DIY Fall Centerpiece Tips for Your Dining Table

One of the best ways to decorate a table for fall in your kitchen or dining room is by creating a beautiful fall centerpiece to display in the center of your table.

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In reality, a simple fall centerpiece may be the only fall decor that you need in the entire room!

You can always go with a simple floral centerpiece, but a creative, well-crafted one will not only serve as fall decor and set the mood in the room, you’ll also be able to use it on your Thanksgiving table when that holiday arrives.

With that in mind, here are practical centerpiece tips for your inspiration and to help you create a beautiful and personalized display for an amazing fall table.

Start with a Focal Point

Every great table centerpiece begins with a focal point.

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A focal point might be a large pumpkin, a striking vase filled with fall stems or even an arrangement of candle holders.

When determining the focal point, take the size and shape of your table into consideration:

• On a longer table, multiple smaller focal points might work better than one large one.
• Limiting it to one more prominent piece might look best on a round or square table.

No matter what you choose, you’ll want to use something striking that draws your eye right to the centerpiece.

Incorporate Seasonal Colors and Textures Or….

When creating a fall centerpiece, consider choosing a color scheme that complements the rest of your seasonal decor. 

If you need some ideas, HERE’S a list of 12 great color schemes for fall.

Since fall is all about rich, warm colors and textures you might consider using a mix of deep reds, oranges, and golds alongside natural elements like dried leaves, berries, or pinecones.

Or you might do what I did and take the approach of coordinating the colors that I used for fall around the rest of my home that year in my centerpiece.

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By selecting colors that echoed the other fall decor that I had added around the house, it created a cohesive look as you traveled from room to room.

Incorporate different types of texture as well. The juxtaposition of smooth ceramics combined with the rough texture of natural elements creates tension – in a good way.

Layer the Elements

One of the more common mistakes that I see is a table runner with a line of different fall elements, marching down the middle of a table, all in straight single file.

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Your arrangement will have much more charm and be more visually appealing if you layer the elements within it. Start with the focal point(s) and build around it.

Some ways you can do this:

• To add depth, stagger the placement of individual items – bring some forward and move others toward the back.
• Instead of using candles that are all the same size, use some that are taller or shorter than others.
• Incorporate small items such as bowls, pinecones, votive candles, small gourds, and mini pumpkins into a centerpiece that includes a tall vase of floral stems.
• Use small plates or a stack of books to elevate shorter items.
• Instead of individual small items, corral them into a tray for more impact.

Balance Symmetry and Asymmetry

My centerpiece is an asymmetrical one, but if you examine it, you’ll see that there’s actually symmetry mixed within the centerpiece as a whole.

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The symmetry comes from the intentional placement of color. Blue and white items are placed at both ends of the arrangement.

The asymmetry comes from the mix of elements that are used and the way that they are arranged.

The result is a fall centerpiece that is casual enough for everyday, but dressy enough for Thanksgiving dinner.

How Large Should A Centerpiece Be?

When it comes to centerpieces, size matters. The size of the table, that is.

A centerpiece that is too large can overwhelm a table. Conversely, one that is too small will get lost and fail to make much of an impact. 

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With rectangular shaped tables, you’ll need a centerpiece that is about one-third of the table’s length.

• On a 60″ – 72″ long table: the centerpiece should be 20″ – 24″ long and 8″ – 12″ inches wide.
• On a 96″ – 108″ long table: the centerpiece should be 32″ – 36″ long and 12″ – 18″ wide.

On square or round tables, you need to be concerned about the diameter of the overall centerpiece, which should take up roughly one-third of the table’s surface.

• On a 40″ – 42″ round or square table: the centerpiece should be 12″ – 16″ in diameter.
• On a 54″ – 60″ round or square table: the centerpiece should be 18″ – 24″ in diameter.

Following these size guidelines will keep the arrangement proportional and leave plenty of room for comfortable dining.

A Few More Tips

If your centerpiece will be used when dining, be sure to keep the height in check so that it doesn’t obstruct conversation between guests at the table.

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Sometimes the smallest details can make a big impacts. For example, the narrow ribbon tied around the white pumpkin in my centerpiece was the perfect little accent that tied the whole look together.

Elevate the look of your fall centerpiece by painting pumpkins with spray paint a custom color to go with the rest of a fall tablescape. Or – one of my favorite fall crafts is to customize them by decoupaging them with pretty napkins. 

Have fun by adding something a little unexpected to your centerpiece. No one associates artichokes with fall decor, but its eye-catching greenery brings an element of surprise and adds personality.  

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If the main focal point of your centerpiece consists of a floral spray or a simple bouquet of fall foliage, dress it up by adding elements like decorative candle holders, a ribbon around the vase, or mini pumpkins, apples, or berries scattered around.