Setting a truly beautiful table makes guests feel special, inspires and provokes thoughtful conversation, and highlights the beauty of a tantalizing selection of food. While decorative dishes and a flower arrangement can certainly elevate a meal, adding a few more thoughtful touches will create an event to remember. This year, hone your tablescaping skills through your Thanksgiving spread.
Step 1: Set the Color Scheme
Color is likely the first thing your guests will notice, so try to make an instant impact. Develop your color scheme ahead of time, taking into account the surrounding room décor, your dishware, and even the color of the food you plan to serve. A cohesive color palette will instantly make your table look elegant and festive. Fall colors (HGTV, 2020) go perfectly with Thanksgiving dishes, so consider incorporating cognac brown, warm mustard, burnt orange, or emerald green.
Step 2: Source Décor
Gather decorative items from around your home or peruse your favorite shops. Either way, decorative elements are a great way to bring in texture and theme. Seasonal candles can add both height and light, while pinecones or dried grasses incorporate texture. Pumpkins and gourds are classic fall centerpiece choices, while cinnamon stick place card holders (Country Living, 2020) add something unexpected. Whatever your style, make the display your own with thoughtful decorative elements.
Step 3: Start Setting Up
Take to the table and begin placing the largest items first. Lay down a festive tablecloth or runner, then set the table (Reader’s Digest, 2020) to determine just how much space remains for décor. Start with the largest items, likely your centerpiece, and expand from there, adding and adjusting your embellishments as necessary.
Step 4: Refine the Details
Once the larger pieces are in place, take a step back. It’s time to perfect your tablescape! Adjust or tweak as you see fit and begin filling in any gaps with smaller decorative elements. Tea or fairy lights add a subtle glow and loose acorns or fallen leaves (HGTV, 2020) can soften any negative space. Be sure to stick to your color palette, even with the little things, and step back every so often to get the bigger picture.
Step 5: Enjoy!
A great meal invokes all the senses, including sight. A thoughtful, well-decorated table can take your event to the next level, bringing your guests together and highlighting all of your delectable dishes. As you sit down to dig in, take a moment to appreciate the fruits of your labor and savor the beautiful spread.
It’s not every day we get to enjoy a beautiful feast with friends and family. A thoughtful, personalized tablescape can differentiate this Thanksgiving from the traditional. Invoke color, texture and creative embellishments for a mealtime experience that satisfies the eyes as well as the palate!
Published on November 23, 2020
