So you’ve made your Hero Sponge beauty, or faked it brilliantly with a clever fake bake, and you’re ready to show it off in all its glory. Then comes the sudden realisation… what exactly are you going to put it on? You don’t own a cake stand!

We’ve all had that moment — even those of us who do this for a living — and it’s absolutely not a reason to panic. If anything, it’s another excuse to get creative.

A quick scroll through Pinterest will bombard you with all sorts of DIY cake stand ideas. Some are adorable, some are… less so, and most require more time, glue, and patience than any of us realistically have. Instead, you can grab a few household bits that work perfectly well and elevate your cake beautifully, both literally and figuratively.

Here are 7 Easy Ways to Make a DIY Cake Stand

Stack of Books

Most of us have at least a few lying around, and they make wonderfully adaptable stands. You can theme your selection (baking books are ideal), stack them to different heights, or even create multiple piles. Just avoid anything too tall or slippery — glossy paperbacks are chaos waiting to happen. Hardbacks win.

Vases or Light Shades

Stay with me — this works. As long as the base is sturdy and the top rim holds a plate securely, a vase or geometric lampshade can look incredibly stylish. Think metal, ceramic, minimalist shapes… not your frilly floral grandma lampshade. But if that’s all you’ve got and it’s stable, go for it.

Teacups

A single teacup won’t hold a cake, but three or four absolutely will. Use matching or mismatched cups as little “feet” beneath a board or plate. Just make sure they’re all the same height and evenly spaced. Turning them upside-down adds even more stability.

Chopping Boards

Wooden or marble boards make great rustic stands. And if your board isn’t the prettiest, don’t worry — you can extend your decoration onto it (we’ll get to that in a moment).

Wood Slices and Offcuts

Who said a cake needs to sit on a plate at all? Log slices or wood offcuts look sophisticated and organic with the right styling.

Stack smaller pieces for height, or use a wide, solid log slice as-is for maximum natural drama.

Cake Decorating Turntable

We’ve said it before — a turntable is a small investment that pays for itself if you bake even semi-regularly. And yes, it doubles as a cake stand. Some are pretty enough already (my marble one is a staple). Less attractive ones can get a quick glow-up with a few props.

Simple Cover-Up Ideas for Your DIY Stands

If your most stable household object isn’t exactly aesthetic, fear not — we can disguise it.

Filling the space between the cake and the stand is a brilliant way to hide awkward edges or unattractive surfaces.

Use flowers, greenery, party decorations or battery-powered fairy lights to dress the area. You can even cut coloured paper into decorative strips and wrap them around as a collar.

The bottom line: as long as your stand is wide enough, sturdy enough, and secure enough to hold the cake (and survive the first slice), you can use almost anything. The stand isn’t the star — your gorgeous cake is — so don’t stress about perfection.

PS – If you’re travelling by car before placing your cake on its new stand, please read how we developed the best cake delivery service in London. Learn from our mistakes and keep your masterpiece in one piece.

Love,
Reshmi xoxo

For a show-stopping bake worthy of any DIY stand, explore our handcrafted celebration cakes — delivered fresh and fuss-free.