November serves as the perfect bridge between the warm tones reminiscent of harvest time and fall festivals and the almost austere beauty of a snowy pine forest or a frozen lake. With so many gathering with loved ones for Thanksgiving during this transition, the opportunity to decorate with both autumn and winter in mind is perfect. As you decorate for Thanksgiving this year, consider these five suggestions to get started.

The Perfect Palette

While most people will be thinking about their taste buds this holiday, it is important to consider another palette as you decorate for Thanksgiving. The colors you use will invoke a specific atmosphere—what feeling do you want to convey? A traditional and cozy Thanksgiving color palette will include burnt oranges, muted golds, brick reds, and rich browns. More contemporary décor often utilizes a lot of white and pops of bright oranges, greens, browns, and even purples.

The way you choose to incorporate these color schemes are entirely up to you. We’ll discuss a few impermanent options, but you may also choose to decorate for Thanksgiving with a splash of paint. Do you have an accent wall you like to keep current? Changing the color of the front door may tie together a porch display. Maybe you’ve always wanted a faux brick wall, and the imminent threat of company is the best excuse to finally make it happen.

Add Texture

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate bounty and abundance. One way to communicate that is to mix and match different textures in your décor. Display a combination of linens, fleeces, and wools anywhere from blankets draped on the couch to napkins on people’s plates. Woven placemats or chargers in burnished bronze are also a nice touch. 

Texture doesn’t have to just apply to tactile senses. The colors and patterns you use to decorate for Thanksgiving can create the same sense of variety. Consider serving trays and dishes of interesting shapes or with unique patterns. Plaids (especially when paired with wood) are reminiscent of both autumn and winter and can really bridge that gap.

Light It Up

Light is one of your most versatile tools as you decorate for Thanksgiving. It can be used in a strictly utilitarian way just so people can see their mashed potatoes better, or you can use it to amplify the season’s natural coziness. Lamps or lanterns which give off a yellow light will help the room feel warmer without touching the thermostat, and strings of white lights will hint at the holiday to come.

Candles are the most versatile option of all. They come in all shapes and sizes and scents. White tea lights will accent any color scheme, while colored candles can integrate seamlessly into your decorations. Have a lighting display with white candles of different heights or use brass candlesticks for added coziness, or put some LEDs under a vintage grater for rustic appeal.

Don’t Forgo the Foliage

It may be argued that you can’t decorate for Thanksgiving without leaves, pumpkins, and wheat. These do not have to be collected from the local park or your backyard. In fact, faux flora from the local craft store is less likely to include insects or sap. However, if you really want an authentic look, be sure to thoroughly clean or disinfect nature’s offerings before adding them to your table. 

The sky’s the limit when it comes to using foliage as décor. Wreaths are common, and they range from bare twigs to pinecones to maple leaves to pine boughs. A wreath is a great way to play with different textures and colors, using ribbon, berries, and even signage. If you have an aversion to circles, you may choose to wrap your stair banister or other railings with greenery instead.

While you can sprinkle countertops, mantles, and especially the dining room table with leaves, acorns, and berries, you can also keep such elements contained. Fill the bottom of vases with them, or make a display of them using mason jars or decorative bowls. If you have access to a cloche, put an artistic branch or spring of wheat on display. 

While we love seeing brilliantly-colored leaves, sunflowers, and wheat used in fall decoration, no Thanksgiving décor is really complete without pumpkins. Real or made of styrofoam, felt, or concrete, pumpkins can be used to decorate for Thanksgiving in many ways. Use a gutted pumpkin as a vase or an ice bucket for creative flair. Let them stand on their own or paint them with chalk paint to match the color palette.

Decorate for Thanksgiving Your Way

There are thousands of suggestions for how to decorate for Thanksgiving, including incorporating door greeting plaques, pillows, and even real food. The key is to make the process your own. Find the colors, textures, themes, and elements that make you feel grateful and ready to embrace the season of thanksgiving.