Easy Fall Table Setting for Thanksgiving (Rustic & Simple)
Setting a fall table for Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean fancy china or a big shopping trip. This easy Thanksgiving table setting uses everyday white dishes, woven placemats, and burnt orange linen napkins, with a simple DIY fall centerpiece, mini dried gourds, and tealights for rustic texture. Here’s exactly what I used and how I put it together.
I’m so excited to share a sneak peek of my “new” dining room today with a new to me dining room table all decorated for Thanksgiving.
This room, which used to be our living room, has been under construction since February but it’s finally presentable enough to share. There’s a few more projects to finish up but it’s almost done.
Anyway, today is all about setting a fall table for the Thanksgiving holiday, but make sure you check out the living room/dining room reveal.
Easy Fall Table Decor Ideas
My “new” dining table is actually a great find from Facebook Marketplace.
It’s an antique farmhouse table with lots of character and it’s the perfect size for our small space.
My last 2 dining tables have been small and round, only seating 4, so this was a fun change.
I actually shared a simple fall table using blue and white a couple years ago and had so much fun that I wanted to do it with our new table in our new space.
Sooo…let’s get to the good stuff…setting a table for the Thanksgiving holiday.
A Simple DIY Fall Centerpiece for Your Table
When you’re cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving the last thing you want is to stress about your table decor. I say keep it simple!
The first thing I did was to set up a simple but pretty fall centerpiece.
I actually tried two different versions.
One was with a woven basket…
And the other was using a fall table runner.
I liked both but the table runner gave us a bit more room for our place settings so I went with that.
With the table runner in place I set up my simple fall centerpiece with my DIY pumpkin trees, made with putka pods, mini pumpkins and a glass vase with bunny tails.
How I Set Our Thanksgiving Table
What I used
- Everyday white plates, silverware, and glasses
- 4 woven placemats
- 4 burnt orange linen napkins
- 4 mini dried gourds (one on each place setting)
- Fall table runner
- Tealights
- DIY pumpkin trees (made with putka pods, mini pumpkins, and a glass vase with bunny tails)
Next I started setting the table.
Roger and I aren’t formal and my table settings reflect that, with items that we already had in the kitchen.
I used our everyday white plates and silverware as well as our everyday glasses.
And to add a bit of rustic texture to the table I used 4 woven placemats.
Four linen napkins in a burnt orange were casually placed on the plates and a mini dried gourd topped off each place setting.
I’m loving dried gourds this year and have them scattered throughout the cottage.
With the table set, I placed some tealights around the table and called it done.
Just adding simple, informal and rustic fall decor to our dining table for the upcoming holidaymade the whole room feel festive.
Roger even liked it, and he’s not one to comment on my decorating.
Now I feel ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
How do you set a casual Thanksgiving table?
Keep it simple and use what you already own. I used everyday white plates, silverware, and glasses, then added texture with woven placemats, linen napkins, and a mini dried gourd on each plate. You don’t need formal china for it to feel festive.
What goes on a Thanksgiving place setting?
Each setting needs a plate, silverware, a glass, and a napkin. For a casual table, set the napkin right on the plate and add one small decorative touch, like a mini gourd, so each seat feels special without adding clutter.
What can I use for a simple fall centerpiece?
A DIY centerpiece works well. Mine is a vase of bunny tails with mini pumpkins and DIY pumpkin trees. A table runner gives you more room for place settings than a large basket does, which is why I went with it.
Looking for more fall decorating inspiration?