As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches, we are constantly reminded to consider what we are grateful for. Family, friends, pets, jobs and more are all central pieces of who we are, but it can be easy to forget about the space that makes many of these things possible—our home! To truly get in the Thanksgiving feeling, decorate your home in the spirit of the holiday and bring life into the space where you gather in community with loved ones.

Here, we are going to share simple yet effective thanksgiving decoration ideas and fall harvest decor options that will create an immersive experience of the holiday and the fall season as a whole.

Create an Immersive Experience

When it comes to decorating for Thanksgiving or fall in general, you might be tempted to decorate your living room and dining table and then call it a day. However, these decorating techniques tend to leave your home feeling incomplete. To develop the best decorating experience, you have to incorporate the decorations into your entire home. This doesn’t mean you need to spend hours decorating and blow your holiday budget. Concentrate on high-impact areas throughout your home, like the front porch and entryway, mantle, and your coffee table or other accent tables. Welcoming lanterns and battery-operated candles make an easy and impactful statement. Do not forget the powder room. You can add a friendly gnome, mini glass pumpkin or scarecrow to welcome guests. By scattering the decor across your entire home, you diffuse the Thanksgiving feeling throughout the entire space, and will be sure to feel the holiday spirit.

Capitalize on Colors

Colors are the most effective method to spread Thanksgiving cheer into your home, but it’s important to diversify the colors instead of utilizing just one. Looking for inspiration? Here are some of our favorites:

• Shades of red like maroon, crimson and ruby are a timeless favorite when it comes to fall and Thanksgiving decor.
• Orange is another classic color for Thanksgiving home decor, both in its bold and copper-like tones. This color works well with other warm shades to emphasize the cozy and crisp feelings of the season.
• Brown tones integrated through pinecones, twigs, wreathes or cornucopias bring a neutral tone that balances the bright tones that are usually associated with these seasons and work to mellow the otherwise bold decorations.
• Surprisingly, rich blues are a great option to offset bright colors and allow the warmer colors to pop, which highlights the decorations that you love.

Tasteful Tablescapes

Centerpieces and full tablescapes are one of the most popular forms of Thanksgiving decorations, and allow unique pieces to be incorporated seamlessly into your decor. Although these are mostly seen on dining and kitchen tables, they can be tastefully woven into occasional and side tables throughout your home. You can use similar pieces on each table to create cohesion throughout the decor as well. Although there are many different items that can be incorporated into a tablescape, some of the most common and versatile are listed below.

• Pumpkins and gourds are some of the best fall decor items and for good reason. They bring in beautiful shades of fall color and are known to bring feelings of the season into any space. Faux pumpkins and other types of gourds come in many colors and sizes, so there is a lot of freedom when it comes to utilizing them in decoration! Choose from glass, ceramic and other decorative pumpkins to create different looks throughout your home.
• Corn cobs, real or faux, are available in a variety of fall-friendly colors, and can be used similarly to pumpkins and gourds to create a seasonal tablescape.
• Berries are part of the fall harvest and can be added to your tablescape and other fall décor displays. An unexpected but pleasing trend is to add blueberries to contrast traditional warm color pallets that are associated with autumn.
• New faux dried florals and grasses have a very realistic look, and you can add accent color or stick with a mostly neutral arrangement. Some ideas include papas grass, eucalyptus in a variety of colors, bittersweet and Chinese lanterns. Sunflowers are available in a variety of sizes and always an easy go-to for fall displays, adding a bold focal point.
• Candles bring color into Thanksgiving home decor, and also add fun fall scents into any space. These are great to weave into decor as larger items to offset smaller pieces and are an easy way to add specific colors that might otherwise be hard to find.

Once you’ve gathered your fall items, try experimenting with different groupings and arrangements until you are happy with your centerpiece and tablescape. One idea for a larger table display is to build a tablescape using a fall decorated wreath as the center. Add candles or lantern(s), pumpkins, gourds and berries to bring in different colors and textures, and fill out the display.

Pleasing Patterns

Patterns can be incorporated seamlessly throughout your home and allow you to decorate more than just tabletops. Some of the most popular fall patterns for Thanksgiving are plaid, autumnal florals and fall foliage. These can be utilized in made shades, such as the fall patterns mentioned earlier, or even black and white tones to offset other bright decorations. When looking for where to integrate these patterns, try adding fun placemats or napkins to a table, or even looking at finding tasteful wall art that emphasizes these themes.

When it comes to Thanksgiving decorating ideas, there is really no wrong option to choose. The most important aspect is to find decorations you enjoy that can allow you to transform your space into something you love. Blending both real and faux elements will allow for optimal colors and textures and create a space perfect not only for Thanksgiving but for the remainder of the fall season.

Want more fall home inspiration and activity ideas? Read on:

Warm Up Your Space with Fall Decor

Fall Bucket List

DIY Fall Wreath