Think beyond orange pumpkins and leaves for your Thanksgiving decorations this year!

With Thanksgiving this week, many of us are in full-scale dinner-planning mode. Along with menu coordination comes table arrangements. I’m a firm believer that holiday tablescapes can take a nontraditional route. I think the holidays should be what you want them to be, and if that means blue and white for Thanksgiving and pink and green for Christmas, I say go for it! I’m all about eclectic holiday decor.

White pumpkins appear to be all the rage this year, and I’m digging it. They’re fresh, modern and monochromatic, but still festive. I’m loving this pairing of white pumpkins, candles and dishware with a chic, subtle play of patterns in the linens.

Personalize your pumpkin decor with stick-on embellishments. For the dinner table, I would take this same idea and apply initials to small gourds for seating assignments (and easy party favors – who doesn’t like a cute takeaway?). The striped tablecloth and splash of green enliven the look.

Try an alternative to natural pumpkin colors: Spray-paint pumpkins and gourds to your heart’s content! Bring these elements to the dinner table with simple white plates, wine glasses and a few candles.

Contemporary Dining Room by FOCAL POINT STYLING

Et voila! This tablescape takes on a neutral look, with gold and patterned accents.

Z Gallerie

Antique Mercury Pumpkins – $39.95

Not the DIY type? Buy pre-foiled pumpkin accessories to effortlessly glam up any table.

Transitional Dining Room by greige/Fluegge Interior Design, Inc.

You can’t go wrong with greenery. Plants of any kind, whether it’s a bouquet or potted, will enliven any tablescape.

Amazon

Succulents In Rectangular Wound Rope Pot – $24

Succulents are a (nearly) fool-proof go-to plant for those lacking a green thumb, but they are more than just an easy-to-keep-alive plant. They’re plump, bright and highly textural, which brings a whole new dimension to table settings. Use a single collection of them as a centerpiece …

VivaTerra

VivaTerra – VivaTerra – Succulent Cube Garden (set of 3) – $79

… or scatter a few small bursts of succulents along the table. Another nice feature of these durable plants is that you’ll have them long after the party’s over!

Traditional Bedroom by Sutton Suzuki Architects

It’s not a tablescape, but you can take inspiration from this beautiful vignette. The flower arrangement provides a delectable mix of colors and textures, but the sculpture and sketch bring in additional layers that could easily translate to a Thanksgiving table.

More ideas for fall floral arrangements

Contemporary Dining Room by Taylor Lombardo Architects

This table has a wonderfully warm mix of glass, florals and textiles.

The pattern of this tablecloth is offset by the solid blue plates. Matching napkins with coordinating rings and simple flowers makes this a beautiful — yet approachable and comfortable — holiday table dressed to impress and to have fun.

Like succulents, natural accessories, like branches, are appropriate decor for all kinds of parties (or daily life)! When the party’s over, move the centerpiece to a console table or bookcase. If you eventually tire of its look, reinvent it with a coat of paint.

Modern Dining Room by Dufner Heighes Inc

Tall branches with the occasional bud make a sweet but profound centerpiece.

Clayton Gray Home

Willow Tabletop Decoration Coffee Table Centerpiece – $75

For a small table, one of these will get the conversation started. For a larger table, cluster a few in the center, or spread them out.

Blooms & Branches

Exotic Grapewood – $19.35

A sculptural element is not only eye candy, but also a conversation-starter. Real or faux, branches (or branch-like accessories) give a table depth and excitement. While it makes a statement all it’s own, it also plays well with others; combine it with a pared down look (white table cloth, tea lights, simple napkins) or dress it up with patterns and colors.