Fall Table Decor; Creative Ways to Host This Season!

Fall is the time of year when homeowners will start hosting more indoor events like brunches, football-Sunday cocktail parties, and, of course, all of the holiday-focused meals, Thanksgiving being the headliner. After the flurry of travel and entertainment in the summer, we take a break in September. If you’re like my family, we approach social events with renewed enthusiasm once October comes around! 

Fall is also the time of year that can instill some entertaining anxieties because we re-enter and host in places of the home that typically don’t see much attention during the spring, summer, and earlier months. Suddenly, we all realize that our fall table settings and decor are lacking and could use a large dose of inspiration! 

Fear not; in this blog, as an interior design/color specialist, I’ll suggest some fall table decor and color ideas to keep your home the destination spot for hearty meals and fun gatherings!

Fall Table Decor – To Tablecloth or Not to Tablecloth?

I’m always trying to subtly (and sometimes not subtly) remind people of the principles of color layering and interior design schemes. Layering is key; building upon a base foundation is everything. If you don’t work from the ground up, your vision will never be fully realized. Aside from the dining room/lounge area you plan to host in, the table is the foundation on which you build everything else; this presents a big question: do you work with the natural presence of your dining table or go for fall-friendly table linens? Of course, the answer lies within your design goals and the circumstances of the occasion. 

• The beauty of a table “as is”

If you’re someone who loves the minimalist, natural look of exposed wood, or perhaps your dining table has a lovely surface finish, it can be your foundation, with no dressing needed. Working with wood as a foundational layer of color and texture is something many homeowners prefer, and it’s become more common in recent years. More homeowners find the nature-inspired minimalism of farmhouse or rustic design styles heartwarming and inviting. 

• Adding a tablecloth to your decor 

Now, suppose you enjoy redressing furniture or just don’t want to flaunt the dining table’s natural presentation. In that case, tablecloths can work wonders, and fall is arguably their best (and busiest) season. A tablecloth can introduce colors, patterns, and soft textures that would otherwise be impossible to incorporate onto the dining table. If your design tastes gravitate toward classical warmth, I recommend starting with a tablecloth and building upon the fall table decor from there!

• A unique way of adding color to your table

Napkins are another way of adding color, but I have one more idea for you that you might have yet to try. Consider including chargers under your dinner plates. They can range from bold and colorful to modest patterns; either way is another unique way of adding color to your table decor.  

Building the Layers to Success

• Don’t be afraid to use the classics

Most people I know who have any interest in color, decor, and design are gleeful at the opportunity to use the staple fall/October colors because the time to use them is fleeting! The rusts, earthy browns, auburn reds, pumpkin oranges, and Black-Eyed Susan yellow color combinations are so synonymous with the season that it feels very out of place to use them at any other time of year, so why not adorn your fall table decor with all the classic colors!?

Picture a light afternoon luncheon; the table is painted a deep, dark royal blue or a contemporary black with no tablecloth covering its commanding base color. Creamy off-white plates sit atop classic fall-colored chargers of yellow and rusty orange. A few tea light candles are scattered across the table for when the sun sets, and each place setting has short-stemmed glassware; this is the best of both worlds, as it’s minimalist but still a fully realized fall table arrangement! 

• Let the candlelight shimmer and shine!

Whether you’ve got a kitschy, loud plaid tablecloth or a centuries-old, exposed oak wood table, candles are a must-add element regarding fall table decor. Pumpkin-orange candles, classic Victorian white table candles, and everything in between – candles are perfect for fall events. 

Candlelight creates a more intimate, dynamic, and relaxed atmosphere perfect for fall weather, gatherings, and delights. Best of all, candlelight can be modern/minimalist or classic/traditionalist – either way, it will create a more impression-worthy gathering. A flickering candle at play will cast shimmering light on wine glasses and silverware; it is truly magical when the evening settles in.

• Soften your space with plant life 

The cherry on top regarding layered fall table decor is the presence of autumnal plant life and vegetation. Sure, decorate your table with an assortment of mini pumpkins, but don’t be afraid to try some of the gourds with unique colors! Not all pumpkins must be orange; go for white, yellow, and even the enchanted Queensland blue pumpkins! 

Beyond pumpkins, you can use long strands of ficus as a table centerpiece and have the greenery cascade across the center of the table on top of a fall plaid runner! Fall wildflowers can create some of the most interesting color combinations you’ll see all year, so why not use them across your event table? Try to use small vases and set multiple bundles of wildflower arrangements along the center of the table to create unique color pockets for all your guests! 

Fall Table Decor – Take on the Challenge!

Fall is when everyone steps up their decorating/interior design game, but that’s okay; don’t be afraid of the challenge! There is so much to work with in terms of fall decor. You could literally have a completely new look if you wanted to host every weekend ( but don’t feel pressured to 😉).

To see some custom-curated fall color palettes, please check out my helpful color app, Color911! There’s plenty to choose from; you can even create your color palette from your own photo library, so why not use the colors from your recent hike, local foliage, or apple cider donut outing as the color palette for your next event!? Find a color palette that inspires you and use it as your guide to show off your style and complete your fall decor!