Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Holidays & Occasions
  3. Thanksgiving
  4. The Best Thanksgiving Setting for Your Table Shape

The Best Thanksgiving Setting for Your Table Shape

November 03, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
When it comes to a beautifully laid Thanksgiving table, size and shape really do matter. Here are three festive and deceptively doable holiday looks for your Thanksgiving table. Our resident floral expert and craft guru Buffy Hargett Miller shares the best way to set three different shapes of tables: rectangular, square, and oval. Each setting includes a palette, linen choice, setup style, and floral centerpiece to best match the shape of the table. No matter what shape your table is, make sure your tablecloth hangs at the right height, which is 12 to 15 inches from the edge of the table's surface to the bottom of the draped cloth—not too short and not too long. She also shares step-by-step instructions for how to create a beautiful floral centerpiece to serve as a focal point for the tablescape. Follow these simple tips and tricks and your table will be all set for a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner.Related: Thanksgiving Door Wreaths and Centerpieces
Start Slideshow

1 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

If Your Table is Rectangular

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The Palette: Crisp and classic—a blue-and-white color scheme sets the tone for this table, which is layered with rich autumnal shades and textures. The monogrammed silver goblets and flatware give a timeless touch to the overall look.

The Linens: Accentuate an attractive wood surface with layers. Inspired by the palette, we made a runner using fabric from a crafts store. DIY TIP: Buy enough fabric so the runner will extend about 12 inches beyond both ends of your table.

The Setup Style: If your hosting philosophy is "the more, the merrier," your generous spirit will be grateful for the extra inches. A long table accommodates a crowd and can be dressed up with formal china, family heirlooms, and your best silver.

The Centerpiece: Setting a long table is a balancing act: The arrangement should run the length of the surface. For this twist on the traditional cornucopia, we chose a collection of fresh fall veggies, fruits, flowers, and foliage.

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Centerpiece How-To

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Materials: Rectangular galvanized-metal basket, florist foil, florist foam, aspidistra leaves, florist picks, "Fuji" apples, crabapples, acorn squash, radishes, golden beets, mini callas, sorghum, fall foliage, and glass pumpkins

Step 1: Choose a sturdy container that's long enough to handle a sprawling bounty. This galvanized-metal basket is a modern choice and plays off the silver pieces on the table.

Step 2: Line the inside of the metal basket with florist foil, which will prevent any water from leaking onto the table. Create a base with blocks of soaked florist foam, covering as much surface area as possible.

Step 3: Cover the florist foam and foil with something natural, such as aspidistra leaves; secure with florist picks.

Step 4: Starting at the center of the basket, fill with layers of fruits and vegetables. Work your way along the length of the table. Insert loose flowers, sorghum, and foliage, secured with florist picks. Sprinkle more produce and glass pumpkins around the edges of the container.

2 of 6

3 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

If Your Table Is Round

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The Palette: Where your table will be set should influence your style. The graphic two-tone rug in this space inspired the color scheme—golden yellow, teal, and copper—and earthy tabletop choices.

The Linens: For Thanksgiving, skip the everyday white tablecloth and pick a rich autumnal hue. Layering linens in contrasting colors, like teal and marigold, gives this table a warm and inviting appeal.

The Setup Style: A round table is the best choice for an intimate gathering that's centered around food and family. Gold-tone goblets, stemless wineglasses, and natural bone flatware feel festive but not too formal.

The Centerpiece: At a round table, all eyes are drawn to the center. The goal is to create a pretty, low-profile arrangement that encourages dinner conversation.

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Centerpiece How-To

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Materials: Ceramic bowl, florist foam, green and purple cabbage, Brussels sprouts, purple onions, florist picks, antique hydrangeas, cranberry gerbera daisies, sedum, and yellow billy balls

Step 1: To create a cohesive look, choose a vessel that closely matches the color of the table linens. We chose a round ceramic bowl with golden undertones.

Step 2: Set a block of soaked florist foam inside the container to secure your flowers and keep them fresh longer.

Step 3: When filling a round bowl, group similar items to give order to the look. Starting in the center, add produce like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and onions, securing with florist picks. Then insert blooms that have large heads (hydrangeas), and finally add fillers such as daisies, sedum, and billy balls.

4 of 6

5 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

If Your Table is Oval

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The Palette: Let the china pattern lead the table design. Here, we pulled the purple, red, and green color scheme from the place settings (Forest Walk by Juliska). Pops of lavender accent the table's deep brown wood, revealing its warm undertones.

The Linens: Place mats can feel casual, so if your undressed table is beautiful, build around the au naturel vibe. Small, vibrant accents—like these lavender napkins—provide sophisticated bursts of color.

The Setup Style: When you're working from a neutral wood base, the options are endless. First, decide on the formality of your occasion. Even elegant china needs an attention-getting accessory, such as the gilded flatware and gold napkin rings used here.

The Centerpiece: Rather than using a typical vase, choose a conversation piece such as a family heirloom. This silver bowl was filled with flowers in varying heights and placed diagonally for an unexpected touch.

5 of 6

6 of 6

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

If Your Table Is Oval

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Materials: Oval silver bowl, florist foam, dark purple dahlias, pale purple mums, green and blush roses, hanging amaranthus, chartreuse pears on branches, scabiosas, and poppy pods

Step 1: A formal tablescape calls for something extra special. It begins with the base. The holidays are a good time to look in your mother's silver collection for something striking that tells a family story.

Step 2: Fill the vessel with water-soaked florist foam, which will extend the life of your flowers and serve as a great foundation for inserting, adjusting, and moving stems.

Step 3: Start in the center, and fill your arrangement with eye-catching blooms like dahlias, mums, and roses. Next, insert overflowing "spillers," such as hanging amaranthus and pears on branches. Fill empty spots with scabiosas, poppy pods, and extra roses.

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 6 If Your Table is Rectangular
2 of 6 Centerpiece How-To
3 of 6 If Your Table Is Round
4 of 6 Centerpiece How-To
5 of 6 If Your Table is Oval
6 of 6 If Your Table Is Oval

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

The Best Thanksgiving Setting for Your Table Shape
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.