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It’s time to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. This season offers so much to love—from vibrant leaf colors to crisp air to pumpkin spice everything. If fall entertaining is also on your mind, consider these 19 fall table decor ideas, and learn how you can take your home decor to the next level.
Put Pumpkins Front and Center
Pumpkins are the perfect addition to any fall table, and there are many ways to use them. Mini pumpkins can work as tea light holders in a votive display. If you like the look of giant pumpkins, you can carve out the innards to make a vase for a colorful collection of mums. Any size pumpkin can be fun for kids to paint after dinner.
Keep a Classic Aesthetic with White Hydrangeas and Eucalyptus
If you’re looking for a classic fall table decor idea, consider using white hydrangeas and eucalyptus. The white flowers add a touch of elegance to your dining table, while the eucalyptus shows off its green leaves and distinct scent. You can find both of these plants at your local florist or online.
Hydrangeas look especially fetching when displayed in mason jars wrapped in natural jute cord and tied with an ivory lace ribbon. The delicate hydrangea contrasts nicely with the roughness of the cord. For an extra pop of color, fill the water in the jars with cut limes.
Pair Pine Cones with Burlap
Pine cones and burlap are a rustic way to decorate your fall table. You can either place the pinecones in a bowl as a fall table centerpiece or use them as additions to your place cards. Top it off with a piece of burlap tied around each pine cone.
If you want to get even more creative, use pine cones and burlap to make a fall wreath for your front door. To make the wreath, hot glue the pine cones onto a piece of burlap and then shape it. Leave it natural, or add a bow or a collection of dried fall flowers.
Display a Cornucopia Using Mini Pumpkins and Fall Flowers
Cornucopias date back at least 3,000 years, and the word comes from the Latin phrase cornu copiae, which means “horn of abundance.” In Greek mythology, Zeus, king of the gods, ate from a goat’s horn that magically replenished itself with food. Modern cornucopias are associated with a plentiful fall harvest and are often seen at Thanksgiving.
A small cornucopia running over with mini pumpkins and fall flowers in various colors can be the perfect fall tablescape. You can purchase a cornucopia basket at most craft stores. Then, line the bottom with raffia or straw and place your larger pumpkins first. Finish filling your horn with the smallest vegetables and flowers.
Nestle Pillar Candles in a Long Wooden Box
Pillar candles set on a nature-inspired tray add a rustic fall feel to your dining room. Drape eucalyptus or greenery around them—but only if they are electric candles, not open-flame—and run the garland through the box.
If you use pillar candles of varying heights to provide visual interest, keep all the candles the same color. Add variety with bright red or orange fall leaves or a string of cranberries. If you want, tie a burlap ribbon around each candle.
Go Nuts with Acorns, Pecans, and Black Walnuts
Nuts, seeds, pine cones, and seed pods abound in the fall. Put these items to use on your Thanksgiving table. Fill a glass container with edible nuts and tie a plaid ribbon around it, or hot glue your findings to a grapevine wreath. After Thanksgiving, spray paint some of these items gold or red for the winter holiday season.
Most grocery stores sell nuts, but you may have to collect the seed pods or pine cones yourself. You can also go nut collecting if you enjoy walking in the crisp autumn air. The squirrels might compete with you for the fattest acorns, though.
Arrange Fabric Pumpkins Around Dried Grasses
Fabric pumpkins add a classic, all-American look to your fall decor. Even better, faux pumpkins last much longer than the real things, and you can experiment with a greater variety of colors and patterns. Choose pumpkins of several sizes and shapes to create a more visually exciting display. For instance, arrange them around dried grasses to create a simple yet elegant look.
You can find fabric pumpkins at most craft stores or create them yourself from scratch. Make fun pumpkins with upcycled fabrics from old coats or flannel shirts, or opt for a chic look that uses white fabric and embroidery thread. If you like to DIY your decor, check online or at your favorite craft store for fabric pumpkin patterns.
Show Off Your Vintage Book Collection
Fall is a perfect time to cuddle up by the fireplace and crack open a new book. In the spirit of great storytelling, bring out your old dictionaries, textbooks, or family albums and use them to add height to your table displays.
Top your tomes with a glass vase filled with loosely arranged chrysanthemums, gourds, or small fabric pumpkins. Alternatively, wooden orbs or balls made from grapevine can add a warm, natural glow, particularly if set off by dried leaves in vibrant fall colors.
Bring Dimension to Your Table with Creative Shapes
Get creative with your fall table display by using pumpkins of different sizes and shapes combined with gourds, acorns, leaves, and branches. Arrange them in an eye-catching way that uses the space you have. Add a few candles of varying heights to set the mood for your Friendsgiving celebration.
Set the Stage with Burlap and Old Lace
For a rustic fall table display, try using burlap and old lace. First, lay down a piece of burlap as your tablecloth. Then, add old lace doilies or table runners as accents. Next, scatter fall leaves or place Mason jars filled with flowers down the center of the table. Top your table with old-fashioned candles to add a warm and inviting glow to your display.
Stay Neutral with Hydrangeas, White Pumpkins, and Antlers
White never goes out of style, and it matches any color scheme. A neutral combination of flowers, produce, and wildlife is perfect for any fall gathering, and your guests will love it. Add white candles for additional visual variety.
Plus, you can add greenery, a basket of nuts, or a plaid or burlap ribbon if you like a zip of color in your autumn decor.
Spice Things Up with Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings
Cinnamon stick napkin rings are easy to make and will give your guests a sweet whiff of autumn when they sit down to eat. Tie your napkins with a jute string, and insert a rosemary twig and a cinnamon stick behind the knot.
Add a Bright Pop of Color Using Dahlias or Sunflowers
Autumn is awash with bold hues—oranges, reds, yellows, and purples. For a brighter look on your table, try using yellow or orange dahlias. Or opt for red or burgundy sunflowers for a more subdued palette. Arrange them in mason jars or traditional vases, then pair them with other fall favorites like pumpkins, gourds, and leaves.
Think Small with Succulents and Votive Candles
Fall is all about small things—seeds and nuts, pods and berries—that grow into big things. In that spirit, keep your tabletop arrangements small this fall by using succulents and votive candles.
Succulents, thick and fleshy plants that retain water, come in various colors and sizes, so you can find the perfect plants to fit your space. Even better, they’re easy to care for and will last long after the dinner party is over.
Arrange your plants and candles in a rectangular wooden box or in round ceramic bowls. Go for one big display, or use a small arrangement for each guest’s place at the table.
Have Scary Fun with Black Cats, Candles, and Candelabras
Want to add a touch of elegance to your Halloween decor this year? Try incorporating black cats, candles, and candelabras into your table decor. Black cats are a classic symbol of Halloween and can be found in various decorations. Likewise, ornate candlesticks and black candles add a touch of sophistication to any table and are perfect for setting the mood for a Halloween party.
Put Out Pomegranates and Pine Cones in Steel Pails
Some of the best fall table decor ideas are also the simplest. Case in point: a chic display of pomegranates and pine cones in steel pails. It’s a look that’s at once rustic and refined, and it couldn’t be easier to put together. Gather some pomegranates, pinecones, and small pails (we love galvanized ones), and you’re good to go.
Dive Deep Into Blue
Blue made a surprise appearance among the trending colors for fall. It perfectly complements all those earth tones we usually associate with the season. Since blue is a fresh and timeless color, it can accessorize nearly any of your fall centerpiece ideas. You can either go with blue pillows and throws in strategic locations around your living room or dive right into blue pumpkins and candles for fall.
Mix Earth Tones for a Southwestern Feel
When you think of autumn, you might automatically imagine warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow. But what about incorporating some earth tones into your fall table decor? Consider using copper, silver, gray, or ochre—colors inspired by traditional Mexican or southwestern art.
A southwestern look is perfect for your fall table because it gives the space a warm and inviting feel. Plus, it’s a great way to mix things up if you’re tired of the traditional fall color palette.
The American Southwest is noted for geometric patterns, Aztec suns, and cowboy designs, which can all complement the season’s warm hues. Try a diamond table runner or a set of turquoise napkins.
Invest in Copper
Copper lends a tone of luxury to your fall table decor. It can be used in various ways, from chargers and place settings to vases and candle holders. Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate the metallics trend into your decor. Cover your dinner table in a buffalo plaid cloth to set off the shine of your copper pots and plates.
Our Recommendation
Fall is the season of bright colors and bountiful harvests, which can work in your favor as you decorate for the upcoming holidays. Think past the traditional pumpkin centerpiece to creative options like copper plates, turquoise napkins, and bright sunflowers. Or, go rustic with burlap, nuts, and hydrangeas in mason jars.
Most importantly, make sure your arrangements reflect your home’s distinct palette, tone, and color scheme, no matter the seasonal trends.