Setting The Table For Fall
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Refreshing your space seasonally is a labor of love but it’s worth it to come home and enjoy a warm and inviting space… Especially as the days get shorter and temperatures cool off! I’ve talked about updating my home for fall a bit in previous posts, but I thought I’d break it down section by section as I give my home the seasonal refresh it deserves, particularly by updating my dining room with fall table decor .
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving or a Friendsgiving this year, or even just having a few loved ones over for a cozy meal throughout the season, you’ll find ideas for your fall entertaining here too.
Easy and Elegant Fall Table Decor and Entertaining Ideas
I have to admit, at first I set my whole table with pumpkins and pinecones, and I decided it just was not my vibe. I prefer things a bit more minimal. So I did a lot of arranging and rearranging until I got the look I wanted.
My dining room is an elegant, curated space with a custom table. It has been a bit challenging to decide how to alter it seasonally. After a lot of deliberation (and some returned products… it’s okay to take your time), I finally set a table that I am pleased with! I hope you feel permission to try and decide, it takes patience to curate a home you love. Check out some of the tips I’ve learned for setting a classic table below!
Setting the Table
When setting a dining table, there are a couple of “first things first” we need to take care of. I will say, I am a little in love with my table. It was a complete labor of love to refinish, but I think it’s so gorgeous! (See the process here.) That being said, I don’t really want to cover it up with a full tablecloth for every day use. That stain needs to shine! The fabrics you use for your setting can really set the tone.
For my dining table, I decided to go with a table runner. This was the easiest and most elegant way to bring fall cozy into my dining room while letting my table stain peek through. I chose a runner that is lightweight and neutral with a touch of fall accent colors. I decided to top my runner with some sprigs of greenery from the outside. I kept it minimal with a few berries tucked here and there. I also cut down a few of my longer faux stems to poke through.
After settling on my runner, I still felt like my table needed a little more texture. I know… trying to have it all for fall! I added some natural wicker chargers to go under my place settings. These $6 chargers are great grounding elements, and they keep my china from scratching that hard-earned stained finish. Side note: they are also fun to hang on the wall in a grouping of three for a natural element!
Picking Place Settings
My next step was to pick a place setting. I have some beautiful china pieces, but for their safety (if you have little ones, you know) I felt like I needed something a little more durable for my tabletop. I did not want to sacrifice elegance, so I decided to go with some classic cream china from Target. The set came with four settings, so I bought two in case a plate decides to make its way off the table. The beaded element on the plates gave me the exact touch of elegance I was looking for. Linking more options below!
Placemats are great for kitchen nooks, brunches, or more casual spaces. So I’ve linked a few of my favorites in case you’re in the market for those.
I decided to forego napkin rings and place my white napkins underneath my plates for a more minimal look. They definitely needed a good ironing. Luckily, my hand-steamer heats up in less than 60 seconds and had my napkins ready to go in no time.
Making it Cozy with Fall Lighting
We’re almost there! I needed one more element that would really class up the space and still make it cozy. There is nothing better to me than a candlelit dinner. Putting the sconces on a dimmer and adding some candlelight sets the scene for all the fall feasts my heart can dream about. I used some gold candlesticks that I inherited, so sadly I can’t link those, but I have found some similar options below:
I went with 12 inch cream taper candles. I like the subtle color of the cream rather than a stark white. They really helped tie my whole space together! I recommend varying the heights of your candlesticks to bring some interest to your fall tablescape.
Feeling inspired yet? Here are some of my favorite fall place settings, table decor, and entertaining essentials from Amazon. Click the image below to shop!
I love this mix of olive and brown tones to bring your get together to life. BTW, this electric warming mat is a new game changer when you are prepping a warm meal! A kitchen must have!