Modern Thanksgiving Table Decorating Ideas

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48 Simple Thanksgiving Centerpieces to Dress up Your Dining Table

Easy decoration ideas that'll make it a feast to remember.

Brian Woodcock

Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, the biggest meal of the year. And while you may be more concerned about what you're putting on your plate (the turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, for starters), you shouldn't forget about decorating the table itself. Hear us out: With the right place cards, tablecloths and Thanksgiving centerpieces, you can easily elevate your dining room, so that it feels fit for such a special occasion.

No matter if you prefer subdued or maximalist table settings, we've got you covered with plenty of easy and affordable centerpieces that are guaranteed to fit in with the rest of your Thanksgiving decorations. Some of the foliage and flower-focused centerpieces are versatile enough to work for any fall celebration, but there are also several ideas that highlight what the November holiday is known for: gobbling turkeys, beautiful cornucopias, wheat stalks and lots of dried corn. Even the most elegant ones on this list are super simple to DIY — just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather all of your supplies before the Turkey Day madness hits.

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Maize Vase Centerpiece

Dress up a plain glass vase with the season's finest. Paint the dried cobs in metallic colors, then attach them to the vase's exterior with raffia in a similar hue. Moments before your guests arrive, fill the vase with fresh flowers, berries and greens.

SHOP ARTIFICIAL CORN

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Woodsy Centerpiece

Here's a beautiful way to bring the outdoors in. Place a log on a bed of moss, then decorate it with a mix of lush greenery and fresh flowers.

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Pumpkin Pots Centerpiece

If you have a long table, line it with a medley of mini pumpkins instead of going with a single statement. After carving the mini pumpkins like normal, cut off the bottom of water bottles and slide them right inside to act as vases.

RELATED: The Best No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas

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Vibrant Floral Centerpiece

Your garden's bounty will really pop against a sea of plaid. Arrange a colorful assortment of daisies, chrysanthemums and peonies to play up the vibrant hues in your other table linens and decor.

RELATED: Fall Flowers That Are in Season Right Now

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Minimalist Centerpiece

Silver dollar eucalyptus and white candles (both real and battery-operated) give off a refined look. Plus, you can re-use them together or separately at Christmas, New Year's Eve, anytime.

SHOP EUCALYPTUS GARLAND

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Crimson Floral Centerpiece

Go bold with an arrangement of crimson-colored flowers that are sure to pop against a textured table runner.

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Pumpkin Vase Centerpiece

Put your blooms center stage by hiding a water-filled vase inside a hollow pumpkin. Punch it up by adding shiny gold tacks along the ridges.

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Outdoor Thanksgiving Centerpiece

If you're lucky enough to be celebrating Thanksgiving outdoors this year, take full advantage of what nature has to offer. For your centerpiece, add foliage in tall vases and a chic lantern for warmth.

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Wheat Stalk Centerpiece

Tie colored string around dried wheat bundles and place them inside glass cloches for an elevated centerpiece. After your Thanksgiving party wraps, replace the wheat with pine needles, red berries or pine cones.

SHOP CLOCHE DOMES

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Red Floral Centerpiece

With this striking arrangement of dahlias, roses and ranunculus, the cranberry sauce won't be the most colorful part of your Thanksgiving spread. Place all of them in a colored ceramic vase for added dimension.

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White Pumpkin Tray Centerpiece

Love nothing more than a minimalist look? Corral a selection of small white pumpkins for an adorable Thanksgiving table setup.

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Paper Flower-Filled Cornucopia

Whether you DIY or buy them premade, crepe flowers will last way longer than any grocery-store bouquet. Poke the stems into a floral foam-filled basket for a centerpiece-worthy cornucopia.

SHOP CREPE FLOWERS

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Vibrant Orange Centerpiece

When in doubt, lean on flowers in autumnal hues. Incorporate berry branches to make even more of a statement.

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Bowl of Thanks Centerpiece

Start off the celebration by asking family members to write down what they're grateful for on paper leaves. Once everyone's finished, stick them inside a bowl of pears to remind your dinner guests what the holiday is really about.

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Pumpkin and Faux Flower Centerpiece

Apply faux flowers to an orange pumpkin to create an eye-catching table centerpiece. Finish the design with small pumpkin vases filled with the same flowers.

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Punched Votives Centerpiece

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Wheat Stalk Centerpiece

When it comes to Thanksgiving decor, wheat stalks are a popular choice. Take yours to the next level by setting them on a pile of leaves straight from your yard. Add pumpkins and tea lights for more visual interest.

Get the tutorial at Dear Lillie »

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Tiered Centerpiece

Perfect for those with a time crunch, simply display an assortment of mini pumpkins and pears on a tiered serving tray. Weave in patterned placemats and fun silverware to make your holiday table stand out.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised »

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Gourd and Pinecone Centerpiece

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Edible Centerpiece

Proof that you can have your centerpiece ... and eat it, too. Once the festivities wrap up, you can turn the pears, oranges, pumpkins and pomegranates into post-turkey bites.

Get the tutorial at The Faux Martha »

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Color-Wrapped Wheat Centerpiece

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Green and Copper Thanksgiving Centerpiece

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Mossy Pumpkin Centerpiece

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Painted Pumpkin Centerpiece

Complement energetic paisley table linens with a creative succulent centerpiece. Just paint your carved pumpkin white and fill it with the succulents of your choice.

Get the tutorial at A Night Owl Blog »

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Classic Wheat Centerpiece

Store stalks of wheat upright in cylinder vases by layering the bottom with sugar or sand. For a rustic touch, place them on trays filled with almonds or walnuts.

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Acorn and Berry Centerpiece

Combine old and new with this Thanksgiving-ready centerpiece. Fill pewter or china pitchers you have stashed away in the attic with foliage from your backyard.

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Vintage Bottles Centerpiece

Scour your local flea market for blue and amber glass vessels. Fill some with flowers or herbs — leftover sage from the kitchen fits the theme — and use the smaller ones as place cards.

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Antique Box Centerpiece

Pack a whitewashed wooden box with fresh flowers for the holiday festivities. Once the party ends, replace 'em with artificial blooms and keep it out year-round.

See more at Little Vintage Nest »

Amanda Garrity Associate Lifestyle Editor As the Associate Lifestyle Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, Amanda oversees gift guides and covers home, holidays, food, and other lifestyle news.

Monique Valeris Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers decorating ideas, home tours, gift guides and more.

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