How To Set A Casual, But Elegant Thanksgiving Table
Use these table setting tips to set a Thanksgiving table that’s just dressy enough for a special occasion and just casual enough to invite your guests to stay awhile.
We don’t do formal around here, but I do like to dress things up a bit for special meals. I hope that my Thanksgiving table this year reflects the perfect combination of casual, laid back, cozy, welcoming style with a little bit of dressy thrown in. Just enough dressy to make you feel like this is a special meal and we’re so glad that you’ve joined us!
No formal, stuffy centerpieces allowed around here! I simply plopped a faux pumpkin into the middle of a wooden pedestal bowl and tucked in real and faux eucalyptus, faux fall berries from the dollar store and guinea feathers. The resulting look is casual because it’s unstructured and filled with texture.
I added a bit of sparkle and dressiness to the table by scattering mercury glass candle votives around both ends of the table. Twig pumpkins calm the dressiness down though and add some of that all important texture.
I love the look of the candles reflecting in the brown glass jugs.
I kept the colors on the table very muted, so as not to compete with the rest of the fall decor in the dining room. I chose to use white, beige, soft greens and zinc as the main colors.
Each place setting is grounded with a dark brown placemat. Did you notice that every place setting is slightly different? Even though I used the same elements at each setting, each one is styled just a little differently.
All six of the settings include the same linen napkin, silverware, eucalyptus, guinea feather and a zinc name tag all tied together with jute twine. I’ve never tried mixing my place settings up before, but I must admit that I love the look!
The ends of my table are curved, which can make using a tablecloth a bit tricky. To solve the problem, I gathered each end of the runner, tied it with twine and tucked in a few sprigs of eucalyptus and couple of guinea feathers.
This might just be my favorite Thanksgiving tablescape ever!
COULD YOU USE A LITTLE HELP GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING IN YOUR HOME?
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Your table is beautiful! Always enjoy your ideas! Thank you!
Thanks for all the inspiration. This my favorite fall table centerpiece so far !
Such a lovely table! What a fun idea to tie the ends of your table runner. Thanks for the inspiration.
Beautiful table and the colors and decor … Thank you
Your lovely Thanksgiving tablescape has certainly generated a lot of positive comments Suzy. Thanks for the heads up on where to purchase some of the items you have incorporated. I have been looking for nakpin rings and found them to be very expensive. I am loving the mini grapevine wreaths you feature and see I can order a dozen for the cost of just one pricey ring!! Thanks so much.
I love coming back to your posts seems I always notice something new I missed … You are amazing
So warm and inviting! I wish you the best Thanksgiving ever! First Thanksgiving in your new condo?
Hi Kay. Well…it’s the first Thanksgiving that we’ve owned the new condo, but we don’t spend it there. My family would die if I wasn’t at home to cook! lol
You’ve done it again. It looks great. I never would have thought of mixing up the place settings. They are so fun. It’s so interesting to see your topic~use what you have~after looking at your darling checked plates, this is the first year that I was thinking how fun it would be to have a little checked salad plate on the white china I just inherited from my mom. Maybe I just need to see what I can do with what I have.
I do like the brown glass jars with the candle reflections.
Yes I to love the table set casual and elegant I think everyone is comfortable with this mix and match feeling. I just love the feathers in this table setting, I have a thing for feathers!!!! So much fun. Please enter me into the drawing .
Thanks, Denise
I really love your style. I really want you to come to my home and help me decorate it for the holidays! You are very talented!
Hello. I have been trying to find the grey spray paint but cannot find it. Do you know if it is still being made and where to buy it? Love the look of your dining table and chairs and of course your decorating skills.
Thank you.
Hi Bettie. I’ve found it at both Lowes and Home Depot. If neither of those stores are near you or have it in stock, you can also order it from Amazon at this link: https://fave.co/2qozvYM . Hope this helps!
Simply beautiful and I now have some great ideas for my table. Also, I could not help notice the wall with 12 framed fern images. Please share how you created that lovely wall.
So glad you found some inspiration! You can read all about how I created that wall in this blog post: https://www.worthingcourtblog.com/inexpensive-diy-wall-art/
are the candles behind the brown jugs or in them? if they are inside, how did you get them in there?
The candles are behind the brown jugs. I never noticed how it looks like they’re inside of them though. 😀
Gorgeous ideas. Hugs and blessings to you