68 Fall Table Decor Ideas That Will Be the Hit of Your Party

By Southern Living Editors
Helen Norman

Set the table in autumn style with these stunning fall table decorating ideas. Whether you’re throwing a casual pumpkin carving party, or hosting the entire family for a formal Thanksgiving dinner, you’re bound to find ideas that are fit for your fall party. Put the season on full display with fall table centerpieces and decorating ideas. Whether you carve out a pumpkin succulent vase, DIY some adorable fall place cards, or put together a floral centerpiece your friends won’t believe wasn’t a florist’s creation, your home will be ready for fall entertaining with these table décor ideas.

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The Surprisingly Easy Centerpiece

Laurey W. Glenn

This 25-minute centerpiece might look professional, but it’s quicker (and easier) than you might think.

Fill an oval container with potting soil. Plant a variety of succulents in the middle of the container. Be sure to leave plenty of space around the edges. Tuck in tiny pumpkins, seasonal veggies like kale, radishes, and fresh herbs to fill gaps. Scatter additional tiny pumpkins and votives on the table around the arrangement.

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Floating Miniature Pumpkins

Laurey W. Glenn

To make the votive, use a craft knife to trace circles slightly larger than the bottom of a tea light in the miniature pumpkins. Carve them out and tuck the candle inside.

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Fall Greenery

Laurey W. Glenn

Making this 10-minute fall centerpiece is a cinch when you follow our step-by-step directions. Get the tutorial below.

WATCH: The 10-Minute Fall Apple Centerpiece

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Pumpkin Party

Jim Franco

Pumpkin parties are classic! Impress your guests with rich pumpkin soup, delicious pumpkin dump cake, and delightful pumpkin martinis. You can never say pumpkin too many times during the fall season. Pumpkin! 

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Rustic Fall Display

Jennifer Davick

If you don’t have a few extra antlers to spare, you can create this arrangement without them. Tuck in pinecones and assorted nuts, but make sure the pumpkins are the real star.

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Pretty Pumpkins

Helen Norman

Don’t neglect your coffee table when it comes to decorating for your fall party. We love these floral pumpkins. Use cut mums, a soft-skinned pumpkin, and an awl (pointed tool) to get the look. Keep the floral pumpkins in your refrigerator until party time to help extend their shelf life.

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Pumpkin Place Card

Laurey W. Glenn

Place cards couldn’t be simpler when all you need to do is put a name tag on a miniature pumpkin. We love how simply this table is dressed: elegant white china, white linen napkins, mismatched glassware, and a few cut branches bursting with fall color.

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Outdoor Centerpiece

Helen Norman

Don’t forget your outdoor spaces when you’re decorating for a party—even if most of the entertaining will take place indoors. Get the tutorial at the link below.

WATCH: Fall Outdoor Decorating Ideas

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Pumpkin Vase

Iain Bagwell

Skip the glass vase and use a pumpkin instead! Carve a hole in the pumpkin and fill with your favorite fall flowers. You can also place a piece of floral foam within the pumpkin cavity if you want a more arranged look.

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Tiny Planter

Quentin Bacon

This petite planter is easy as 1-2-3 when you follow our step-by-step instructions. If you keep it watered it should last about a week.

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Asymmetrical Elegance

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

The asymmetrical balance of this fall-hued centerpiece makes a dramatic statement. Get the details on how to make it yourself here.

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Foiled Floating Candleholders

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller

How sweet is this DIY arrangement? With just a few dollar-store buys, your dinner party gets a cute but sophisticated upgrade. Learn what you’ll need and how to make it here.

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Add Height to Your Pumpkin Display

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Don’t let fall decorating get you down! Add dimension to a side table arrangement with lengthy elements. Learn what you need to make it happen here.

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Wax Seal Place Cards

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow

A wax seal feels dressy and glamorous, but it’s relaxed when paired with a cardstock and a handwritten place card. Learn how to make your own and get the details on this gorgeous place setting here.

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Monochrome Mums

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

You don’t need a lot of fuss to create a beautiful centerpiece or side table arrangement, as this simple setup proves. Add as many containers as you’d like for it to fit your space. Get the details on how to make it here.

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Fall Wreath with Dried Flowers and Herbs

Laurey W. Glenn

Who said wreaths were reserved for the front door? Guests will be blown away by this beautiful DIY project. Watch the tutorial video and get the written instructions here.

 

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Succulent Pumpkin

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

You can still have a pretty, natural centerpiece without a green thumb. A succulent pumpkin will last through multiple fall parties, and it’s so easy to pull off. Get the instructions here.

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Place Cards with Natural Textures

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

These simple DIY place cards are casual but show extra hostess effort. Perfect for a laidback fall dinner party or easy Thanksgiving, these place cards will blend with any autumnal color scheme you choose. Learn how to make them here.

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New Cornucopia

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Not your Mama’s cornucopia! This reimagined classic is a fun departure from pumpkins and mums. Get the details on this arrangement here. 

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Autumn-Inspired Bar

Photo: Helen Norman

Cheers, y’all! This cozy bar offers guests plenty of room to fix a drink and grab a snack. Learn more about how to pull off this setup here.  

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Fun Fall Kids’ Table

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow

Whether for a fall birthday party, Thanksgiving, or a fun Saturday night with spend the night company, dress up the kids’ table with non-breakable dinnerware and room to doodle. Get the directions and products behind this cute setting here.

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Golden Gourds

Hector Sanchez

No one will know this elegant arrangement was so affordable and easy. Plus, you can pull it out again year after year. Get the details here.

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Create a Topiary

Laurey W. Glenn

Whether as a centerpiece, an entryway table accent, or a kitchen counter decoration, a lush, colorful topiary is so beautiful. We love the way white pumpkins pop against lush, natural elements. Learn how to arrange it here.

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Natural Inspirations

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Fall decorating doesn’t have to stick with a deep color palette. Let the outdoors in with this vibrant green arrangement. Find out how to make this arrangement here.

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Apple Place Cards

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Seasonal, easy, and oh-so-cute, these apple place cards work for the kids’ or adults’ table. Bonus points if the place cards are foreshadowing to an apple pie dessert course. Get the directions for this DIY here.

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Pile On The Pumpkins

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Don’t have a knack for intricate floral arrangements? Having last-minute company? You can still have adorable fall decorations. With this quick and easy idea, group and stack different sizes and colors of pumpkins on a side table or as a centerpiece for a laidback look.

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Fall Harvest Centerpiece

Laurey W. Glenn

Mix fresh fall flowers and colorful produce for a cheerful and easy arrangement. Set out bud vases with blooms you incorporated for cohesive party decorations. Get the written instructions to make this centerpiece here.

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Crepe-Paper Pumpkins

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez/Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

These DIY pumpkins cost so much less than similar store-bought looks, and you can have them for years to come. Fall guests won’t believe how professionally-made they look. Find the instructions here.

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Nature-Inspired Place Cards

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow

A cool, natural color palette is a relaxed but gorgeous way to host this fall. A nature-inspired color palette and mix of textures pulls this look together. Get the instructions for how to make this place card and the product details from this pretty place setting here.

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Woodland Monochrome Centerpiece

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

This rustic arrangement is woodsy but vibrant. Make several in differing sizes for a major centerpiece moment. Get the details on this arrangement here.

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Mix Colors and Sizes

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Take advantage of all the gorgeous pumpkin colors out there and mix up your arrangement! Bright yellows and greens add a bold pop, but mellow blues and whites create a laidback look. An arrangement like this could work indoors or out.

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Apple Topiary

Southern Living

Pumpkins don’t get to have all the fun in the fall! This adorable apple topiary is such an easy DIY project for crafters of any level. Watch the tutorial video here. 

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Modern Twist Mums

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

You only need two fall essentials—apples and mums—to complete this adorable arrangement that’s perfect for a casual dinner or shower. Set up these mini mum arrangements on the sideboard, as a centerpiece, or both! Get the instructions here.

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Cute-as-a-Button Place Settings

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller

These too-cute napkin rings are easy and festive for fall. Use an autumn-inspired color palette to set the scene. Get the instructions and supply list for this craft here.

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Natural Elements Faux Pumpkin

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez/Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

If you’re not into the orangey hues of fall, entertain with an earthy color palette and incorporate these DIY faux pumpkins. Mix up sizes and crafty add-ons for a rustic look. Learn how to make them here.

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The Perfect Southern Table

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Welcome friends for a fall dinner party or Friendsgiving with the prettiest Southern table. Crisp linens, handwritten place cards (with a topiary to take home!), and as much silver as you can find come together for an elegant but colorful affair. Learn how you can recreate this look here.

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Make Pomanders

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Spice up any centerpiece, fill any empty vessel, or add color to any side table with festive and fun DIY pomanders. Not only will they look adorable, but they serve as a natural air freshener so your house will smell like autumn. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Tabletop Garden

Photo: Helen Norman

Welcome guests in with a bountiful autumn arrangement. Get the details on what goes into this fun focal point here.  

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Sequin Style

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez/Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

If you like everything to have a little sparkle, there’s no reason your pumpkins shouldn’t! These faux pumpkins can be reused every fall for a glittery addition to your decorations. See what you’ll need and how to make them here.

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Autumnal Place Cards

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller

Even if crafting isn’t your expertise, you can put together these adorable DIY place cards. It’s perfect that they’re customizable to fit your color scheme. Get the details on materials and instructions here.

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Dramatic Stack Centerpiece

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

This whimsical arrangement flips the script on a traditional pumpkin stack. You can play with different pumpkin colors and sizes to match your décor. Learn what you’ll need and how to make this cute arrangement here.

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Fall Bounty-Inspired Table

Helen Norman

Use seasonal favorites like red apples and crisp fall leaves in your centerpiece for an outdoor table that feels one with nature. Add height with longer branches and mix and match plates for a relaxed feel. Get the details on this setup here.

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Pumpkin Serving Pieces

Photo by: Helen Norman

Pumpkins can multi-task, too! These adorable pumpkin serving pieces are perfect for an appetizer spread or dessert table. Play with different pumpkin heights and colors to mix it up. Learn how to make them here.  

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Fall Foliage Place Cards

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

This DIY project will cost you $0 if you have a permanent marker and any kind of twine or ribbon on hand. Even a place card this easy is still personalized and fun for guests to arrive at their seat to. Get the instructions here.

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Faux and Floral

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez/Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Easy faux pumpkins meet gorgeous real flowers in this sweet arrangement. Reuse your faux pumpkins throughout the season and switch out the flowers to match your party décor. Find out how to make it and what you’ll need here.

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Use Humble Materials

Photo: Erica George Dines

Rustic meets classic when you pair humble materials like a kraft paper placemat with pretty fall china, grain-sack napkins with handwritten place cards, and your fancy silver with a burlap table runner. A mix of laid back and dressy is perfect for a cozy fall party.

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Spice Up the Patio

Photo: Hector Sanchez

If you’re entertaining outdoors this fall, turn your patio into an autumnal paradise with bountiful mums, a pumpkin topiary, and a corn tapestry. Find out what you’ll need to recreate this look here.

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