A Cozy Autumn Dinner Table
Fall is my favourite season. I love the chilly evenings that call for cozy meals and welcoming spaces that make friends and family feel right at home. Today I’m going to show you that decorating a table for fall doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive!
Welcome, or welcome back! Today I’m back sharing my autumn tablescape along with 14 other incredibly talented table decor loving content creators! I was sorry to have missed our last collaboration organized by the lovely Rita from Panoply, but I was busy with my daughter’s Beautiful June Wedding!
You will find the links to all the fall tablescape inspiration you will need at the end of this post, so grab your favourite beverage and settle in!
How to decorate a cozy dinner table
As I mentioned, decorating your dinner table for autumn need not be completed or fussy. It’s as easy as layering textures, seasonal colours and patterns.
Choose a Theme
I always begin with a general theme in mind. After a record breaking hot summer I am so ready to embrace all the calming elements of the fall. Soft amber, orange, and rust shades of the of fall. paired with natural textures are so cozy and warm.
With my theme in mind, I shop my house to see what I already have that would work with my vision. I am all about using what you already own! Yes, I have accumulated a lot of things over the years, but whenever I purchase something for a table I always think about how often I will use the item, and whether it could be used elsewhere in my decor during the season.
Sometimes I dream up a theme, but when I realize it would cost too much to pull off, I head back to the drawing board and work with what I already have.
As it turns out, the only purchase for this table were the four little hand carved pumpkins that sit atop each place setting. They were only $5 each, and will easily be used throughout the house during the fall season.
Textures and Layers create Cozy Fall Dinner Table Decor
I absolutely love these chunky knit place mats. Technically they are a new, as I hadn’t used them yet, but have had them for a while. They provide a lovely natural textured backdrop to the layered plate stack without the need for a table cloth.
The natural jute placemats anchor the wood pumpkins, helping to create a cohesive look.
Pro Tip!
Whenever I’m out and about I look for things that are on sale, especially end of season sales, thrift stores or antique markets, to add one or two things to my”stash”. I picked up these place mats at HomeSense many months ago, knowing I wouldn’t use them for a while, but couldn’t pass up the price!
Creating Your Plate Stack
When building your place setting, consider mixing and matching patterns, textures and colours. Having a simple set of every day white dinner plates provides a great jumping off point that goes with really any season or colour combination.
This plate stack combines different colours, textures and patterns. Dark brown wood charger plates, that I have had for years, are topped with my favourite every day white dinner plates. Creamy faux crackle melamine salad plates are the top plate in the stack. Both the crackle pattern and aged edges of the salad plate visually add additional texture.
A plaid napkin in all the wonderful colours of fall rest over the plates, and is topped with a wood pumpkin for a simple nod to the season. I love these napkins as they are right at home both on this warm fall table as they were on this pink and gold autumn tablescape.
My everyday copper flatware with their textured handles, and amber water glasses round out each place setting.
Simple Centrepiece Idea
When I was at the market this weekend, I really didn’t find any fresh flowers that I loved enough to purchase for a centrepiece. Instead I simply used two large faux maple leaf stems that I lined up in the centre of the table to create a runner.
Still wanting a fresh element on the table, I went out into the yard and snipped a few branches from my miniature Japanese maple tree. I plunked them into a stone pitcher and called it a day! I love the frilly edges of the leaves.
The key to a good centrepiece is making sure it doesn’t block the site line between dinner guests. I always sit down at the table quickly to make sure I can easily see across the table.
The only other things I added to the table were 2 simple brass candle sticks with green tapers. I love candlelight at dinner, no matter what the season or occasion!
Leaving Space
One thing I have learned along the way when styling dinner table decor is that less is sometimes more. There were times when I thought I needed to jam so many things in to get my theme across. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to things like Halloween table decor I do go all out. But, honestly a table that has a place for the eye to rest is far more calming and inviting than too much visual clutter!
Leaving space for serving dishes just makes sense, especially if you don’t have a buffet or serving table to place extra dishes.
And there you have it! My vision of a warm and inviting table for fall.
I believe that at the heart of autumn is slowing down and connecting with loved ones. And decorating a table for fall is such a simple way to bring that cozy feeling to the people you love the most. It doesn’t have to cost much or feel complicated. Something as simple as snipping some fall branches from the yard. Or, adding some candles, hint of seasonal colour, and mixing and matching plates to add that warm welcome!
Why not try one or two of these ideas this week and see how warm and inviting they make your table feel? And don’t forget to subscribe to the Red Cottage Chronicles newsletter for more seasonal inspiration straight to your inbox.
Continue below for links to all the seasonal tablescape ideas!
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Be sure to check out all these lovely tablescape ideas for fall!
Panoply – Shuffling Seasons with an Early Fall Tablescape
Home is Where the Boat Is – Woodland Friends and Harvest Plaid
Everyday Living – The Colorful Bliss of Autumn
Hyacinths for the Soul – On the Cusp of Autumn
Celebrating Everyday Life – Welcome Fall with a Cozy & Elegant Tablescape
My Thrift Store Addiction – Curated Charm Autumn Breakfast Table
The Bookish Dilettante – Welcome Fall with Neutral and Yellow
Thrifting Wonderland – Thrifting for a Welcome Fall Tablescape
The Cat’s Whiskerz – Hydrangeas, Sunflowers, and Pumpkins for a Fall Tablescape
Dinner at Eight – Leaves of Green – and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze
Life and Linda – An Enchanted Fall Faerie Tablescape
Me and My Captain – Another Fall…Another Turned Page…in New Mexico
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – A Little Taste of Fall Tablescape
Mantel and Table – An Intimate Al Fresco Tablescape: Cozy & Beautiful Fall Dining
Maureen, your maple branches are lovely and the rustic carved pumpkins are perfect for the season! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Maureen, I love the chunky knit placemats that provide texture to your plate stack. The plaid napkins with their autumn colors are perfect to highlight the wood pumpkins. Lining the table with the faux maple stems and then adding a few branches from your Japanese maple made for a lovely centerpiece! It all combines for a charming table!
It is always a pleasure to visit your tables…Happy Autumn
We indeed missed you last hop, but a June wedding sounds more exciting! I know it was a beautiful occasion. Congratulations to your daughter!
I do think most of us consider autumn our favorite season. Like you, the warm colors inspire me. Your beautiful plaid napkins certainly do just that!
Lovely table, Maureen. Happy Autumn!
Oh your little pumpkins are darling, Maureen – completely worth buying for this season and years to come! I love the copper and the beautiful pinky peach of your glassware, and your napkins tie it all together perfectly! I think you found just the right balance of natural, restful, and cozy! Lovely, my friend! Happy Fall!
Maureen, your welcome to fall table is lovely from the darling pumpkins to the warm cozy feel of this table. The chunky knit placemats are wonderful with your plaid napkin, your Japanese Maple branches look so pretty with the maple leaves.
always a pleasure hopping along with you.
Love the warm texture your placemats add to your fall table Maureen! They’re perfectly paired with your wood pumpkins. Your copper flatware, chargers and amber goblets all add a warm glow. Love the lacy leaves and texture your Japanese Maple branches provide as a centerpiece in your pitcher for your table. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you! Happy September!
Maureen, I really like your table – it’s simple but elegant and oh so welcoming. The faux maple leaf branches make a lovely runner and the Japanese Maple branches you clipped make a soft and colorful centerpiece. I love your chunky knit placemats – they are perfect for your place settings and remind me of sweater weather. The crackle salad plates are so cute and the napkins have all the colors of fall. The wooden pumpkins are adorable. The amber goblets and copper flatware each add a wonderful warmth. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful meal at your lovely table. Happy fall!
Maureen, I adore what I consider the centerpiece of this tablescape, and that is the centerpiece! Those frilly branch of the Japanese maple are just beautiful, so wispy. They tie perfectly to the napkins. and the glassware and flatware. The pumpkins are a very natural approach to when orange is just not the right choice. I love how they work with those fabulous placemats. And let’s talk about the plate stack. I would have never guessed melamine. Today’s melamine is certainly not your mother’s or grandmother’s! Those are great. I love the overall moody vibe your table lends in the alfresco setting.
Maureen, thank you so much for joining among the table stylists for this welcoming fall hop. Happy September!
PS for anyone reading this comment, do yourself a favor and go see the link to Maureen’s daughter’s wedding! GORGEOUS!
Maureen, I was glad to see you back for this one!!! Your table is such a cozy welcome to fall. I love the big chunky placemats and the warm plaid napkins. Those maple branches make the perfect centerpiece for your table. I went to look at your wedding post and enjoyed seeing all your special touches. You did a fabulous job with the flowers!!!! The cake was adorable!! Congrats to the newlyweds ❤️I hope you have a wonderful fall season
Maureen, I love the relaxing charm of your fall tablescape! I agree that tablescapes don’t need to be complicated or pricey, but they do need thoughtful pairing of harmonious table items that are both functional and appealing — as you’ve shown here. The textures you’ve used attract the eye and the sense of touch, and the colors in the leaves and especially the napkins add a bit of the unexpected. I know you’ll be enjoying this table all season long! And congratulations to your daughter!
Maureen I love your table especially your centerpiece of red maple branches in your stone vase. That immediately drew my attention. The chunky jute place mats and plaid napkins are a perfect compliment to your table, along with the hand carved pumpkins and at 5.00 each, what a bargain that can be used all Fall season. Have a great and wonderful September.️
Maureen, your dinner table is such a warm and welcoming way to celebrate fall! I love the rich colors and layered details—they make everything feel so inviting. It’s the kind of table that makes you want to linger over good food and even better company. And I love your approach to styling, sometimes less is more! Such a joy to welcome fall with you!