Setting a FALL TABLE in 8 Easy Steps

So, you have spent like HOURS decorating and setting up you dining room fall table, and it is stunning!! You pat yourself on the back, and pop open the bubbly. Then you’re doorbells rings, and you are ready to.drop.the.mike!! The moment is here!! Setting a Fall Table in 8 Easy Steps

Your best friend strolls in….and…. walks….right….by….. (like she always does) without even a glance over to your fall table.

WHAT??!! How did that happen? You worked soooo hard.

I mean….she didn’t even glance! cry-cry, sniff-sniff!! That’s where Setting a Fall Table in 8 Easy Steps comes in to rescue you!!

SETTING A FALL TABLE IN 8 EASY STEPS

I know that you would LOVE your family and friends to ooooh and awe over your gorgeous fall table decoration this year and actually STOP (even better if their draw dropped) to admire your work.

We all want a gorgeous fall table centerpiece to grace our dining room and make an entrance to our home.

But let’s be real here……. we just don’t have the time to get it done right. So, today I am going to show you how to set a Fall Table in 8 Easy Steps.

***As a bonus*** I will also show you how to change out the “decor” so you can replace certain pieces with serving dishes – WOOHOO!!

So not only can you have a beautiful table set up right now, all you’ll have to do is wave your magic wand & POOF you will be ready to host a dinner!!

Let’s get this party started 😉 …. shall we??!!

SETTING A FALL TABLE IN 8 EASY STEPS

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

If you want to explore informal and formal place settings at a greater length click here. This is a great website!

It has everything you need to know about flatware, serveware, glassware, etiquette, manners and more. You can always pin it and go back to review it a later time.

Since we are hitting the decorating portion of table setting today, I just wanted you to have something to refer to….. when it is time to set up for your actual holiday dinner!!

SETTING A FALL TABLE IN 8 EASY STEPS

SUPPLIES FOR 6-8 GUESTS:

1) CORE SUPPLIES

6-8 gold chargers
6-8 dinner plates (mix & match)
6-8 bowls (mix & match)
6-8 napkins
cake stand
buffalo check runner (not pictured – see below)
6-8 placemats (not pictured – see below)

***TIP*** I used a blue and white theme, but use whatever colors you want (just keep the core supplies in TWO colors).

2) ACCENT SUPPLIES

2 glass hurricanes
2 white pillar candles
2 glass jar candles
2 bling votive candle holders
2 candle votives
2 milk glass flower holders
2 white flowers
3 white sized pumpkins

***TIP***Use whatever accent color you like (just keep the accent supplies all in ONE color palette).

3) TEXTURE SUPPLIES

large textured orange pumpkin
small pumpkin
2 natural beaded garland strands
assorted pinecones
assorted acorns in orange & gold

***TIP*** These are all in the WARM color palette – orange, brown, natural, and gold tones.

This keeps the blue and white from looking too cold and stark.

…….and the show stopper. The one final addition that MAKES the entire table come to life!! It is THE final accessory must-have.

Here are the 8 Steps for Setting a Fall Table

STEP 1: Runner + Placemats

Put your table runner in the center of the table (longways) and place your 6-8 placemats down.

My table setting has 6, just because I don’t have my leaves in.

For a table setting of 8, everything will work the same.

Simply add 2 extra placemats to the sides so that you will have 3 and 3 on each side.

***NOTE*** I only use 4 placemats on my setting so that more of my buffalo check runner would stand out. It is just my personal preference.

When using the setting for function, I would add my other 2 placemats at the ends.

STEP 2: Chargers

Add your 6-8 gold chargers.

The gold picks up the WARM tones in my TEXTURE supplies.

This will make a big difference to your overall color palette.

So whatever colors you choose, just make sure your chargers and texture go together.

STEP 3: Dishes

Now you can add your 6-8 dishes/plates.

I used 4 salad plates (on sides), and 2 dinner plates (on ends)…..just for the decorating purposes only!!

I always like a little CHAOS to my method – lol!! and the smaller salad plates allow for more of the gold charger to show.

If you are using the setting for function, you would use all dinner plates.

STEP 4: Napkins + Side Bowls

Add your 6-8 napkins and lie on all of your plates at a diagonal.

Then place 4 (or 6) bowls to the side settings.

The bowls on the end settings will be different.

As noted in the article I linked above, the napkin on the plate is an option for a formal place setting.

You can also add the napkin to the side of the plate if you want.

I like the diagonal position on top of the plate because it adds movement to an otherwise “clean lines” table setting.

STEP 5: Cake Plate + End Bowls

Next add in your cake plate to the center (or just left of the center) and your 2 end bowls.

I have the cake plate in the center here on the picture to the right so you can see it easier.

I like things a LITTLE funky, so I moved it to the left so that the flowers could stand out more (see step 8).

I also mixed the bowls up so that it isn’t so matchy-matchy.

TOP VIEW:

***TIP*** When mixing a lot of different patterns, keep the colors the same using different sizes/scales.

I have used blue and white: buffalo check (runner), polka dot (side bowls), large medallions (placemats), small geometrics (napkins), and stripes (end bowls).