Bree here, from Home Zone Furniture.
It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is already upon us. As you prepare your guest room for family and diligently plan your grocery list, don’t forget to arrange a tablescape to complement your beautiful Thanksgiving feast.
Overwhelmed at the thought of simply pulling out placemats? Don’t worry! This is my five-step, foolproof guide to crafting a unique tablescape that’s true to you and your family.
Style
The first thing to do is determine the style of your tablescape. Will it reflect the general style of your home, or will it be something completely different? For a traditional look, incorporate family heirlooms like fine china and silver. Go rustic with a cozy, worn-in look that’s reminiscent of the countryside. If you prefer a contemporary style, choose black and white table accessories with a minimal aesthetic. Fashion a glam table with metallic details and a bold color palette.
Color
Next, consider your color palette. It’s easy to get carried away when planning your tablescape, so choosing a color palette will ensure your arrangement looks consistent and well-planned. The options for a tablescape palette are endless. Jewel tones are a classic fall choice for a Thanksgiving tablescape. Not only are the colors rich and flattering in a number of dining rooms, but these colors are the perfect complement to Thanksgiving foods like sweet potatoes and green beans. Other stylish choices include the warm colors of the autumn landscape, or rich shades of red.
Placement
After you have a style and color scheme locked down, consider the placement of your tablescape. Lay down the essentials — plates, glasses, etc. — and then get creative with the placement of your decorative accessories. If you have a circular or square table, you'll make a symmetrical arrangement of additional decor in the middle of the table. For a rectangular or oval-shaped dining table, any decorative arrangement should be long and relatively thin in order to proportionally fit the table. As you lay out your tablescape, ask yourself if you'll be putting food directly on the table. If so, don't go overboard with decorations! You want the table to look full, but not cluttered!
Dimension
Make your tablescape interesting by adding in a little dimension. If you’re stacking a charger with a dinner plate and maybe an appetizer plate on top, create dimension by mixing colors, textures and patterns. Try layering pattern on pattern, but make sure that the patterns have a similar scale and some shared colors. The most essential way to create dimension in your tablescape is with height. A well-planned tablescape incorporates different heights using tall florals and candlesticks for visual versatility.
Additions
Tablescapes are a freeform art that can be as complex or as simple as you like. If you're a tablescape expert, go the extra mile this year with unique additions to your traditional table setting. Label each setting with a personalized place card to direct everyone to their seats. Lastly, add a little fun to your Thanksgiving feast by outfitting each place setting with a party popper — it's the perfect post-dinner treat for adults and kids alike. You just might make a new tradition out of it!
How do you make your Thanksgiving tablescape stand out?
Bree