor risers that add height, interest, and function to any space.

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Decor risers are one of the easiest and most stylish ways to add height, interest, and layers to your home decor. And they are one of my favorite items when styling a vignette, decorating a shelf or the mantel, or tweaking decor that needs a little designer help!

They create a beautiful sense of balance and movement, helping smaller decor pieces feel more intentional and grounded. Risers are the easiest and best way to transform your decor! Let’s talk about how to use decor risers, why they work so well, and some of my favorite things to use as risers!

What Are Risers

A riser is a small platform designed to elevate or to literally lift up decorative objects, adding height and definition to a space. They help create a more visually interesting arrangement and give smaller items a more purposeful spotlight in a display.

While risers are often made from wood, stone, metal, or acrylic, you don’t need to purchase one to achieve the same effect. Everyday items in your home, like books and dishes, can also be used as risers, giving you so many possibilities for styling your decor in a way that feels intentional and layered.

Why Use Decor Risers

Decor risers are small but mighty! They serve several decorating purposes:

• Add Height And Dimension – A flat surface can feel dull and uninteresting without varying heights. Risers help create a layered look that makes decor more visually appealing.
• Highlight Favorite Pieces – Elevating something on a riser can make it feel special and stand out beautifully.
• Create A Defined Space – Using a riser can make a vignette feel more cohesive, gathering smaller items into a well-constructed display.
• Protect Surfaces – Many risers have little feet or felt pads, keeping your furniture safe from scratches, moisture, or heat.
• Versatile For Every Room – From the kitchen to the living room to a bathroom vanity, risers work anywhere you want to add a little extra style.

Styling Tips: Incorporating Risers Into Your Decor

Decor risers are more than just an extra layer in a vignette. When styling risers, think about proportion, color, and texture. The key is to use them to highlight decor pieces without overwhelming the space.

A riser should feel like a natural part of your decor rather than just a platform for random objects. The best way to style one is by choosing items that complement each other in shape and material.

Here are some easy ways to style decorative risers in different spaces:

• Group in Threes – Use the rule of three by displaying a candle, a small plant, and a decorative object on a large riser for a well-balanced look.
• Layer with Other Decor – Stack a riser, as simple as a cutting board with decor on top of it to give it importance.
• Keep It Simple – Choose one statement item, like a sculptural bowl or something seasonal, to let the riser serve to show it off.
• Add Seasonal Touches – Swap out decor seasonally. Use mini pumpkins in the fall, a small evergreen arrangement in winter, or fresh flowers in the spring.
• Incorporate Different Textures – Pair a wooden riser with a ceramic vase, a glass cloche, or a woven element to create contrast and interest.
• Create Height in a Display – Use risers to elevate smaller objects on shelves or within a vignette, preventing everything from sitting at the same level. This is my favorite way to use risers!

Keeping these simple styling principles in mind will make your decor more interesting and attractive.

Making Risers With What You Have Around Your Home

You don’t have to buy a riser to enjoy the benefits of adding height and dimension to your decor. With a little creativity, you can repurpose everyday household items to function as stylish risers. Look around your home; you probably already have pieces that can be used in unexpected ways!

Here are some of my favorite DIY risers…

Books As Decorative Risers

You cannot go wrong when books are stacked to make something taller in a vignette! This is probably my favorite way to use books in decorating. They always seem to find their way into vignettes, bookshelves, and other places to act as those all-important risers. They add instant height and dimension, making a space look curated and layered.

Books are one of the easiest risers to use because they come in so many sizes, colors, and textures. Whether it’s a stack of large coffee table books or a few well-loved vintage novels, they bring warmth and interest to any space.

How To Use Books As Risers In Your Decor

• Stack Books for Instant Height – A few books under a candle, small plant, or decorative object add height and create a layered look.
• Use Coffee Table Books as a Base – Large hardcover books make the perfect platform for styling vignettes on coffee tables, consoles, or shelves.
• Play with Color and Texture – Choose books with neutral spines for a cohesive look, or add a pop of color with beautifully bound editions.
• Try Different Arrangements – Stack books horizontally for a traditional riser effect or lean one upright behind decor for added interest.
• Cover Books for a Custom Look – If a book’s cover doesn’t match your decor, wrap it in linen, kraft paper, or a favorite fabric for a fresh, tailored look.
• Use Books in Unexpected Places – Try stacking books on a mantel, beside a bed, or even on a kitchen counter under a small bowl or plant.

Books as risers are one of those simple tricks that make decorating so easy. They’re incredibly versatile and give decor a finished and layered feel. Plus, they are always right at my fingertips, ready to be rearranged into a new vignette!

You might like to learn How To Cover Books With Burlap Or Fabric so they work with our decor. They can still be read, and once covered, they add a decorative element to your home.

Stacking Plates As Decorative Risers

Get out your plates and use them as risers. A stack of plates makes the prettiest risers! Just think of all the possibilities! Plates are a fun and unexpected way to add height and interest to a vignette. Whether stacking just a few or creating a tall, layered display, plates bring a touch of personality and charm to your decor.

The key here is simple: just stack them! Mix different sizes, layer different colors, or keep it uniform with all-white dishes. You can go for a casual, collected look with mismatched plates or stack a trio of coordinating dishes for a more refined touch. Stacks upon stacks—it all works!

How To Use Stacked Plates As Decorative Risers

• Create a Base for a Centerpiece – Stack plates in the middle of a dining table or buffet to elevate candles, flowers, or seasonal decor.
• Use Neutral Plates for a Timeless Look – White or cream-colored plates work with any decor style and blend seamlessly into vignettes.
• Mix and Match Patterns – Combine florals, solids, and vintage-inspired designs for a layered, eclectic feel.
• Incorporate Textured or Ornate Plates – Ruffled edges, beaded rims, or scalloped details add an extra layer of interest.
• Use Chargers or Dinner Plates at the Base – A large plate or charger anchors the stack and keeps the look balanced.
• Try a Seasonal Stack – Layer dishes in seasonal colors or patterns to reflect the time of year. Think warm-toned plates for fall, icy blues for winter, or pastel hues for spring.

Stacked Bowl Risers

Just like stacked plates, stacked bowls work wonders in a vignette! They add beautiful height while also serving a functional purpose—holding anything from a potted plant to a few handfuls of jellybeans to a collection of ripe pears.

The beauty of stacked bowls is their versatility. Stacking just two or three for a subtle lift or creating a taller, layered arrangement adds dimension and interest to any space. And don’t be shy about stacking lots of bowls together! Different sizes, shapes, and colors can create a dynamic and playful display.

How To Use Stacked Bowls As Decorative Risers

• Create a Base for Small Decor – Stack bowls and use them to elevate a candle, a small decorative object, or a petite vase.
• Hold Seasonal Items – Fill stacked bowls with pinecones in the winter, mini pumpkins in the fall, or citrus fruit in the summer for an effortless seasonal touch.
• Mix and Match Styles – Combine vintage and modern bowls, textured and smooth finishes, or different patterns for a unique look.
• Use White Bowls for a Classic Look – Crisp white bowls keep things looking clean and elegant while letting the contents shine.
• Try a Tall Stack for Impact – A high stack of bowls on a kitchen counter, island, or open shelf creates a striking visual element.
• Add a Pop of Color – If your space needs a little vibrancy, stack bowls in bold hues or intricate patterns for a decorative statement.

Cake Plates As Decorative Risers

Cake plates are one of the easiest and prettiest ways to create a decorative riser! Their pedestal design naturally adds height, making them perfect for displaying everything from seasonal decor to plants. Because they come in so many styles and heights, it’s easy to find one for what you need. They will literally elevate your decor!

Ways To Use Cake Plates As Risers

• Group decor – Group decor of different heights on a cake plate to create a layered display.
• Elevate A Potted Plant – A small plant or floral arrangement on a cake stand instantly makes it a focal point.
• Style A Coffee Bar – Use a cake plate to corral coffee mugs, a sugar bowl, and a small creamer for a tidy and charming setup.
• Use Cake Plates By Your Sink– A Glass dispenser of dish soap, a small wood-handled scrub brush, and a couple nice rolled dishtowels make a useful display in the kitchen.
• Create A Seasonal Display – Place mini pumpkins in the fall, ornaments at Christmas, or fresh fruit in the summer for a nod to the season.
• Organize A Bathroom Counter – A cake plate is a beautiful way to hold lotions, perfumes, and small decorative items on a vanity.

Cake plates are a decorating staple that can be used all year long. They aren’t just for dessert.

Use Candlesticks In A Creative Way

Candlesticks aren’t just for candles! They make darling little risers for adding unexpected seasonal touches to a tablescape or vignette. Their slender shape and height make them a great pedestal for displaying small decorative items, creating whimsical moments throughout your home.

For fall, try placing a mini pumpkin on top of a candlestick as an unexpected centerpiece element. In the spring, a tiny nest with a delicate egg makes a lovely nature-inspired accent. At Christmas, a small ornament or a bundle of greenery adds a festive touch. Even something as simple as a pinecone can turn an ordinary candlestick into a beautiful seasonal detail.

Using candlesticks in this creative way is a fun way to bring height and interest to a tablescape, mantel, or sideboard. These little details are what make a space feel curated and special, giving guests something interesting to notice in your home.

Wooden Rounds

Wooden rounds make fabulous risers! Whether using just one or stacking two together for extra height, they add a subtle yet stylish boost to whatever is placed on them. Their natural, warm texture blends into decor, making them a quiet but effective design element that enhances a vignette without overwhelming it.

Can you see the round wooden at first glance? Probably not! And that’s part of their beauty! They create height and balance without stealing the spotlight. But if you took the round away, you’d notice something was missing. That’s the magic of wooden rounds. They are an essential decorating tool that subtly makes everything look just a little bit better.

What To Consider When Purchasing The Perfect Risers

A few versatile store-bought risers are fabulous items to have on hand. Look for sturdy and well-made risers, especially if they will support heavier objects. The material is also important. Wood adds warmth and texture, metal brings a sleek or industrial look, and marble or ceramic will give your room a bit of upscale polish.

Pay attention to the size and height of the riser; it should elevate decor without overpowering it. A versatile riser that can be used in multiple ways is always a great choice. Neutral colors and simple designs tend to work well in any decor, but if you love a statement piece, opt for something a bit more detailed.

See below to shop for risers for your home.

Decor risers may be small, but they make a mighty difference in styling a beautiful home. These simple decorating elements add height, balance, and personality to any space. The best part is that many of these risers are already in your home, just waiting to be repurposed in creative ways.

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Happy decorating, friends…