52 Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas for a Memorable Feast
Hint: There’s a rule for the height of your centerpiece.
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Once you’ve got your menu figured out, setting the table for Thanksgiving might be the most important decision of the day. While people look forward to food at Thanksgiving as a chance to revisit familiar favorites, the tablescape can give you a chance to surprise guests and make the day extra festive. Need some expert advice? World-renowned event planner Bronson van Wyck says he never limits himself to a specific color palette for setting the table. “I thrive on the unexpected,” he says. “Instead of predictable warm browns and oranges, opt for indigo, auberge, emerald, or Bordeaux. Rich jewel tones capture the season’s essence without falling into clichés.”
New Jersey–based designer Gail Davis says she gets inspiration for her Thanksgiving table on the day of the big feast and pulls from what is around her in her yard for centerpieces. And van Wyck adds that centerpieces should never exceed 12 inches. “A good rule of thumb is to put your elbow the table and bend at the wrist,” he says. “The tallest flower or centerpiece should not surpass that height.” Houston-based designer Chandos Dodson Epley concurs: “It’s always best to have florals that don’t obstruct conversation,” she says.
As for the best part of the day? The family around the table. “My favorite part of creating the table is the response that my friends and family have to the tablescape,” Davis says. From pared-down minimalist centerpieces to no-holds-barred maximalist displays to tidbits on honing color without foliage, and more, here are 52 Thanksgiving tablescape ideas for how to create a memorable time for your guests. Dig in!
Don’t Obstruct Conversation
“It is always best to have centerpieces and florals that don’t obstruct conversation,” designer Chandos Dodson Epley says. “I love adding decorative objects to tablescapes for some interest and edge.” In this case, persimmons piled in a bowl and centered on the plate add just the right pop of color.
Make It Memorable
Though the holidays are known for tradition, party planner extraordinaire Bronson van Wyck never plays it safe decor-wise. “When it comes to memorable tables, unconventional choices reign supreme. And holidays offer the ultimate playground for daring decor risks, especially when your family plays the role of the most forgiving audience,” he tells us. “Antlers, feathers, or even bouquets of white mushrooms can act as captivating centerpieces, imbuing your space with rustic charm. And no need to stress, your family loves you no matter how outlandish the decor.” Here, chrysanthemums and heaps of strawberries and grapes feel at once opulent and effortless.
Take Inspiration from Mother Nature
Sometimes the best decor comes from right outside your door. In this painterly vignette from designer Bradley Odom, a rich green tablecloth paired with an arrangement of magnolia branches does the trick.
Take Note of the Surroundings
“When it comes to the Thanksgiving table, I always try to draw from my surroundings,” fashion and interior designer Jenni Kayne says. “I’ll focus on earthy tones with slight notes of color that reflect the season, and I like to add personalized touches that bring it all together and make the table feel special, like handwritten place cards or thoughtful parting gifts.”
Set for the Senses
For product designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen, whose tabletop collection is appropriately named “Setting the Table,” the sign of a successful dinner is “one where delicious food is eaten, beverages are abundant, and good conversation is flowing,” she shares. Guests should feel at home and at ease, and the table should be unfussy, bounteous, and colorful. “And to top it off? Ambient lighting, candles, and plenty of flowers to set the mood,” Jacobsen says.
Make Something Memorable
The London-based designer Gergei Erdei emphasizes being bold and creating a memorable table. “Placemats and table linens are a great way to introduce decadent prints or bright hues to your table,” Gergei says, like ikat and tiger stripes.
Bring the Outside In
Bring the fall colors to the table with china, autumn foliage, and patterned linens—just as Mary Celeste Beall, the owner of the renowned Tennessee resort Blackberry Farm, did in this eclectic assemblage. Our favorite flourish? The delicate touch of green.
Go Bold with Gold
Tabletop guru Kim Seybert uses base layers of gold tablecloths and metallic plates to make the fall floral centerpiece pop. To add extra flair, Seybert incorporated festive turkey napkin rings.
Holiday Cheer
“I love color and like the idea of mixing and matching, a table should represent the host and should be fun,” says kitchen designer and entertainer Caren Rideau, whose book is titled Caren Rideau: Kitchen Designer, Vintner, Entertaining at Home. With an unexpected splash of bright hues, we dare you to find a more cheery fall tablescape.
Use Autumnal Hues
Embrace seasonal produce in both your serveware and your decor, in the likes of designer CeCe Barfield. “Thanksgiving is all about rich layers and an autumnal palette," Barfield says. “Consider decorating your table with gourds and other vegetables as a nod to the season.”
Make It Natural
If you’re celebrating Turkey Day in a more temperate climate, look no further than Maison Maison Design cofounder Suzanne Duin’s backyard. Here, she relies on natural elements like rattan and produce, mixed with autumnal paisley prints to create a festive Thanksgiving table.
Chic and Casual
“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the natural beauty of fall,” interior designer Gray Walker says. “Autumnal hues and a variety of gourds and pumpkins can create a vibe that celebrates the time of year so elegantly. I approach the table setting with a more casual vibe because Christmas is right around the corner.”
Merry Minimalist
Take notes from tastemaker and designer Devon Liedtke and think beyond floral centerpieces by using earthy tones to liven up the Thanksgiving table.
Delightfully Unexpected
“I like my Thanksgiving with little surprises on the menu, on the table, at the bar,” says event planner extraordinaire and founder of Houses & Parties, Rebecca Gardner. “Distract from perfunctory family chatter with party crackers, parlor games or...a blow-up turkey. No one likes it, anyway.”
Bring Out the Good Stuff
“I tend to bring out my traditional china for Thanksgiving and I love experimenting with new linen pairings so that my table feels fresh for the holiday,” Elizabeth Lake founder Lily Lanahan says.
Characteristically Colorful
Monelle Totah the cofounder of home decor store Hudson Grace, likes to use a white tablecloth for the base, layering it with colorful linen accents to dress up the setting. “It can make a tablescape formal or informal with a switch of a color, adding texture and interest,” she says.
Create Multiple Centerpieces
Why settle for one centerpiece when you and your guests can enjoy a few? By adding several glass vases to her setup, Jan Showers injects some visual interest without upstaging the main course. Plus, her guests will have a great view of the centerpieces, regardless of where they’re seated. You can easily recreate the look by lining up a few bud vases and filling them with your favorite seasonal blooms.
Keep It Simple
For Marie Flanigan, subtlety is key. Instead of overwhelming her table with large, colorful gourds, the interior designer kept it simple by layering olive branches over a crisp, white table runner. Tea lights, woven fruit baskets, and mismatched china round out the look, creating a cozy, homey atmosphere. Thanks to its unparalleled versatility, this is one table decor idea you can enjoy year-round.
Pattern Play
This Thanksgiving, pile on the patterns à la Charlotte Moss. The interior designer fills the dining table with an assortment of eye-catching patterns. However, sticking with a cohesive color palette keeps this setup whimsical, not overwhelming.
The Textured Treatment
Not a pattern person? Breathe some life into your tablescape by experimenting with different textiles. With a tactile centerpiece, ribbed candles, and etched drinking glasses, this setup from Charlotte Moss strikes a balance between subtle and statement. The key is to pair a muted pop of color with a neutral color palette.
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