Transform your dining table into a spooky, fun, and festive scene with these simple tips for styling a Halloween tablescape.
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This post was originally published on September 28, 2023. Last updated on September 23, 2024
Hosting A Halloween Dinner Party
I’ll confess I don’t decorate our home for Halloween very often.
And by often, I mean hardly ever…not even a little bit.
But Halloween is the perfect time to get creative with your home decor, and your tablescape is no exception!
So, this month’s Halloween-themed supper club was the perfect opportunity to flex my creative muscles by styling an elegant Halloween table.
And even though Halloween is not typically one of the holidays I get too excited about, I had so much fun prepping for our spooky get-together.
You don’t have to break the bank or be a decorating pro to host a spooktacularly fun and festive Halloween party.
I’m sharing seven simple tips for styling a ghoulishly fun and boo-tiful Halloween tablescape to create an inviting atmosphere for your guests this fall.
Welcome To Supper Club
If you’re new to our supper club or this is your first time visiting here at MWLS, welcome!
I always look forward to these virtual dinner parties, and I know they’ve become a reader favorite too!
For each party, I team up with my friends to bring you a dose of table styling inspiration, hosting tips, and mouthwatering recipes—all tied together by a theme.
This time we’re also joined by my friend Wendy at WM Design House.
I’m so thrilled she could join us and I can’t for you to see what she planned.
If you enjoy entertaining as much as I do, I would love to have you subscribe and join the MWLS family!
As a subscriber, you’ll receive emails with updates on all the latest happenings here on the blog, including the newest tablescapes, recipes, DIYs, and more!
And, if you’ve missed out on any of our past supper club parties be sure to catch up here.
You’ll find even more hosting tips and seasonal menus to take the stress and hard work out of planning all your upcoming holiday gatherings.
Now that we have the introductions out of the way, let’s get to the party!
Here are seven Halloween table decor ideas to inspire you for the spooky season.
Table of Contents
- Hosting A Halloween Dinner Party
- Welcome To Supper Club
- Set a Spooky Scene with Gauzy Linens
- Craft a Hauntingly Beautiful Place Setting
- Make Spooky and Budget-Friendly DIY Place Cards
- Create Your Own Halloween-Themed Napkins
- DIY Decorations: Create a Spooky Centerpiece for Your Halloween Tablescape
- Incorporate Rustic and Vintage Decor on Your Halloween Tablescape
- Cast a Spellbinding Glow with Candles
- Shop The Post
- More Halloween Inspiration from Midwest Life and Style
- Wrapping Up: Styling A Boo-tiful Halloween Tablescape
- More Halloween Tablescapes
- Did You Enjoy this Post? PIN It for Later!
Set a Spooky Scene with Gauzy Linens
Using gauzy linen is a simple and affordable way to set the stage for your spooky and boo-tiful Halloween tablescape.
I layered a piece of this black Halloween cloth over a basic white tablecloth to create the foundation of my Halloween table setting.
The gauze’s lightweight and see-through nature immediately gives any tablescape a spooky and haunted feel, while the dark color adds a dramatic touch.
Although I decided to skip it for this table, you could add an extra layer to your spooky tablescape by placing a table runner down the center.
Craft a Hauntingly Beautiful Place Setting
When it comes to styling an eye-catching Halloween tablescape, remember that layering is one of the most essential tips!
Get creative with your decor items and don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and textures.
Once I draped my table with gauze, I used my favorite wicker chargers as the foundation for each place setting.
To add depth, I then placed these simple black chargers on top of the wicker ones.
I opted for my everyday cream-colored stoneware dishes with rusty orange fringed napkins placed between the plates.
For a touch of elegance, I used gold silverware, to play off the darker and more moody elements of the tablescape.
To complete the look, I added vintage-style amber glasses, which add a charming and antique feel to the table that works well with the Halloween theme.
Make Spooky and Budget-Friendly DIY Place Cards
DIY place cards are a cost-effective and simple way to add a personal touch to your Halloween tablescape.
I designed these spooky place cards in Canva by printing raven images on vintage book pages and adding each guest’s name in a Halloween-themed font.
Then, I burned the edges to give them a more worn and aged look.
These DIY place cards might just be my favorite part of my Halloween table setting.
They turned out even better than envisioned!
(Don’t you love it when a DIY project works out?)
And the best part is they didn’t cost me a dime to make!
Create Your Own Halloween-Themed Napkins
Creative napkin folds are a great way to add a touch of whimsy to your Halloween tablescape.
You can try making spooky shapes like bats, pumpkins, or DIY ghost napkins.
In less than 5 minutes, I whipped up four of these super simple ghost napkins for my Halloween tablescape using just three supplies: white fringed napkins, small foam balls, and some twine.
Because they’re so easy to make, they’re great for crafters of all skill levels.
These ghost-shaped napkins add a playful touch to any table, and their simplicity makes them a perfect last-minute addition to your Halloween decor.
DIY Decorations: Create a Spooky Centerpiece for Your Halloween Tablescape
Number five on my list of tips for styling a Halloween tablescape is all about one of my favorite things…centerpieces!
A Halloween centerpiece is the focal point of your table setting, and it can help to create a festive look and feel.
You can’t go wrong with pumpkins or a bouquet of beautiful fall flowers.
But if you’re feeling crafty, this DIY ghost centerpiece is the perfect addition to any Halloween tablescape.
This DIY project is a dupe for the popular Pottery Barn ghost cloche.
Made with cheesecloth, and just a few basic supplies, I made my cheesecloth ghosts for a fraction of the cost!
It’s great if you’re looking for quick and easy Halloween decorating ideas.
This is one fall craft anyone can do, plus, this DIY ghost is perfect for adding an adorably spooky touch to your Halloween decor.
Fairy lights add to the ambiance, and a khaki-colored velvet ribbon tied on the glass cloche coordinates with the napkins from the place settings.
An artificial pumpkin and pip berry garland displayed down the center of your table adds another touch of color to your Halloween tablescape.
With mini dried pumpkins and berries in fall orange hues, it ties in well with other vintage or rustic Halloween decor accents.
Incorporate Rustic and Vintage Decor on Your Halloween Tablescape
Speaking of vintage accents, consider using vintage decor like old books throughout your Halloween tablescape.
Stack books to create more layers, or use your books as a base to add height to vintage brass candlesticks.
Cast a Spellbinding Glow with Candles
Candlelight is a magical way to add ambiance to any tablescape, but it is especially enchanting at Halloween.
The flickering flames create a sense of mystery, and the warm glow casts a spellbinding ambiance over the table.
Mix and match the colors, shapes, and sizes of the candlestick holders for an eclectic look.
And hang battery-operated floating candles from the chandelier above your table for an extra spooky touch.
Shop The Post
Want to recreate this look at home? I’ve linked all the finds I used in this post below! Please note, that sometimes things sell out quickly, so if something isn’t available anymore, I’ve linked a similar item that you might love just as much. Happy shopping!
Halloween Tablescape Sources:
More Halloween Inspiration from Midwest Life and Style
Wrapping Up: Styling A Boo-tiful Halloween Tablescape
Thanks for stopping by!
I hope these Halloween tablescape ideas inspire you to style your own boo-tiful and elegant Halloween tablescape.
As always, don’t forget to see the rest of my friends’ creative and fun Halloween tablescape ideas. You can see all the posts below with more tips and inspiration for hosting an adult Halloween party.
And don’t miss our full Halloween party menu, including my recipe for a festive pumpkin-shaped cheese ball!
Happy haunting hosting!
More Halloween Tablescapes
Wait, there’s even more elegant Halloween tablescapes for you to see!
I’ve partnered with my friends from our virtual supper club to bring you additional Halloween tablescape ideas, perfect for planning and hosting your own Halloween dinner party.
Simply click on the links below to see more tablescapes for Halloween.
Vintage Home Designs | Midwest Life and Style | Simply 2 Moms
Donna says
Hi Jen! This is such an adorable tablescape! Your ghost in a cloche is amazing! I will share this with my readers on Saturday in my Seasonal Sentiments Monthly Rewind Newsletter! I hope you have a wonderful Fall!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Donna. I appreciate it and I look foward to reading the newsletter.
Renae Frey says
This is awesome, Jen. So many great ideas. I love it.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Renae. I’m glad you stopped by to say hi. Happy fall, friend!
Rachel Harper says
Jen
Everything about your table is amazing. I love the creativity. The place cards and the ghost napkins are inspiring. Such a great table setting.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Rachel. I had so much fun letting the creativity flow when styling this table. I think the place cards are one of my favorite details on the tablescape. I’m so glad you enjoy them too!
Renae Frey says
Super cute tablescape. So many cute ideas. Happy Fall, my friend.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Renae. This ranks near the top of my favorite tablescapes. It so much fun to style. I’m glad you like it too!
Stacy Ling says
Wow! Love the floating candles!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Stacy. I found them on Amazon and knew I had to have them. They are too perfect for Halloween!
Leisa Haynes says
Your table looks so cute…love the burned edges on the name tag, the hanging candles look spooky, your plates look awesome and love everything on that table. I’ll bet your family loves it too.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Hi Leisa,
Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate your kind words. I had so much fun styling this Halloween table. My family enjoys it too…especially when I turn the candles on at night.
Wendy McMonigle says
Jen, your table is adorable! I especially love the name cards, so creative and that little ghost under the glass is adorable. Thank you for having me as a guest this month.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Wendy. The place cards were one of my favorite details on the table. And so easy to make! I need to create a printable to share. And I’ll be sharing the details on my DIY ghost centerpiece soon.
So happy you could join us for the party this month. I hope you can do it again soon.
AnnMarie | Simply2Moms says
Jen this is such an amazing Halloween table from the ghost centerpiece with the berry garlands to the cobwebs off in the distance to the beautiful place settings full of texture. The DIY place cards are my favorite part of your tablescape too! Great job!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Hi AnnMarie,
I had so much fun styling this table. I loved the opportunity to really dive into the theme and go all out! I’m so glad you like the place cards. I think they are my favorite detail on the table, too!
Happy Halloween!
Gwyn says
For someone who doesn’t really do Hallowe’en, you nailed it. Just beautiful and the name/place cards make such a statement and the cloche ghost…….marvellous!! I am a Hallowe’en fan and hosting a Ghoul-friends supper and going to shamelessly steal all of your ideas!! Already making the cheese ball for Thanksgiving and going to do it again for Hallowe’en. Thanks so much for the terrific ideas……you are one talented lady!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Well, goodness. Thank you for your kind and wonderful words. I am so glad you love the table as much as I do. It was so fun to create and I think it would be so fun for your ghoul-friends supper. I love that name too…so clever!
I hope you have a spooktacular party!
Cindy@CountyRoad407 says
Oh my gosh, this is so cute! Love everything about it. The ghost under the cloche, the book page place cards, the ghost tied napkins, everything! Hope you had a ton of fun at dinner that night.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you so much, Cindy! The might be one of my favorite tablescapes. It was so much fun to style, and my girls love it! I’ll be sad when I have to take it all down.
Rachel-The Antiqued Journey says
Jen!! I swear your tablescapes get even better…which I didn’t know was possible.
This is ADORABLE and SO festive for the holiday!! LOVE those amber colored glasses and the centerpiece is amazingly clever!!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Hi Rachel,
THANK YOU for your incredibly kind words. I am so glad you love the table as much as I do. At first, I wasn’t too sure how to style a Halloween tablescape, but once I got started I had so much fun pulling all the details together.
The amber-colored glasses are one of my new favorites. I think I’ll use them for Thanksgiving too. The color is perfect for the season.
Happy fall, friend!