Thanksgiving Tablescaping: A Guide

Before Christmas rolls around, there’s another festive event you might be preparing for: Thanksgiving. And if you’ve got the recipes sorted and the turkey in the fridge, all that’s left to think about is the decorations – but if you’re not sure quite where to start, here’s some Thanksgiving tablescape inspiration.

Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas 2024

There’s nothing like a carefully-curated tablescape to impress your guests this Thanksgiving – even if the turkey ends up being the star of the show. Of course, there are plenty of decor ideas to work with: the classic harvest-themed tablescape usually springs to mind, complete with a warm orange colour palette, meticulously-placed gold crockery, and maybe even a pumpkin or two left over from Halloween. 

If you want to level up your Thanksgiving table, however, you can play with colours, textures and accessories to create a stylish and unique look. Read on for some ideas…

Farmhouse Fun

DbCeramic

‘I love mixing up textures when I style a table,’ says Deborah Brett, founder of DbCeramic. She suggests using raffia placemats for ‘a wonderful harvest feel’, paired with a gingham tablecloth and some deep burgundy accents (like napkins or tapered candles) to create an elegant contrast. 

For a real cottagecore look, ‘garnish your table with sprigs of berries in milk jugs tied with thick ribbons,’ adds Paul Richardson, Showroom Stylist at Wren Kitchens. Enhance the cosy atmosphere with personalised touches: think ‘place cards, handwritten menus and napkins entwined with more sprigs of foliage.’

Fruit & Flowers

© Little Inka by Unique Homestays

A bit of foliage is, of course, a Thanksgiving decor staple. ‘If you already have apples in your fruit bowl, add these to your table decor on plates, garnished with cinnamon sticks,’ says Cassandra Leisz, Creative Director at Ruggable. Meanwhile, Deborah recommends bud vases full of ‘dahlias, hawthorn and rosehip berries, as well as coloured eucalyptus leaves.’ To tie things together, ‘place a few autumn leaves under the vases’ to form a ‘natural border’ between your decor and your crockery, creating a particularly photogenic tablescape. 

Luxe Neutrals

The Roost

Fancy something a little less vibrant? ‘Begin with a base of soft, neutral tones such as whites, creams or greys, and then add a touch of shimmer by incorporating metallics like gold, silver or champagne,’ says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Design Studio. 

For a minimalistic centrepiece, meanwhile, ‘choose a single focal point such as a vase of evergreen branches or a cluster of candles on an elegant tray. Incorporate natural elements such as fresh or faux garlands and wreaths made from eucalyptus, cedar or pine, and try filling bowls or vases with pinecones for an organic look. Finish with simple pillar candles to create a warm, inviting glow.’ 

Quirky & Bright

The Roost

Who says a Thanksgiving tablescape needs to be perfect? It is, after all, a family affair – so a bit of chaos is inevitable. ‘Lean into it being messy,’ advises designer and professional tablescaper Samantha Picard. ‘If you don’t have a perfect set of dinnerware or plateware, mismatch them in colours that go well together and create a super cosy yet chic look.’

When it comes to decor, quirky is always a good idea. ‘I have velvet squirrels, velvet pumpkins, rechargable table lamps. and fabulous skiing bears from Balsam Hill,’ says Samantha.

A Touch Of Decadence

The Roost

If you’re after a particularly dramatic look, Paul suggests setting the scene with ‘a rich fabric tablecloth like linen or velvet. Go even bolder by adding a black or gold table runner.’

Enhance this luxurious feel by ‘carefully positioning frosted candles along the centre of the tablescape for soft, warm lighting that will highlight any golden or metallic accents.’ When it comes to crockery, ‘sparkling white complements gold details,’ he notes: think gold-rimmed plates and glassware, metallic napkin rings and gold cutlery.