27 Beautiful Thanksgiving Colors To Liven Up Your Home
Go for fall classics, or try an unexpected new pairing.
Fall decorating often revolves around the classic colors of foliage: reds, oranges, and yellows. Of course, those colors are traditional for a reason (you simply can't go wrong with them!), but what if they don't coordinate with the new place settings you've been itching to use for your Thanksgiving feast? Or what if you just want to shake things up this year and go with a different tablescape idea or floral centerpiece? You don't have to use traditional Thanksgiving colors to create a beautiful table setting. In fact, it's a fun opportunity to get creative and bring a little personality to your home and tabletop.
While orange, yellow, and brown are the traditional hues used to represent the holiday that celebrates gratitude and familial bonds, those aren't your only options when setting the table or decorating around your house. White and terracotta offer a more neutral approach, while bold greens and floral prints lend themselves to more maximalist design sensibilities. When setting your Thanksgiving table, consider what kind of meal you'd like to have. Opt for all-white if you prefer a more formal, fine-dining feel, or use an abundance of color to set the mood for a fun-loving, casual meal.
Whether you plan to cook all day or order take-out, every Thanksgiving meal is worthy of a well-set table. After all, it's the gathering, not the food, that's most important. Why not think outside the fall box this year when choosing your plates and linens? There are Thanksgiving colors to suit minimalists, maximalists, and everyone in between. To spark your inspiration, consider these 27 genius combinations instead. No matter which one you choose, your guests will surely be impressed.
All White Everything
Allow your hard work to shine by highlighting what everyone's there for: the food. An all-white table makes the mouthwatering natural colors of each dish pop and look even more enticing.
Black and White
If all white is a bit too stark for your taste, add in pops of black for a graphic yet minimalist Thanksgiving table. Twine bows and dark pinecones keep the fall spirit without looking too formal.
Burgundy, Orange, and White
Brighten up the often dreary fall weather by adding an abundance of white to your Thanksgiving colors. By using burgundy and orange as the only accent hues, you have a light and airy table that still feels seasonally appropriate.
Brown and Burgundy
Mimic the fall foliage this Thanksgiving in a naturalistic way. Deep browns and burgundies offer a rich, cozy feel. We recommend using actual fallen leaves to accent your food display, as seen here.
Brown and Orange
Embrace the fall season (and your meal's built-in color palette) with a brown and orange tablescape. Brighten up the hues with white or light-colored plates. Feel free to skip a tablecloth and let a natural wood table show through. It looks beautiful, and you'll have less laundry to take away from your Black Friday shopping time.
Teal and Gray
For a muted color pairing that won't distract from your delicious meal, opt for gray and teal. The combo pairs perfectly with orange pumpkin pie, brown crispy turkey, and even your green salad.
Blue and White
A classic color pairing for a reason, blue and white puts a timeless spin on your Thanksgiving table. Take a note from designer Mark D. Sikes and mix patterns for a dynamic look.
Earthy Neutrals
Go for a naturalistic look with clay cups on a low wooden table without a runner. Incorporate pops of deeply saturated pink, purple, and burnt orange in the form of taper candles and fruit as Creatures of Place did on this dining table in the Kingston Design Connection Showhouse for 2022.
Gray and White
If you prefer a simple tablescape, go with crisp white dinnerware. In this dining room by designer April Tomlin, a white tablecloth embroidered with gray leaves adds detail and complements a stone bowl filled with white flowers in the center.
Bright Blue and Coral
Put a cheerful, summery twist on your Thanksgiving colors by highlighting pops of bright blue and coral as Eddie Ross did in this dining room. A few pumpkins in orange and white enhance the table's autumn feel.
Cherry Red, Tan, and Black
Go for a color combination you can reuse come Christmas: bright red, tan, and black. On this table designed by CB2 and Jessica Turf Design, small bouquets of red flowers and brown pinecones make the table feel full but not overwhelming. Black accents give the setting a moody aura.
White, Yellow, and Pink
Create an airy, bright display by using a white tablecloth with a grid pattern formed by thin red lines. White plates layered on yellow ones add a subtle pop of color, as do the pale pink and caramel-colored taper candles and white and yellow napkins—much of which is featured in Brooke & Lou's current holiday collection.
Pink and Gray
Pink doesn't necessarily spring to mind when you think of Thanksgiving colors. But when paired with gray and white and accented with gold, it's seriously elegant.
See more at Sugar and Charm.
Shades of Pink
For a bolder take on Thanksgiving colors, incorporate various shades of pink with subtle, fall-themed accents. This tablescape by stylist Eddie Ross features loads of pink in the extravagant floral arrangement, drinkware, tablecloth, and candles. The white turkey-shaped candle holder adds a festive touch.
Copper and Gray
Copper works for just about any season, and you can never go wrong with gray. Plus with this palette, you can easily incorporate warm wooden accents. Barely blue thistle keeps the gray from feeling too stark.
See more at Sugar and Charm.
Mixed Jewel Tones
Nothing looks as elegant as a jewel-toned palette. Pull classic fall decor in reds and purples, and pair them with deep blues, greens, and pinks. Want to make it even chicer? Incorporate gold accents.
Blue and Orange
Set the scene for a moody and elegant Thanksgiving by going with a blue and orange color combo. Former House Beautiful style director Robert Rufino draped this table in vintage paisley print fabric and then layered blue patterned plates on top.
Pale Green and Plaid
This color combination leans a little casual, a little fancy. The plaid napkins pick up the pale green and soft neutral colors of the gourds for an understated but lovely display. You can use any plaid and then work one or more of the colors in with other your tableware.
See more at Julie Blanner.
Orange and White
Pair typical Thanksgiving colors like orange with white for a clean and colorful table. Then accent it all with fresh greens. They'll pop even more against the bright palette.
See more at Coco Kelley.
Gold and White
Simple but effective, this combination of all-white dishes with gold flatware and chargers makes for a beautiful, low-key table.
See more at Best Friends for Frosting.
Sienna is a senior editor at Hearst. She lives in California with her husband and two littles.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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