Modern Thanksgiving table decor ideas for the sophisticated host

Thanksgiving is one of those American holidays with its own set of tropes and regalia – the gravy boat, the gigantic platter, the ‘good’ china and, of course, a cornucopia. But holiday entertaining can present a conundrum for those whose aesthetic inclinations slant more Rothko than Rockwell (read: all of us at Wallpaper*). How do you create a holiday spread that feels elevated, yet festive and celebratory? There’s no one-size-fits all approach for creating modern Thanksgiving table decor (our very own design editor recently swore off tablescaping), but there are a few places to start.

‘A refined holiday table should exude quiet abundance, warmth, and generosity without leaning into the classic clichés,’ says Bryony Sheridan, buying director at the luxury e-commerce site Abask. Lean into sculptural centrepieces, subtle glassware and grounding, earthy materials such as linen, hammered metal and ceramics, elements that ‘create warmth without clutter,’ per Sheridan. ‘Minimalism and festivity work beautifully together when the focus is on intentional design rather than solely decoration,’ she adds.