Simple Fall-Inspired Table Setting

It’s hard to believe that Fall is upon us.

We start transitioning from the Summer outdoor vibe and begin to nestle into the cozy feeling of Fall.

I want to share with you a simple Fall-inspired table setting that you can recreate easily, and without spending much money. The DIY projects are super easy and cost very little to make.

It’s all about the colors and textures on this Fall tablescape.

Fall table setting with view from above.

The greens and oranges, along with the metallic gold of the utensils and metallic rust of the candle holders give the table that warm Autumn feel.

Distant view of Fall table setting using green and orange colors on the table.

And the best thing about this table setting is the space available to put your food dishes.

How to Recreate this Fall Table Setting Look

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First: Decide on Your Theme Colors

When you are creating an Autumn-inspired tablescape, decide on the colors for your table. Autumn is associated with reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. They are warm colors that exude a sense of calm.

I took my inspiration for this Fall table from the changing of the leaves. They start green and transition to yellow and orange.

Fall table setting with green fleece placemats and orange napkin holders.

In essence, this table reflects the changing colors of a tree. The table and runner are brown, representing a tree trunk and branches. The placemats and candles are the green of the leaves that haven’t started changing color. And the leaf napkin holders and orange candles represent the changing-colored leaves.

What colors would you use for a Fall Tablescape?

Second: Determine Your Fall Tablescape’s Centerpiece

Your dining table’s centerpiece is the focus of the table. It is the first thing your guest will look at, and it will set the tone for the tablescape.

Are you wanting a centerpiece that screams Fall or one that is subtle? Do you want your Autumn centerpiece to have a lot of components to it, or do you prefer a centerpiece that is very simple?

I wanted my table setting to be simple, yet obviously, Fall focused.

For the Fall tablescape centerpiece, I opted to run a strip of 5” wide burlap garland down the center of the table. Then over the burlap garland, I added a piece of ½” wide orange fleece (from the diy napkin rings).

View of white plate with green salad plate and orange leaf napkin ring. Pointing at taper candle.

Fall-Table setting. Row-of-green and orange candles

I finished the centerpiece by adding five of my DIY tall candle holders (they are super simple to make!) with alternating green and orange taper candles. I also alternated the height of the candles to inject some dimension and interest toward the centerpiece.

Fall table setting with row of green and orange candles as a centerpiece.

It is so simple yet screams Fall. I love it!

Third: Create the Place Settings Focused on Fall

Your place setting includes not only your dishes and utensils but everything under and on them, too.

Are you using a tablecloth for your Fall table setting, or are you creating a tablescape on your bare dining room table?

Are you thinking of using plate chargers, or placemats?

How formal/informal is your dinner?

These are all factors when planning your place setting.

For this Fall tablescape, I wanted something informal and cozy feeling. Which is why I chose to go with placemats.

Placemats tend to naturally have an informal feeling about them. And them making them out of fleece, you can’t get a more cozy feeling! I mean, fleece makes you think of warm, cuddly, soft blankets.

These diy placemats were so easy and fun to make. You can whip them out in no time! Bonus – no sewing!!

Once the fleece placemats were on the table, I added a simple white dinner plate and then added a matching green salad plate on top.

Fall place setting with green fleece placemat, white plate, and orange fleece napkin ring.

To continue with the cozy feeling of the table setting, I made simple orange felt napkin rings in the shape of leaves. (Another no-sew diy project!) The orange matched the candles that were used in the centerpiece, which also helps to tie the look of the tablescape together.

Orange fleece napkin ring with white napkin

I then folded and rolled a napkin to fit into the napkin ring, in such a way that the leaf was the primary focus, not the napkin.

The Fall place setting was completed with gold-colored utensils and clear wine glasses that had a leaf pattern.

Fall place setting with green placemat and orange napkin ring.

Two fall-inspired place settings using green and orange.

Fourth: Add Table Decorations

At this point, you have the centerpiece and place settings completed on your table, and now is the time to add any additional table decorations.

You might add place card holders, flowers, or embellishments around the table.

Since I was creating a cozy, simple Autumn table setting, I opted to not add any other table décor.

Fall table setting with green placemats, orange napkin ring and candles as the centerpiece.

Fall tablescape with green placemats, orange napkin ring and candles down the middle.

Actually, I tried a few things. I tried adding a flower arrangement, a garland of leaves to the centerpiece, and even a wine carafe. But I didn’t like how any of them looked. They took away from the look I was wanting to achieve.

Which is a great point. Sometimes simple is best, and you don’t need to do anything more.

I hope this helps you create a Fall-inspired table setting that you love.