9 fall table decor ideas to get you ready for hosting
As we enter a season of hosting and celebrating, fall table decor ideas will be at the center of the festivities. Whether you go bold with fall hues or keep things more simple with textured linens and warm neutrals, there are plenty of beautiful ways to welcome fall into your tablescape.
This season, when exploring how to decorate every room for fall, we’re channeling nostalgia, handcrafted pieces, natural elements and understated luxury.
These are some of my favorite ideas to bring color, style and seasonal charm to your table this year, with what to shop to get the look.
1. Craft a centerpiece with pine cones and candles
(Image credit: Future)
A natural centerpiece looks effective but can be so easy to create. Here, a raised decorative bowl has been filled with fall foliage cuttings, pine cones, and candles; an easy and elegant table centerpiece that is perfect for a more rustic and organic look, whether for indoor or outdoor fall decor ideas.
‘I love to pile pine cones onto a tiered cake stand and place sprigs of berries and small fall flowers between them,’ says Homes & Gardens Managing Editor, Zara Stacey.
We also explore how to make a winter centerpiece in our step-by-step guide.
Natural Pinecone Picks, pack of 12
These pinecone picks are ideal for popping into vases of flowers, adding to wreaths and garlands or placing around the table (hiding the picks with foliage).
Put your green fingers to work on a DIY fall decor idea with this preserved moss. Add to table centerpiece displays, in bowls or on charger plates, around candle bases and amongst pine cones and pumpkins for a natural look.
Faux Baby Blue Eucalyptus Bundle
You can’t go wrong with some sprigs of eucalyptus for a naturally elegant look. These stems can be arranged in vases or bowls with some moss and pinecones for added texture and depth.
2. Dress a table with a seasonal garland
(Image credit: Future / Dan Duchars)
A fall-themed garland can be a captivating centerpiece that elevates your dining table, and can be a good way to style a dining table that’s not in use. Nestle your garland among candle holders, pumpkins, gourds, lanterns, and other decorative items. Choose a garland that suits the type of dining table or tablecloth you have.
Jen Ebert, Digital Editor of Homes & Gardens, says, ‘The secret to successful fall garland decorating is to be as generous with flowers and foliage as your budget allows. Nature-inspired centerpieces are a key trend for 2025 and there is nothing more satisfying than bringing in foraged rose hips, pine and bare branches from the garden.’
However you can get the look with some wonderful faux pieces too, if you don’t have access to the real thing, or prefer something you can re-use without worrying about it spoiling.
Farmers’ Market Herb Live Garland
This stunning faux flower garland brings harvest charm and flashes of color to the table, with a mix of natural dried flowers and fragrant herbs.
I love the simplicity of this oak leaf and acorn garland. I’d display it simply draped across my table with a few taper candles, but you could pop in some sparkly decorations for Thanksgiving and Christmas to uplift it.
Real Touch Juniper Berry Pine Garland
This beautifully realistic garland will bring a natural touch to the table and also has a matching wreath and bundle, so you can really lean into the rustic look.
3. Make your own fall pot pourri
(Image credit: Future)
Of course, it’s vital to know how to make your house smell nice throughout the year, and a crafted, homemade fall fragrance, is the perfect way to make your dining table feel more festive and inviting during the winter months.
Learning how to make pot pourri is an enduring craft idea that you can try any time of year. Sustainable and handcrafted are big buzzwords in home design right now, and this idea leans right into that trend, whilst also being a wonderfully unique and affordable scented gift idea.
Gather together ingredients such as star anise, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary cuttings, and bay leaves, put them in a jar or decorative bowl, and let their fragrant scents fill your home with notes of fall.
This large bag will give you lots of options for decor, including homemade pot pourri, fall simmer pots or garnishing cocktails. They’ll look lovely tied with string just dotted around the table, too.
This footed bowl is ideal for your scented seasonal centerpiece, thanks to its rustic, weathered look – fill it with dried fruits and herbs for a visual and olfactory treat.
As well as using these for scenting, they are completely natural and dried without preservatives so will make perfect garnishes for cocktails, fall desserts and more.
4. Curate a fall floral centerpiece
(Image credit: Birdie Fortescue)
Bringing the outside in is always a lovely way to ground your fall table decor ideas in nature. This could involve collecting a bouquet of seasonal flowers from the garden (learn how to create a hydrangea centerpiece from our Head of Gardens, Rachel).
Styling beautiful vases and bowls with fall stems, flowers, pinecones and more, can bring striking seasonal color, texture and visual interest to your table.
‘I love this beautiful tablescape design by designer Birdie Fortescue,’ says Jo Bailey, stylist and Homes & Gardens’ print editor. ‘The autumnal floral arrangements, enhanced by the deep orange vases and coordinating candlesticks, create an elegant contrast with the sky blue tableware, placemats, and tablecloth; establishing a more fresh fall scheme that feels wonderfully uplifting and inviting.’
While there’s no beating fresh flowers, If you’re looking for a more long-lasting table centerpiece design, then faux or dried flowers will last for Thanksgiving, Christmas and even beyond.
Let the flowers do the talking by option for a vase in a muted, yet natural hue, like this artisanal glazed terracotta one. It would look stunning filled with white blooms and green foliage.
Add a different texture to fresh florals with some dried stems and seed heads, to lean into the harvest theme. These ones from Anthropologie will really add interest and height.
Pierce & Ward Ceramic Vase
Created for West Elm by design duo Pierce & Ward, this ochre vase is one of six different styles, all in organic shapes and natural hues. Collect a few in varying heights for added depth and interest.
5. Add candles to bring a cozy glow
(Image credit: Future)
Fall evenings are the perfect time to bring out your best candles, if you want to create a warm and comforting atmosphere. ‘For dinners, I would minimize the flowers and add an array of candlesticks in tonal colors, preferably in glass, with colored candles to finish the look,’ says Birdie Fortescue.
Opt for novelty candles in pine cone or pumpkin shapes for a cute fall display, add a touch of sophistication with tall taper candles, or make it romantic with pillar candles in hurricane vases and tealights in twinkling glass votives.
Red glass candlesticks, set of 6
This set of candlesticks will bring color to the table, as well as adding height and interest thanks to the varying sizes. Plus it taps into the colored glass trend which is so big for fall.
Gourmand Malted Pumpkin & Dark Rum Glass Pumpkin Cloche Candle
This gorgeous scented candle will take pride of place on your fall table and doubles as a decorative piece with it’s glass pumpkin cloche lid. Simple and elegant.
Vintage Brass Taper Holder
Bring a touch of vintage charm to the table with these beautiful brass taper holders. Pair with taper candles in seasonal hues for a classic, yet elegant look
6. Color match your florals with your linens
(Image credit: Simon Brown)
When putting together fall color schemes, you’ll want to consider a range of complementary colors. It’s important, however, that individual hues come in pairs at least, so think about color-matching your natural displays to your autumnal linens, placemats, and coasters.
‘Napkins and placemats with a shaped edge can be a great way to bring a fun element to a tablescape,’ says Birdie Fortescue. ‘Pick out the colors of your linens in the floral arrangements for a cohesive look. Early season dahlias in rich reds and autumnal ochres can look very effective.’
In this example, orange-pink roses pair with the floral seat cushions and napkins, while the purple foliage makes for a deeper pairing with the gray tablecloth.
Fall Botanical Embroidered Cotton Table Throw
Incorporating all the beautiful shades of fall, this stunning table throw will mirror the color and texture of your floral displays perfectly. Opt for the fall botanical embroidered cotton table runner in the same design for a more pared back effect.
Fine and dandy coaster set
The dandelion print on these coasters lends a botanical nod, while the soft green and pink are perfect for picking out the natural shades in your floral arrangements, helping to tie the look together.
Kittredge Napkins, Set of 4
Dainty florals really lean into cottagecore style – a cozy and nostalgic aesthetic that we’re leaning into this fall, and these placemats bring just the right amount of chintz with an on-trend scalloped edge.
7. Mix linens for a layered and comforting effect
(Image credit: Future)
There’s nothing new about laying a tablecloth, but choosing one that has a lovely texture and hue for fall and combining it with other table linens for that layered look will give your table more of a styled feel. Layered textures are a key trend for 2025, mixing cozy, natural fabrics with contrasting finishes to create a dynamic look.
‘A tablecloth instantly gives the effect of warmth and homeliness,’ says interior and tableware designer Birdie Fortescue. ‘Why not add a coordinating printed napkin and placemat? It is the perfect time to follow the trend of subtly mixing patterns.’
Layering up textured and patterned table linens will give the sensation of being all wrapped up from the outside chill and bring a sense of coziness to your table.
Mason Oversized Linen Tablecloth
In gorgeously textured natural linen, this tablecloth is available in seven pared back hues and you can also invest in the matching napkins – vary the shades to add interest.
Mason Handwoven Cotton Fringe Place Mats
These sustainable, fair trade woven mats are stonewashed for softness and feature a fringed edge to add an additional layer of texture to the table.
Kittredge Napkins, Set of 4
These delicate floral print napkins add an additional layer of pattern to the table – avoid mixing patterns of the same scale but small and large prints, or gingham and florals for example work well to add interest without looking too ‘busy’.
8. Bring in jewel-toned glassware
(Image credit: Crate & Barrel)
Glassware is often an overlooked element in table decor, but switching out wine glasses for more colorful alternatives can instantly add a fall feel to your decor. Rich jewel tones, like these plum stemless drinking glasses from Crate and Barrel (pictured above), as well as moss green and amber are set to be the shades of the season this year.
‘Amber glassware is having a resurgence and it’s ideal for a fall table – the glow when candlelight catches it will help to create a cozy feel. Use black as an accent for a more contemporary look and consider a terracotta runner for an earthy base,’ says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens.
It’s a simple and easy switch to make that will instantly elevate your fall table decor. Plus, if your glassware is going to be on your table, you might as well make it decorative, too.
Morgan Wine Glasses, Set of 4
I love the mossy green hue of these wine glasses, as they pair beautifully with seasonal tablescapes. There are stemless wine glasses, flutes, coupes and more in the collection.
Gems Short Drinking Glasses, Set of 4
I love the ombre effect that this set of glasses in a range of tonal shades will bring to the table. I’d also consider using them as small bud vases or tealight votives as well as water glasses.
Tinted Glass Coupe Drinkware
Just a slight tint makes all the difference with these Champagne coupes from Target’s Hand & Hearth collection with Magnolia. It’s subtle but enough of a change to take your table from ordinary to extraordinary.
9. Decorate with seasonal berries and produce
Pumpkins in their many shapes and sizes make for wonderful fall table decor ideas, but they’re most impactful when combined with other decorative seasonal vegetables.
‘When it comes to fall table decorations, I prefer a slightly pared-back look that still brings plenty of drama. I use pumpkins and gourds to create a really lovely centerpiece; try to choose different colors and sizes to give your display a sense of scale, and mix in lots of fall berries. Don’t forget to add plenty of candles to create a cozy atmosphere,’ says Sue Jones, co-founder of OKA.
On this table, a selection of gourds have been arranged in a rustic wooden basket, and surrounded with candles and berries. The decor of varying heights creates a visually appealing table decor without impeding on the view across the table.
(Image credit: OKA)
Dot a few of these amongst some natural fall leaves or greenery, along the table, or incorporate as part of a fall center piece.
If you can’t get to the farmstand, fill tall vases for a contemporary centerpiece or scatter these faux pumpkins along a table with a natural garland or some pine cones.
Artificial artichoke decorations
Artichokes are everywhere at the moment, and I’m loving these purple versions which look so realistic, as a switch up from the usual light green, for a richer color palette.
If you’re still getting set for Halloween (it’s just around the corner), and are looking for some spookier twists for your table, we have plenty of stylish and eerie Halloween table decor ideas, too.
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