Tiered stands – a work of art, tier by tier
A tiered stand presents food such as fruit, nuts, chocolates or hors d'oeuvres in a stylish, appealing way. Everyone knows this elegant way of serving on levels that get smaller towards the top – but where does the word "étagère" actually come from? It is derived from the French word 'étagère' (shelf, rack) and refers to several trays arranged one above the other, connected by plug-in fittings or a metal frame. A large tiered stand offers as many as five levels, yet fits on even the smallest table. A white tiered stand is a neutral choice that pairs beautifully with fine design tableware. At Connox, you'll find tiered stands in various shapes, colours and sizes from renowned brands such as Alessi, Vitra and Koziol.
Below, you'll find out what to look for when buying a tiered stand:
- Much-loved tiered stands: versatile and highly functional
- The right tiered stand for every purpose
- Serving platters in many imaginative designs
- How do you care for a tiered stand?
- How much does a decorative tiered stand cost?
1. Much-loved tiered stands: versatile and highly functional
In the Baroque era, no princely banquet was complete without a tiered stand made of precious porcelain; later, they were reserved for the best room in the house. Today, you can stack things up however and wherever you like. As well as canapés, pastries or finger food, a metal or plastic tiered stand is ideal for keys, jewellery or desk accessories. Or why not use one tiered stand instead of three separate fruit bowls – big enough for your daily portion of healthy treats and flexible when you need it to be? The individual parts of the three-tier Babell L tiered stand by Koziol can be removed and used as separate serving bowls, and they nest inside each other for space-saving storage. In white or in various on-trend colours, a piece like this suits the kitchen, dining room and living room as well as the study or children's room.
2. The right tiered stand for every purpose
A porcelain tiered stand that narrows towards the top is the classic version of these serving pyramids. While they used to be mainly for pastries and fruit, tiered stands today are more multifunctional and designed to meet our changing needs. The two-tier Rosalinde stand by Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad is a nostalgic decorative bowl that, thanks to its characteristic female motif, catches the eye even when empty. Before you buy a tiered stand, think about what you want to use it for. Will you use the tiers permanently for fruit or cake, or would you also enjoy an original decorative object? Folded up, the stainless steel Anna Gong tiered stand is a charming table sculpture; opened out, it becomes a stand with staggered bowls. If you need a tiered stand that is both large and durable, food-safe plastic is a suitable material.
3. Serving platters in many imaginative designs
While the first tiered stands usually had three round levels, modern stands come in a much wider variety. Today's range of these practical household helpers spans everything from a mini stand with a single serving plate on an extra-tall foot and a decorative relief rim to simple tall designs with individually rotating triangular plates. The decorative Rotary Tray by Vitra has just two bowls of different sizes, but these round, high-rimmed trays have plenty to offer. The much smaller top tray sits to one side and rotates, creating appealing arrangements. Its muted colours and soft shapes are pleasantly understated, letting everyday items take centre stage in the bedroom or hallway too. Tip: filled with bright red pomegranates, the white version of this tiered stand is a real eye-catcher.
4. How do you care for a tiered stand?
Many of our plastic, porcelain or stainless steel tiered stands are dishwasher safe and easy to take apart for cleaning. Kahla, for example, the manufacturer of the timeless Update tiered stand made of porcelain and metal, states this for its product. Once the last muffin has gone, the individual parts can easily be cleaned in the dishwasher. This multi-award-winning white tiered stand is part of a matching tableware collection by designer Barbara Schmidt. For particularly elaborate pieces or those with a foil coating, hand washing is often recommended instead. If you have any questions before you buy a tiered stand, simply call our knowledgeable team or send us an email.
5. How much does a decorative tiered stand cost?
Make-up, tea lights or fruit – a tiered stand is a multifunctional object for storing, displaying and decorating on almost any occasion. You'll find small tiered stands with us in the entry-level price range. If you'd like larger tiers, tiers that rotate independently or an asymmetrical arrangement, you're looking at the mid-price range. For particularly fine pieces, such as the Alfredo tiered stand by Georg Jensen, you'll need to budget a little more. In the Connox online shop, you'll find tasteful designs to suit every budget.
Connox – your benefits at a glance
• A carefully selected tableware range from top design brands
• High-quality products by well-known designers
• Simple, direct online shopping
• Personal support from our customer service team
• Fair delivery costs
• Secure payment thanks to SSL encryption
• Delivery in just a few working days
Would you like to buy a tiered stand online but need some help? Our customer service team is always happy to help. We'll support you with advice while you shop, make recommendations and answer your questions quickly. Then simply sit back and have your chosen item delivered straight to your door.
