Halloween Tablescaping: A Guide

By Martha Davies

1 month ago

How to host this spooky season


If you don’t feel like donning a costume and trying your luck at trick-or-treating this year, why not organise a dinner party instead? These Halloween tablescaping ideas are sure to spark your imagination.

How To Nail Halloween Tablescaping

Think of Halloween decorations and you’ll likely picture pumpkins, skeletons and maybe even a few questionably placed cobwebs. If you’re planning a more sophisticated soiree for spooky season, however, you might be on the lookout for some decor with a touch of elegance – and there are plenty of ways to transform your tablescape into something timeless.

Autumnal Inspiration

 

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Paul Richardson, Showroom Visual Stylist at Wren Kitchens, suggests starting with a classic colour palette of ‘glowing gold and orange.’ Tie everything together using ‘gold-accented crockery and a touch of gold spray on a sprig of foliage, before finishing with candles and a floral centerpiece,’ he adds. This ensemble will not only look picture-perfect, but it can be dusted off for any autumnal gathering you may be planning – not just the spooky variety.

Pumpkin Mania

 

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It isn’t Halloween without at least one pumpkin, but where do you start? And should you go for real pumpkins or pumpkin-themed decor? Simone Wilson, Colour and Trend Expert at Voyage Maison, suggests the former. ‘Choosing real pumpkins over decorative items can elevate the look and feel of the table,’ she advises. ‘However, it’s important not to overdo it. Stick to one large pumpkin and two smaller ones to create a perfect focal point. Using more than this can make the space feel cluttered rather than well-considered.’

The Beetlejuice Look

If you’re not tempted by autumnal hues, consider a different approach: a monochromatic aesthetic. ‘Try spraying your pumpkins with a crisp white finish to achieve a sophisticated, understated look,’ says Paul. ‘Complement this with a pristine white tablecloth and a runner crafted from natural hessian – a cost-effective find at fabric shops.’ Set the tone by ‘placing tealights in jam jars for a warm, inviting glow, and finish by incorporating sprigs of eucalyptus along the runner or discreetly tucking rosemary into your napkins,’ he states.

Candy Core

 

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Channel all the fun of trick-or-treating (without the need to knock on any doors) by incorporating a few edible treats in your tablescape: think smash cakes, Halloween-themed biscuits, and whimsical party favours. Even better? Provide a fun after-dinner activity and get your guests to decorate their own biscuits.

Halloween Tablescaping Essentials


White jug with orange 'magic potion' script

Emma Bridgewater

Magic Potion tiny jug, £16

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Orange bud vases in the shape of pumpkins

Anthropologie

Harvest glass bud vase, £18

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Glass tumbler with orange paint splatter design

Soroka

Straight murano tumbler in orange, £28

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Dark orange fringed linen napkins

Casarialto

Hand-fringed pure linen napkins in orange, £90

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Chocolate cake with ghost decoration

Sweet Trees by Browns

Halloween ghost smash cake, £31.99

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Disco ball in the shape of a pumpkin

Etsy

Disco ball pumpkin by RumisBazaar, £10

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Large ceramic ghost

Hobbycraft

Large ceramic ghost, £12

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Haunted house gingerbread house

Biscuiteeers

DIY haunted house biscuit tin, £38

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