Seasonal Decor That Lasts Beyond the Holidays

The holiday season may have passed, but seasonal decor can easily transition into your everyday styling essentials. This is particularly true for tablescaping materials, which can be utilized well beyond Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Mariska Hargitay's Inspiring Tablescape

Taking inspiration from Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, her Thanksgiving tablescape serves as a perfect example of a setting that can seamlessly carry into the fall and winter seasons. Hargitay's table features:

• Greige taper candles
• Flower and fruit bouquets
• Red wine glasses
• Linen napkins
• Blue and cream dishes

All these elements are beautifully arranged on a chic, white tablecloth. While the seasonal bouquets hint at fall, the individual items can remain stylish through the new year with some strategic styling.

Expert Tips for a Lasting Tablescape

Experts suggest incorporating natural materials into your tablescape, enhancing the seasonal feel. According to Cassandra Leisz, creative director at Ruggable:

"Building a memorable tablescape doesn’t have to break the bank or even require a trip to the store. Embrace foliage by gathering dried branches, fallen leaves, pine cones, and acorns from the outdoors. These can be scattered on your tablescape or gathered in a bowl or vase."

Leisz emphasizes the importance of a nature-inspired color palette that can extend beyond the fall season. She recommends warm shades of brown, green, yellow, and burgundy as easy go-tos.

Layering Decor

When adding decor like name cards, table cloths, or centerpieces, sticking to an earthy color palette is ideal. Leisz states:

"For the overall color scheme, I like to rely heavily on a traditional autumnal palette of warm oranges, olive greens, deep browns, and dark reds, which instantly evoke the depth of the season."

Adding metallic accents such as gold flatware or brass candle holders can elevate the look and provide a festive glow.

(Image credit: Jake Shea)

Experiment with Glassware

Lastly, don’t hesitate to experiment with wine glass colors based on the season. For instance, red and green glasses are perfect for fall and winter, while pink and yellow glasses are fantastic for spring and summer.