From iced matcha lattes and curated brunch boards to Insta-worthy tablescapes, café culture has well and truly made its way into our kitchens and gardens.
With over 1.6 million TikTok videos under #HomeCafe and a rising appetite for ‘home café parties,’ the trend reflects a growing desire for connection, creativity, and low-effort luxury at home.
To help you capture that café-at-home magic, kitchen and brunch experts share their styling tips, kitchen hacks, and table-setting ideas for a beautiful, feel-good summer gathering, just in time for Afternoon Tea Week (11th to 17th August).
Matilda Bea, hosting influencer, explains, “People are craving meaningful, beautiful experiences at home,” Matilda says. “A café-style brunch or themed afternoon tea brings people together, without the rush or cost of dining out. It’s joy on your own terms.”
1. Transform your kitchen island into a brunch hub
If you have a kitchen island, use it as your central gathering point. Debra Hutt from Wren Kitchens notes, “Kitchen islands aren’t just for prep, they’re designed with entertainment in mind. With the right surface finishes and storage options, they can become a stylish buffet or drinks station.”
Lucy Pateman, The Table Stylist, takes this idea even further, “Fill your sink with ice and use it as a functional ice bucket for help-yourself drinks. You can add some fresh flowers within the ice to style it up. Then arrange your dishes at varying heights using cake stands or risers, it creates visual interest and makes it easier for guests to help themselves.” This strategy not only enhances the flow of your brunch but also takes pressure off the host. A well-used island turns a kitchen into a dynamic social space.
2. Elevate your dining tables
Matilda explains, “Themed dinner parties are having a major moment. Guests are no longer just showing up for a meal; they’re coming for a whole experience. Whether it’s a seasonal menu, matching tablescapes, or even coordinated outfits, themes help elevate the evening and make it memorable.”
Coastal Biophilia
Lena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse shares, “We’re seeing a huge appetite for indoor-outdoor living and biophilic design. This coastal look embraces that trend beautifully by layering tactile, natural materials, like rattan chargers, stoneware plates, wooden boards, and hand-blown glassware. You can create a serene, seaside-inspired setting that feels grounded in nature yet polished enough for summer entertaining.”
Modern Nostalgia
She also shares colour will add life to your afternoon tea, “We’re seeing dopamine décor and kitsch details make their way into outdoor dining, think gingham linens, colourful patterns, and vivid hues. It’s about striking a balance between countryside charm and joyful, expressive styling. Spring and summer are the perfect time to be brave with colour and make your table feel truly personal.”
Curve Appeal
For a modern and aesthetically looking tea tablescape, Lena shares “Curves are dominating table design this summer. Organic forms, like ripple glassware, round-edged ceramics, and sculptural vases, bring flow and ease to any setting. Pair them with tactile textures such as linen runners, rattan placemats, or hand-blown glass in muted tones for a grounded, modern finish.”
3. Build a make-ahead brunch board that delivers
Brunch doesn’t always have to mean eggs benedict or avocado on toast. Lucy advocates for a relaxed yet elegant approach, with her go-to being a smoked salmon brunch board that can be prepared ahead and styled in minutes.
“My absolute go-to is a make-ahead brunch board starring smoked salmon, a true showstopper with minimal stress,” says Lucy. “Think silky smoked salmon artfully draped, accompanied by whipped lemon cream cheese, capers, red onion slivers, and dill, all nestled around warm sourdough slices. It’s chic, it’s fresh, and it always gets compliments.”
“This kind of dish fits perfectly with a summer mindset, light, fresh, and easy to portion. It’s also healthier and more affordable than dining out, allowing you to control ingredients while presenting something beautiful and indulgent”, she adds.
4. Make your brunch TikTok worthy
With more of us sharing our lives online, styling your brunch to be camera-ready is easier than ever with a few playful elements. Lucy recommends whimsical towers of fresh strawberries or lemons to draw the eye, layered table linens for texture, and a mix of candles and florals to create height and movement.
“Whimsy always wins. Combining texture, height, and natural elements gives your table a rich, lived-in beauty that really shines on camera. You don’t need to go overboard, just be thoughtful and intentional.”, says Lucy
Debra also suggests curating your background: “Keep chopping boards, utensils, and clutter out of view to create a clean visual space. A row of colour-matched cups, a vintage teapot, or a stacked croissant plate makes even your kitchen corners feel intentional.”
“With a little planning and a creative mindset, any kitchen can become a stunning, sociable space for summer brunching,” Debra concludes. “Whether you’re working with a compact kitchen or a statement open-plan design, Wren offers the tools and inspiration to make hosting joyful and stress-free.”
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