Stunning Holiday Tablescaping | Tips to Elevate Your Seasonal Gatherings
These opulent colors and mix of textures create an intimate, cozy fall tablescape perfect for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving. The moss mushrooms and velvet pumpkins add a fanciful, forest touch. - Tippy Taylor, Interior Decorator, Sarasota Florida
The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and, of course, creating memories around the table. Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner, a cozy brunch, or a casual get-together, the way you style your holiday table can transform the atmosphere of your gathering. At Tippy Taylor Interiors, we believe in the art of tablescaping—creating a beautiful and inviting setting that reflects the spirit of the season.
In this post, we’ll walk you through our favorite holiday tablescaping ideas and how you can create a memorable dining experience for your guests. Plus, we’ll showcase some of our recent tablescapes to inspire your own designs. Let’s dive in!
1. Start with a Tablecloth or Runner
The foundation of any tablescape begins with a base. A luxurious tablecloth or runner sets the tone and anchors the rest of your decor. Whether you’re opting for a rich velvet fabric for a classic holiday look or a textured linen for a more understated vibe, your tablecloth should reflect the aesthetic you’re aiming for. For an elegant touch, choose a rich velvet or silk fabric in a solid or a cotton/linen designer pattern. For a coastal look, you might choose a textured linen or block-print cotton and for a modern feel, you might choose a bold geometric or metallic fabric. There are many beautiful tablecloths and runners available but if you can’t find what you are looking for, you can always buy a favorite fabric and have your local seamstress hem it to your table size.
Our Tip: Look for patterns or textures that will complement your placemats and plates. If your china pattern or placemats have intricate details, you may want a simple tablecloth. If your dishes are solid with not much interest, then we suggest a patterned tablecloth to add character and interest.
Below is one of our recent holiday tablescapes where we used a neutral colored, geometric woven fabric as the perfect backdrop for this opulent theme.
“With Thanksgiving and fall on my mind, I had visions of a forest fantasy theme for this tablescape. Using velvet mushrooms and pumpkins for a touch of whimsy, and layering textures with woven placemats and fresh flowers, the rich, bold hues of burgundy, olive, teal and orange layered perfectly over the neutral tablecloth.” - Tippy Taylor, Interior Decorator
2. Layering Your Tableware
Tablescaping is all about layers—starting with your tableware. Begin with chargers or placemats, followed by dinner plates, salad plates, and finally, the soup or dessert bowls. Don’t forget about glassware and flatware, which should be arranged thoughtfully to create balance and symmetry.
Our Tip: For a more formal setting, mix and layer fine china with vintage pieces, or stick to one set of elegant plates with intricate details for a timeless holiday look. Casual gatherings only need a placemat and dinner plate.
In the previous tablescape, we mixed vintage teal ruffled edge salad plates with a solid white dinner plate and paired those with tortoise and brass flatware for a mix of opulence and bohemian. In the colorful fall tablescape below, the colors are similar but the setting is elevated to a more refined look by using fine china and silver flatware. Both looks lend festive charm; one more casual and one more elegant.
This tablescape design, courtesy of Emily Miller Decor.
3. Create Centerpiece Magic
A beautiful centerpiece can serve as the focal point of your table and can be the conversation starter for your guests. Whether you choose a lavish floral arrangement with candlesticks, a casual grouping of plants, or an exotic sculptural conversation piece, the centerpiece should reflect the style and mood of the season. Do not be afraid to think outside the box. We are always dreaming up ideas for our next gathering and have compiled some ideas for you below. For a John Derian x Anthropologie look, try incorporating moss, mushrooms, pumpkins and birds. For a chinoiserie chic look, mix blue and white vases with fresh greenery and oranges. For a casual, coastal look, you can’t go wrong with orchids and rattan lanterns. For a Traditonal Home or Veranda classic look, try pairing magnolia, peonies and velvet pumpkins with classic china. For a colorfully modern twist on a Christmas tablescape, pair these colorful Nutcrackers with these leopard chargers and urn.
Our Tip: Keep the centerpiece low enough to allow for easy conversation across the table unless you have a high ceiling or large room, then go over the top tall. Shop your home for unique pieces to use as a centerpiece.
See below how we and other designers have used various types of centerpieces to evoke a certain aesthetic.
4. Add Texture with Napkins and Napkin Rings
No tablescape is complete without the right napkins! Choose natural fiber, linen or cotton, napkins in colors or patterns that complement the rest of the table. You can elevate the look by folding them in a creative way or adding themed napkin rings.
Our Tip: There are many ways to get creative with folding your napkins. Do not get stuck with thinking you can only place your napkin to the left of the plate. We do suggest natural fibers such as cotton or linen. Elevate your napkins even more by adding your monogram or other embroidery to the corner.
Here, we have shown styled napkins in various ways to give you some ideas.
5. Lighting Is Key
Holiday lighting is essential to creating the right ambiance. You can add warmth and intimacy with candlelight—whether through taper candles in elegant holders, tea lights scattered across the table, cordless led table lights or a grand chandelier overhead. Be sure to use candles that complement the other colors in your design.
Our Tip: A mix of pillar candles, tea lights, and tapered candles creates visual interest while casting a soft glow.
Elegant, Traditional Fall Tablescape by Tippy Taylor, Sarasota Interior Decorator
“From events to at home intimate dinner parties, we are loving the new cordless led lighting options for tablescapes. From slim profile to champagne lights, there are so many great options to add ambient light.“ - Tippy
6. Finishing Touches: Place Cards, Menu Cards and Favors
Personalized touches go a long way in making your guests feel special. Place cards are an easy way to add elegance and ensure everyone knows where to sit. You can make them simple and chic or playful and creative, depending on the tone of your gathering. Little holiday favors—such as custom ornaments, mini gifts, or decadent treats—can also add a thoughtful detail to your tablescape.
Our Tip: Get creative with place cards by incorporating them into your centerpiece or using natural elements like sprigs of rosemary or dried flowers.
7. Color Palettes for Every Style
Whether you prefer a classic red-and-green scheme or a more neutral, sophisticated color palette, the right colors can make all the difference in setting the tone for your holiday gathering. Here are a few ideas:
Traditional Red & Green: Perfect for a festive, classic holiday look. Plaid and Nutcrackers pair well with these colors. For a twist on this traditional pairing, try altering the hue of the red (think burgundy or pink) or green(think emerald or chartreuse) for an added twist.
French Blue & Olive Green: Beautiful colors on their own accord but the combination is a stunner. We would accent with citrus and greenery.
Gold & Navy: When paired with natural fall colors, adds a touch of luxury and glamour.
Bright Colors & White / Gold : A fun, modern look.
Blush & Blue: For a coastal fall twist that any grandmillenial will love!
Jewel Tones: Plum, teal & topaz add opulence to natural elements creating a cozy, intimate feel.
Our Tip: Stick to a maximum of three main colors for cohesion and add metallics as accents to make the table sparkle.
8. Let Your Personality Shine Through
Ultimately, your holiday tablescape should reflect your unique style. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pieces from different seasons, or infuse your own personal touch into the design. Whether you love vintage pieces, DIY elements, or heirloom decorations, your holiday table should feel like an expression of your taste and creativity.
At Tippy Taylor - Home & Party, we love helping our clients create unforgettable holiday experiences through beautiful design and thoughtful details. If you’re ready to take your holiday tablescaping to the next level, we’re here to help with expert styling and personalized decor solutions.
Contact us today to start planning your dream holiday tablescape!
You might enjoy browsing through our tabletop shop .
Colorful Christmas Decor
A colorfully curated guide to decking your home for the holidays.
I’ve sourced some of the items from my Christmas Holiday Decorating and added some new inspiration as well. Simply click the photos below to shop the items. You can also see some of the items used in real life by linking to my holiday portfolio here.
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These stunning woven placemats are made by artisans from Columbia. Using a traditional technique that has been passed down through generations, the process begins by shaping wire frame, over which they weave intricate patterns with Iraca palm. The result is an exceptionally detailed work of art that will elevate any table setting. Sold individually.