How to deck out a holiday table

As the holidays start stacking up like planes on a runway, now is the time to plan a beautiful backdrop for the first big day looming on the holiday calendar. Try these quick and easy ways to decorate your Thanksgiving table so it looks like it took at least as long as the turkey took to cook.

Play up your colors

Thanksgiving makes you think of orange and yellow, but why not try a different palette this year? If your dinnerware and dining room colors are decidedly not fall-colored, opt for neutral hues in white gourds or pumpkins and brown pine cones, dried lotus pods or leaves. Don’t forget to think of green as a neutral, too.

Simple touches

Since food is the star of the Thanksgiving table, instead of creating a big centerpiece, let the food do the showing off and add festive touches at each place setting. Place small votive candles or mini gourds next to plates and cups. Using a gold felt pen, create seating cards out of glossy magnolia leaves to tuck into folded napkins.

Add candles

Place your Thanksgiving turkey between two hurricane lanterns or candles. Create simple garlands of fall leaves to encircle the lanterns. Candles are always welcome eye-catchers on the Thanksgiving table. Opt for unscented candles that won’t interfere with the aroma of the feast. Tuck in votives here and there for small glimmers of light.

Quick florals

Today’s floral table arrangements have changed a lot from Mom’s day. For a fresh, informal look, use bunches of flowers in a similar color on the table. Bunched flowers are simple and chic, especially when they’re all in the same tone. And instead of one large floral arrangement, try a trio of bunched flowers down the center of the table.

Decorate the sideboard

Add some decorative interest to your sideboard or buffet that coordinates with the main table. This will create seamless, festive flair for the dining room.

Extra rustic

The rustic look is stylish now and can be paired with elegant or casual table settings. Make a table runner out of a large, flat piece of rustic board, add a crooked tree branch around your flowers or candles, or craft a centerpiece around a piece of driftwood.

Use recycled wine bottle corks to hold your seating cards. Carve out pretty round gourds to use as serving dishes or small pie pumpkins to hold cranberry relish. Save the top and make a notch for a serving spoon.

Dressed-up lighting

Don’t overlook the chandelier; it can pack some real decorative punch. Wind in grape vines with the leaves attached, tuck in pheasant feathers, or drape the fixture with garlands of fall leaves. You’ll create a unified look that’s both festive and interesting.

This story was originally published November 13, 2014 at 11:40 AM.