Southern Living
Holidays & Occasions
Thanksgiving
30 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire

30 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire

By Jorie Nicole McDonald

Updated October 28, 2016

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Thanksgiving is centered around food—let the meal really shine by setting a beautiful, festive table. Avoid common setting mishaps like centerpieces that block conversations or place cards that lead to confusion. We’ve gathered our favorite Thanksgiving decorating ideas to make your holiday prep a cinch. Once you’ve planned an occasion-worthy Thanksgiving menu (and splurge-worthy desserts, of course), set a spectacular table to coordinate with your fabulous menu. From creative centerpieces and clever finishing touches to functional kids’ table ideas and sophisticated settings, this collection of decorating ideas is guaranteed to inspire your home this holiday. The only thing more impressive than the decor will be the turkey.

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Corn Garland

Credit: Southern Living

Make a festive garland out of decorative dried corn to hang from the front door to welcome guests on Thanksgiving Day.

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Pumpkin Topiary

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Boost curb appeal by piling pumpkins on the porch. To make the topiaries, buy flat-topped pumpkins with short stems for easy stacking. Pots planted with flowering kale complete the look.

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Cotton Stem Wreath

Credit: Southern Living

A no-fuss cotton stem wreath will add a festive touch to your home all season long.

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Fall Leaf Paper Bag Luminaries

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Light up your Turkey Day lunch with a trail of celebratory paper bag luminaries.

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Pumpkin-and Gourd-Wreath

Credit: Helen Norman

To make the pumpkin-and-gourd wreath, first cover a 20-inch foam form with sheet moss, using a glue gun to hold the moss in place. loop a 3-inch-wide burlap ribbon over the wreath to create a hanger long enough so it can reach the top of the door and allow the wreath to hang at eye level. insert wooden florist picks into the bottoms of pumpkins and gourds, and hot- glue the connection to secure. once the glue has cooled, stick pumpkins and gourds into the wreath. fill in with more moss, using a glue gun. to hang the wreath, secure the burlap ribbon with an upholstery tack hammered into the top edge of the door.

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No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin

Credit: Southern Living

No-carve pumpkins are the ideal Thanksgiving decoration for a table centerpiece, mantle, or front porch. To get the look, apply seasonal leaves with craft glue to white pumpkin.

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Pinecone Hanger

Credit: Pinterest/Inspiring Pretty

All you need is burlap, wire, and pinecones to create this gorgeous Thanksgiving adornment.

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Succulent Vase

Credit: Alison Miksch

For this all-natural look, SL craft guru Buffy Hargett Miller started with a gray-green pumpkin. Pick one with an indented top, because the first step will be to add potting soil to fill in the hollow around the pumpkin's stem. Moisten the soil; then plant various succulents, starting with larger ones like echeverias. Create a lush look and round out the arrangement by filling in any bare spots with smaller succulents.

We like Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix ($10.90; amazon.com). Moisten soil before planting.

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Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

In just three easy steps you can create this gorgeous pumpkin flower centerpiece that’s perfect for the center of your Turkey Day tablescape.

See the full instructions here.

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Chalkboard Message

Credit: Pinterest/Lolly Jane

Handwrite a meaningful message of thanks to your Turkey Day guests this year.

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Flower Pumpkins

Credit: Helen Norman

Upgrade your basic pumpkins with fall blooms. This easy DIY project will add a beautifully soft touch to your Thanksgiving décor.

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Fall Pumpkin Tableau

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Gourds of different size, texture, and color make this seasonal tableau the ideal foyer statement piece.

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Pumpkin Votives

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Step up your fall entreating game by displaying glowing pumpkin votives. Float them in water or arrange them on the dining table for a festive Thanksgiving decoration.

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Statement Gold Pieces

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Grab a few larger-than-life golden fixtures at your local craft store, and paint them a uniform shade of glamorous, warm gold.

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Tasteful Menu Display

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Thanksgiving revolves around food—spend a little extra prep time on displaying the menu. Guests will love knowing what delicious dishes they’ll be eating in advance.

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Photo Place Cards

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Instead of written place cards, show your family’s personality with individually framed name cards at each place setting.

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Fresh Cotton

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

For a simple statement-worthy centerpiece, add a few sprigs of freshly cut cotton to extra vases and scatter them around your home for a unified decoration.

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Natural Elements

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Bundle together key elements of fall’s bounty (like dried corn stalks) with a festive ribbon, and use them as an organic centerpiece on your dining room table.

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Draped Decor

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Tasia Malakasis

Adding the napkin to the stack of plates adds another level of detail and intricacy to this sophisticated setting.

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Well-Placed Pumpkin

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Here’s what to do with your leftover, un-carved pumpkins from Halloween: Insert them into a wide-brimmed container, line with moss, and use as a seasonal centerpiece.

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Creative Kids' Table

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Keep the little ones entertained during the Thanksgiving feast with white paper tablecloths and colored pencils for doodling or challenging each other to tic-tac-toe.

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Build a Bar

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Thanksgiving may be the only holiday on which the bar plays second fiddle to the buffet; still, having a well stocked bar cart is key to any successful Southern celebration.

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Practical Plates

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Collect china with intricate turkeys, and display them on the wall leading up to Thanksgiving, for a practical cottage décor that doubles as dishes for your Thanksgiving gathering.

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Rustic Revival

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Embrace your home's rustic feel. Instead of dressing up your rooms in curtains and cloths, use wooden furniture (in all finishes) to bring a warm, homey vibe.

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Place Cards with Purpose

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Etch your guests' names into simple glassware for impressive name cards that double as party favors.

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Tiny Table Toppers

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

If a centerpiece that blocks conversation is your pet peeve, replace the bulky arrangement with miniature arrangements of your favorite fall flowers.

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Seasonal Centerpieces

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

These festive centerpieces are perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Get the look with heirloom or Cinderella pumpkins and a trip to the local florist. Simply carve the pumpkin out in a vase-shape, and fill with water and flowers.

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Layers of Linens

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

This earthy setting still seems sophisticated, thanks to rustic elements layered with streamlined details. Re-create the look by choosing a three-color scheme and choosing a mixture of modern and natural details.

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Top-Notch To-Go Boxes

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your guests will obviously be leaving your home with a to-go container full of turkey. Dish out your leftovers in style with these personalized to-go boxes.

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Delicate Details

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

These adorable place card markers are a super-simple way to make your Thanksgiving setup stand out. Simply take an acorn, hot glue a ribbon, and cut out a paper name marker.

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30 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire

1 of 30

Corn Garland

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Pumpkin Topiary

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Cotton Stem Wreath

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Fall Leaf Paper Bag Luminaries

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Pumpkin-and Gourd-Wreath

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No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin

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Pinecone Hanger

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Succulent Vase

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Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece

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Chalkboard Message

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Flower Pumpkins

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Fall Pumpkin Tableau

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Pumpkin Votives

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Statement Gold Pieces

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Tasteful Menu Display

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Photo Place Cards

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Fresh Cotton

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Natural Elements

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Draped Decor

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Well-Placed Pumpkin

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Creative Kids' Table

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Build a Bar

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Practical Plates

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Rustic Revival

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Place Cards with Purpose

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Tiny Table Toppers