Thanksgiving is a week away, which means there aren't very many days left to find the perfect centerpiece. So we put together a few simple tablescapes that you can easily recreate with items from the grocery store, around your house or outside. It's all about layering, texture and classic pops of color. Here are our tips to building a quick and easy table display that will make all your guests think you planned it out weeks in advance!
- Use lots of natural elements. Thanksgiving scenes are generally inspired by nature and this is the easiest way to build a tablescape. Look for eucalyptus leaves, berry branches, pumpkins, pomegranates and pinecones. These are all items you can get at your local Whole Foods or Trader Joe's while you're doing your food shopping.
- Add height. Use candles, candleholders and vases to give it some height and texture. Don't feel like things have to match perfectly - mix and match different items to get an eclectic and simple look. No candleholders that will work? Add candles right to the table without holders.
- Layer, layer, layer. Start with a runner or a table cloth. If you want a natural base, lay down your branches across the center of the table. Add in your elements for height, then use other smaller pieces to fill in the holes and make it a bit more robust. Want your vases and candles to be the main event? Lay those out first and then add natural elements around the base to fill it in.
- Edit. Once you've added all the pieces that you want, take a step back and make sure that it's balanced. Maybe you need to shift some pieces around or fill in the holes with a few pinecones. Or perhaps you got a little overzealous and need to take a few things away. Editing is a crucial part of the design process, and tablescapes are no exception!
Need more inspiration? We put together several variations below using the tips here.
QUICK TIP
Once you're ready to edit the scape, take a quick picture on your phone. It's easier to see if something is missing or need to be removed through the lens of a camera!
