A Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape for Your Apartment

Are you hosting Thanksgiving at your home for the first time this year? Or do you simply need some inspiration about how to make your Thanksgiving table look festive this holiday season? Look no further, because I’ve created a simple Thanksgiving tablescape to share with you and get you ready to say gobble, gobble! When you live in a small space, it’s helpful to use the surfaces of large pieces of furniture that already exist in your home to decorate for the holidays. One prime example: your dining table top. Fill up your kitchen countertops, a bar area or a temporary pop-up card table with platters and bowls of food so that you’ve got plenty of space on your dining table to decorate… and eat, of course! This year, I chose to spruce up my dining table in a simple but festive way.

            I started off the tablescape with a burlap runner that I picked up on clearance at a retail store. I love this runner’s texture and natural color! Runners are typically less expensive and easier to manage than a full tablecloth, which is why I prefer them. If you don’t own a runner, simply gather and fold a scrap of fabric (you can sew the edges if you’re fancy like that!) and drape across your table for a simple faux runner.

Next, I layered my every day plates (no need to break out the fine china if you don’t want to!) to set each place setting. Individual place mats or chargers are beautiful, but I didn’t have the space to use those sometimes bulky pieces. Instead, I created a faux charger look by simply layering the small and large plates. Once they’re filled with food, who cares what they look like, right?! I also added a striped napkin, a DIY name card that I made on my computer and either a pinecone (from my yard = free!) or a small pumpkin.

I dressed up the center of my table with some festive-colored candlesticks, flowers in a mason jar and my great-grandmother’s Thanksgiving turkey gravy boat. Isn’t it precious?! You could also fill up bowls or vases with pumpkins, pinecones, acorns, leaves or other fall items. The possibilities are endless! In an apartment or rental home dwelling lifestyle, it’s important to try to use what space you’ve got. And if you’ve got a table top, these easy ideas can help you create a beautiful space to celebrate your Thanksgiving dinner this year!