3 min readAdmittedly, Thanksgiving Day is often rather predictable: Every year, you dine with mostly the same people, have identical pre-meal rituals, and know you’re on green bean casserole duty while your aunt will deliver her famous pumpkin pie. If you want to bring some newness to the big feast, consider this your sign to rethink your tablescape this year!
“Thanksgiving is perhaps the most personal occasion we entertain for, and I love a table that reflects that spirit,” says Sebastian Brauer, Crate & Barrel’s senior vice president and head of product design. “It should feel generous, inviting and full of character, with a certain ease that encourages people to linger.”
As someone who thinks about home decor for a living and knows what customers are already purchasing, Brauer and the rest of the Crate & Barrel team shared some of the tablescape trends they’re already seeing below. Their insider “secrets” will help seal your fate as the best host ever and bring your tablescape skills to the next level. Plus, these trends aren’t limited to just Thanksgiving; many of the styled-out looks can be applied throughout the autumnal season! So if you want to throw a dinner party this weekend, set the table with all the pieces you’ll need ahead.
Incorporate Natural Elements
The best arrangements are collected, not composed, which is why Brauer recommends incorporating natural materials, like linen, into your setup. “There’s a wonderful tension between rustic simplicity and refinement that feels as though they’ve been gathered over time,” he says.
He encourages you to start with a beautiful foundation, such as a floral linen tablecloth, and build from there: Experimenting with pattern, material, and scale can tell your table’s unique story. Our tip? Pick some florals or branches from your backyard and plop them into a vase to create a natural centerpiece.
Trade in Yellow and Orange Tones for Cool Blues
Reds, oranges, and yellows might be synonymous with most Thanksgiving spreads, but Brauer encourages you to think outside of the box. He particularly likes the Marin Dinnerware Collection in Crate & Barrel’s new slate hue.
“It has a beautiful artisanal quality, with subtle variations in the glaze that give each piece character,” he says. “The color is a softer, more unexpected alternative to traditional autumnal tones, and it pairs beautifully with natural linens, warm woods and seasonal foliage.” You can also find hints of blue in Crate & Barrel’s table linens and serveware.
Lean Into Botanical Motifs
On a similar note, Brauer gives you his permission to tone it down on the gourds and pumpkins. Florals are not-so-groundbreaking in spring, but they can make a splash on your Thanksgiving table. “I particularly love mixing botanical motifs with solid-colored stoneware, or pairing something rustic with a more delicate, refined detail,” he adds. “That interplay gives a table personality and makes it feel distinctly yours.”
Use Taper Candles
Trends might come and go, but Brauer insists a welcoming vibe is non-negotiable. “The most beautiful tables aren’t necessarily the most elaborate,” he says. “They’re the ones that make people feel something.” Perhaps one of the best ways to do so is with a little bit of mood lighting.
A mix of tapered candles, preferably in varying heights and color palettes, can completely transform the atmosphere. “It’s thoughtfully layered but never overly styled,” he says. Leave room for the food, the conversation and the wonderful spontaneity of gathering.” For the perfect finishing touch, place your tapers somewhere chic like the Genoa Small Candle Holders.
Embrace That Imperfect, Human Touch
We’re going to let you in on a little secret: Your Thanksgiving tablescape doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to make a splash. According to Brauer, people have a heightened appreciation for “craftsmanship, provenance and the human hand in design.”
“In a world where so much feels increasingly polished and uniform, there’s something incredibly appealing about objects that reveal how they were made,” he explains. “The irregular edge of a ceramic plate, the texture of handwoven linen, or the subtle imperfections in mouth-blown glass.”
Brauer’s a fan of Crate & Barrel’s French Wine Glasses, which have a familiar quality to vintage European glassware. “Simple, elegant, and completely timeless,” he says. “Combine something new with glasses you’ve collected or inherited, which makes a setting feel personal.”
