Autumn is officially here, and if you’re like most people, you’re pretty excited about it. Surveys say that 29 percent of Americans agree that fall is their favorite season. After the sweltering summer, it’s nice to have a time where temperatures begin to cool down.
Autumn is a beautiful season in many parts of the world. It’s hard not to love it. The trees are changing colors before our eyes. The air smells sweet and all our favorite holidays are on their way.
Seriously, all the best holidays are from October to December. While Independence Day and Valentine’s Day are important, nothing beats the fall holidays. They’re simply amazing.
The main way we celebrate quite a few of those holidays is around a table. After all, much of Thanksgiving consists of eating a huge meal with your family. It’s so big that many people start cooking weeks in advance. Everyone has a favorite part of the meal (hello, pumpkin pie).
If you’re hosting a meal for family and friends, you want your food to be delicious, of course. But you also want your table to look festive. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can make that happen with a little creativity.
1. White pumpkins and neutral linens
You can find tiny pumpkins and gourds like this one at almost any grocery or hobby store this time of year. Add a layer of white chalk paint and you’ve turned them into a statement piece.
2. Talk about exploding with color
If there’s one thing everyone loves about fall, it’s those vibrant colors on the trees. This table plays with that idea between the colorful pumpkin bowls, the bright candles, and the warm patterned dishware.
3. That garland must be super fragrant
During the fall, you’ll see pumpkins of every size and shape on dinner tables. This design included big pumpkins entwined with a bay leaf garland. Now the table is beautiful and aromatic.
4. The theme is “yellow”
You might not expect to see flowers on an autumn table, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them. This table uses the bright shades of yellow in the gourds and sunflowers to contrast with the dark flannel table runner.
5. Playing with light to keep things bright
The days get shorter and darker during the fall, so we all need more light. This table is aglow with rose gold cups and candles, providing tons of reflective surfaces. Of course, there are also some gourds and rosemary for the plates.
6. Neutrals for Thanksgiving — why not?
The recent trend is to steer away from garish colors on autumn tables. Instead, you can pair pops of color with relaxing neutrals. The result is still autumnal without being overbearing.
7. It’s okay to go dark
Some people like to lighten the table up a bit during the autumn season. Others enjoy drawing on the darker hues of the holidays. This table strikes a great balance of pops of color to avoid being too heavy.
8. Don’t forget the fruits
Fruits, flowers, and foliage all have a place as table decorations. But fall fruits don’t get as much attention as they deserve. This table gives them a nod with its display of figs, pears, and grapes.
9. Playing with pumpkins
There are all sorts of ways you can jazz up those little pumpkins for just a couple of bucks. This table decoration alternates white and metallic gold to create a color scheme that’s striking but still seasonal.
10. For the rustic decorator
Rustic chic is a style that’s been “in” for many years and it seems it’s here to stay. This table gets the effect with elements of wood, wicker, rose gold, and of course, natural plant life.
11. Bring on the orange
Orange is definitely a fall color that reminds us of those bright falling leaves. Combined with some metallic shades and dark candlesticks, it’s a beautiful way to set the table.
12. We’re all about garlands
You don’t need a tablecloth for your table, and your table runner doesn’t have to be made of fabric. This runner is garland intertwined with gourds, flowers, and candlesticks.
13. It’s positively homey
There’s nothing like the classic combination of red and green when decorating a table. This design draws on the palette with the natural foliage and cranberry branches. It’s gorgeous but not overwhelming.
14. This is definitely a modern fall dining table
Say goodbye to the Thanksgiving tables you knew from your childhood. This one is striking, stylish, and modern. The unfinished wood table is the perfect setting for candles, gourds, and garland.
15. It doesn’t have to be orange
Sure, autumn is associated with colors like red, orange, and yellow. But no one said you had to limit the color palette. Some pumpkins are blue, which was the basis for this table setting.
16. A floral explosion for fall
Again, there’s no reason to neglect flowers during the fall. This beautiful vintage piece became the holder for a combination of bright flowers and white pumpkins.
17. And it doesn’t have to be pumpkins
Pumpkins are the classic food of fall. And, they make beautiful decor pieces. But if you want to get that pop of orange another way, you can opt for persimmons instead. They’re still gorgeously vibrant — and many people find them much tastier.
18. Work with what you’ve got
You might not think a log would work as part of a centerpiece, but it’s actually perfect for autumn. Combined with bright fall foliage, pinecones, corn, and gourds, it’s simple yet eye-catching.
19. Distressed = perfect for fall
There are tons of genius ways to upcycle objects into beautiful pieces of decor. Even if they have some wear and tear, they’ll work well for autumn tables. Just look at these old buckets and how nice they look holding flowers.
20. Big centerpieces make a statement
When it comes to centerpieces, there’s rarely a line for “too big.” As long as diners all have space for their plates, a big centerpiece — like this oversized trough — is a statement piece that’ll keep everyone talking.
21. Thinking outside of the vase
This breathtakingly colorful centerpiece has something unique about it. Instead of a traditional vase, the flowers are held in a hollowed-out pumpkin. They’re secured in place with a bed of moss placed inside the bottom of the pumpkin.
22. Runners can be made of anything
If you’re not a fan of traditional fabric runners, you can try a new idea. This crate of pumpkins, hydrangeas, and pussy willows is held on a table runner made of wood.
23. Playing with neutrals and colors
You don’t need to limit yourself to a palette of one or two colors. In fact, the more your table varies, the more attractive it’ll be. This table plays with subtle shades of red, green, brown, cream, and gold.
24. Don’t forget the classic fall fruit
There’s no doubt that the ultimate fall fruit is the apple. Not only are apples perfect for cider, roasting, and pie — but also decor. That bright red is a beautiful addition to any autumn table.
25. Don’t limit your color options
Not a fan of the usual autumn colors or perhaps you want something different this year? It’s okay to play with other colors…like those in early autumn flowers. Combining them with wood or wicker is a great way to keep them from looking too summery.
26. Don’t forget the candles
Candles are an important part of any fall table. If you have Thanksgiving dinner at 3 p.m., it won’t be long before it starts to get dark outside. You can put candles in mason jars and then nestle them among pumpkins for a cozy look.
27. Why overthink it?
Sure, you can make an elaborate centerpiece if you’d like, but there’s no need to. A few pumpkins arranged the right way with the appropriate finishing touches — this decorator used stalks of wheat — can be lovely.
28. It almost looks like a forest in the snow
This table consists of neutral colors interspersed with shades of natural wood for a truly beautiful effect. They decorator opted out of using flowers and instead, used some branches.
29. Sometimes all you need is a simple flower arrangement
A few branches with some berries, four hydrangeas, and three white pumpkins. That’s all this fall table needed to look complete. And incidentally, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
30. We live for splashes of color
The only thing more striking than a neutral palette is a neutral palette with one or two pops of color. This table would be breathtaking on its own, but that pumpkin centerpiece full of flowers is stunning.
31. Straight from the garden
Autumn is a great time for bringing the outdoors inside your home — even onto your dining room table. These planter pots and pumpkins look like they came right from a garden bed.
32. Who needs real pumpkins?
Maybe you’re not the kind of person who wants to buy pumpkins every year, instead, preferring to pull them out of storage. These velvet pumpkins are just as attractive as the real thing.
33. Keep it simple and striking
Here’s a good trick when you don’t have the energy for anything complicated. Keep your centerpiece simple, but make sure it’s still big enough to make your table stand out.
34. Everything about this reflects “fall”
This table is so perfectly autumnal that you’d be hard-pressed to beat it. The pumpkins, wood, and candles are perfectly offset by the large display of autumn flowers and foliage.
35. The squirrels won’t mind giving up a couple of acorns
This table uses a classic autumn centerpiece that plays with pumpkins and pinecones. But it has a unique feature that’s sure to impress guests: DIY acorn napkin rings.
36. This table is both elegant and festive
This table decor draws on polished and rustic elements. It has silver candleholders and delicate china. But it also has a forest feel from the garland, pinecones, and wooden planks.
37. Eating dinner on a forest carpet
This table ups the forest theme with a table runner made of moss. Plants are everywhere, even printed on the plates themselves.
38. Burlap can be a tablecloth, too
When it comes to rustic inspirations, burlap’s no longer a cheap and ugly fabric. It can be beautiful and versatile. Here, it’s the perfect foundation for this intricate centerpiece.
39. Use what nature gives you
In the fall, it’s easy to get your hands on natural decorations. Just walk outside and grab the most vibrant leaves you can find. They’ll add a pop of color to a neutral table.
40. Here’s an out-of-the-box design
This autumn table is super unique. It doesn’t use a traditional “fall” palette but rather, it goes for bright colors and lots of flowers and fruit. It’s lush and inviting.
41. Turn a classic into your own design
It’s possible to take a classic idea and still make it unique. This pretty arrangement of gourds and candles is familiar, but it has a couple of things to make it stand out.
42. Did someone say an edible centerpiece?
Maybe you don’t want your guests snacking on your centerpiece. But grapes are a perfect food for a digestif or after-dinner treat. Add some cheese and mulled wine or spiced cider and it’ll be the ideal centerpiece.
43. Don’t forget the turkey
Most fall dinner tables are all about fruits and flowers. However, this one focuses on the main event — the turkey. There are a couple of classy elements, such as birchwood candles and cornucopia decorations.
44. Yes, table runners really can be anything
When we say that table runners can be anything, we mean it. This one is made of sticks. To avoid looking too rustic, it’s decorated with some gold spray-painted leaves.
45. Keeping it retro
There’s nothing wrong with an old-fashioned Thanksgiving palette in brown, red, orange, and yellow. But there are still plenty of ways to keep it interesting with accents like candles and wooden pedestals.
46. An unusual idea that makes a statement
If you love succulents, there’s no reason to exclude them from your autumn table. You might have to find a creative way to include them like putting them in a pumpkin, perhaps.
47. Would you like some antlers?
Good centerpieces are all about finding something unique and eye-catching. Let’s just say a pair of antlers fall under that category. They’re offset by a blue table runner and an array of unique plants.
48. Pumpkins all the way down
If there’s one thing your Thanksgiving table can always use more of it’s pumpkins. These are placed in their own “nests.” And of course, there’s pumpkin soup for all the guests to enjoy.
49. When Thanksgiving’s still green
We associate fall with vibrant shades of red and yellow, but in many parts of the world, November’s still warm and green. If you’re eating Thanksgiving dinner outside, you have the right to deck your table out in green.
50. Everyone wants the chance to bust out the silver candlesticks
Combining different elements can make a beautiful autumn table. This one used more rustic items like burlap and garden plants with some lovely silver candlesticks.
50 table spreads that are sure to impress guests this holiday season
Cedric Jackson
11.18.19
Autumn is officially here, and if you’re like most people, you’re pretty excited about it. Surveys say that 29 percent of Americans agree that fall is their favorite season. After the sweltering summer, it’s nice to have a time where temperatures begin to cool down.
Autumn is a beautiful season in many parts of the world. It’s hard not to love it. The trees are changing colors before our eyes. The air smells sweet and all our favorite holidays are on their way.
Seriously, all the best holidays are from October to December. While Independence Day and Valentine’s Day are important, nothing beats the fall holidays. They’re simply amazing.
The main way we celebrate quite a few of those holidays is around a table. After all, much of Thanksgiving consists of eating a huge meal with your family. It’s so big that many people start cooking weeks in advance. Everyone has a favorite part of the meal (hello, pumpkin pie).
If you’re hosting a meal for family and friends, you want your food to be delicious, of course. But you also want your table to look festive. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can make that happen with a little creativity.