While it is not an absolute requirement, having a turntable can greatly facilitate the process of decorating a cake. A turntable allows you to smoothly rotate the cake while keeping it in place, which makes it easier to reach all areas without straining yourself or potentially damaging the cake's structure. It also provides better control and precision when applying frosting or other decorations. Using a turntable can enhance your overall experience and help achieve more professional-looking results. However, if you don't have access to one, you can still decorate a cake by rotating it manually on a flat surface.