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Studio L Interiors is a Houston-based (and beyond) boutique residential interior design firm. Owner and founder Lauren Simmons is inspired by all of her favorite creative outlets—fashion, architecture, travel, and music—but most of all, she's inspired by her clients' unique tastes and lives.

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Tips

Tips for the Perfect Thanksgiving Tablescape

PSA: Turkey Day is t-minus 22 days away! Before we know it, we will all be gathering with loved ones. Sitting around our dining room tables to platefuls of delicious food and good conversation. But before we start basting the turkey and mashing the potatoes it’s time to talk tablescapes!

Here are a few Thanksgiving tablescape design tips and decor ideas from Studio L that will set the scene for an elegant and joyful Thanksgiving feast!

P.S. All of these looks are shoppable! Click any photo or click here to shop the look!

THE CENTERPIECE

At the heart of every tablescape, lies the centerpiece. A strategically placed and thoughtfully designed focal point, that embodies the plentiful spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday. When it comes to considering how you want to decorate for special occasions such as Thanksgiving, remember this: Your dining room table is where all of the magic will happen! — Good food paired with good company, is where the memories are made. As everyone takes their seats around the table, your centerpiece should fall seamlessly into the backdrop. No one wants a centerpiece that hinders conversation or obscures the views of the person sitting across from you. So when designing your Thanksgiving tablescape this year, keep your centerpiece low. Also, it is helpful to keep in mind when deciding how wide or long your centerpiece should be, you want to leave ample space left to keep serving platters and dishes full of Thanksgiving side in easy access.

TABLECLOTH or TABLE RUNNER?

At the base of every tablescape, lies a tablecloth or table runner. Tablecloths and runners are the first piece you lay out when placing together your Thanksgiving tablescape. Whether used individually or layered together, both tablecloths and runner are an essential factor to consider when designing your Thanksgiving tablescape. But when it comes to selecting to dress your table this year with a tablecloth or runner, do you know which one is right for you?

Tablecloths have always been a staple for special occasions and dinner party decor. Tablecloths are a practical choice when creating an attractive location for eating by camouflaging an otherwise unappealing table. Tablecloths can be used as a added layer of protection to the surface of the table so that it is not accidentally damaged during mealtime. After mealtime (cue the food coma) tablecloths make clean up a breeze! From crumbs to spills, tablecloths make it is easy to shake off crumbs and toss into the washing machine.

Table Runners are great way to show off that beautiful dining room table you love some much, but only use it on special occasions! Table runners are normally a long piece of fabric that runs across the center of the table. They come in a variety of designs and sizes, making it easy to improve the appearance of your table without obscuring all of its beauty. Table runners can also a add a little extra protection to the center of the table, which can help to protect against hot dishes placed on the table.

Design Tip: Layering Tablecloths with a Table Runner

Layering a table runner on top of a tablecloth is an easy solution to get the protection (or camouflage) of a tablecloth but still achieve that added visual interest or specific tablescape design by adding a table runner into the mix.