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17 Thanksgiving-inspired tablescapes

Decorate your Thanksgiving dinner with these beautiful expert ideas.

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17 Autumn-inspired tablescapes

Fall for the spirit of the season with these gorgeous expert ideas for entertaining and decorating your table.

Who says candlesticks are only for candles? In this inspired tabletop from Style Me Pretty, a lovely white pumpkin tops a candlestick amid others of varying heights.

Get personal

Make your guests feel special by adding a monogram at every place setting. “Adding personalization is as easy as a trip to the craft store,” says Melissa Riker of the blog Happier Homemaker. “Chipboard letters are a frugal and fast way to add a touch of typography to your place setting.”

Mix and match textures

Part of the fun of Thanksgiving is all the textures we add to our home decor, as well as all the equally diverse and beautiful textures on spectacular view everywhere in nature. Combine them all into one gorgeous tabletop. Try wheat, pine cones, hydrangeas and wood for a pretty effect like the one achieved by Tidbits & Twine.

Play with plaid

Create a stylish, country look setting by introducing a plaid cloth, runner or napkins. “A plaid throw doubles as a table cloth to create warmth and charm to autumn entertaining,” says Celebrations at Home’s Christina Nease. “Rustic details like burlap, vintage crates and a mix of flowers keep the table casual and inviting.”

Go for casual comfort

You can set a lovely, low-key table for a down-home feel. Blogger Debbie Manno of Debbiedoo’s decked out her picnic bench with a special centerpiece made from a simple piece of wood stained a warm blue-green, emblazoned with the word “family.” Add a live potted plant, some pretty orange pumpkins and your casual table will be just as inviting as the fancier ones.

Go with color

During the fall season the flower market is brimming with vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow which can provide lots of decor inspiration. For centerpieces, event designer Jes Gordon likes to use bold, brightly-colored flowers with vases that lend character and complement the vibrant hues. To keep the table in balance, she pairs the centerpieces with textured glass and a colored runner.

Table for two

Play up the harvest season to make even the smallest Thanksgiving table look festive. "Make every dining occasion special, even if it's just dinner for two by celebrating this gorgeous time of the year with a table setting rich in the colors of autumn," says blogger Susan Herin of Between Naps on the Porch. "Think in layers, dressing your table in vibrant reds, golds and russet hues, colors which so wonderfully reflect the beauty of the season."

Balance the table

Keep your table looking chic with a bold, striking centerpiece. “Select autumn colors for a fall tabletop design while using modern touches to update your look,” says Lili Shadab of Elite Productions International. “Square copper containers, together with a bronze velvet runner and pops of orange on a wood table, brings this setting to life while keeping it modern. Peacock feather accents complete the look of the season.”

Set a black and white table

No matter the time of year, a black and white color palette is a winner for its drama and elegance. “Using black and white on your fall table adds drama and sass to seasonal décor,” says Yvonne Pratt of Stone Gable Blog. “Tuck brambly candle collars under pumpkins for wow factor. And different varieties of pumpkins and gourds add festive fall touches to your seasonal decor.”

Whimsical wonder

Nontraditional colors and clever accessories are sure to spark dinnertime conversation. “Dress your autumn table in an unexpected color combination of brown and turquoise,” suggests Celebrations at Home’s Christina Nease. “This gives a modern spin to the eclectic mix of accessories.”

Wow with graphics

Invite guests to a holiday meal on a tabletop that looks fresh, modern and on-trend. Try clusters of monochrome florals in white vessels and chevron-patterned linens. “Create a fun, inviting Thanksgiving table with a modern edge by starting with a graphic table runner. Then, add a twist to traditional fall decorating by adding a dash of color in a vibrant hue, such as orange or yellow,” advises blogger Karianne Wood of Thistlewood Farm.

Try and all-white look

"An all-white fall table is completely unexpected, but when mixed with elements of nature, it totally works and will be completely set apart from any other fall dinner your guests attend this season,” says Aimee Lane of the blog It’s Overflowing. Add elements like peacock feathers and antlers for a high-style look.

Don't fear heights

Tall centerpieces get a bad rap for obstructing views, but they do add incredible drama to a table and make a great first impression. "Don't be afraid to use a tall centerpiece to create a dramatic focal point for a holiday table setting," says blogger Susan Herin of Between Naps on the Porch. "When guests sit down to dinner the centerpiece can be moved to a nearby buffet or sideboard for the duration of the meal."

A gorgeous, natural centerpiece can come from items in your own yard. "Gather greenery, pine cones, acorns and other natural elements from your yard. Naturally-shed antlers also make a nice addition to a fall or Thanksgiving centerpiece," Herin says.

Mix and match linens

This idea may go against your instincts — but the effect can be amazing. Try mixing a variety of complementary linens on the table and chairs for an amped-up impact. “Don't be afraid to use different table linen options in one setting,” says Youngsong Martin of Wildflower Linens. “As long as they are complementary to each other and the rest of the decor, it can offer an even more dramatic effect to the whole event.” A spray of feathers completes this bold look on this tabletop.

Decorate with wood

Reclaimed wood is a great addition to a fall table if you’re going for a cozy, natural look. "Adding a rustic element to a fall tablescape, such as this reclaimed wood, personalizes the space with warmth and comfort to entertain family and friends,” says It’s Overflowing’s Aimee Lane.

Layer the details

Not sure where to start? Bring out your linens, candlesticks and cherished objects and start playing around with elements on a bare table until you settle on a look you love. “Always layer your tablescape. Start with a runner, add a basket to the center of your table, add some small decor like gourds and candles and fill the basket with different size decorative balls and pumpkins for a pop of color,” says Jen Zerilli of The Decor Scene blog.

Candlelight

Nothing is more complementary -- to your guests or to your table -- than soft candlelight. Use a variety of sizes and shapes, from pillars to tea lights. “Decorating a tabletop with candles is not only flattering for you and your guests, but it is also very budget-friendly,” says blogger Myra Hope of My Blessed Life. “It is easy to create your own hurricane vases and fill them with pillar candles and berries, pinecones, nuts or leaves found in your own backyard." (You can make hurricanes affordably, she says, by gluing candlesticks to the bottoms of glass vases.)

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