Tip #1: Create a foraged-and-found look.
Fall is rich with natural materials to use in your tablescape—and you
don’t even have to visit the countryside to find them. Head to your
backyard, the local park or, while on a stroll around your
neighborhood, look for fallen twigs or branches, grasses, beautiful
leaves, acorns, pretty stones, small rocks and maybe even feathers.
Use the twigs and branches alone or nestle them into your floral
arrangement, making sure the blooms also have a natural, fall feel (go
for rich burgundy, deep greens, ocher, rust, eggplant colors and maybe
hints of smoky silver).
You can also scatter leaves along the table or use them as coasters
for your glassware or candles. If you were successful in collecting
acorns or pretty stones, layer them in a
glass vessel
and add a candle. As an alternative to botanicals, try a fall-inspired
arrangement with pillar candles of various sizes in hurricanes, groups
of mini pumpkins and gourds, and a soft scattering of pretty stones
and foraged leaves.
Tip #2: Set a warm and welcoming table.
Special Thanksgiving candles are always a good idea. The glow of candlelight creates instant coziness (just make sure you use unscented candles so as not to spoil the delicious aromas of your Thanksgiving feast). Choose cloth napkins that are soft and have some texture. Linen napkins are my go-to, as their natural wrinkles add a perfectly-imperfect beauty to the table. Instead of traditional napkin rings, fold napkins loosely and tie with twine, then add a handwritten name tag using cardboard from your recycling. As a finishing touch, tuck a colorful fall leaf or pretty twig into the twine.
Tip #3: Something old, something new
For an extra-personal Thanksgiving table with lots of character, try mixing vintage pieces—like family heirlooms or found treasures—into a more neutral, modern table setting. To help make sure your vintage-modern tablescape feels cohesive, try choosing a color theme across the pieces, so even if you’re mixing patterns you have the same color story woven throughout. It can also be helpful to set a foundation with crisp white or solid colors to anchor more decorative pieces—think modern white dinnerware with your grandmother’s antique Thanksgiving-themed serving platter or solid-hued plates laid over an antique patterned tablecloth.
Tip #4: Thanksgiving table must-haves
Every Thanksgiving table should include a floral centerpiece or collection of special decor accents to set it apart from everyday dining. Linens also go a long way to elevate the occasion—this doesn’t necessarily mean a tablecloth, simple cloth napkins can also do the trick. Candles set along the length of the table will add a warm glow, which can be especially dramatic as the afternoon light changes to dusk. And having a special playlist cued up (or a selection of vinyl) adds instant ambience.
Tip #5: Tablescape inspiration is everywhere.
Creating a holiday table is truly personal, and there is no “right” way to do it. Inspiration for your table can come from unexpected sources, like browsing in a thrift store, going for a walk in nature or perusing Pinterest. A single plate or dish might have a pattern that drives the whole theme or color palette for your holiday table. A movie, book or magazine article can also conjure a feeling or style—like a rustic Italian villa or the English countryside—and it can be fun to riff off that.
Tip #6: No dining table? No problem!
There is definitely no rule that Thanksgiving has to be centered around a traditional dining table. A coffee table or kitchen island can absolutely work as a festive holiday table—you just have to serve the meal buffet style and scale down your tablescape. Try swapping in small plates, stemless glassware, votive candles, bud vases or decorative touches like a scattering of fall leaves and hand-tied bundles of herbs, such as rosemary and thyme. If you are eating around a coffee table, make sure there are plenty of comfy floor cushions. And if all diners cannot fit around the coffee table or island, lay down a blanket and let the younger diners enjoy their meal picnic-style.