Thanksgiving table setting ideas don’t always have to be traditional, formal, or limited to a color scheme of harvest colors only.
Whether you’re hosting a couple of friends or your whole family, simple embellishments like tableware, DIY centerpieces, and decor accents can be used to curate designs that embrace the holiday’s novelty or more modish ones with a nod to the fall palette.
We’ve compiled some of the best warm and inviting Thanksgiving table setting ideas to help turn your mealtime into a festive holiday affair.
Take a look!
1. Traditional Inspired
This Thanksgiving table setting idea uses layers of linen to celebrate one of the most essential parts of the fall holiday: giving thanks. The white floral-themed tablecloths convey a message of gratitude and blend in nicely with the space’s traditional aesthetic.
The setting swaps out the typical Thanksgiving bouquet of seasonal flowers for a rustic log with colorful red candles. White, pink, and yellow mini pumpkins and pumpkin-themed bowls keep the Thanksgiving table setting clean and elegant.
2. Unconventional Plaid
Consider a plaid tablecloth and napkins for a quirky twist on your Thanksgiving table setting idea. Soft tones of red and brown in the china and woven placemats pair with the tablecloth to take the look almost entirely out of the holiday territory.
Several small DIY pumpkins add a pop of fall color and a playful touch, while multiple candles in rustic brass-toned holders create mood lighting. Soft pink blooms perfectly complement the muted theme for an elegant, laid-back feel.
3. Line it Up
A simple white table runner forms the base layer for the Thanksgiving table décor, making it pop. The evergreen garland creates an elegant back-to-nature vibe, with several white mini pumpkins providing some contrast for an effortless harvest setting.
Industrial candle lanterns and taper candleholders add height without the need for large seasonal blooms while giving the décor a polished style.
4. Add Texture
A simple flower centerpiece, Christmas tree-themed ornaments, and whimsical DIY crafts provide all the decoration needed for this Thanksgiving table setting.
Cool white colors from the tableware and DIY snowflakes mix with the wooden tones and woven textures to liven up the rustic tablescape, while tiny acorns across the table bring a woodsy vibe. This Thanksgiving table setting will serve you all through the fall and Christmas holidays!
5. Try Rustic
The small wooden box and woven runner make this Thanksgiving table setting lean rustic, but accents of evergreens and mini pumpkins elevate the design.
The gilded pumpkins make a significant impact and add the Midas touch, while fairy lights provide some ambient lighting to add to the table’s charming glow.
6. Break the Rules
Warm colors are usually the norm when decorating a Thanksgiving table setting. Switch things up this year with this fresh take on fall table decor ideas that play up an unconventional blue and green theme. A green-and-blue tablecloth creates the base for this eclectic table setting.
Pops of blue on the tableware, a ceramic planter, wreaths, and candles continue the theme. However, not everything is green and blue—a candle, blooms, and mini pumpkins add a punch of orange and white color. This table setting is versatile enough to be used throughout the year.
7. Take it Up
Whenever you’re on a nature walk during fall, consider scooping a handful of acorns to incorporate into your all-natural Thanksgiving table setting.
The fern runner and lemon wedges continue the natural theme, while the acorns pull the brown from the woven placemats for a cohesive look. Fern décor on the chandelier takes the forest theme up and draws the eye.
8. Keep it Formal
A stunning greenery garland is one way to add a pop of freshness to your Thanksgiving table setting. This beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece comprises a sage garland and mini white pumpkins atop a white table runner.
The greenery garland adds a pop of nature and keeps the table smelling amazing, while purple ribbons and taper candles infuse a little color and modern energy. Lustrous ornaments replace place cards for the perfect addition to the formal setting without interfering with the calm, neutral tone.
9. Embrace some Glam
If you want a less traditional look for your Thanksgiving table setting idea, consider a pumpkin pile display with bold colors for your centerpiece. Here, shades of purple, bronze, gold, and yellow on the pumpkins, tableware, and linens bring a sense of luxury.
A greenery garland droops down from the centerpiece and brings a pop of greenery with a modern spin to Thanksgiving table setting ideas. The rustic wood table provides the perfect base to ground the bold décor.
10. Add Height
This neutral-inspired dining room becomes unexpectedly seasonal when paired with natural and rustic Thanksgiving elements. Simple greenery and gourds incorporate a little color while still keeping the decor season.
The wooden whitewashed candleholders bring rustic charm and combine with the taper candles to add some height. The rattan chargers lend a casual feel to the floral-themed china.
11. Bring some Depth
Do away with the bright oranges, yellows, and reds, and adopt a unique color palette that’s sure to impress your Thanksgiving dinner guests. Dark and moody black and brown hues on the bench, chairs, plaid pillow, throw, and table make this Thanksgiving setting an all-season star.
Shades of white on the tableware, linens, pumpkins, candles, and décor accents contrast with the dark hues, while a greenery garland brings a natural vibe and color. Bead garlands on the traditional chandelier add interest above.
12. Simple Elegance
Match your Thanksgiving table decor to your existing interior decor for a super cohesive table setting. The white furniture and walls set the tone for the rest of the space, with white pumpkins and candles building off it without taking away from the details.
A pumpkin planter and greenery garland add autumnal shades and textures, while mini pumpkins with name tags make the table setting feel whole and complete.
13. Shine with Minimalism
Mix and match orange and green shades for a beautiful Thanksgiving table setting.
Here, white napkins and candles allow the punches of orange and green to become the center focus for this minimalist table setting.
14. Infuse Warmth
Most holidays are usually associated with a more polished, refined look, but Thanksgiving provides the leeway to venture into more rustic and informal table settings. Here, a warm, tonal palette allows for a more casual atmosphere for a Thanksgiving party.
A rustic evergreen runner pairs with white pumpkins for a timeless nature-inspired combo. White tones on the service set, candles, and pumpkins allow different colors and patterns to be the table feature, while the gilded cutlery and vintage glassware bring some gravitas to the table.
15. Pumpkin Galore
Fashion the ultimate Thanksgiving table setting using pumpkin decor. Here, bountiful white and green pumpkins add a pop of color, with the white table runner tying the look together.
Fall foliage adds more color, while pumpkin-themed ceramics flanking the runner bring a formal feel to the table without being fussy.
