Everything You Need For A Gorgeous Thanksgiving Table

Hosting Thanksgiving is no easy task. From prepping all the food to making sure your guests are entertained, there's a lot on your plate — literally. With so much to account for, decor might be the last thing on your mind. But a proper Thanksgiving tablescape can elevate your gathering from average to unforgettable. Placemats, silverware, floral arrangements — all of these elements work together to cultivate a gorgeous Thanksgiving table. 

Think of your tablescape as a layered, intentional art display. Each piece adds a new layer, creating depth and visual intrigue. All of the elements serve a purpose for the overall design. Whether it's a strictly aesthetic element such as a centerpiece or a utilitarian piece such as a serving platter, you want to create a cohesive flow throughout the table. Before you start selecting pieces to include, take a beat to decide on a theme and color scheme. The options are limitless. You can stick with a traditional, autumnal look or play around with a stylish, modern vibe. Regardless, be sure to plot out a concept you can embody throughout the design. Consider incorporating these 20 elements for a beautiful Thanksgiving table.

The very first task on your Thanksgiving decor agenda should be selecting a tablecloth. This is your first layer. Pick a color or pattern to build off of that will complement your overall design. If you have a lot of loud pieces you're planning on incorporating, consider opting for a neutral color. If you have more toned-down pieces, you could play with a gingham or floral print tablecloth. Sometimes a tablecloth might feel a bit clunky for certain tablescapes. If you're aiming for a minimalist look, consider using a table runner instead for a pop of color.

The next layer to tackle is placemats. Not only do these individual mats add dimension to a tablescape, but they also help protect your table against spills and heat damage. Placemats aid in making post-dinner clean-up a bit easier, too. There are a variety of materials to choose from, including linen, leather, cork, and acrylic. If you're feeling crafty, you could even DIY tile placemats to brighten up your tablescape. You can play around with different shapes, colors, and patterns to fit your motif.

Dinnerware is a vital piece to any tablescape design — especially for an important occasion like Thanksgiving. There are five common dinnerware materials to choose from: bone china, porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, and melamine. These materials range vastly in cost and durability, so you have a wide array of options at your disposal. There are endless colors, shapes, and designs to choose from too. Select a dinnerware set that not only fits your style but also complements the food you're serving. For instance, if you're serving soup, be sure to include a bowl. If you're serving pie, include a small side plate.

A personalized touch goes a long way. Including a place card for your guests is a small gesture that can have a major impact. There's something about having a dedicated spot carved out for you at the dinner table that can make you feel right at home. It can also cut down the "where should I sit" tension if you're mixing crowds. There are plenty of place cards you can buy from places like Etsy, Amazon, or Walmart. If you want an even more personalized touch, add charm to your tablescape with DIY place cards.

A proper Thanksgiving dinner can get messy. While paper napkins can easily do the trick, a cloth napkin can really elevate your tablescape. Not to mention the environmental benefits of using reusable cloth napkins. There are so many colors and styles to choose from, from plain to funky. Traditionally, the napkin is placed on the left side of the setting, but that's not always necessary. You can do a simple fold and layer your napkins on top of your dinnerware. If you want more of an embellished look, add a napkin ring.

A traditional table setting includes five forks, two spoons, and four butterknives. There are a number of different, more pared-down arrangements to choose from as well, but ultimately, select the silverware that corresponds with the dishes you're serving. As a general rule of thumb, forks belong to the left of the setting and spoons to the right. As for the style, there are plenty of options from polished silver to matte gold. Select the style and color that best suits your overall design.

You'll need to leave space on your setting for at least one glass for each guest. It may also be necessary to include more pieces of glassware if you're serving wine or some other festive drink too. Sometimes you may even want to include a cup and saucer for tea or coffee. Regardless, there are countless options from classic crystal to colorful, antique glasses. When you're ready to put out your glassware, place water and wine cups on the top right corner of the setting. If you're including a teacup, place it at the top left corner.

What's Thanksgiving dinner without a proper gravy boat? There is a vast array of options to choose from. You can go with a rustic, cottage aesthetic by opting for an artisan gravy boat like the Old Havana Gravy Boat from Anthropologie. Add a pop of color to your design with the Le Creuset Pumpkin Gravy Boat. Pick an option that merges style with functionality. But where does the gravy boat go on a table setting? Well, that's really up to you. You can either set up a separate table where guests can serve themselves or use the food as a sort of centerpiece.

Olive oil is a handy topping for salad, veggies, or even dessert in some cases. Although it might not be top of mind, making it available can elevate your Thanksgiving gathering. Oil cruets are an aesthetically pleasing element that can also enhance the functionality of your tablescape. Keeping an oil cruet handy for your guests allows them to customize their dining experience without the hassle of getting up. Oil cruets make drizzling a little added flavor to your meal accessible and mess-free.

Butter is an essential element to include in Thanksgiving dinner. You'll typically see butter displayed on a dish. However, if you want to ensure your butter is extra spreadable, consider preparing a butter bell instead. A butter bell comes in two pieces: a larger basin filled with water and a lid with a bell-shaped cup attached. To use it, take a room-temperature stick of butter and compress it into the smaller, bell-shaped cup. You can store the butter in the larger cup and it will stay fresh and spreadable all dinner long.

If you're serving dinner from the center of your tablescape, consider picking out intentional, stylish platters, bowls, and chafing dishes. These pieces not only serve an important functional purpose, but they also hold the power to make or break the flow of your design. If you want to play it safe, go with neutral, toned-down options and build around these pieces with more stylistic elements. Or you can play it bold and serve dinner in fun, colorful pieces like this Le Creuset cast iron pumpkin braiser.

Serving spoons are often overlooked, but when you're putting together a showstopping Thanksgiving tablescape, no element should be ignored. They can be plain or showy, neutral wood or colorful ceramic. There's a world of possibilities. You can opt for these funky wooden flower spoons from 2Modern or this classic gold set from Crate&Barrel. Use this piece as an opportunity to add a subtle flourish to your overall design.

Salt and pepper shakers are another essential you should keep accessible for your guests. We all have unique tastes and it's important to account for different individual needs for flavor. Salt and pepper shakers are handy and can be decorative if you pick the right kind. You can go for a simple set filled with pre-ground salt and pepper like this adorable pair of tomatoes from World Market. You can also choose a set of elegant grinders like this XWXO simple yet stylish pair.

Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into more personalized additions to consider for your Thanksgiving tablescape. Table runners are a great way to incorporate a pop of color or to integrate more depth to the overall appearance of your design. But you can also use them to preserve the memory of your dinner parties for years to come. Have your guests sign and date your table runner with a pen. Once the festivities are over, embroider over each signature to create a table runner "guest book" you can add on to year after year on Thanksgiving.

Let your creativity and personal style go wild when planning out your Thanksgiving table centerpiece. There are endless possibilities to explore. Take a look at your original ideas surrounding the theme and color scheme of your design. If you're building your centerpiece from scratch, lean on faux fall foliage, gourds, cornucopias, and other fall staples. If you're looking for a more modern look, consider colorblocking or sprinkling in gilded pieces. Allow your centerpiece to serve as the heart and soul of your tablescape.

Nothing sets off a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape quite like a jaw-dropping floral arrangement. It breathes life into your design, tying in a sense of whimsy and color. Your local florist or grocery store will have plenty of pre-arranged florals for you to browse before the big day. If you're feeling ambitious, you could also try your hand at creating your own arrangement. Don't limit yourself to florals alone. Be sure to incorporate elements like branches, colorful botanicals, and even evergreen fronds. You can also play around with different vases and containers to fit your style. 

Candles add dimension and warmth to a tablescape. There are a few ways to incorporate this element into your design. If you're still filling out your centerpiece, you can place a handful of candle holders on candlesticks throughout the spread. You can arrange pillar candles in trays and place them at either end of your tablescape. For an ethereal touch, experiment with floating candle arrangements. You can incorporate candles in just about any tablescape in a number of different ways. 

Who doesn't love a good charcuterie board? Not only are they a great tool for tiding your guests over until dinner, but they're also a fantastic stylistic element to include in your tablescape. A classic charcuterie board includes cheese, crackers, and an array of meats. Outside of these standard building blocks, a board can include other offerings such as jam, almonds, pickles, olives, and more. You can also include elements like edible flowers and small pumpkins.

Don't forget about your tiniest guests! The adult table isn't always suitable or all that fun for the children in the crowd. Why not design a kid-friendly tablescape with just as much intention and effort? When you host children and carve out a special place for them, you have the chance to create a core memory they will cherish for life. Consider laying out a butcher paper tablecloth for them to draw all over, providing a kid-friendly snack plate, or even offering a "gratitude pumpkin" to write what they're grateful for. 

Need to fill out a little more space on the table? Display your dessert lineup as a centerpiece element. Pumpkin pie, sweet potato casserole, pecan pie — when displayed on a beautiful platter, all of your favorite Thanksgiving desserts can be a beautiful focal point for your tablescape. Display them at varying heights for dimension and added visual interest. It's also a great way to build suspense for dessert. Bonus points for including a beautiful set of serving utensils.