Decorating Ideas for an Autumn Table

Looking for decorating ideas for an Autumn table? Need ideas on how to create something special for your dining table? Let me share a few tips!

Whether you’re looking for fall decorating ideas for your dining room table or just want to add a little something special to your kitchen table,  I have a few ideas to share that I hope will inspire you!

Before We Really Get Started

As a special treat this week, I am joining a group of  bloggers for a Fall Home Tour!  The links to today’s participants can be found near the bottom of this post!  A big Thank you to Marty from A Stroll Thru Life for organizing this Fall Home Tour!

No matter how you arrived here today, whether you are one of my regular readers or you “hopped” over from Laura’s blog at Decor to Adore

where she shared so many cute ideas with a whimsical touch, I am so glad you are here!  My name is Kimberly and I have a passion for flowers (a former florist) and flour (a former pizzeria owner) and many things in between!  Especially rusty and chippy items!

I love to share all the things I have learned over the years.  Sometimes I tell stories about my life.  Other times, I will share a craft or a recipe.  I often use the word “thyme” in place of “time”.  I hope you enjoy your thyme here today and learn at least one thing during your visit!

Today I am sharing a few tips for Autumn table decorating.  My goal today is to inspire you to think of new ways to use what you may already have.

Let’s get ready for some Fall/Autumn inspiration!

Decorating Ideas for an Autumn Table -How to Decorate Your Table with Fall Colors

Fall is a great thyme to start thinking about how you will decorate your home for the season. From adding new colors combinations to finding new ways to use your existing tableware, there are many ways to bring in the spirit of autumn.

Today I would like to share a few ways to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere by adding some fall colors to your table.  Often times, decorating your table is referred to as tablescaping.

What is A Tablescape, Anyway?

Tablescape is a term that blends the concepts of table setting and landscaping together.  It is a word that was first coined by Sandra Lee in the early 2000s according to Wikipedia.  I actually met Sandra years ago when she was on the set for the Extreme Makeover Home Edition build in Philo, IL.  Participating in that build is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

By combining table setting with landscaping, you are helping to create a mood and an atmosphere for your celebration.  Tablescaping allows you to use your creativity to make the gathering more special for your friends and family members.

Find my “Muse”

My first step when I am getting ready to set a table or design a tablescape is to find my inspiration or my “muse”.  Sometimes it is a particular color combination or a particular object.  The way I found my muse for this project is kind of a silly story.  I was actually walking around the house trying to find a place to put what I had in my hands.  I had already completed a project so I just stuck the dishes in the box!

Here is the box before I added the cup and saucer.

The Rustic Autumn Inspired Tablescape

All of the details on how I designed the tablescape can be found by clicking on the link above.  It is pretty the way it is but the addition of the pieces of china, just adds more interest.  It is unexpected.  And it helped spark my creativity!

Now that I have my “muse”, let’s talk about what makes up a tablescape! 

Elements of the Tablescape

Your tablescape will need a base such as a tablecloth or runner and possibly placemats.  The size and shape of your table help determine what shape of tablecloth and placemats you will need.  For example, our dining table in the house is octagon shaped and round placemats look better on it than rectangle.

Our dining table outside on the lanai is a rectangle and rectangle placemats really work better.  Pictured below is a late summer sunflower themed tablescape I did for a casual poolside event.

Simple Sunflower Themed Summer Tablescape 

While we are on the subject of the place mats, the basic elements of a tablescape include the plates, cutlery, glasses and napkins as well as your centerpiece.  The centerpiece may include some candles or perhaps a lantern.  I often use a dough bowl as the base for a centerpiece.  Other times, I keep it really simple and only have a few things in the middle of the table.

The centerpiece portion of the tablescape is where you can really let your creativity shine!

Easy Solar Lantern Centerpiece

The size and shape of your table will help dictate how long your centerpiece can be.

Pictured below is a Spring Centerpiece.  I included it so you can see how I extended the length of the centerpiece by adding the candlesticks at the ends of the dough bowl.

Early Spring Dough Bowl Centerpiece

Important Things To Take into Consideration

Tablescaping allows you to release your creativity but you don’t want to be so creative that it affects your family and your guests ability to enjoy their meal!  Centerpieces should be kept to a reasonable height so that the people can still see each other.  Don’t over decorate the tabletop, leaving nowhere for the guests to put their plates and glasses.  Keep in mind the age range of your guests and their physical mobility.  If you have children attending your event, keep the tablescape child friendly.

Use Your Vintage or Antique China

Pictured below is a 5 pc place setting of my wedding china, Noritake “Adagio”.   I picked out this china years ago . I still love the colors! While it isn’t particularly Floridian, I insisted that I bring it all to Florida.  I decided it would be the perfect china to use for this fall tablescape project!  We won’t talk about how many place settings I own.   Let’s just say, if a few pieces get broken, there is plenty more that I can use!

If you don’t already have some, it’s easy to find vintage dishes at thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets.

If vintage china isn’t something you like, I suggest purchasing a set of plain white ironstone dishes.  These pieces are often inexpensive and offer unique style options. They also tend to be sturdy and durable, so they will last for years.  By using white dishes, it is so easy to add seasonal touches.

Add a Touch of Red

To make your table feel more festive during the fall season, use a few red accents. You can do this by using napkins, placemats, or even candles. My china pattern has flowers that are a rusty red.  In order to pull this red color out, I am going to accent my tablescape with sprigs of artificial or faux bittersweet.

Fresh bittersweet can be hard to find and it is also quite messy as it dries.  My solution was to use faux or artificial bittersweet.  This particular bittersweet is a very realistic stem.   Each individual branch or stem is wired.  The rusty red berries are also on wired stems so you can tweak the stems to look even more realistic.

Add Texture

The woven placemats add extra texture.  I found these on Amazon.  They come in a set of 6. I used one in the center of the table to act as the base for the centerpiece.

The denim blue cotton napkins are accented with crochet work along the hem.  They help add another layer of texture. They were another Amazon find.

Create an Autumnal Look with Pumpkins

 

If you love pumpkins, then you’ll love these ideas! Pumpkin decor is almost a must for Autumn decorating! There are so many great artificial pumpkins and gourds available in the marketplace. They can be used as centerpieces or scattered around the table.  The possibilities are endless!   I have a couple of pumpkin shaped serving pieces that I like to use.  This lidded pumpkin pie plate fits perfect on this plate stand.

This petite pumpkin bowl is the perfect container for pumpkin spice flavored cheesecake spread! 

Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Dip

Another way is to simply balance a pumpkin on top of a candlestick or pedestal.

An out of season candle ring can be reused as a base for a fabric pumpkin.

Or use one that is more seasonally appropriate and nestle a resin pumpkin in the middle.

One Last Look

 

Save This Pin for Later

 

The Fall 2024 Home Tour Continues Here:

 Next on the tour is Thrifty & Chic’s lovely home.  I love all of Alicia’s ideas!  The way she layers in textures to her various displays is so inspiring!  I hope you enjoy her post as much as I did!

 

Decor to Adore – From Farmhouse to Florida – Thrifty and Chic

Tuesday’s Homes

 

Whispering Pines Homestead – A Pretty Life In The Suburbs – Calypso In The Country – Chalking Up Success – Clean and Scentisible.

Monday’s Homes

 

A Stroll Thru Life – My Thrift Store Addiction – StoneGable – Our Southern Home

Please come back tomorrow to see the rest of the tour!  Happy Fall!!

If you enjoyed today’s post, you might also like these:

Simple Decor Ideas for Your Friendsgiving Table

Autumn Rustic Garden Style Centerpiece

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