How you choose to set and adorn your table will set the mood in your dining room or kitchen this fall. When selecting the elements that will transform an everyday table into one you’ll want to show off, it’s helpful to start with something you know you want to use, such as the family silver or a few favorite serving pieces, and let that be your guide as you consider the basic categories: dinnerware, glassware, flatware, linens and decorative elements.
Dinnerware
The plates and serving dishes you choose will help set the overall tone for your table. The pieces need not match. What is important is that everything has a harmonious style and palette. In the autumn, consider dinnerware in rich fall colors, like brown, russet and crimson, and botanical prints that suggest the bounty of the harvest. Chargers and other pieces in copper add extra pizzazz to the table. However, you can also start with plain white dinner plates—a good choice for both elegant and casual settings—and accessorize the rest of the table with autumnal accents if you prefer. Unmatched serving pieces that complement your dishes and tableware can add warmth and charm to the dining table.
Glassware
Well-chosen glassware, even if fairly plain, lends sparkle and richness to a table setting. Simple, clear stemware is always an appropriate choice for either a formal or casual meal. Whether you are serving cocktails in pretty tumblers or hot cider in glass teacups, the basic principle remains the same: Be consistent, assembling glasses of similar quality and style for a given beverage. Even an inexpensive set of glasses can bring a table setting together, because its matching shapes and sizes create a sense of uniformity. For the most part, avoid colored stemware, which can mask or clash with the color of wines and other beverages.
Flatware
Mixing and matching flatware adds a touch of homey charm to the autumn table, especially if you have an eclectic collection of vintage flatware. Good-quality stainless-steel flatware goes with virtually any setting, from modern and informal to traditional and elegant. Look for heavy pieces with thick handles. If you have a set of family silver, don’t be afraid to pull it out and use it now.
Linens
Your choice of linens, including the decision not to use a tablecloth, can define the look of the entire table. For most autumn settings, linens made of high-quality cotton or linen in neutral hues, such as cream or muted shades or orange, brown and red, are an excellent choice. A long runner, laid over the bare tabletop or the tablecloth, in a similar or complementary fabric, is an easy way to dress up a casual dining surface. You can also add color and interest to each place setting by folding or tying the napkin and incorporating a decorative element, such as a spray of foliage or autumn leaf. Your tablecloth and napkins do not need to match, but their style and colors should complement each other. For casual settings, be creative with a variety of colored napkins that fit your overall style.
Decorative Elements
More so than in any other season, you should let nature be your inspiration when dressing up your table. A thin vine twisting down the table, pine cones arranged artfully in small baskets, or a few small bouquets of dried flowers tied with raffia or twine are all simple and inexpensive options for celebrating the season on your table. You might also arrange persimmons, miniature apples, pears or other seasonal produce in a decorative glass dish or bowl. Cut sprays of colorful autumnal foliage and insert the cut ends between the fruit. For larger dining tables, consider arranging pumpkins and squashes on a decorative platter and tuck branches with autumnal berries beneath them. Fill out the arrangement with coordinating foliage and berries, keeping it airy to allow elements of the platter to show through. Whatever you do, however, keep in mind that a few decorative elements go a long way. Keep the setting clean and understated, and avoid the temptation to fill the table to the brim with too many items.