Ina Garten's Favorite Fall Tablescape Follows A Surprisingly Simple Formula

When it comes to a beautiful table, Ina Garten knows how to deliver. When she's not cooking up a delicious meal, she's considering how her presentation will make a statement with fun tablescape ideas for every occasion. Whether you're hosting guests, planning for the holidays, or simply looking to bring the fall inside, enhancing your space with tabletop décor is surprisingly easy. 

Garten follows a simple formula for creating a beautiful, cozy fall tablescape. She keeps things simple. Often, she sticks to a single color and incorporates fresh flowers into her display. Another big thing: She does not overcrowd the space with décor to avoid blocking her guests' view. For Garten, tablescaping doesn't have to be over the top to be beautiful.

You can use Garten's table display formula for any holiday, season, or special event, incorporating things you might already have on hand. These could include candles, flowers, dishes, or linens. Artfully arranging these items is all part of creating an inviting tablescape. Decorating your dining table is something that anyone can do, especially with inspiration from Garten.

Ina Garten often uses orange as her go-to fall color for tablescapes; however, you can use your preferred autumn hue. For the fresh flowers, she has incorporated orange roses and tulips in past displays. If those don't work for you, try another variety in your chosen color. Just arrange your flowers with Garten's simple vase trick — that is, using clear vases placed down the table. Also, keep the arrangements below eye level, allowing people to easily see each other across the table. Linens are another essential part of tablescaping; Garten typically uses a tablecloth in the chosen base hue or a neutral color.

Instead of flowers, the professional cook has also incorporated pumpkins into tables she's done for the fall. These gourds add a rustic, cozy vibe. In a Food Network video, Garten uses a white tablecloth as the base for the tablescape. She goes with a less-is-more approach for the plates, glasses, and cutlery so the pumpkins shine. Garten places small white votive candles down the center of the table with the pumpkins arranged between them. She picks different-size pumpkins, though all of them are small, so they don't crowd the table or block guests. Finally, Garten finishes the tablescape with a touch of fun: silver bowls full of candy corn. It's a simple but elegant design for people who want to lean subtly into fall.