32 Beautiful Thanksgiving Color Palettes to Liven Up Your Tablescape
Go for fall classics, or try an unexpected new pairing.
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Thanksgiving decorating often revolves around the classic fall color palette of oranges, reds, and browns. But if you’re feeling limited by the seasonal color selection, we have good news: there are no rules! Just like how Christmas is given red and green, and Easter owns pastels, there aren’t any mandates that those hues are what you have to use. Thanksgiving color palette possibilities are endless.
If the fall palette doesn’t coordinate with your favorite tableware, or you’re just looking to switch things up this year, we have you covered. Use the holiday as an opportunity to be unique and think outside the box for your tablescape. White and terracotta offer a more neutral approach, while bold greens and floral prints lend themselves to more maximalist design sensibilities. We love jewel tones as a moody fall color option to elevate the dinner table with rich hues.
Every Thanksgiving is deserving of a perfectly set table, so take inspiration from the 32 Thanksgiving color palette options below. After all, it's the gathering, not the food, that's most important. Why not think beyond the fall foliage this year when choosing your plates and linens?
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All Green Everything
Beyond the stunning fuschia orchids, every piece of this tablescape is green. From the fabulous cabbage plates to the botanical-print napkins, this table ensures you'll get your serving of greens even if they aren't on your plate. We especially love the lack of a tablecloth which gives the whole space a laid-back feel.
Red and Gold
Look ahead to the impending Christmas holiday with your Thanksgiving color palette this year. The red evokes feelings of coziness while the gilded accents offer an elevated take on traditional stemware. Contrast with plenty of glass pieces and white plate options.
Plum and Yellow
Look to the color wheel for perfect Thanksgiving color complements this year. This tablescape is decked out in plum-like purples and glistening golds, looking positively regal. Don't be afraid to mix metal finishes for a truly eclectic aesthetic.
Related Story: What Are Complementary Colors? Here's How to Use Them Like a Pro
Sunshine Yellow
November days are notoriously grey and dreary, so brighten your Thanksgiving gathering with a cheerful tablescape. Yarrow branches are a perfect in-season botanical, adding a bright contrast to the white plates and accents on your table. Ground the whole Thanksgiving color palette with pops of brown or green.
Purple and Blue
Add a bohemian flair to your Thanksgiving table by foregoing all traditional autumnal hues in favor of the moodier purples and blues. This tablescape from textile brand St. Frank's collaboration with Food52 showcases the hues paired with copper drinking glasses and amber vases for added warmth.
Beige and Green
Bring a bit of earthiness to your Thanksgiving table by using fresh, green apples and faux green pumpkins as a centerpiece amongst light beige glassware and placemats. By lightening your Thanksgiving color palette, you can also lighten the mood.
Auburn and Gingham
Opt for a dramatic display by using a geometrically patterned tablecloth. Choose an accent color that can tie into both your linens and the fall season to make it feel autumnal. We recommend keeping the plates simple to let the food shine.
Autumnal Florals
Known for his kitschy approach to tablescapes, John Derian's collaboration with Target is the ideal Thanksgiving color palette for cottagecore lovers. Pairing pastels with richer jewel tones creates contrast between the (mostly) orange and brown foods.
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. Incorporating elements of brown keeps 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 Thanksgiving color palette 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 2022 Kingston Design Connection Showhouse.
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.
Kate McGregor is the former Digital Editor at House Beautiful, where she wrote countless stories on home renovation costs, design inspiration, and plant care. After years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often inspire people’s spaces. She previously worked as the Assistant Market Editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers on their thoughts on the latest interior design trends. Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
