Make Thanksgiving Dinner Extra Special with These Table Decor Ideas
Show off your party-planning prowess.
Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
When you're hosting Thanksgiving, your table should be your focal point. (As a prelude to the delicious desserts, of course!) This is, after all, where your party will gather together to give thanks, break bread, drink wine, and maybe even bond over festive tunes.
And while you can certainly go all out with elegant Pottery Barn-style decorations complete with overflowing floral centerpieces, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a beautiful table. With the right inspo photos (that’s where we come in) and a little creativity, you can fashion gorgeous place settings on a budget—we're talking dollar-store cheap. In this case, less truly is more, so you don't have to overthink it. Just go with the flow!
First, narrow in on your preferred aesthetic—think traditional farmhouse, classic elegance, or even modern and colorful. This will help you focus on what you need to buy, what you might be able to pull together from your own closet or even your backyard (think pine cones or evergreen sprigs), and what DIY decorations you might want to take on.
To get inspired, browse these photogenic spreads in a variety of tones and themes. You’re sure to find something that appeals to your senses—and is guaranteed to stand out in a sea of other tablescapes on your social feed come Thanksgiving day. This is the time to experiment with the patterns and props that speak to you the most. You might even consider making your own name place cards or decorative signs for the table.
But we should warn you: It might be difficult to pick just one! No matter which option you pick, your guests will remember the elegance for many Thanksgivings to come.
Use Plenty of Natural Elements
Don't be afraid of a bare table. (Bonus: You won't have to struggle to get those stubborn red wine stains out of your linens!) When you use plenty of natural elements—pine cones, eucalyptus, and white pumpkins—your Thanksgiving place settings will look just as elegant.
Stick with Neutrals
Think neutrals are boring? Not if you incorporate plenty of textures. When peppered with pampas grass, rattan vessels, and dried flowers, a mostly monotone table looks incredibly elegant.
Embrace Autumnal Shades
If you love the traditional Thanksgiving look, make sure to include plenty of autumnal shades like brown, burnt orange, ivory, and moss. To enhance the classic farmhouse style, do as the designers at Flourish and Flounce did—add a shabby chic candelabra and create a table runner out of muted flowers and gourds.
Use a Bold Tablecloth
Rather than the classic white linen, make a statement with something a little more unexpected—like a black-and-white buffalo check. When combined with jewel tones and natural accents like wheat sheaves, pine cones, and wood slices, the fun pattern is elegant enough for the holiday.
Use Decorative White Pumpkins
This lovely tablescape incorporates gorgeous vintage pieces, but another element that caught our eye was the use of decorative white pumpkins. Lovingly placed among items of brass, green, and silver tones, they're the perfect nod to the fall season.
Don't Forget to Add Metallics
An easy—and inexpensive—way to take neutral Thanksgiving table decor to more elegant and sophisticated heights? Add a selection of metallic accents, whether painted pumpkins or brass candlesticks.
Raid Your Own Pantry
You don't have to spend a fortune at Pottery Barn to create a beautiful Thanksgiving table. In fact, this elegant arrangement can be replicated for about $10. Most of the elements—the fruit and flowers—were found in the backyard. The rest—two bundles of Trader Joe’s spray roses and a persimmon—was purchased for just a few bucks.
Experiment with Color
There's something incredibly alluring about this bold, modern table designed by Ooh! Events. The aqua table runner provides the perfect backdrop for the stunning floral centerpiece, and the classic china ensures the look doesn't skew too far from traditional.
Play with Patterns
For a truly beautiful Thanksgiving table, experiment with decor in a mixture of patterns. The trick to making it cohesive? Using complementary colors.
Use Plenty of Red
Save yourself some time, effort, and money—lean on reds and greens to bring your Thanksgiving table decor to life. This way, you can leave the centerpiece intact for another month. The bright red pomegranates, evergreen sprigs, and dried orange slices make the farmhouse-inspired setup perfectly suitable for Christmas, too.
Pepper in Copper Accents
Adding metallics like copper is one of the easiest ways to make neutral Thanksgiving table decor look instantly more elegant. Plus, who doesn't love a fancy Moscow mule as an aperitif?
Opt for a Dark Nordic Vibe
For something a bit more unexpected, leverage eucalyptus and other natural greenery as your runner. Don't have a bunch of black plates and elegant gold flatware lying around? Consider renting what you need for the night through a company like Social Studies, which will ship you everything from the votives to the forks. When the party's over, simply rinse and send it back in their handy boxes.
Focus on Candles
Love the idea of inexpensive decor that makes a big statement—especially once the sun goes down? Arrange pillar candles in a variety of heights, tuck evergreen around the whole thing, and make sure your place settings feature plenty of metallic accents.
Use Pumpkin-Shaped Napkin Rings
Thanksgiving is a time to go all out on the fall theme, but these pumpkin-shaped napkin rings don't have to be bright orange, of course. No matter what color you choose, aesthetically, they'll fit right in.
Go Big with Florals
For Thanksgiving table decor that will really wow, commission a larger-than-life floral centerpiece that spans the length of your farmhouse table. And don't worry: It's entirely possible on a budget. Visit a store known for a good flower selection (like Trader Joe's!) and DIY your own bouquet.
Go Light and Airy
You don't have to select table decor in dark, moody hues to be Thanksgiving-appropriate. This light, bright blue-and-white tablescape expertly straddles the line between contemporary and traditional. Plus, it's a great option for those who live in warmer climates.
Use Kraft Paper
Instead of a traditional table runner, try kraft paper. To make it more elegant, add some calligraphy (you can use a stencil if need be), then top the whole thing with a gorgeous floral centerpiece. A nice bonus: You won’t have to wash anything—simply toss it when dinner is done.
Go for a Moody Palette
With moody Thanksgiving table decor—dark tones and plenty of glowing candles—your holiday spread will skew ultra-romantic. It's the perfect aesthetic for an intimate gathering.
You Can Even Try Pastels
Equally modern and fun? A Thanksgiving table studded with soft pastel colors. It's easy to DIY: Just paint a variety of small pumpkins in the hues of your choice. To preserve your project for another year, make sure to use faux pumpkins.
Go for a Jewel-Toned Look
How stunning is this? The founder of Bird's Party Blog, Cristina Riches (also known as "Bird"), has a simple formula to create this jewel-toned look. It includes colored glassware, bright taper candles, and more. She also suggests checking thrift stores for supplies.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Jane Burnett is an Assistant Editor at Oprah Daily, where she writes a variety of lifestyle content for the editorial team. She's a journalist with a pop culture sweet tooth—when she isn't catching up on celebrity news, she's usually listening to a podcast! Jane was previously an on-air reporter in local news, and worked at Thrive Global, Ladders News, and Reuters. She also interned at CNBC through the Emma Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
Watch Next
The Best Silk Pillowcases
How to Be Happy
Thoughtful Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts
Luxurious Bath Towels to Transform Your Bathroom
