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Summer is a season for entertaining, and nothing says party quite like a food station. One problem with organizing a crowd-pleasing treat display is that it takes up so much table surface area, leaving less room for guests. Using tiered trays is a handy fix, but can get expensive depending on how many you need, and whether you want them to fit your décor and theme. Fortunately, a quick and affordable fix is a simple DIY away. All you need is a thrifted stepladder, a few baskets or trays, and a little creativity to make a DIY vintage treat station that’s perfect for summer.

This hack is functional and great for a vintage aesthetic. Extend its life by using it after any event to display plants, photos, and other ornaments. The trick is to clean up the wood and add various platters or bins to each rung to display cupcakes, popcorn, candy, and more. As you prepare your home to host summer parties, this is a great place to start without breaking the bank. It brings together the best of whimsy, style, and utility in one handy upcycled piece.

To start this project, you’ll need a thrifted stepladder and food receptacles of your choosing. Woven trays like the TimesFriend handwoven wicker add to the rustic feel, but even Dollar Tree’s assorted straw baskets will do the trick. Save money by selecting items you have on hand that match your desired look. You’ll also need paint or stain if you want to give the wood a little refresh, but you can leave it as is if it’s in good shape. With supplies collected, it’s time to build your DIY treat station.

Start by giving the wood a cleaning and adding your desired finish. You can distress outdated wood furniture without sanding to minimize this step if you dip a wood block in paint and rub it onto the ladder. The two hard surfaces scraping together leave a worn look to the finish, perfect for capturing a vintage feel. No muss, no fuss. Once dry, consider what types of food to put where, based on height. Taller treats should go on top, while shorter ones can fit between rungs. Now, add the trays or containers that meet these specifications. A good idea for keeping these from toppling off the rungs is to stick them down with a Velcro-like product, such as Scotch multi-purpose hook and loop squares. With your treat station DIY complete, it’s time for the fun part — customization.

Personalizing your snack ladder can be as simple or complicated as you like. It all comes down to your desired look. One of the easiest ways to update a thrifted wood piece like this is to go old school with a little floral napkin decoupage. Paint the ladder the same color as the background on your chosen paper and apply the material using Mod Podge or any other craft sealer. Another way to add a pattern or print is with stencils. Leave the base wood intact, stick the outline down with a product like SmaringRobot premium painters tape, and roll the paint on over it. You can also make changes to the structure of the rungs.

A neat idea for your treat display is to add a vintage metal bucket of ice for cold drinks. If your step stool has a broad platform, simply trace the bottom of the bucket and cut out the hole so it sits inside. If not, you can add a platform yourself by cutting a piece of plywood to fit, connecting it with nails, and creating the hole that way. If you’re looking for stylish summer décor ideas that can be easily swapped out after the season, keep yours neutral and just add new treats or ornaments to suit the time and theme. However you customize this creation, you’ll have an affordable new tiered display with function and flare.