Hi there! I’m Sarah with Dreaming Of Homemaking, and I am so happy that I can be part of A Blissful Nest’s Holiday Dream Team! I have been asked by so many how I put together my simple fall tablescape and if they can just buy one. Today I wanted to show you how easy it is, and that you can do this with just a few materials in a short time. Just remember when getting your supplies, do what fits in your budget and what matches your style. I hope that you can take this tutorial and not only use it for fall, but to apply it to other seasons! So now let’s get started, and help give you some inspiration for your tablescape.
Quick Glance
- You only need four core materials to build a beautiful fall centerpiece: a table runner, greenery, florals or branches, and a main display piece like pumpkins.
- Layering is the secret. Start with your runner, then greenery, then florals, then your focal pieces. Each layer adds depth and dimension.
- Faux pumpkins and dried botanicals mean you build this once and enjoy it for the entire fall season without anything wilting or rotting.
- Budget matters, and stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and small shops on Etsy or Instagram carry beautiful pieces at very different price points.
- The best tablescape is one your family can actually live with. If you use your table every night for dinner, keep the centerpiece narrow enough to move easily.
- You don’t have to stop at fall. This exact layering method works for every season when you swap out the florals and colors.
How to Make a Simple Fall Tablescape:
Materials Needed:
- Greenery
There are so many types of greenery that will compliment your simple tablescape for whatever season you choose. In this Photo I chose eucalyptus, lambs ear, and a mix of lambs ear and eucalyptus all from Hobby Lobby.
- Florals/Branches
In this tablescape I used cream tallow berry branches from Purple Rose Home and dried lotus pods from Hobby Lobby.
- Main Display
I chose faux pumpkins from Michaels for my main focus for this tablescape, it really depends on how big your table is to decide how many works for you.
- Table Runner
For this display I wanted to have different dimensions so I used two types of burlap table runner and cut it to size. I also used a wooden runner from The Simply Inspired Shop to give some added depth with the white wood tones. You can always do your display right on your table, but for mine I didn’t want it to blend in.
Now let’s begin putting your tablescape together!
Directions:
Step 1: Make sure to have a clean blank slate
Step 2: Lay your table runner down
Step 3: Start with your first layer of greenery
Step 4: Continue Layering your greenery then add in your florals and stems
Step 5: Now it’s time to put in your final pieces
Step 6: Your tablescape is now complete
Things to Know
- Faux and dried botanicals are the smarter choice for a fall centerpiece you plan to display for weeks. Fresh greenery wilts within days, and fresh flowers can drop petals onto your table runner and stain it.
- The wooden runner layer is optional, but it solves a specific problem: if your table surface is a similar tone to your greenery, everything blurs together. Adding a contrasting runner layer gives the botanicals something to pop against.
- Hobby Lobby and Michaels both run frequent coupons, often 40% to 50% off a single item. If you’re buying multiple pieces, stagger your shopping trips or stack app coupons to keep your total cost down.
- Asymmetry is your friend. Placing your pumpkins slightly off-center and letting your greenery spill unevenly over the runner edges looks far more natural and intentional than a perfectly symmetrical arrangement.
- If you have young kids or pets, skip the dried lotus pods and tallow berry branches as your low-level pieces. Position anything fragile or small toward the center and higher up so curious hands and tails don’t knock things loose mid-dinner.
- This entire method scales up or down based on table size. For a small dining table or a kitchen island, cut your runner shorter and work with one statement pumpkin instead of three. The layering logic stays exactly the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to start a simple fall tablescape if I’ve never done one before?
Start with your table runner, then build upward in layers: greenery first, florals second, focal pieces like pumpkins last. Keeping your first attempt simple with a few greenery varieties and one pumpkin makes the arrangement easier to balance without looking cluttered.
Where can I buy supplies for a fall tablescape on a budget?
Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Target are the most accessible starting points, especially when you use their weekly coupons or app discounts. Look for sales on faux pumpkins, greenery, dried botanicals, and other seasonal pieces to create a beautiful tablescape for less.
How do I keep my fall tablescape from looking cluttered or overdone?
Stick to a tight color palette of two or three tones, and leave intentional negative space in your arrangement so the eye has somewhere to rest. Using a few coordinated colors and leaving gaps between pieces helps your centerpiece feel balanced rather than crowded.
Can I use this same tablescape setup for Thanksgiving dinner when I need the full table for food?
Yes, and the easiest solution is to shift the entire centerpiece to a sideboard or console table during the meal, then return it to the dining table afterward. You can also keep a smaller arrangement centered on the table and serve food from a separate surface.
How long will a fall tablescape made with faux and dried materials last?
A tablescape built with faux pumpkins and dried botanicals like eucalyptus, lotus pods, and tallow berry branches can last the entire fall season, roughly September through late November, without any maintenance. Keep dried materials away from direct sunlight to help preserve their color, then store faux pieces carefully for future seasons.
Now that you finished your tablescape, you can add your place settings to complete the look! I know for my family we use our table nightly for dinner, so this has been the perfect setting that’s not overwhelming and easy to move if needed. I hope that this tutorial will show you how something so simple can look beautiful completed. For another tutorial similar to this you may want to check out this post HERE on A Blissful Nest . Thank you so much for checking out this post, it’s been great to be able to share how to DIY a simple tablescape! Let me know how you plan to use these tips below, and for what season! Make sure to come visit me on my blog Dreaming Of Homemaking!
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