By Angela TafoyaNovember 12, 2026This holiday season, the cheese course deserves to be a centerpiece.Photography by Lizzie Soufleris, Styled by Adrian AbabovićSave this storySave this storyThe calendar pointing toward the holidays also means that cheese board season is here. The platters function as a key part of any festive gathering, serving as the meeting point for people to nibble and mingle before they take a seat. But it’s much more than a way to display finger foods. Often situated in a central location at a party, a cheese board works as a decorative design piece, and when done well, can even be a conversation starter. In fact, some boards themselves read as a still life, even after half the Brie is gone.
The most unique cheese boards combine material and shape, offering something distinct and memorable to house the bites (or function as a surface for slicing a baguette). Designers are creating beautiful centerpieces by carving wood into soft, stonelike forms or cutting marble into asymmetrical ovals. Ahead, find seven cheese boards to invest in now, each one pretty enough to steal the spotlight at any event.
Material: Marble, acacia woodColors: Brown, gray, blackCare Instructions: Hand-wash with mild soap and water. Towel-dry with soft cloth. Marble Cheeseboards: Avoid using with oils and citric fruits. For serving only, do not use as a cutting board.Sarah Sherman Samuel is known for blending character with clean modern lines in her interiors, and her cheese board trio for Lulu and Georgia brings that same sensibility to the table. The set includes two marble boards and one made of acacia, allowing you to layer textures; situating soft cheeses on cool stone and bread on wood. The three sizes allow you to extend your spread down a long table for a crowd or cuddle everything close on the counter.
Material: Solid FSC-certified ash with a carbonized finishColors: Dark brown, oakCare Instructions: Hand-wash with dish soap on both sides.These amorphous-shaped boards by Danish brand Ferm Living are inspired by cairns, the stacks of stones that hikers leave as markers on the trail. Each is carved from solid ash that’s certified by the FSC—a third-party organization that confirms responsible sourcing of wood—and is given a carbonized finish that turns the wood a deep espresso shade. When you’re not using the boards to display cheese, you can stack them on a counter where they’ll look like a sculptural piece.
Material: Stoneware with reactive glazeColors: OneCare Instructions: N/A. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe.For a more artful approach to your cheese board, check out this tortoiseshell option from CB2. Portuguese artisans hand-finish each piece in a reactive glaze, so no two boards come out identical. The amber and chocolate swirls highlight both white cheeses and green accoutrements, such as green grapes and Granny Smith apples, for an especially striking display. And at roughly 10 by 18 inches, the long board runs neatly down the center of a table.
Material: TeakColors: OneCare Instructions: Hand-wash only.Serena & Lily has made this wave shape its signature, commonly appearing on its crested mirrors and nightstands, and this board brings that coastal edge to the table. The scalloped surface is the relaxed, beach-house counterpoint to the more architectural boards on this list. At 18 inches, the small size suits a cozy night in for two, while the large, 30-inch board option has room to house a full spread with all the accoutrements.
Material: Solid red marble with a polished finishColors: OneCare Instructions: Hand-wash.Red marble has been having a moment, showing up on bathroom vanities and living room floors. This tray is a low-lift way to incorporate the material in your space. Cut from deep red stone into a sleek oval with a thick rim, the color of this CB2 cheese board is inherently festive but will look elevated and at home in your kitchen year-round. Because it’s solid marble, the veining and color will vary from tray to tray.
Material: Acacia woodColors: OneCare Instructions: Hand-wash only. This item is not dishwasher, oven, or microwave safeAt 13 by 18.5 inches, the generously sized Romie has room for the full spread, with space for several cheeses, cured meats, a cluster of grapes, and a stack of crackers that won’t slide off the edge. Its classic oval shape is made from acacia that’s stained a deep chocolate, bringing out the grain and hiding knife marks. It’s an Anthropologie exclusive and a beautiful board to reach for when you’re feeding more than a few people.
