Decorating with black and white buffalo check is a classic look, perfect for early fall decorating. Use these table setting tips and tricks to create a beautiful, neutral fall tablescape!
This post is in partnership with Christmas Tree Shops andThat!, a brand I know, shop frequently, and love!
Although the temperature outside won’t begin to drop for at least another month or two here in South Carolina, my boys starting back to school this week signals a change of season for our family! One of the ways I like to honor these milestones is with a special family dinner complete with fall decor. I tend to gravitate towards neutral and non-traditional seasonal decor, so I was thrilled to find so many great affordable and stylish fall decorating options at Christmas Tree Shops andThat! Their latest harvest home decor collections include Traditional, Black & White, Blue Harvest, and Purple Reign options with everything you need for fall and more. Click the link to see the full Harvest collection for yourself!
Today I want to share with you some quick and creative tips for setting a fall table! Creating beautiful and easy tablescapes is one of my superpowers, and I love passing along my attainable tips to you. Feel free to save my photos directly to Pinterest from this post for later reference!
Click the Play Arrow Below to Glean Some Table Tips
Fall Table Setting Tip 1: Create a pumpkin table runner.
Flower arrangement centerpieces are fantastic but not always necessary on a table. In place of traditional flower arrangements and fabric table runners, instead use pumpkins, pinecones, acorns, branches, or other seasonal decor down the center of the table. On my table, I first placed sprigs of fresh eucalyptus to create a “live table runner” and then covered the sprigs with plush fabric pumpkins from the Black & White collection at Christmas Tree Shops andThat! You can mix in live and faux pumpkins in your pumpkin table runner to create a beautiful fall focal point that will last all season.
When choosing fabric pumpkins to purchase for your table, lay them out in your shopping cart to get an idea of how many you will need. I like to create a symmetrical look at each end of the table and a larger grouping in the center. Vary the shapes, textures, colors, patterns and sizes of your pumpkins for a cozy and layered look!
One trick I like to implement is to prop the pumpkins on top of one another to create a pumpkin patch look. Don’t be scared to play around with the arrangement of the pumpkins until you create a look you love!
Fall Table Setting Tip 2: Add life to the table with greenery!
I initially set my table without the eucalyptus, and although it looked lovely, it also fell a bit flat. Once I added the eucalyptus sprigs, the entire room looked happier! The pillar candle holders are from Christmas Tree Shops andThat!, and I simply tied a eucalyptus sprig around each to create a makeshift pillar candle wreath ring. I love how the trailing end of the eucalyptus mimics a pumpkin patch vine. When in doubt, add something fresh and green!
Fall Table Setting Tip 3: Use dish towels instead of placemats.
I always like to incorporate some unexpected elements on my table. One unconventional tip I have for you is to use dish towels, tea towels, fabric napkins, or handkerchiefs instead of placemats. You can often find these items for less than the cost of traditional placemats, and they look fantastic on the table!
I found these incredibly affordable, buffalo check hand towels at Christmas Tree Shops andThat! and knew they would work perfectly as placemats for my fall tablescape. The gather with a grateful heart saying is a timely reminder for this time of year!
Fall Table Setting Tip 4: Get creative with your napkins.
Fabric napkins are like the toss pillows of the table! They offer you an additional layer of texture, color, and pattern and can be folded, fluffed, tied off, or tossed to create various looks. Here I simply tied lace-edged napkins in a loose knot and placed the fork through the center of each. This is a great look that requires no special folding skills and can be done quickly!
Fall Table Setting Tip 5: Elevate the table with EASY table favors, place cards, or simple place setting decor.
If you really want your table to shine, place something special at each place setting. This does not have to be something expensive, time-consuming, or exotic. Some great examples of seasonal items to consider are baby boo pumpkins, apples, pears, flowers, special treat, etc. These all look fantastic on the plate and make guests feel special!
I found these adorable and inexpensive mini-bread pans at Christmas Tree Shops andThat! and placed a store-bought sweet roll in each. You could go the extra mile and bake homemade bread for each guest, but it’s not necessary. Keep things cute, simple, and in-line with your budget, time, and energy level!
Fall Table Setting *Bonus* Tip 6: Decorate beyond the table.
This is a bonus tip for your fall dining room decorating! After you’ve finished decorating the table, don’t forget to add a few simple seasonal touches to any other large piece furniture items in your dining space to create a cohesive look. Above my buffet, I added an adorable wreath from the Black & White collection at Christmas Tree Shops andThat! which perfectly coordinates with my buffalo check pumpkins!
On the server table, I placed some fresh mums and limelight hydrangeas in some painted crocks. These small seasonal touches add to the ambiance and theme of my neutral fall dining room!
I hope these fall table setting tips proved helpful! Click here if interested in shopping the black and white harvest collection for yourself!
If you enjoyed this post, please check out some of my other fall tablescape ideas!
5 Outdoor Entertaining Tips to Creating a Gorgeous Fall Tablescape
Beautiful and Bountiful Early Fall Tablescape
Elegant Black, White, and Green Farmhouse Table Setting for Fall
Autumn Table Tips: How to Set a Table for Fall
Jennifer Dynys says
I adore buffalo checks! I painted my dining room with them! This table is absolutely gorgeous! If you have the time, we have a fairly new link party Embracing Home and Family, it is on Fridays at 10:00CST. Hope you can stop by!
https://theeverydayfarmhouse.com/embracing-home-and-family-link-party-5/
Beth says
Thank you so much and thanks for the invite!
Kelly says
I love your table and chairs. Will you please share where you found these? Thanks so much!
Beth says
Thanks! Here is a link to my table: https://rstyle.me/+57lrskwtq0iJLDeudRK_0g
The arm chairs were thrift store finds that I refinished. The other chairs are from At Home store but World Market sell a similar pair for less: https://rstyle.me/+FNhmhXQVeGmVC10-ZMva5g
Scarlet says
I have never seen dish clothes used as placemats but these buffalo check ones look great. What a clever idea!