These are the days where summer is slowly fading into fall, and I consider it a second spring of sorts, because we’ll always use color. I’m the forever reluctant fall decorator and thought I’d share a few easy tips for melding the two seasons in tablescape form today! The cheater’s guide to an easy fall {summer?!} tablescape! Hint: This isn’t your grandma’s table, so let’s leave stressing over proper fork placement in 1956, where it belongs.
{psssst: Check out all our details for this space here!}
1. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: Think in Terms of Diverse Layers
I’ll explain more of this below, but bring in layers with various colors, fabrics and more for the table. It helps to have a little color in various ways, from table runners, to napkins, paint, chargers and more. The more varied and interesting it is, the more inviting and fun it can feel. Start with a good base, and build on what you love!
2. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: Say Goodbye to Matchy-Matchy.
I have ten places at this massive table. That was on purpose when we were planning out this outdoor space, so that we could have plenty of space to entertain. So all those little place settings for your table, they don’t have to match. In fact, some of the more interesting pieces will happen when they’re diversified or mismatched, and pieced together. {This is where the fun layering bit from above comes in.}
Take this table layout, for instance.
1. I included six {I think I lost count?} different types of plates, and then alternated the layers.
2. I paired three together on one place setting, and the next seat, I alternated. I did the same with glasses. And basically unified the two with napkins and glasses and bowls, just varying as I went.
The key is repetition, so that it looks intentional. You can have the same look by finding subtle similarities in the things that you use, and unifying them. It helps to keep the vibe fun and easy going, layered and interesting.
3. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive:
Best advice I was given right before we got married? Don’t register for fine china. So I didn’t.
In the south, I may as well have told everyone I don’t like sweet tea, and slapped a grandma. People weren’t sure what to do with me, even though I registered for practical things. Which makes me sound like an ingrate, because I really was just grateful people were so sweet and concerned. But really. They didn’t know what to do with me when I didn’t register for that fine china. And I ended up with a lot of heavy crystal, instead.
Which I exchanged for my every day plates.
Which I still have.
It’s something I’ve never regretted. I do love collecting fun plates and glasses and napkins galore, for photoshoots and entertaining. I have plenty to work with. But if I’d been stuck with fine china, I can guarantee you I would have never used it, and then felt terribly guilty about that fact. It would also be collecting dust in a china cabinet right now. So there’s that.
All of the finds you see here, every single one has been collected over time. They’re all from Target, Amazon and Walmart. I think there’s something about mixing them up, that gives them that custom look.
These are all fun affordable pieces that really bring a table to life. Layered together brings a richer meaning to the word community than the matching fine china that would still be collecting dust. They also make for good stories when people ask where I got them, since most of them are actually paired with a ridiculous adventure or two.
It’s just a different way of looking at it, but something to consider. Take the pressure off and have fun.
4. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: Centerpieces Can be Practical:
Grocery store flowers! We’ve said it a million times. These are so great! In the spring, you’ll find them paired with fresh cuttings from our own property. Each year I’m a haphazard gardener, and pull from the beautiful roses in our yard, and the zinnia seeds that I love to plant. And that’s it. They make for lush additions when you add greenery, and even the tulips can be fun. Trader Joe’s and Publix + Fresh Market for the win.
We also love bringing in some of our metallic fairytale pumpkins, which last right through to thanksgiving. I’m not sad about it.
Check out a post here where we shared 1 bouquet 5 ways: we love how fun it all was – but it shows some diverse and easy ideas with none other than grocery store flowers. It’s all in the presentation, y’all. We believe in treating yoself around the home, and this is the fastest way to brighten up your spirits with some fresh flowers. You have my permission to be extra.
5. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: When it Comes to Fall Flowers, Go Fake!
You can totally mix in the fake with the real, and no one will know. NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW. Trust me. Especially when it comes to the great outdoors.
See them in full display in our front porch here… yes you are seeing a recurring theme when it comes to guilt-free, easy peasy
6. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: Just Because it’s Fall, Doesn’t Mean it Has to Be Neutral.
Clearly, we don’t do neutral. Fall is the second coming of all things color, and you may as well embrace it. The lines are blurred here as summer tends to bleed into the early days of fall, so combine a whole array of fun to make it all feel celebratory. This is the last hurrah before everything gets a little dreary, to be honest… so enjoy it while you can and celebrate with color. {You know we’ll have more color in the winter, too – it’s how we roll.}
7. Cheater’s Guide to an Easy Fall Tablescape: Have Fun
I feel like this is probably our “suggestion” for everything. But there’s just no point if house stuff stresses you out. We believe in letting your personality shine, and enjoying it all. And when that happens, it gets a little easier. Enjoy the process, and let ideas come naturally. There is no reason to get caught up in those old school rules of proper table settings, because while your grandmother’s table is lovely, it’s also quite exhausting to feel like you’re constantly being judged if the something isn’t in the right position.
Life’s too short to fuss over proper fork placement. Do what you love, and leave the stressful stuff in 1956.
So these are our top tips for an easy peasy tablescape… we hope these got your wheels turning. Don’t let fear or intimidation or traditional {ridiculous} rules hold you back. You’ve totally got this.
Have an inspired day!
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