Fall tables are a fun way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for gatherings with family and friends.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire dining room setting to do this! You can take your everyday dinnerware and layer with simple holiday accessories. By adding a few seasonal touches – whether it’s a cozy tablecloth, a stunning centerpiece, or some flickering candles – you can transform your dinner table into a seasonal masterpiece!
So let’s jump into this step-by-step guide to creating beautiful fall tables, using what you already have.
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How to create beautiful fall tables
1. Evaluate what you have
Before you rush out and buy all new decor (tempting, I know!), start by looking at what you already have. There’s no need to break the bank for a seasonal Tablescape when you have plenty of the basics already.
Go through your dining essentials, like tablecloths, placemats, and even the dining table itself. Do you have a neutral tablecloth that could work? What about your crockery and cutlery? Pull out any large vases or candlesticks you’ve collected over the years. Take inventory of those larger, more expensive pieces that you can incorporate.
Pay close attention to colours, patterns and materials. Are there earth tones or rustic textures that can play a role in a cozy fall look? Or maybe some metallic touches that you never noticed before?
2. Choose a color scheme
Now that you’ve evaluated what you have, it’s time to choose a color scheme that ties everything together. Start by building on the colors of your existing pieces, this will help guide you towards a beautiful, cohesive color palette.
Of course, fall is known for its warm, cozy colors like orange, brown, and dark red, but you don’t have to commit to a fall color palette if you don’t want to.
Jewel tones are another great option for a rich, luxurious feel. Think plum, dark green, or even deep blue.
Gold accents are another easy way to elevate your tabletop. Imagine gold-plated papers scattered on the table or some gold candlesticks. Gold adds just the right amount of sparkle without feeling overdone, especially when paired with natural elements like wood chips or pine cones.
And don’t be afraid to get creative! You can go for something completely unexpected to create a vibrant and fun scene on your fall table!
When you settle on your color palette, think about whether you want to tie it into a larger theme, such as rustic harvest, modern minimalism, or woodland magic. Theme can help make everything more intentional and connected to each other.
3. Choose materials, textures and patterns
Now let’s talk about one of my favorite parts, playing with materials, textures and patterns!
Again, start with what you already have. For example, if you’re working with simple white plates, this is your opportunity to add more visual interest with a patterned tablecloth or colorful placemats. If your dinnerware already has bold patterns, you may want to keep the linens simple and let the dishes do the talking.
In the fall, natural elements are essential! Add textures like burlap tablecloths, wooden chargers, or woven placemats for a warm, rustic feel.
To keep things balanced, you can contrast these natural textures with metallic accents. A little gold or brass — whether it’s in flatware, candle holders or even some decorative accents — can add a polished, sophisticated touch without taking away from a cozy vibe.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match! Combining different textures like rough burlap with smooth ceramic or shiny metals creates visual interest and depth, making the table look like it’s been carefully curated.
4. Set the rule
Now it’s time to lay the foundation for your tabletop – literally! This is where you’ll choose your tablecloth or tablecloth and start building your tablescape from the ground up.
Of course, you can buy beautiful linen or a patterned tablecloth, but why not get a little creative? I often use a roll of $3 brown kraft paper as a tablecloth, and it looks great! It gave my table a rustic, natural feel, and I don’t feel bad about crumpling it up and throwing it away afterwards. I add a little Thanksgiving note written right on the paper tablecloth for each guest (see it here)!
You can also think outside the box with materials like wallpaper, gift wrapping, or even fabric scraps like old curtains or scarves. Not only are these options budget-friendly, but they’re also a great way to add texture or pattern without committing to expensive linens.
Here’s a fun idea: If you choose something like kraft paper, turn it into a little activity! Leave some pens for kids (or adults!) to draw, write messages, or draw designs on the runner. It’s a fun touch that will keep little ones entertained during dinner!
5. Create a stunning seasonal centerpiece, such as flowers
The centerpiece is the focal point of your table – it’s the first thing your guests will notice, so it should definitely have the ‘wow’ factor!
Learn how to incorporate orange pomegranate into a bouquet for a stunning scent and style.
While you want it to be eye-catching, don’t forget about practicality. You still need room to hold all the delicious food (because, let’s face it, that’s the real star of the show)!
In the fall, you’ll probably want to incorporate foliage, whether real or artificial. You can choose a flower arrangement such as a bouquet of seasonal flowers, a wreath with candles placed in the middle, or even a vignette containing small pumpkins, gourds, acorns, and other bits of seasonal decor. Or try the reusable pumpkin patch shown below.
It’s also important to add some height to attract visual interest, but since it will be in the middle of the table, make sure it’s not so high that people can’t see each other! A great way to do this is to use something like a cake stand to elevate the centerpiece parts.
6. Design the place settings
Not only do place settings give everyone the tools to enjoy the meal, they’re also the key to making your table look elegant and polished! Thoughtfully designed, it can elevate the entire tabletop.
First, think about contrast. Pair your crockery with placemats in different patterns or textures to spice things up. If you have plain dinner plates, use a patterned or patterned placemat, and vice versa.
I pair the simple elegance of the Better Homes & Gardens Acacia Wood & Marble tray, modern rimmed dinnerware, and marble melamine salad plates with the stunning glamor of Lekoch’s black and white gold-handled flatware.
For a fun, budget-friendly touch, I’ve used gold dotted wrapping paper as placemats before. Not only do they add a touch of pattern and color, they’re also disposable – just throw them away after a meal!
Layering your pieces always looks great – start with a placemat, then add a plate, bowl and a small decorative item or napkin on top.
Napkins are a great way to introduce patterns or textures, especially if you use cloth napkins. You can fold them into fancy shapes and place them on the plate for an extra decorative touch. Napkin rings are another way to add elegance, whether you opt for classic rings or something cute made with string and rosemary.
Don’t forget the cutlery! I love sprucing up gold cutlery, but if you’re working with simpler cutlery, you can still style it up by wrapping it in a cloth napkin or placing it in a fun cutlery holder.
Your glasses are also an opportunity to have fun – choose glasses with interesting shapes or colors for an unexpected look!
If you’re feeling creative, there are many fun ways to create your own place cards. I’ve written with gold Sharpies on black paper before, but you can also write guest names on painted gold papers or wooden strips.
7. Add more fall decor to tie the centerpiece in with everything else
Now that the stunning centerpiece is in place, it’s time to weave those fall vibes throughout the table to make everything look cohesive. Think of this step like adding the finishing touches to a masterpiece, you’re bringing it all together!
Running down the middle of the table, you can layer decorative items that complement your centerpiece, such as beads, ribbon, leaves, pine cones, leaves, corn husks, acorns, or even ornaments.
Wood chips and dried paper bowls can also be perfect for adding a touch of fall fragrance and texture. This is where you can get really creative – mixing and matching items to add depth and character to your table!
Functional items such as broth boats, pitchers, and lanterns can also be used as decor. Place them on trays, cutting boards or placemats to give them extra shape and height. Tiered trays, sconces and trivet bowls can also help create visual interest in terms of height. Just make sure you don’t obstruct the view or conversations between guests!
8. Add candles and lighting to create a cozy feel and scent
No fall tablescape is complete without some warm lighting to set the mood!
The soft flickering light of the candle will instantly make your table feel warm and charming. You can also choose scented candles, such as cinnamon or pumpkin, to fill the air with the unmistakable scent of fall.
If you have young children, the best way to achieve that magical feeling is to use flameless candles. It gives off that beautiful flickering light without the worry of open flames.
Lanterns are another good option that bring some height and drama. They look amazing spread out on the table or gathered to form a kind of vignette. Fill with real or battery operated candles.
9. Include a DIY element
If you want a budget-friendly fall table, consider making any missing elements yourself; Like sewing cloth napkins, adding a painted design to cloth napkins and tablecloths, or making fall napkin rings out of wire.
10. Add a personal touch
Make your tabletop stand out with a name sign that includes something you appreciate in your guest. Another fun little project is a little box with a photo collage that folds into an accordion shape as a cute little gift.
Enjoy the beautiful table views!
By following these steps, you can transform your everyday dinnerware into a festive and attractive table setting that will delight your guests and make every meal feel magical this fall season.
So, take your favorite fall table ideas from this post, get creative, and have fun with the process of designing your own dining room table for fall dinner parties or Thanksgiving dinner. Happy fall!
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