How To Style A Coastal Tablescape For Fall

Adding Coastal Charm to Your Dining Room Table

Just because you don’t live near the beach (ahem… like us landlocked Midwesterners) doesn’t mean you can’t bring a bit of coastal charm into your home!

Fall is the ideal time to switch up your home decor, and your dining room table is a great place to experiment with a unique and creative table setting.

I styled a beautiful coastal style autumn table inspired by a New England chowder festival.

I had so much fun pulling together all the layers and textures—this table just might be my new favorite.

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 Renae at Peacock Ridge Farm.

I’m so thrilled she could join us and I can’t for you to see what she planned.

For our latest virtual party we took inspiration from autumn in New England and local chowder festivals to dream up some coastal fall tablescape looks for you.

Whether you are a regular here at MWLS or visiting for the first time, thank you for stopping by.

I know your time is precious, and I appreciate your support so much! I love getting to know my readers, so don’t be shy. Drop me a line to say “hi” in the comments.

And, 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.

How To Style A Coastal Tablescape For Fall

Who says coastal style is only for summer?

With just a few thoughtful touches, you can easily bring seaside charm to your fall tablescape.

Whether you’re hosting a cozy fall dinner outdoors, or even an elegant Thanksgiving dinner, I’m sharing some simple tips to create a coastal table setting that feels perfect for autumn.

Coastal-Inspired Table Setting Ideas: Creating Layers with Linens and Textures

For each tablescape, I start with something that inspires me, and this time, I was inspired by nature.

The calming colors of the coastline guided the color palette for my table which includes tans, creams, and deep ocean blues.

For each place setting, I started with a blue and white striped placemat and added two different chargers on top to bring in some extra texture and color.

The round woven sisal charger reminds me of the thick rope you see on ships at the harbor or even lining a boardwalk along the coast.

I love how it brings that classic, nautical feel to the table and adds just the right touch of the seaside.

And the galvanized metal charger adds a nice rustic touch to the place setting.

It brings in that perfect mix of casual and coastal, making the whole table feel laid-back but still pulled together.

Coastal Charm: Choosing the Perfect Dishware for Your Table

For the dishes, I used my favorite cream stoneware plates.

They’re sturdy enough for everyday use, but the fluted rims give them an elegant touch, making them perfect for a special tablescape like this coastal fall setting.

Plus, since they’re white, they’re super versatile and work beautifully year-round.

With such an emphasis on neutral tones, I wanted to add more color to the table to break up all of the cream and tan.

And these blue soup bowls fit the bill.

I kid you not when I say that I found them at my local Goodwill the day before I shot these photos.

Talk about meant to be!

To bring all the elements of my coastal fall tablescape together, I placed the blue soup bowls on a small breadboard.

I love how the warm autumn tones play against the cool, crisp blues.

And don’t they make such a fun way to serve your favorite cozy chowder?

To finish off each place setting, I added small glass tumblers.

The wicker accents on the glasses are a fun way to bring in even more coastal charm to the table.

Designing a Stunning Coastal Centerpiece for Your Fall Table

Maples are one of my favorite fall trees, so when I came across this neutral garland, I knew it would be the perfect touch to bring a bit of autumn into my coastal-style tablescape.

To create a coastal fall centerpiece, I began by laying the garland down the center of the table, using it as a natural table runner.

Next, I added smaller picks of dark brown leaves to the garland to bring in some depth and contrast.

Then, I tucked a few sea shells and votive candles into the fall garland centerpiece for a beachy feel.

To wrap up the centerpiece, I added a few rustic candle holders for some extra metal accents.

They really help bring height to the arrangement and create a nice balance with the galvanized chargers.

Special Finishing Touches: 5-Minute DIY Coastal Napkin Rings

Another way I added a hint of beach style to my blue and white coastal tablescape is with some DIY coastal napkin rings

All you need to make these custom napkin rings is a glue gun, a few supplies from The Dollar Store, and just 5 minutes!

Start with silver napkin rings wrapped in a fun rattan accent, then glue a large starfish in the middle of each one.

Finish off by pulling a navy fabric napkin through to coordinate with the blue chowder bowls.

Quick and easy projects are always the best, and this one is no exception!

And these napkin rings turned out even better than I might envisioned, which in my book, is always a win.

Wrapping Up: How To Style A Coastal Tablescape For Fall

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope this post inspires you with simple ideas to create a coastal tablescape at home this fall.

If you’re planning a dinner party, don’t forget to check out our cozy comfort food menu, featuring six delicious chowder recipes, including my creamy chicken and corn chowder.

It’s the perfect dish to serve for a coastal fall dinner party!

And, be sure to see more casual coastal decorating ideas from my supper club friends linked below!

Xo,

More Coastal Table Setting Ideas and Inspiration

Wait, there’s even more coastal tablescapes for you to see! 

I’ve partnered with my friends from our virtual supper club to bring you additional decorating ideas, perfect for planning and hosting your own coastal themed dinner party.

Simply click on the links below to see more from each of their beautiful fall beach themed table settings. 

Simply 2 Moms | The Ponds Farmhouse | Bricks ‘n Blooms

Vintage Home Designs | Peacock Ridge Farm | Midwest Life and Style