Looking to incorporate the seasons into your home decor? We asked Hayley Baddiley from the ceramics and homeware brand Denby to share her top tips for creating an autumnal tablescape to engage all of your senses.
There are so many things to love about this time of year, from the beautiful autumnal scenery to the warming and delicious seasonal foods and drinks. This season inspires beautiful home design too — autumnal décor is stylish, inviting, and the perfect way to add rustic charm to your home. If you’re looking to incorporate the season into your interior design, why not try doing this by creating an autumnal tablescape on your rustic dining table?
Not only does this make your home look beautiful, but making a sensory simulating tablescape can even be good for you too. You can manage your stress levels with your senses, as certain scents, sights, and sounds can be soothing and induce relaxation (Verywell Mind). So take some time to put together a seasonal tablescape and celebrate all of the senses of autumn.
To add a seasonal touch to your home, read on to find out how to create a stylish seasonal tablescape which engages all of your senses.
1. Sight
Create a beautiful display to admire and evoke positive emotions by choosing the right colours for your tablescape. A good place to start is by looking at shades of brown. Not only is brown found on every autumnal colour palette, but it’s also associated with feelings of comfort and warmth, which is exactly what we need around this time of year. Plus, there are so many ways to incorporate it into your table setting, including through a reclaimed wood dining table, or a set of faux leather coasters and table mats.
Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Extending Trestle Dining Table
Of course, there are a number of other colours you could incorporate into your tablescape too. Vases, decorative bowls and floral bouquets consisting of warm greens, orangey reds and rich cream can give your display a splash of colour, while still keeping with the warm and cosy theme.
To create an appealing look, decide on a theme for your interiors. Rustic furniture is a great theme to go for in the autumn and upcoming winter months as it can create a cosy atmosphere. Plus, this style of furniture tends to be durable and versatile, making it a great eco-friendly option. To add a rustic touch to your tablescape, use a large jug as a vase for an autumnal bouquet and invest in sturdy and reliable reclaimed wood furniture.
2. Scent
The chances are that your sense of smell is more sensitive than you think. In fact, a human’s sense of smell has been found to be just as strong as a dogs. And as scents have the ability to soothe us and boost our mood, incorporating natural and calming smells into your tablescape is a must (Stylist).
For fresh scents, opt for a colourful and fragrant floral bouquet to display in a high-quality vase or jug. Roses, crocosmia, and cosmos are popular autumnal flowers, which both look and smell delightful. If you’re looking for something to last a little longer, a candle is a great addition to your tablescape. Opt for one that comes in a reusable ceramic pot to add to the beauty of your table setting.
3. Sound
Wind down during your evening meal by incorporating relaxing sounds into your solid wood dining table display. A great way to do this is by placing your furniture next to the window to listen to the noises of nature, such as birdsong, or the sound of autumnal British weather, whether it’s wind, rain or thunderstorms.
Or if you’d rather, play soft and slow music in the background to create a relaxing atmosphere. Gentle classical music works well when it comes to winding down and it has been found to be good for both the body and the brain (The Healthy). But don’t worry if this isn’t your thing, as you could try slow country or smooth jazz instead.
Mitcham Industrial Oak Spider Leg Dining Table
4. Taste
No dining table is complete without a delicious meal! And one of the best things about autumn is all of the delicious seasonal produce on offer, including butternut squash, carrot, apple, pear, and pumpkin, to name just a few. By using seasonal produce, you’ll both maximise the flavour of the meal and make more of a conscious choice too, so it’s a win-win.
There are so many delicious autumnal meals to make which the whole family will love, such as butternut squash soup, pumpkin risotto, and apple and blackberry pie.
5. Touch
To engage your sense of touch, use a selection of fabrics and textures in your tablescape. Not only do high quality textiles appeal to our senses, but incorporating a variety of them into your table setting can make the display look full and complete.
There are a variety of textures to choose from, so you shouldn’t find it too difficult to use a range in your presentation. A great base for your tablescape is a reclaimed wood dining table. As well as being high quality and durable, reclaimed wood furniture has a unique texture that feels great to touch. Plus, when it comes to reclaimed furniture, no two pieces are identical so you know your dining table is unique. Pair with a wooden dining bench or faux leather dining chairs to bring the look and feel together.
Top the table with a soft table runner and a set of placemats or coasters of your choosing. Faux leather placemats or ceramic coasters are great options. Not only are they incredibly versatile, but they’re easy to clean too. Finish the tablescape off with a centrepiece that has an appealing texture, whether it’s a glazed ceramic vase with a floral bouquet or a decorative ridged bowl filled with pine cones to bring the best of autumnal nature into your home.
If you use the tips above, you should be able to create a stylish autumnal tablescape that appeals to all of your senses. For more inspiration when it comes to seasonal interiors, make sure to check out the other articles available on the Modish Living blog!