Thanksgiving table setting ideas – 9 easy and autumnal ideas for your feast

No matter how beautiful your Thanksgiving table setting ideas, there's a good chance they'll take a backseat to the true star of any Thanksgiving table: the food.

Still, your place settings aren't just a functional must-have, they also play a role in creating a festive ambience for dinner, and can underscore the theme of your dinner.

Whatever your Thanksgiving decor approach may be, these nine ideas will inspire you to set a table in style.

Thanksgiving table setting ideas

There are lots of ways to express your style through your Thanksgiving table-setting ideas. Mixing-and-match china patterns for a unique look, or add a patterned napkin and seasonal charger plate to your everyday dinnerware for a simple yet-elevated scheme. Your glassware and flatware have a role to play, too. 

But whatever route you go, it's best to have a plan in advance. 

'Pick a palette for your table: use complementary colors through your dishes, linens, and accessories,' says Kathryn Duryea, founder of tableware brand Year & Day. 'Keep other items on the table such as glassware and florals neutral so that the different colors or patterns are the table feature.'

1. Pair green with white

For a nature-inspired combo, pair a green dinner plate or charger with a white salad plate. A sage green feels modern, and pairs well with silver cutlery and metallic decor, while a darker hunter green leans more traditional and is perfect with gold-toned flatware, and tones of burnt orange and rust. 

2. Go for a collected scheme

If you don't have a matching set of dinnerware large enough to host your crowd, worry not. The best Thanksgiving decor is personal, so your table settings needn't match to be polished and elegant. Instead, head to antique shops or flea markets in search of vintage pewter napkin rings and place settings in a chosen color palette. 

The effect of mix-and-matched pieces is oh-so-sophisticated, especially when the items stick to an underlying theme or colorway. 

3. Add a rustic charger plate

Thanksgiving plate settings don't need to be formal or fussy. Instead, add a few special touches to your everyday dinnerware.  

'Simple, white porcelain tableware adds a subtle elegance that allows the wonderful colors of the food itself to shine through,' says Andres Gomez, of tableware brand Malacasa. 

Above, a wood-toned charger plate adds a rustic, autumnal touch to a simple white dinner plate. A small white pumpkin and a checked napkin tied with a ribbon finish off this oh-so-easy look.

4. Create a vintage look

There's no time like Thanksgiving to break out in grandma's china. Layer antique settings in varied patterns to create a quirky, original look, or highlight a single pattern by arranging a vintage dinner plate on top of a solid-colored or metallic charger plate.

'Layering in vintage accents helps bring some gravitas to the table,' says Duryea. 'Vintage silverplate pieces give a touch of glamor, and embroidered linens or handpainted porcelain serving dishes bring touches of handcrafted artistry.'

Don't have any of grandma's china? Check local antique or thrift stores, which are often teeming with vintage china patterns. Estate sales and flea markets are also good sources for vintage tableware. 

5. Stick to neutrals

All-white dinnerware is a timeless classic, so why not make it the star of the table? Play up white place settings with Thanksgiving table decor that's neutral, too. This will make the white plates feel like an intentional part of your table setting instead of the default selection. 

6. Keep it fun at the kids table

The kid's table is a blank slate for a fun Thanksgiving theme. For a bright and cheery look that's not fussy (read: less to knock over) choose simple white dinnerware (or even paper plates) and cutlery. Then, top the place settings with a leaf cut out with each child's name on it; also an easy Thanksgiving craft idea.

7. Go for a soft scheme

A low-contrast scheme of white dishware and pale wood-toned accents sets a soft, inviting table. Fold tonal napkins in half and place one underneath each plate, then pair them with brass flatware to finish the look. Bring in a touch of color with a muted Thanksgiving centerpiece idea.

8. Colorblock with autumn hues

For a look that's clean and modern but still fun, color-block your place settings with a palette of autumn-inspired hues. The place settings above alternate between apple green and golden yellow placemats, colors that are echoed by the table decor. 

9. Go for a rustic-casual look

If the atmosphere for your Thanksgiving party is a bit more casual, swap out china or porcelain plates for handmade ceramic options, instead. Skip the fancy napkin rings in favor of simply setting flatware directly on top of plates alongside a single greenery stem. 

How do you set a Thanksgiving table?

A Thanksgiving table should be set like any other table, but with a few extras to make it feel special.

The basics for your place setting should include a standard dinner plate, a water glass, a napkin, and a fork, knife, and spoon.

From there, you can add extra pieces to accommodate your menus, like wine glasses, a salad or bread plate, a soup bowl, and extra silverware.

Once you have the functional elements of your place setting covered, add decorative details. Wrap utensils and a cloth napkin in a festive napkin ring, add a creative place card on top of the plate(s) or set the dinner plates on top of decorative chargers or placemats.

Finally, incorporate a fun Thanksgiving centerpiece, like a pumpkin planter filled with flowers, a collection of vintage candlesticks, or a table runner dotted with gourds. 

How do I decorate my Thanksgiving table on a budget?

Decorating a beautiful table doesn't mean spending a fortune. 

To start, dress up everyday dinnerware by placing a charger plate underneath. You can find them at big box stores for as little as a few dollars each. Then, wrap utensils in a cloth napkin (another inexpensive purchase), and tie them with ribbon or twine. Finally, create a simple Thanksgiving centerpiece with gathered branched from your yard or a bowl filled with mini pumpkins, and light a few tall taper candles at the center of your table.