How to Decorate Your Living Room for Thanksgiving

How to Decorate Your Living Room for Thanksgiving

Discover simple and creative ways to transform your living room for Thanksgiving, from swapping out textiles and adding autumn scents to incorporating festive table and wall decor.

Decorating your living room for Thanksgiving is especially important if you are hosting the holiday dinner this year, but it is also a fun way to celebrate autumn even if you aren't hosting a large gathering. You do not have to stick strictly to a turkey theme; many Thanksgiving decorations incorporate fall colors without relying on traditional symbols. Here is how to decorate your living room for Thanksgiving:

1. Remove spring or summer decor. The first step in decorating your living room for Thanksgiving is to remove anything that reminds you too much of spring or summer, including pastel-colored accessories.
2. Decorate the walls. You can adorn your living room with your children's seasonal art projects, or stick with fall-colored wreaths and other wall decorations. Alternatively, spray-paint real or silk leaves in metallic gold and copper shades, and use double-sided tape to attach them to picture frames, lampshades, and other permanent room fixtures. This allows you to update your living room for Thanksgiving without completely changing your existing decor.
3. Add Thanksgiving-themed table and bookshelf accents. Seasonal candles, figurines shaped like turkeys or pilgrims, miniature pumpkins, and similar decorations will help set a festive tone. Stick to shades of brown, red, orange, yellow, copper, gold, and green. An easy way to add interesting texture to your tables or bookshelves is to arrange a few fallen leaves collected from outdoors on these surfaces.
4. Create your own fall-themed table centerpieces. Popular choices include a small basket or bucket filled with acorns, fall leaves, or apples; a bowl of nuts accompanied by a nutcracker; or a candleholder carved from a miniature pumpkin. Feel free to be creative with your Thanksgiving decorations.
5. Incorporate fall-hued textiles. Swap your couch's throw pillows for ones that reflect the season. Consider adding a small accent rug to your living room, as this can easily change the entire mood of the space. An inexpensive rug in a fall color instantly creates an autumn atmosphere. No matter your year-round color scheme, you can easily integrate a few fall hues; for example, gold or rust pillows look seasonal yet complement couches of many different colors.
6. Add autumn scents. Fall potpourri or votive candles can make your home smell like the season. Popular seasonal fragrances include pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, vanilla, cranberry, warm spices, and spicy citrus. Avoid scents that are overly floral or reminiscent of spring.

Decorating your living room for Thanksgiving does not have to be a massive undertaking. Adding just a few small touches can help set the mood, and you do not need to cover every available surface with themed decor to bring the Thanksgiving spirit into your home.