The Best Colors for Thanksgiving Decor: How to Choose the Perfect Palette

Thanksgiving decorating colors are usually the classics—oranges, reds, browns… you know the drill. If you’re tired of the seasonal color palette for Thanksgiving, don’t worry. You’re not alone! Many of us are looking for unique Thanksgiving color schemes that add some freshness to our spaces.

And, we’ve got good news. There are no rules when it comes to color palettes! Just like how Christmas is given red and green—and Easter takes the pastels—there are really no mandates that those colors are what you have to use.

In fact, we’d like to say, Thanksgiving color palette ideas are as unique as you make them. And that’s the purpose of our post today: to share non-traditional Thanksgiving colors that can make your space feel fresh.

Craft By Anika’s serene Thanksgiving setup with a modern monochrome palette

Rustic Neutrals

Reds and oranges sure reflect Thanksgiving. But what about rustic neutrals that whisper the holiday instead of shouting it? These shades give your home a warm glow. The good part about a rustic Thanksgiving color palette is that it can easily blend in with existing decor.

One way to set such a scene is with natural wood accents (here are some easy DIY wood decor ideas), ivory candles, and a scattering of pinecones or dried leaves. It’s like a fall forest in your living room—well, minus the bugs.

Rustic-Neutral Palette Ideas

  • Main: Warm beige and soft cream, Accent: Olive green
  • Main: Earthy brown and caramel, Accent: Wheat
  • Main: Muted olive and burlap brown, Accent: Cream

Jewel Tones

If you love a dramatic look—and the experience of an opulent dinner party on Thanksgiving—jewel tones can make your decor look lavish and regal. These are inspired by gemstones like emerald, sapphire, and amethyst. What we love about jewel-tone Thanksgiving decor is that it pairs beautifully with seasonal greenery and wood accents.

You can think of this as a dark green tablecloth paired with golden candles and a rich burgundy centerpiece that says, “impeccable taste and just the right amount of extra”.

Jewel-Tone Palette Ideas

  • Main: Emerald green and deep amethyst, Accent: Dark walnut brown
  • Main: Ruby red and sapphire blue, Accent: Champagne gold
  • Main: Topaz yellow and teal, Accent: Antique brass
A cozy fall mantel adorned with florals, pumpkins, and warm candlelight

Modern Monochrome

If your aesthetic leans clean and modern, monochrome Thanksgiving color ideas are for you. You can choose creams and grays, or even a simple black-and-white theme. The trick here is layering in plenty of textures (tablecloths, matte ceramics, some metallic accents, etc.); this gives the setting a subtle sparkle.

Such modern Thanksgiving decor colors are effortlessly classy—and really never go out of season 😉 Feel free to use the setting even beyond Thanksgiving!

Modern Monochrome Palette Ideas

  • Main: Charcoal gray and cream, Accent: Matte black
  • Main: Graphite gray and ivory, Accent: Slate blue
  • Main: Warm greige (gray-beige) and off-white, Accent: Light brown

Cozy Colors

If you’re hosting a rather intimate Thanksgiving dinner this year, switch to a cozy Thanksgiving color scheme. You want to double the effect of the color scheme with the right decor. For example, woven placemats and knitted throws to bring in texture and make the ambiance all the more inviting.

Cozy Palette Ideas

  • Main: Terracotta and warm mustard yellow, Accent: Taupe
  • Main: Rust and cinnamon, Accent: Sage green
  • Main: Maple red and toasted almond, Accent: Cranberry
A festive pumpkin centerpiece with glittering leaves

Earthy Greens and Browns

Nature’s hues don’t only belong in your garden—they’re also some of the best colors for Thanksgiving decor. You can go beyond the usual with olive greens, moss, and caramel accents. Bonus points if you layer textures like burlap, wood, and stoneware.

Green also happens to be one of our top recommendations for Thanksgiving table color inspiration. We mean, when you have a eucalyptus centerpiece and botanical print napkins, you’ll get your serving of greens—even if they’re not on your plate 😉

Earthy Color Palette Ideas

  • Main: Olive green and espresso brown, Accent: Cream
  • Main: Sage green and chestnut brown, Accent: Terracotta
  • Main: Forest green and burnt umber, Accent: White
Elegant table settings with earthy tones

Pinks

Who says Thanksgiving can’t be a little pink? Sure, it may not be one of the top names in fall decor color inspiration, but it adds this fresh and romantic touch that other colors struggle to create! So, if you’ve been looking for whimsical but elegant Thanksgiving decor colors, don’t hesitate to go big on pink. Pair it with warm gold, and there you have it, a cheerful Thanksgiving table 😊

Pink Palette Ideas

  • Main: Soft blush and ivory, Accent: Copper
  • Main: Dusty rose and champagne, Accent: Muted olive green
  • Main: Mauve and taupe, Accent: Brass or antique gold

Twilight Blues and Soft Golds

This combo is, again, different from your usual Autumn home color trends (let’s just say we’re looking a little ahead into Christmas), but it makes for a serene—almost ethereal—Thanksgiving setup! This scheme works best with simple dinnerware and plenty of textures.

Blue and Gold Palette Ideas

  • Main: Slate blue and dusty gold, Accent: Ivory
  • Main: Navy blue and warm taupe, Accent: Metallic gold
  • Main: Steel blue and brass, Accent: Muted sage green
A modern Thanksgiving table set with warm hues and natural accents

Final Words

And, that’s a wrap! If you’re struggling with choosing the right colors for Thanksgiving—or need help with the decor in any way—we’re here to assist you with our holiday decorating services 😊 Drop us a message and let’s get planning for Thanksgiving at your home!

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