10 Pretty Thanksgiving Table Decorating Ideas and Inspiration for Your Feast
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If you’re hosting the big Thanksgiving feast for family or the fun Friendsgiving dinner this year, then you probably have a looong to-do list written out to get everything ready. Not only do you have to plan out the meal and all the timing of all your dishes, but you also have to get the house prepped for guests. Of course, that involves cleaning and organizing the house, but you can’t forget about the backdrop to the whole day: your Thanksgiving table! Done intentionally and styled well, a welcoming holiday tablescape can enhance the mood and make your guests feel right at home. We put together the best Thanksgiving table decor ideas that are stylish and easy to achieve so you can make your meal one to remember.
Designing your dream Thanksgiving table doesn’t take a big budget or a huge dining table to be beautiful. Inspire your look with simple additions and layer in pieces you already have and love. With some planning, you can put together a table that feels inviting, warm, and stylish—without the fuss. All it takes is some creativity, a cohesive color scheme, and some decor to pull it all together. If your decor leans into moody fall colors, bring that into your table decor with dark florals and a standout Thanksgiving tablecloth; create a modern-rustic scene with neutral colors, timeless striped linens, and stoneware plates; or instead, play into the season with a bounty of fall botanicals and swirling colors of burgundy and rust. Once you’ve finished up the seasonal fun inside, don’t forget to put up your outdoor Thanksgiving decorations. Now, let’s get cooking!
1. Whimsical Florals and Fruits
Thanksgiving table design doesn’t have to feel stuffy in order to be formal and elegant. Add in creative touches like whimsical floral bunches, dried or live, in contrasting colors and shapes. Then, line the center of your table with fall fruits and foliage for an unexpected element that feels fresh and creative. You can go simple with your dinnerware to let your centerpiece shine, or incorporate fine natural materials like linen and organic cotton for an undone garden look. Make sure to spread your florals throughout the house, too, for an extra thoughtful touch that brings the whole look together.
2. Playful Pumpkins
Pumpkin decor isn’t just limited to Halloween. Give the gourd its flowers on Thanksgiving by celebrating the symbol of the season with sweet centerpieces, serving platters, and other novelty decor. You can play around with the table settings by placing a cute pumpkin dish or pumpkin-shaped place card at each seat, and then dive into the theme by adding in faux velvet pumpkins, pumpkin-shaped boards, or even candles in the gourd-eous shape. With a theme like this, however, it’s easy to go overboard—to keep it chic, pair the decor with simple stoneware plates and classic off-white linens. That way, your pumpkins can really shine.
3. Ditsy Florals and Antique Finishes
The autumn season is all about warmth and comfort. As the seasons change and it starts to get a bit chilly outside, we all look forward to days at the pumpkin patch, the leaves changing, and the rich fall colors that start to bloom in the flowers and trees—like amber, burgundy, and mustard. Celebrate these seasonal colors and textures with ditsy floral patterns in your dinnerware and table linens, and vintage-inspired accents like brass candlestick holders or toile serving platters. Especially during Thanksgiving, mixing patterns and textures in familiar fall colors feels nostalgic, welcoming, and warm.
4. Classic Turkey Table Decor
It’s a classic for a reason! Incorporating turkeys—be it on your dinnerware, linens, salt and pepper shakers, or as a decorative object itself—is a simple but effective way to set the mood for your festive feast. You can make an impact, as seen here, making the bronzed turkey accent the star of the show while letting the table’s dinnerware and serveware stay simple. Or instead, you might decide to hint at the turkey motif through other means for a more subtle showcase. This can be especially beautiful when coupled with bronze or galvanized candlestick holders, dark linen napkins, and pops of fall florals.
5. Natural Elegance
Creating an elegant dinner table might be easier than you think. After all, there’s a lot of thought that goes into putting a table together so beautifully. However, you can create an elegant Thanksgiving tablescape with just a few thoughtful touches that will make it look like you put far more effort into the settings than you actually did. Lay out delicate, high-quality dinnerware and glassware, and add a charger below the plates for a more opulent feel. Then, prime your guests’ seats with crystal or glass wine glasses. (Make sure you polish them beforehand to remove any fingerprints.) Add in some unique candle holders and pressed linen napkins for a refined but simple look.
6. Timeless and Neutral
When it comes to creating a timeless canvas for your Thanksgiving day feast, you can’t go wrong with a neutral, classic scene. A look this versatile is often characterized by a flexible palette of creamy, comforting shades, like ecru, flax, and camel. Delicate champagne flutes act as the perfect vessel for toasting, while a burlap runner brings a touch of texture and sophistication. You can add a bit of charm with a subtle pattern, as seen in these striped linen napkins, and a hint at fall, by way of white pumpkin place card holders.
7. Filled With Fall Color
While shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown are typically associated with Thanksgiving, the truth is that no colors are off-limits for the holiday, especially when creating a standout tablescape. Mix things up this year by incorporating one or two unexpected hues, like this pistachio green napkin. Eucalyptus leaves and bits of fall foliage brings a touch of life to the plate, but faux fall berries would also provide that traditional Thanksgiving orange hue. The finishing touch? Crisp, white dinnerware at each seat: the perfect rimmed vessels to pile high with mashed potatoes, turkey legs, cranberry sauce, and gravy.
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8. Natural Warm Tones
Creating a striking holiday table doesn’t have to mean going overboard. Most of the time, it involves going big in just one aspect, whether that’s with florals or, in this instance, candlelight. The natural warm tones throughout the table, from the foliage to the candles and even the amber vases, create a welcoming atmosphere. A running centerpiece of candlesticks effortlessly sets the scene for feasting, while a combination of brass and burgundy feels extra festive. To allow the center to shine, keep the rest of your tablescape simple with crisp folded napkins, classic dinnerware, and elegant wine glasses just begging for a pour of vino.
9. A Mix of Modern and Traditional
On the hunt for Thanksgiving table decor ideas that feel traditional with just a little something extra? Well, look no further than this standout scene! Dressed to the nines with everything needed for a memorable meal, this table features timeless dinnerware and seasonal florals. Arrange your blooms in small table boxes for a rustic-yet-refined vibe, then dot the run of the table with faux pillar candles for a safe (and stunning) romantic glow. Then, decorate each seat with a handwritten place card, fringed napkin, and custom menu for a Thanksgiving dinner that’ll really wow.
10. Simple and Cozy
Hosting on the fly? No sweat! Your Thanksgiving table is set (literally and figuratively) with this simple inspiration. Store-bought blooms and a few pieces of pumpkin decor act as the centerpiece of this spread, while a few modern touches (like that iron candle holder) offer a modern twist. Finish off each place setting with wooden napkin rings and gold flatware to prime guests for the meal of the year. Want to really up the cozy factor? Add a few throw blankets onto the dining chairs and encourage guests to settle in for a long, relaxed meal—until it’s time for a nap and some football, of course.
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Alyssa Longobucco
Alyssa is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist with a background in interior, food, and lifestyle content. The recent recipient of an interior design certification, she has over a decade of experience in the digital and magazine industry helping readers digest design trends and providing actionable expert advice for creating a home and life they love.
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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