15 Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas In Blue And White

I know what you are thinking! Thanksgiving table decor ideas in blue and white? And my answer is, YES! Blue and white feels classic and also brings a breath of fresh air to traditional Thanksgiving celebrations.

This post is all about my blue and white Thanksgiving table and how you can set one up at home!

Thanksgiving table decor ideas with blue and white plates, gold chargers and white magnolias on an outdoor table

In my opinion, those days when Thanksgiving decor was restricted to shades of orange, brown, and red are gone! While you can still use these beautiful fall colors on your table decor, I think you can be creative and think outside of the box!

With the infusion of blue and crisp white, contrasting colors, you can create a beautiful tablescape that not only complements the traditional spirit of gratitude but also adds a bit of sophistication.

Blue and white Thanksgiving table with ginger jars, chinoiserie pumpkins and topiaries on a patio

I designed this Thanksgiving table using pink and purple pumpkins and our guests fell in love with it! I also designed this “Friendsgiving” table using black, white, and orange, last year! Both of these tables are not the “typical Thanksgiving tablescape” colors.

However, they each turned out to be a beautiful fall table. I truly love and enjoy the table setups and decorations for holidays (especially Thanksgiving)!

Close up of a blue and white ginger jar, crystal glasses and a chinoiserie pumpkin on a white tablecloth

Since we are so lucky with the weather in Arizona this time of year (the temperature in November is usually around the mid 70s), I usually prefer outdoor dining and set up our Thanksgiving dinner table on our patio. You can set up this table inside or outside (it all depends on the temperature and your preferences).

How To Create A Blue And White Thanksgiving Table

How to decorate Thanksgiving table with blue and white ginger jars filled with white magnolias

As I mentioned above, if you want to give your traditional Thanksgiving table a unique and unexpected color palette, go with BLUE and WHITE! These complementary colors bring a classic, dressed up feel to your table!

In this post, I am going to share a few tips with you on how to decorate a chic Thanksgiving dining table using blue and white pumpkins, chinoiserie jars, flowers, elegant table linens, candles and so much more!

I’m also going to show you where to purchase these items (or similar items), for your table. Now, if you’re down to shake things up this Thanksgiving and make it extra memorable, stick around for my tips and tricks. It’s going to be so pretty!

How To Decorate A Thanksgiving Table

To decorate a Thanksgiving table, start with a tablecloth or runner, add a centerpiece in the middle, then layer each place setting with a charger, plates, a napkin and glassware. Finish with candles and a little greenery. Pick two or three colors and repeat them down the whole table so everything feels pulled together.

15 Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas In Blue And White

1. Choose A Solid White Tablecloth

Overhead view of Thanksgiving table decor ideas with a white tablecloth, blue and white plates and gold flatware

I think choosing a solid white tablecloth as the foundation for a blue and white Thanksgiving table setting is a great idea for several reasons:

1. The white backdrop provides a neutral canvas that allows the blue accents (whether in dinnerware, glassware, or decor), to truly pop. This creates a sense of balance, allowing each color to contribute to the aesthetic without overwhelming the other.

2. White is such a versatile color! It is easily complemented by different shades of blue, from navy to sky blue, giving you great flexibility in design choices. You can easily mix and match textures and patterns in blue without worrying about clashing.

3. A white tablecloth also introduces a classic look that never goes out of style. It looks nice and clean, and appropriate for any season (including Thanksgiving).

4. I believe that a white tablecloth is easier to dress up or down, making it possible to either dress up the setting with fancier pieces or maintain a casual, cozy look!

2. Pair A Blue Table Runner With A White Tablecloth

As you can see in the pictures, I did not use a table runner for this table! However, pairing a blue table runner with a white tablecloth creates an elegant, classic look that makes your Thanksgiving table setting feel extra special.

The white tablecloth serves as a neutral backdrop, bringing a clean, crisp canvas that highlights the dishes and tableware.

Also, a blue table runner adds a rich layer of color and texture. The combination of blue and white is not only visually appealing but also highly versatile. It complements a wide range of accents like metallic gold or silver cutlery, crystal glassware, and seasonal floral arrangements.

3. Add Blue And White Pumpkins As Your Centerpiece

Blue and white chinoiserie pumpkins with magnolia leaves in the center of a Thanksgiving table

One of the biggest reasons that I wanted to design our Thanksgiving table in blue and white, is because I came across these beautiful pumpkins on Etsy! I ditched the usual orange and went for something very eye catching, these blue and white pumpkins! LOL!

At the time, when I was designing this table, I could not find that many “blue and white pumpkins” online. Now, there are so many beautiful designs in the market that you can choose from.

I LOVE Etsy and always find my favorite handmade items that are so beautiful and unique. A beautiful centerpiece is always the focal point of your table! Make sure you focus on your centerpiece before anything else!

4. Make Blue And White Ginger Jars The Star Of Your Table

Blue and white ginger jars with white magnolias next to crystal champagne glasses

These vases can make a HUGE impact on your table! I highly recommend purchasing two, three, or more of these blue and white chinoiserie vases (depending on your table size). If you think about it, these jars have been around for centuries, right?

They’ve got that classic look, but they still feel fresh and modern. From your grandma’s vintage treasures to modern jars and vases, these are the ultimate styles!

Not only do these jars look beautiful, but they’re also super versatile. You can pop some beautiful seasonal flowers in them, fill them up with water, and place them on your kitchen counter or coffee table! In my opinion, the blue and white color scheme is so calming and elegant.

So, if you want to create a space that is stylish, unique, and peaceful for Thanksgiving, these ginger jars are your go to. There are so many beautiful Chinoiserie vases on Amazon or many other home décor stores.

5. Use Blue And White Dinnerware

Blue and white dinner plate on a gold charger with a white napkin and gold flatware

If you have blue and white Chinoiserie jars or flower vases on your table, I highly recommend using a similar Chinoiserie set for your dinnerware!

If you do not want to combine Chinoiserie dinnerware with Chinoiserie salad plates, you can go with white dinner plates and only use Chinoiserie salad plates as an accent!

There are so many beautiful blue and white “fancy China”, as well as paper plates that you can use for your table! They are both lovely! I personally like to use porcelain or other dinnerware sets for holiday celebrations!

For “less work and fewer headaches”, Matt usually tries to convince me to use “nicer paper plates” for holidays and bigger gatherings! Unfortunately, I have refused his request every year (LOL), simply because I like to design special tables for big holidays! This is something that I hope I can teach our little girls one day!

If you are anything like my husband, Matt, and prefer not to deal with all the plate cleanups (LOL), I recommend using beautiful paper plates!

There are so many “fine paper plates” in the market these days, that you can easily design a wonderful table without going through the hassle of washing and cleaning the China dinnerware.

6. Add Chargers, Napkin Rings And Place Cards

Place setting with a gold charger, a white napkin in a clear napkin ring with a white flower and crystal glasses

Designing a Thanksgiving table is not just about utility. It is also about creating an atmosphere that creates warmth, togetherness, and gratitude.

Using accents like chargers, table linens, napkin rings, and place cards can make your table setting so much prettier, turning a regular meal into a memorable experience.

Chargers: The decorative plates that sit under your dining plates, add depth and texture to the table. They act as frames for your dinnerware, spotlighting each individual place setting. By selecting chargers that complement your tableware and seasonal décor, you can improve the overall visual impact of the table.

Napkin rings: Bring an element of sophistication and completeness to your setup that every celebration table needs! Beyond their decorative function, napkin rings also serve a practical purpose by keeping napkins neatly folded and in place.

If I had more room in our house, I would buy every single napkin ring in the world! Hahaha! I just LOVE them so much!

You can either choose white cloth napkins with white napkin rings, or you can create a beautiful contrast by choosing an opposite color of napkin rings. If your napkins are white, choose blue napkin rings, if your napkins are blue, choose a white napkin ring!

Place cards: Give a “personal touch” that your guests will appreciate and make them feel considered and special. Simply, knowing that a specific seat has been thoughtfully allocated just for them. I think small little details are so important when setting up your table!

7. Design Floral Arrangements That Match Your Color Scheme

White magnolia flowers and green leaves down the center of a blue and white Thanksgiving table

Related Post: 7 Best Thanksgiving Gift Baskets Ideas

You can design different fresh floral arrangements or go with faux flower design for your table! If you choose fresh floral arrangement, I suggest white roses and white hydrangeas.

They blend in beautifully with a blue and white Thanksgiving table and add a soft charm without stealing the show from other table decoration elements.

If you want to decorate with faux flowers, there are many different options to choose from. It all depends on your taste and the overall look of your table!

Also remember, if you are using solid white vases (instead of the blue and white Chinoiserie ones), make sure to add a few natural elements or some greenery.

Although I used the blue and white Chinoiserie vases, I still mixed in some lush leaves in the center of the table for more texture and depth.

The green enhances both the blue and the white, making everything pop! Make sure you consider mixing and matching natural greenery with your flowers!

8. Consider A Faux Leaf Garland For Zero Mess

Magnolia leaf garland running down the center of a white tablecloth with blue and white pumpkins

If you don’t want to deal with messy real leaves, consider placing a faux green leaf garland on your dining room table. Also, sometimes finding the right color of greenery during this season can be hard. Most faux greeneries look so realistic these days and you can get them in any shade that you like!

As soon as you place the tablecloth on the table, you should add a faux green leaf garland on the center of your table. Once you add the garland, you can place your ginger jar vases, pumpkins, dinnerware, and candles around it.

9. Candles Add A Warm Glow To Your Table

Ivory pillar candles with white pumpkins and a blue and white vase of magnolias by the pool

In my opinion, candles create that warm and glowy ambiance that makes everyone feel right at home. I feel like candles give people permission to pause and just enjoy the moment.

That cozy glow really does wonders for conversations, making everything flow a bit more naturally. For this table, you can choose light blue, navy blue, or simply white candles for a minimalist feel. It’s like adding an extra layer of personality to your table.

10. Layer Each Place Setting

Layering is what makes a place setting look finished. For this table, I put a gold charger down first, then a blue and white plate, and finished with a white napkin on top. That’s it! Three layers and each seat already looks dressed up.

If you want more layers, add a salad plate or a small bowl on top of the dinner plate. Just keep the same order at every seat so the table looks neat from one end to the other.

11. Warm Up The Blue With Gold Flatware

Blue and white can feel a little cool on its own, so I like to warm it up with gold. You can see the gold chargers and gold flatware in my photos, and I think they are what make this table feel like fall instead of summer.

If you don’t own gold flatware, don’t worry! Gold chargers alone will do the job. Silver works too if that is what you already have. I would just stick to one metal so the table doesn’t look too busy.

12. Bring Out Your Crystal Glassware

Thanksgiving is a great excuse to use the pretty glasses that sit in the cabinet all year. I used cut crystal glasses on this table and I love how they catch the light.

Clear glass is the easiest choice because it goes with everything. You can also use light blue glasses for a little more color. Set a water glass and a wine or champagne glass at each seat, to the right of the plate and just above the knife.

13. Keep The Centerpiece Low Enough To Talk Over

This is such an easy one to forget. Your centerpiece can be full and beautiful, but your guests still need to see each other! A good rule is to keep most things in the middle of the table below eye level when you are sitting down.

Before your guests arrive, sit in one of the chairs and look across the table. If a vase is blocking your view, move it to the end of the table or swap it for a shorter one. Small pumpkins and a garland are great for filling the center without getting in the way.

14. Frame The Table With Topiaries And Greenery

Decorating doesn’t have to stop at the table. I placed topiaries by Balsam Hill around our patio and added a few pillar candles next to them, and it made a HUGE difference in the overall look.

If you are setting your table inside, you can do the same thing with a pair of topiaries or potted plants near the dining table, on a console or on a buffet. Greenery around the room makes the blue and white stand out even more.

15. Set The Table The Day Before

Thanksgiving Day is busy enough with all the cooking! Setting the table a day early gives you time to move things around and see what is missing. You can lay out the tablecloth, plates, flatware, glasses and candles ahead of time, then add fresh flowers on Thanksgiving morning so they look their best.

If your table is outside like ours, wait to put out the napkins and place cards until closer to dinner so they don’t blow away. Also, leave some empty space on the table (or set up a small side table) for the serving dishes.

Bottom Line

I think a blue and white Thanksgiving table offers a refreshing twist to traditional Thanksgiving settings. This palette not only brings a sense of calm but also adds a touch of sophistication to the whole holiday!

No matter what color theme or design you end up choosing for your Thanksgiving table, what matters the most is why we celebrate Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is not just a long weekend holiday where we eat a lot of turkey, stuffing, and delicious pumpkin pies (LOL)!

It is important to remember this is a holiday where we celebrate gratitude, something that unfortunately we do not do enough of these days.

One of the things I love about my husband’s family is they make the entire month of November a “gratitude celebration”.

It is so important to remember how lucky and fortunate we are for the life and family that we have! Not only on Thanksgiving Day but EVERY DAY, we should not forget about helping less fortunate families (especially children).

I hope you got some fun ideas to decorate your Thanksgiving table from this post! And I also wish you all a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration with your loved ones!

Thanksgiving Table Decor FAQs

Overhead view of Thanksgiving table decor ideas with a greenery garland, blue and white plates and gold chargers

What Colors Go With Blue And White For Thanksgiving?

Gold, green and soft neutrals go best with blue and white for Thanksgiving. Gold chargers and flatware add warmth, and green leaves make both colors stand out. If you want a more traditional fall feel, you can add a little orange or copper, like a few small orange pumpkins or copper candle holders.

What Do You Put In The Center Of A Thanksgiving Table?

Most people put a centerpiece of pumpkins, flowers, candles or greenery in the center of a Thanksgiving table. For my table, I used blue and white ginger jars filled with white flowers, blue and white pumpkins and green leaves. Keep it low enough that guests can see each other, and leave room for the food if you are serving family style.

How Do You Set A Thanksgiving Table Step By Step?

Start with the tablecloth, then the centerpiece, then the place settings. Put a charger at each seat and the dinner plate on top, with the forks on the left and the knife and spoon on the right. Glasses go above the knife. Finish with the napkin, a place card and candles.

How Tall Should A Thanksgiving Centerpiece Be?

A Thanksgiving centerpiece should be low enough to see over when you are sitting down, which is usually about 12 inches or shorter. Taller pieces like candlesticks are fine as long as they are thin and don’t block the view across the table.

How Far Ahead Can You Set A Thanksgiving Table?

You can set a Thanksgiving table one or two days ahead. Lay out the linens, plates, flatware and glasses early, then add fresh flowers and light the candles on Thanksgiving Day. For an outdoor table, I would wait until that morning.

How Do You Decorate A Thanksgiving Table On A Budget?

Use what you already have and spend on one or two things only. White plates, a plain white tablecloth and clear glasses work with any color. Then add a few pumpkins, grocery store flowers or leaves from your yard, and some candles.

What Decorations Do You Put Up For Thanksgiving Around The House?

I think some of the easiest ways to start decorating your home for Thanksgiving are:

Adding Fall colors to your countertops with bold autumnal branches in a ceramic or rustic vase. I love to make big Fall leaf arrangements in white ginger vases and place them on our kitchen counter from early September until late November (Thanksgiving Day).
You can place pumpkins around the vase and light up Fall scented candles!
You can change the kitchen and bathroom hand towels to Fall pumpkin harvest prints as well as add scented soaps for your bathrooms and kitchen.
Adding beautiful leaf garlands, autumnal flowers, and a cornucopia filled with fruits and vegetables on your fireplace mantel, front door entrance, kitchen, and bathrooms are all great ideas to decorate around your house for Fall and Thanksgiving.

Topiaries in white marble pots with ivory pillar candles on a patio

When Do You Start Putting Fall And Thanksgiving Decorations Up?

Most people start putting up fall decorations in September and keep them up until Thanksgiving.

With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all so close together, you can choose fall decorations that last for a few months. From fall inspired wreaths to cute and colorful pumpkins, you can create a theme that works for each holiday.

Some people prefer to bypass the Halloween decorations altogether! On the other hand, some people love to go crazy with the Halloween décor (both inside and outside).

So, it all depends on YOU and what category you belong to! I personally do not go that crazy on Halloween decorations. We usually put up our Fall decorations in mid September and bring our Halloween decorations (mostly Halloween wreaths), about 3 weeks before Halloween.

Halloween has its own home décor (if you like to decorate), as does Christmas, but Thanksgiving is more of a “grey zone”. Because of this, some people decide to put up the holiday décor once the Halloween decorations come down.

I personally like to mix and match Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations! As soon as Halloween is over, I like to put our Christmas trees up in our living room.

But I keep our Fall decorations on our fireplace mantel as well as our kitchen and bathrooms! Once Thanksgiving is over, then I take all the Fall decorations down and ONLY work on completing our Christmas decorations.

Topiaries in marble pots behind a blue and white Thanksgiving table set outdoors

What Colors Are For Thanksgiving?

The colors mostly associated with Thanksgiving are red, brown, burgundy, yellow, and orange. However, you can always think outside of the box and be creative and “mix and match” colors on your Thanksgiving table. I usually like to stick with only “two or three solid colors” for our table.

I also recommend adding either “green topiaries”, “green leaves”, or any other “greenery plants” around your Thanksgiving table for an “extra lush look” (whether your table is set up indoors or outdoors). As you can see, I added these gorgeous topiaries by Balsam Hill, and it made a HUGE difference in the overall look of our table!