Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas That Wow

Fall colors, browns, tans, neutrals all used for Thanksgiving tablescape

the classics reinvented

Say buh-bye to humdrum boring old fashioned Thanksgiving tablescapes. How many times do we need to see crunchy orange and red leaves on a tabletop anyway? Whether your heart goes pitter-patter for midcentury modern or you love a good grandmillennial moment, we’ve got your covered, boo. For starters, you can go with an all-out neutral vibe. Who doesn’t want to be soothed during and onslaught on imposing questions and copious amounts of food? Let your space dictate the mood by incorporating soft linens in various shades of cream, mushroom, or oatmeal. Use brown apothecary bottles and jars for your centerpieces and keep the sizes varied to add visual interest. Add a few twigs in a color-coordinating palette, some soft white candles, and reeded glasses and the look is complete. For more ideas on how to make your tablescape and meal more palatable, check out our ideas below!

“How many times do we need to see crunchy orange and red leaves on a tabletop anyway?”

so many options, so little time

If subtle is not your thing, then sprinkle that table top with some white and tan gourds (maybe even spray paint a few in metallics - shine bright, my friends). Then, add in some dramatic, long specimens of eucalyptus (as long as it’s not pungent) with some deep, vibrant flowers. Think burgundy dahlias, coral garden roses, and tiny pomegranates. Also, pro tip: if you’re doing formal seating with place cards and the like, pile up the flowers extra high across from the people you don’t want to talk to. Congratulations, you’ve now solved two problems - the need for a centerpiece and cutting out awkward talks with Uncle Bobby.

Maybe you’re more into a refined rustic look this fine Turkey Day? I mean, sometimes simple is the best way to go. Especially if you have a gorgeous wood dining table. Take some olive branches or possibly a whole bunch of rosemary and casually lay it down the table as if they were a runner. Sweeten the deal by throwing in some skinny brass or matte black candlestick holders with cream colored tapers. Classic. Pretty. Timeless. Done!

✴ you may also want to read: Decorating with pumpkins ✴

Perhaps you have a treasure trove of treasured family photos? Why not use them as place cards? There are plenty of ways to get innovative with this idea, so try something that works best for your particular family (or friends! This totally works for Friendsgiving, too!). Another note, if your family also has a good mix of china patterns, it could be fun and a little wild to use them all at once, particularly if individuals have their favorite particular patterns.

Then again, there’s nothing wrong with modern, plain earthenware. Some classic Heath can really amp up the cozy factor while insuring the meal is the star of the table. Keep everything else clean and neutral, as well, to maintain the look. Stick with small arrangements that use only one or two floral elements, and match your napkins for some tone on tone appeal. If you need a pop, try jazzing it up with shiny rose gold flatware.

Traditional is totally okay

Whatever your aesthetic, there’s bound to be something that works for you that isn’t a table filled with a bunch of clichés. That being said, if you are in to a more traditional look and don’t want to veer too far off the beaten path, try some of these solutions.

Maximize on your full-blown grandmillennial aesthetic by using all the chinoiserie your heart can handle. Make it modern by using caned chargers and an oversized print on your tablecloth and napkins. Play with the glassware, too, to guarantee the final look is lively and not heavy. That’s what the stuffing is for.

But nothing says reviving the outdated classic like some good old-fashioned pumpkins, a bit of bay laurel swag, and lots of alabaster candles. Try playing with mixed metals and use some fancy coupes to keep it all time-honored but not dated. See, it’s totally easy to break out of the blasé this holiday season. Inspiration is all around, all you need to do is keep your eyes out for endless ideas!

Get the look

Are you trying something new with your Thanksgiving tablescape this year? Let us know by posting about it on Instagram using the hashtag #saltpoppyliving and chatting with us in the comments below!

Like the ideas you see here and maybe want to add in to your holiday look? Check out some of these goodies to help you on Turkey Day.