From turkey dinners to pretty pumpkins, Thanksgiving is a celebration centered around many wonderful traditions, making it one of the most special holidays of the year.
However, as much as we love classic Thanksgiving decor ideas (you can never go wrong with a homey harvest-inspired scheme) there are so many other colorful and creative themes and decorations to explore to make your home feel festive.
Whether you're looking for some unique faux pumpkins to decorate the inside and outside of your home, or are searching for more muted, minimalist seasonal decor, we've got you covered with our selection of modern Thanksgiving decorating ideas.
6 stylish Thanksgiving decor ideas for a more modern look
Whatever the style of your home, modern Thanksgiving decor can elegantly elevate your space to feel more stylish and in sync with the season.
Remember, you don't have to wait until the big day to decorate your home for Thanksgiving. Many of the best Thanksgiving decorations work hand in hand with fall decor ideas and Halloween decor ideas, too, and our modern Thanksgiving decor ideas can seamlessly coordinate with all occasions.
1. Get creative with pumpkins and gourds
Of course, you can't go wrong with the classic beauty of a bright orange pumpkin, but if you're wanting to decorate with pumpkins in a more modern way, then embracing faux pumpkins in other colors and materials, or get creative with bright pumpkin painting ideas, can create a fun, contemporary feel.
We love the fall porch ideas shown above by Pottery Barn, and think the mix of pastel pumpkins with textured, woven designs makes for a warm, welcoming, and chic entrance into the home throughout fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Showcase fall’s bounty with these hand-painted pumpkins and gourds, available in a variety of organic shapes and seasonal colors, they can be placed all over the home (both inside and out) to celebrate the changing seasons.
This stylish pumpkin has been crafted using rattan to give it texture and warmth. A lovely, rustic no-clean-up alternative to traditional candlelit jack-o’-lanterns.
These colorful decorative glass pumpkins are an elegant and unique take on traditional pumpkin decor. Pair with fairy lights underneath to create a gentle glow.
2. Choose a contemporary color scheme
A traditional Thanksgiving color scheme is often inspired by fall colors, with plenty of deep browns, oranges, yellows, and purples; making your home feel wonderfully cozy for the season.
For a more contemporary scheme, we love the use of brighter and lighter color palettes for Thanksgiving decor, perfect if minimalism is more your style. As shown beautifully above on this Thanksgiving mantel by West Elm, the chic glass silver pumpkins work with the other pumpkin decorations, candles, lanterns and foliage to create a pretty display that is ideal for the modern home.
Interior designer Jennifer Verruto, founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors says, 'This year, many of us are using more muted versions of the traditional holiday colors instead of bright colors and patterns. Opt for a neutral palette with selective small pops of color and subtle textures – this allows your seasonal decor to easily blend in with your existing pieces, making your space feel more cohesive and thoughtfully curated.'
Jennifer Verruto is Founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors. Blythe Interiors has of a team in Spokane, WA, and a San Diego Design studio/showroom as well as an online shop.
3. Decorate in unexpected places
Many of us often decorate our front porches, living rooms, and dining rooms with an abundance of Thanksgiving decor, but that doesn't mean you can't get creative with decoration in more unexpected areas of the home, too.
From decorating the inside of glass cupboards with seasonal decor, as shown by @Our_Sweet_Haven in their beautiful white kitchen, to swapping out everyday kitchen items such as towels, serverware, and dinnerware to more fun, festive designs, these simple touches can make all the difference when making your home feel more cozy, contemporary and special for Thanksgiving.
Add a festive touch to your kitchen with these handcrafted gourd salt and pepper shakers. The playful glazed stoneware will delight your family and friends every time they season their food.
This three-piece set comes with a cute cotton oven mitt with a ghost shape and face and two cotton dish towels in orange and white patterns. Also available in a pumpkin design.
Put your culinary skills to the test with this pumpkin-shaped casserole pot with a twirled knob that locks in moisture and heat. Ideal for cooking casseroles, marinating meats, pies, tarts, storing leftovers, and more.
4. Embrace a more minimalist style
If you're looking for modern Thanksgiving decor that will coordinate with a minimalist scheme, then we recommend styling your space with a few elegant vases of fall flowers and foliage.
Interior designer Brooke Spreckman says, 'for Thanksgiving decor that can still suit a more modern aesthetic, I recommend collecting large, unique glass vases and objects that can work as a base, and then filling them with a seasonal foliage that can either dry out or be changed out weekly.'
We love these how the faux foliage above from Afloral makes a subtle statement on this living room sideboard, bringing in a wonderful natural accent and point of interest in the space; an easy yet wonderfully effective way to enhance your home for Thanksgiving.
It's so easy to achieve elevated fall and Thanksgiving styling in your home with these beautiful artificial magnolia leaf branches, inspired by autumn's rich and cozy color palette.
Bring the feeling of a crisp fall day into your home with these artificial Cimicifuga Ramosa leaves from Afloral.
The deep, rich purple hue with burgundy tones of these dried flowers is perfect for creating a moody look for fall.
Principal and Owner of Design Hutch Interior Design, Brooke Spreckman has been practicing Interior Design since 2013 in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and beyond; and has a diverse background in residential and commercial design.
5. Or, go big and bold with a maximalist scheme
From beautiful patterned tablecloths to eye-catching Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas and unique, seasonal serverware and dinnerware, your Thanksgiving table ideas are the perfect place to go all out with modern, maximalist decor.
Looking at some of our favorite retailers' Thanksgiving collections for 2023, definitely shows a trend for bold, bright color palettes. From Anthropologie's Thanksgiving collection that elegantly embodies the dopamine decor trend, to Pottery Barn's colorful Thanksgiving tablescapes, as shown above, there is no right or wrong way to decorate your home for Thanksgiving, simply choose colors and decorations that bring you joy and make your home feel more fun and unique for the celebrations.
This plate's beautiful design is inspired by the lifelike imagery of early 20th-century prints. With Queen Anne edging and a gorgeous palette, the plate can sit on the dining table like a work of art.
Designed by House of Hackney, this intricately printed tablecloth sets a decadent scene for any gathering. Embodying an opulent, maximalist style, the design is filled with beautiful florals, and foliage and embraces a palette of vibrant seasonal shades.
This colorful, sculptural design can sit beautifully as a decoration independently or be paired with a tall taper candle. Showcasing an artful glass form and translucent color, the design is ideal for placing on a mantel or Thanksgiving table.
6. Create a unique Thanksgiving craft
To take your pumpkin decorations to stylish and contemporary new heights, why not learn how to make a pumpkin planter?
A fun, festive Thanksgiving craft that can add a touch of the homemade to your modern Thanksgiving decor ideas, a pumpkin planter beautifully unites two natural decorations into one stylish display.
Ideal for placing on a front porch, or for making a colorful statement on a Thanksgiving dining table, thinking about how you can creatively elevate traditional decorations in a new way is at the heart of modern Thanksgiving decor ideas.
FAQs
How should I decorate my house for Thanksgiving?
Whether you've been inspired by our modern Thanksgiving decor ideas, or want to opt for a more traditional scheme, there are so many ways you can decorate your house for Thanksgiving.
From stacks of pumpkins and gourds outside your porch, to decorating with elegant fall flowers and foliage, plenty of natural accents are wonderful way to make your home feel more special.
As Thanksgiving celebrations are often centered around the dining table, having a beautiful, decorated table is often the most important area to consider when decorating your space for Thanksgiving. From beautiful tablecloths to seasonal serveware and stand-out table centerpieces, the styling options are endless.
If you've been inspired by our modern Thanksgiving decor ideas, be sure to explore our modern fall decorating ideas and subtle Halloween decor ideas for further stylish inspiration for the season.
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