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Moody, Spooky or Rustic: Chic Autumn Tablescapes for Anyone

This post is all about chic autumnal-inspired tablescapes. 

Whether your autumn style is of the likes of dark academia, cozy cottage-core, a touch of bohemian or just plain spooky, autumn is such a fun time to refresh your home decor!  

Look on to read our top ways to decorate your table with these moody, spooky, and rustic autumn tablescape ideas! 

Chic Autumn Tablescapes

Fall Leaves and Branches as Decor

While it may be the most obvious suggestion, adding autumn leaves, branches and other types of fall foliage is incredibly seasonally appropriate, effortlessly beautiful, and easy to achieve. Forage outside for fallen branches and colored leaves for an extraordinary, natural centerpiece. During the colorful fall season, bringing the outside in is a great way to celebrate the beauty of the changing season.

DIY Driftwood Centerpiece

If you happen to live by the ocean or a lake, adding driftwood to your table centerpiece is another way to bring the outside in. Foraging the beach for naturally smooth wooden branches that have washed up the shore is a great autumn activity. Consider adding succulents, flowers or candles between the branches for a bohemian touch. Utilizing your natural landscape into your tablescape is a great way to create a unique table setting.

Autumn’s Bounty as Decor

While pumpkins are the more obvious choice for autumnal decor, there are many other seasonally appropriate autumnal produce to use as tablescape decor. Autumn-harvested produce crops like pears, figs, squash, artichokes, grapes, pomegranates, and apples would each make for a beautiful centerpiece, as does citrus decor. Beautiful and functional, a consumable table centerpiece is very practical, easy to replicate, and often made from elements you may already have on hand in the kitchen.

Sunflowers and Cheerful Autumnal Florals

Cheerful yellow and orange flowers are classics for autumnal bouquets, making sunflowers the perfect autumn flower. Sunflowers are also best in bloom during the Autumn months of September and October. The oranges and reds in these flowers will match the colorful changing leaves and are a bright, cheerful addition to any autumn centerpiece.

Dark, Moody Florals

Flowers like amaranthus, dahlias, or other moody flowers with deep hues are perfect for an autumnal tablescape centerpiece. Summer’s end and fall’s beginning is the time for inviting richer colors like dark burgundies and deep purples into your arrangements. While cheery yellow and orange flowers are classics for autumnal bouquets, deep, moody florals can also exude a chic nod to spookier autumnal aesthetics.

Black Candle Tapers

Swapping out traditional white candle tapers for black ones is an effortless way to switch up your dining table. Whether you’re decorating for Halloween or simply appreciate a moodier autumn style such as dark academia, swapping out white candle tapers for black ones can be incredibly elegant. The moody candles add an allure of mystery and a creepy effect to your table.

Vintage Silver or Brass Candlestick Holders

Candles are imperative to every tablescape, but are especially important to autumnal ones. Candles add romantic light to your dinner space. Pair candles with vintage candlestick holders in either silver or brass for added character and warmth to your tablescape. You can source these from antique or vintage shops, or even your grandmother’s cupboards. Vintage candlestick holders or candelabras will add touches of charm to your fall decor.  

Antique Autumnal-Themed Plates and China

Nothing feels more special and considered than decorative plates with seasonally themed motifs. Gathering seasonal china to use during certain seasons like autumn feel special and sentimental. Consider thrifting or sourcing plates with seasonally-themed motifs like autumn leaves or pumpkins for your autumnal tablescape. They’ll be something that year after year you look forward to bringing back out.   

Stick to One Moody Color

One way to make a bold statement with your autumn table decor is to stick with one bold color. Preferably in a moody scheme, using one autumnal color instead of an entire color palette will feel instantly chic. Burgundy, forest green, navy or black would be beautiful options. Chosing table linens, glassware, plates and flowers all in the same color but various shades would feel cohesive and stately. 

Plaid Patterns

Plaid patterened linens in traditionally autumnal colors like browns and tans and greens would be lovely for a fall table setting. Use plaid in tablecloths, table runners napkins and charger plates. Plaid patterns in fall colors fit well if you like cozy farmhouse aeshetics.

Skulls and other Halloween Decorations

As it is spooky season afterall, halloween decorations definitively have a place within autumnal decor. However, while one should be careful not to go too over the top, adding in skulls or other traditional halloween decorations in tasteful ways can be a fun nod to the spooky halloween season. Think about adding small halloween-inspired decorations to your tablescape. 

Candy Corn

Candy corn, the most traditional a halloween candy with it’s bright orange and yellow colors is the perfect candy to use a decor on your autumn table. Simply sprinkle around the table or fill hurricane vases and tiny jars with candy corn for a seasonal and sweet tablescape. This is a perfectly elegant halloween-inspired table decoration.

Spooky Victorian Elements

If you dare to go for a dark gothic vibe, consider using Victorian antiques to add interest to your table. Items like Victorian portraits, glassware, or other antique, victorian elements fit perfectly into a creepy Halloween-inspired table decor. Other Victorian-inspired elements like ravens, quills, or vintage books feel like you’re been transported into an Edgar Allan Poe poem.

Antique Apothecary Elements

Like Victorian elements, antique apothecary details can also add dark, moody fall vibes. Think glass cloches, test tubes, and small glass bottles filled with potions. Apothecary elements like these are perfectly suited for dark academia-inspired autumn decor. To recreate an apothecary look, source antique vessels and jars, and add in dried flowers, dried moss, feathers or other oddities that you can find for a creepy effect.

Farmhouse or Cottage-Core Elements

Nods to farmhouse or cottage-core aesthetics feel very aligned with autumn. Cottage-core, the aesthetic style that celebrates simple, agricultural living in the countryside also pairs perfectly with an autumnal theme. When you think of autumn, traditional farming scenes of scarecrows and the yearly harvest come to mind. Elements like harvest vegetables and burlap details are great to use for this autumn theme. Incorporating elements of cottage-core to your tablescape will create a cozy, rustic vibe. 

Boho Autumn Table

If a bohemian autumn style is your preferred taste, then adding in boho elements to your tablescape is a great idea. Many boho elements like feathers, crochet, pampas grass and other natural elements go well with autumn decor. Pair pumpkins with bohemian, natural elements for a boho modern look.

Black Velvet Ribbons

Especially if you like a simple, elegant autumnal style, black velvet ribbons are an lovely accessory to add to your autumn table decor. Tie ribbons around candlesticks, to use as napkin holders, or simply string them loosely around bundles of greenery and flowers.

Sterling Silver Antique Vessels as Vases

Antique silver vases or cups make for great table centerpieces vessels. It’s time to get out your heirloom silver and give it a good shine! Even if the silver has tarnished, the quality of antique sterling silver can easily be incorporated into antique, victorian design. Paired with a rustic bouquet, the look feel very autumnal. 

Amber Glassware

Colored glasses have made a splash as of late in table settings. Amber colored glasses in particular are perfect for an autumnal tablescape as it add warmth and a vintage touch. Vintage amber bottles can even be used as vases and even unique candlestick holders.

Celebrate the arrival of autumn with a quick refresh of your table decor. Whether you’re hosting a spring dinner party or just needing a fresh everyday table setting, we hope you bring these tablescape ideas from this article into your home. Try out these autumn tablescape ideas at your next gathering!

THIS POST SHOWED YOU Chic Autumn Tablescapes for Anyone

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