So I'm curious as to what everyone uses to display their cakes on. I know a lot of people (probably most people...) like to use fondant covered cake boards BUT in what circumstances would you decide on a nice cake stand instead? Do you have any sort of rules/guides about when to use each method?

I'm a beginning hobby baker and I've been making a new cake every month just to learn skills and techniques (they say practice makes perfect!) and up till this point I've just being using my cake stands since I don't have to pay any extra to use it lol. But I definitely want to learn how to do a fondant covered cake board eventually, just curious as to when to use a board vs. a stand :)

Pretty much all my cakes , ( apart from some family ones that I can't be bothered with ) go on a fondant covered board, edged with ribbon. I think it gives a more professional look and finish. I do try and prepare them a couple of days at least before I need them so they are dry , although sometimes last minute happens . 

Even if I am using a cake stand my cake is already boarded and finished on it's own board before I put it on a stand. 

So if you were to use a cake stand you would still use a cake board as well? What about the cake stands with a raised edge? I'm assuming you'd use a stand that's wider than the board, unless you want the stand hidden for whatever reason I think I'm just confusing myself lol!
 

If mine are going on a stand, it's just stand.  I almost always use a stand unless the bride isn't willing to pay the rental.

Smaller cakes likes birthdays and such get a cake board.

Yes that is what I do , the cake is always put on a board of its own , never just plopped on a stand. The board may be the same size as the cake or slightly bigger . It also saves your stand being damaged by knife marks too. 

AAhh let me clarify. The cakes, in my gallery, that are on a stand do have a cake board under them. They are the regular size thin cake boards. You can't see them.

I meant the cake drums or covered cake boards some people use. Those are clearly visible & drive me nuts when placed on a stand.

At the moment I've been using cake boards the same size as my cake on top of a stand, I think for the next few months I'll try out the fondant covered foam board since everyone agrees that it gives the cleanest and most professional finish. Thank you both for your responses!

I don't do covered boards for cakes at home, but for gifts I do. It's obviously good to practice doing boards, especially since you can decorate those too with impression mats etc, but my budget doesn't extend that far! I've also done the 3 cake circles taped together to make a drum thing, and then taken it apart afterwards and reused the circles.