Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Table Centerpieces

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Today we are styling three Fall Table Centerpieces. I’m sharing my tips and tricks for styling a fabulous fall centerpiece no matter what your style.

After whipping up my no-sew gold polka dot burlap runner, I wanted to add a little fall flare with a centerpiece. Instead of just throwing something on the table and calling it a day, I thought it would be fun to take you with me and share how I go about setting up fall table centerpieces.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Table Centerpieces:

In the past, I’ve just shown you the end result. This time, I wanted to give you a step-by-step guide so you can recreate the look if you’d like. I’m including some tips and tricks about how I style something like this. I’ll also give you suggestions for other things to use in case you don’t have something at your house. That way, no matter what your budget, you should be able to achieve a similar look. Sound good?

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

The picture above is the final result. Pretty, right? But, before we get to that, let’s go back to the beginning.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

To start things off, I like to have a runner or fabric on my table. I think it softens the look and makes a display look more intentional. It’s also a fun way to incorporate color, pattern, and texture. I’m using the burlap runner I made. You can use a new runner from the store or something you have on hand. You can also think outside of the box and try using things around your house. A scarf, a small blanket, or even a dish towel could work here.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Next, you want something to build your centerpiece on. This makes it easy to move everything off the table if the need arises. Trust me, it’s not fun setting up your table display after every meal or moving it around so that you have room to enjoy dinner. I’m using this espresso wood serving board from Pottery Barn. (It’s my new favorite thing!) This is such a great piece and gives me plenty of room for my display. As an alternative, you could use a large cutting board, a big platter, or another type of tray. Even a piece of weathered scrap wood could hold your centerpiece.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

After that, I like to add a collection of similar items. For my centerpiece, I’m using these fabulous purple vases from the Target Threshold Collection. You already know how much I adore the Threshold line, so this was a natural choice. Their fall line is simply stunning – the autumn-inspired colors are so rich. The pieces are always high-quality and oh-so stylish. Anyway, I’m using the purple swirl, rimmed, and bubble vases. When setting up a collection like this, I like to work in odd numbers. I have seven vases here. Again, if you don’t have these, you can use a collection of vases you have on hand. Even different-sized Mason jars would look great. If you have nothing on hand, check your local Goodwill or thrift shop. They seem to always have a huge selection of vases at really great prices.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

With the collection in place, I like to bring in another grouping of the same / similar items. These items should suit the season or theme of your display. For this centerpiece, I choice a bunch of white mini-pumpkins. These bring in a new color, a seasonal feel, and a different texture. If you didn’t want to use mini-pumpkins you might use pinecones, fresh apples, or pears. You could even gather up everyday objects like old wood clothespins or Christmas ornaments for around the holidays. Just keep it seasonally appropriate and all the same.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Next, every good display needs a little bling. I found these amazing brass and acrylic candlesticks on eBay. With a little cleaning and polishing, they are shiny and bright.! A few matching taper candles and I was in business. Lighting these in the evening for a party would add even more sparkle. I also likethe height these candles give the display. Again, you can find reasonably priced candles and candlesticks at your local thrift store or even a superstore. Bling doesn’t have to be a candle, either. Try anything that has a “sparkle” to it.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Last but not least, I like to add in an element from nature. Whether it’s a live plant, cut flowers, or some greenery, some sort of botanical element pulls it all together. For this arrangement, I found this amazing tree at my brother’s house. The leaves were just starting to turn for the season – orange, green, and purple. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Look around your yard for different leaves and branches. If you don’t have a yard, swing by the local florist or greenhouse and see what’s in stock. This final touch gives the entire display life, color, and movement. That’s the goal with a botanical addition.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

And that’s it, my friends!

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Be sure to walk around the entire display and adjust things until it looks good from every angle.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Some other things to remember when you are creating your display: Take your time and have patience. As they say, “you should never judge yourself before you’ve done something ten times.” Move things around until they look good to you. Shop your house for different collections and elements.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

When it comes to design, I’m a firm believer that there is no right or wrong. At the end of the day, if you love it and it makes you happy, that’s all that really matters. Right? It doesn’t really matter what Joe Schmoe from down the street thinks.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

However, use the guides and tools you have to help you in the process. Let them help you figure out what you love and what looks good in your space.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

With all of that out of the way, I thought I’d share two more looks using basically the same set-up. Ready?

More Fall Table Centerpieces Ideas:

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For this , I removed the candlesticks and the leaves.

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I added in some grass (this is the natural element) from a pot in my backyard (I plant this stuff every spring, just so I can cut it in the fall and use it inside. Two for one, baby!) I really like the movement and texture this adds. The little plumes at the top are my favorite!

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For some bling, I added in a gold sphere I had upstairs in my hallway.

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And that’s really it. This look is a little bit more natural and simple. It may even be a tad more elegant.

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Cute, right?

Okay, on to our final look. This one is for my fellow color lovers!

Color-Inspired Fall Table Centerpiece Idea:

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

This time I removed everything except for the purple vases. I even removed one of those to give me a little more room.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

I decided that orange was going to be the theme for my similar items. I added in some mini-pumpkins, orange striped paper straws, and pumpkin spice Hershey Kisses (These are also doubling as my bling! Who doesn’t love edible bling?)

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Something was missing with just the purple and orange. – I felt it needed another color, so I added a white cake stand and white cut-out vase. With my house (I think it’s the white molding.), white seems to work everywhere. That’s why I have a lot of white pieces on hand. They just have a way of working with everything.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

Finally, for the natural element, I added in several sprigs of bittersweet. This really amped up the color and gave the whole display life and movement.

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

I hope my tips and tricks were helpful and gave you a little insight into how I do things. Be brave and have fun when decorating your space. Throw a little patience in the mix and you’ll be good to go!

Tips for Styling the Perfect Fall Centerpiece | Inspired by Charm #31daysofhome

A big thanks to my friends at Target and Pottery Barn for letting me use a few of their products to style my dining room table. For more information about Target’s fabulous Threshold Home line, click here. You can find the vases I used here, here, and here.

You can find the stunning espresso wood serving board from Pottery Barn here. I am obsessed with it. While you’re there, be sure to check out the rest of their fall line. They’re gorgeous!

So, I’m dying to know which of these displays you like best? Let me know in the comments below.

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40 Comments

  1. I LOVE bursts of color! That last centerpiece is definitely my fave!
    The orange and purple are fabulous together, and the white adds a great balance.
    I’m throwing a dinner party next week and found your blog thru Pinterest. I’ll be borrowing some of your tips for my autumn centerpiece for sure. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!!

  2. I LOVE the orange touches for fall, the little pumpkins, bittersweet (a definite fall favorite), and those orange and white straws were the perfect touch.

    Great job guiding us through “doable” but lovely centerpieces!

  3. Thank you for such a practical, inspiring post. The step by step explanation very helpful. I love all three looks, but the last is my favorite. I’m a sucker for bittersweet in the fall. Pairing it with the purple is a really pretty contrast.

  4. Those centerpieces are GORGEOUS! I think the first is my favorite, because I am so obsessed with those vintage brass and lucite candlesticks! (What exactly is your address? I may or may not be planning a little Oceans 11esque mission to “acquire” them for myself…) I will definitely keep my eyes open for some similar ones 🙂

    Awesome job! Thank you for sharing!

  5. This was actually super helpful for me! I have a tendency to throw random things together then give it the evil eye every time I walk by. I happen to like the big shot of gold with the orb thingy in the second set-up the best. But they’re all fantastic!

  6. Those three centre piece displays are lovely. Thank you so much for the break down. I tried a little centre piece display at home but I didn’t love it and just gave up. You have inspired me to try it again with some clever things around my house! Thanks for the tips, loving the 31 days of home.

    1. Yay! So glad to hear you are going to give it another try. And I’m thrilled you are loving 31 Days of Home. It’s been an awesome challenge for me.

      xo Michael

  7. All three versions are gorgeous so it’s hard to pick a favorite. I always find it difficult to create a balanced centerpiece, so thanks for sharing your great tips and tricks with us. Can’t wait to get home and start on my centerpiece!

  8. I love the last one because I love bittersweet and it looks wonderful on the table. I never noticed the little little silver balls on the light fixture and I love that idea. I have a pewter light fixture and I am going to try to hang something for Christmas. I know you have a cat, I have two, and I can’t leave a runner or a tablecloth on our dining table because the cats like to jump up and almost pulled my tablecloth and centerpiece off the table. Do you want two more cats – only kidding.

    1. Hahaha. I can just see your kitties doing that. Mine is obsessed with laying on this runner, but he doesn’t really bother anything else. Plus the display is heavy enough that it shouldn’t go anywhere. I hope!

      xo Michael

  9. All of the versions are beautiful, but my hands-down fave is the one with the leaves that are just turning. The colors are stunning!! Thanks for always inspiring me to try new looks.

  10. You never cease to amaze me! All three “versions” are beautiful! I love the step by step too…this really breaks it down and makes creating a centerpiece seem so much easier! I always get a little overwhelmed when I try to put one together! I also love the “bling” tip…I’m going to go add some bling to my centerpiece right now!