14 Easy Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to join together around a table and share in the color, tastes, and textures of some of our seasonal favorites. All of those things can be enhanced with a classy Thanksgiving dinner tablescape, but after all that cooking, what host has time to come up with fancy table decorations? You do! Take a look at these inspiring, beautiful ideas for easy Thanksgiving tablescapes and put one together for your holiday meal.

1. Natural Wood

If you have access to some natural wood, this may be the tablescape for you. The simple cuts taken from 2-3 sizes of stump provide the perfect rustic base for the entire table. They can be used for holding place cards, candles, dishes, and even some of your Thanksgiving foods. A simple pinstriped fabric is used as a table runner and looks great beneath the colored pumpkins.

2. Natural Pieces with Bronze and Copper

A mix of natural and metallic elements can be the perfect pairing for your Thanksgiving table. Here, bronze and copper rest on straw and twig-type mats. The copper vase in the center also holds natural branches. Pears and a nice pop of color on the classic white dishes pull the whole look together!

3. Golden Thanksgiving

Dip or spray paint the natural decorations of autumn to get this metallic look. A simple strip of burlap down the center of your table can be topped with golden pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, and branches, dotted with candles to really set the mood.

4. Fall Flowers and Rich Brown

Rich, chocolatey browns in the napkins and table runner bring the true feel of autumn to this table. Use live flowers in fall colors, tall candleholders filled with gourds, and mood-setting candles as your centerpieces.

5. Black and White

Although this tablescape was put together for Halloween, black and white can be a great look for your Turkey Day table too! Mix the bold contrast with a simple combination of gourds, pumpkins, raffia, and pinecones to bring things down a notch. Striped napkins and plain tags as name cards are a great addition.

6. Wheat and Acorns

Dried wheat bunches make fabulous centerpieces, and this table’s focal point is boosted by the wicker place mats under the plain white dinner plates. Burlap and artificial acorns (or real, if you live where they’re available!) add more natural elements. Use candlesticks of various heights to create dimension.

7. Metallics and Berries

Metallics really are a fabulous place to start when it comes to your Thanksgiving tablescape, and as you can see, there are many ways to use them. In this design, gold chargers and faux berry sprigs brighten the room, complemented by gold-trimmed napkins, tapered candles, and a platter of gourds.

8. Decorate While You Wait

Don’t forget the kids’ table! This one is covered in kraft paper and features seasonal fruit and crayons for decorating the “tablecloth.” Personalize each child’s plate with a name card just like the adults. They’re bound to love it!

9. Backyard Centerpieces

Take a walk in your own back yard if you need some last-minute centerpieces like these! Cut a few branches with colorful leaves for vases and gather pinecones to place at each plate setting. Natural colors like creams, browns, and leafy yellows make a great combination.

10. All Fall

There are many little treats to uncover with this tablescape. Start with an autumn plaid tablecloth and follow the directions on Celebrations.com for the creative leaf table runner. Candleholders in various shapes and sizes can be filled with acorns and topped with fall flowers, and pear place settings are once again a winning feature.

11. A Throw “Tablecloth” and Nature

Sweet Something Design calls it a “Charlie Brown” tablescape, but we call it simply fabulous! A plaid throw is used as a tablecloth and natural décor like twigs, pinecones, wicker, and acorns are all that is needed to dress things up. Play with colors and patterns in your dinnerware and napkins to make your settings pop.

12. Simple Elegance

This design uses things you might already have in your kitchen! Overturned pie plates are covered with autumn leaves to hold up candles anchored in miniature pumpkins. Tartlet molds become holders for place cards with the help of small magnets. Keep the rest of the table simple with plain tablecloths, dishes, and napkins for a simple, classic elegance.

13. Plank Tablerunner

A plank serves as a unique kind of table runner on this table. A couple of burlap strips and a centered basket of pinecones and greens top things off and the same greenery is a perfect way to tie up place cards. Give guests something to do while waiting for the meal with a paper on which to write statements of gratitude.

14. Crossed Burlap and Feathers

We’re making a return to metallics here, but with some great additions. A cable-knit throw makes a clever tablecloth and is criss-crossed with strips of burlap. Napkins are printed with gold feathers to match the feathers used as part of the centerpiece arrangement. Make your silverware settings unique by tying them up with twigs and sprigs of rosemary or other greens.

Featured image via Better Homes and Gardens.

Kayla Lilly is a photographer, writer, wife, and mama making a house a home in eastern Idaho. She met her mister while working at an amusement park and married him a year later after deciding there was no way to live without him. The amusement has continued as they’ve added three kids and a passel of pets to their lives while finishing college and starting a photography business. Drawing inspiration from the whirlwinds of marriage, parenthood, and the media, Kayla blogs at Utterly Inexperienced, and spends the rest of her time chasing chickens, organizing junk drawers, diapering toddlers, and photographing everyone willing to step in front of her lens.

Need more Thanksgiving tips? Find them here:

Easy Side Dishes              Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes      Fall Dessert Recipes