5 Tips for Crafting the Perfect Thanksgiving Table Decor for Your Home

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends to give thanks and celebrate with a shared meal. However, with the pressure of pulling together the perfect Thanksgiving feast, it can be easy to forget the most important finishing touches–the table decorations. Whether you’re wanting to create a classic Thanksgiving look with a few modern twists or totally transform your interior for the occasion, the right table decor can set the tone and make the meal memorable. Here are 5 tips for crafting the perfect Thanksgiving table this year.

Thanksgiving Tablescape

The overall look of this Thanksgiving table decor is rustic. Anchoring the table setting is a burlap table runner and burlap placemats. Most of the colors here are white and brown, and I added pops of orange and yellow for that traditional Thanksgiving feel.

If you feel overwhelmed, starting with your table runner and/or placemats is a good starting point. Then you can build off of that. This will give you an overall style (rustic, modern, traditional, elegant, minimal) and a basic color palette.

Dishes For Thanksgiving Table Decor

For this table, rustic white dishes by Pfaltzgraff create a nice neutral element. They come in a 16 piece set and are microwave and dishwasher safe. Food always looks appetizing on a white plate!

This set includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug for four people. I like the look of the white plates on the burlap placemats. White dishes are a good option because they can be used for any occasion. Holiday themed dishes are pretty, but they sit in the cabinet most of the year.

Elegant Napkins & Holder

These bright colored cloth napkins add a pop of color and are displayed in these cute little pumpkin napkin rings. When you are creating a special Thanksgiving table, the little details like these really take it up a notch!

Simple Details That Make It Special

Speaking of details, adding place cards for your loved ones makes Thanksgiving a special meal. These rustic wood place card holders might just be my favorite accessory on this table. They come in a set of 20 for $11.99 and the paper is included. If you are expecting a large crowd, this would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table decor.

The Perfect Centerpiece

A key component of Thanksgiving table decor is the centerpiece! I like to have something that makes a statement without being so tall that guests cannot see each other. A huge arrangement looks pretty, but is very distracting during conversation.

The centerpiece for this table is a piece that I found at an antique sale. It is called a sugar mold and you can actually purchase them new. Here is a similar option. You could also use a wooden dough bowl like this one from Amazon.

Instead of using a tall floral arrangement, I used these maple leaf garlands and just arranged them randomly around the centerpiece. These came in a 2 pack of 5.9 ft. garlands.

When using rustic decor, I like to add in just a little bit of shine to add variety and the shiny owl candle holders are the perfect little touch. If you don’t have owl, look for anything shiny like mercury glass accessories. Here are some options:

Other Thanksgiving Accessories

The rest of your accessories will just top off your Thanksgiving table decor. Here are some suggestions:

candles – these from Amazon are a good deal
faux pumpkins
faux floral
whimsical animals (turkeys, owls, squirrels)
lights

How adorable are these string lights?

Smaller Table Ideas

If your gathering is going to be small, then this Thanksgiving table decor may give you some inspiration. Most of the accessories came from Marshall’s.

These plates are seasonal, but not just Thanksgiving. At least these could be used all throughout fall. The woven placemats add some interesting texture to the table setting.

Nothing says happy Thanksgiving more than a big turkey platter. This could have a practical use as a serving piece, or it could just be decorative. The salt and pepper shakers coordinate with the platter.

Here are some serving pieces to shop for your Thanksgiving table.

My love of animals is evident by the whimsical forest animals on this table. No matter how old I get, I just think they are cute and they give me some good holiday feels.

We have covered everything from how to begin your Thanksgiving table to decor, to the centerpiece, and all of the accessories needed to create the perfect Thanksgiving table! If you enjoyed this post, you might want to read this one and this one.