A well-organized charcuterie board is indeed a work of art, yet arranging it correctly can be challenging. Fortunately, there’s one simple rule that you can always follow.

The idea is to place your larger treats, like slices of bread, on the board first and then fill in the gaps with small ingredients, like nuts while keeping everything accessible.

Start by placing the items that cannot be pre-sliced like crackers. When picking out meats and cheeses, keep their sizes in mind, and how you plan to cut or fold them.

Afterward, place the smaller ingredients on the board, putting them near other items they pair well with, such as Spanish olives and cheddar cheese.

You want to guide your guests with pairings that work. Finally, scatter smaller treats like nuts and dried fruits throughout the board and use herbs as garnish pieces and aromatics.

Small bowls of chutneys, toothpick holders, chocolate pieces, and breadsticks can also be used to fill in spaces on the board to create a look of abundance for your guests.