Autumn Table Linens: A Styling Guide for Fall

Late summer in Florida is relentless. The heat is sticky and stubborn, and by August I'm more than ready to trade it for something with a little more texture. I'm not rushing out of summer, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't starting to think about what fall has in store, and what it's going to look like around my table.

That's usually where my mind goes first. Fall, to me, triggers visions of longer meals, more people crowded around the table, and candles lit before dinner's even on the stove. It means pulling out the linens and thinking about how to set the scene for the season. There's a real art to it that lights me up and makes me excited for the season and festivities ahead. 

If you're ready to start thinking about your autumn table, here's where I'd begin.

WHAT MAKES AUTUMN TABLE LINENS WORK? 

The At300Nelson Palizada print makes the perfect fall table linens.

Fall is the time to start incorporating some heavier fabrics and warmer, snugglier textures into your wardrobe. The same rule of thumb applies to your home design. Napkins and other autumn table linens should have some weight and luxe tactility to them. Thin, gauzy fabrics like pure cotton are better reserved for spring and summer. 

Adaptability is also important for fall table linens, especially if you like to change up your table design frequently. Linens in a neutral color palette and a smaller pattern can be mixed and matched with colorful dishware and other accents. For example, I love to use the Palizada print in Albatross and Constellation in fall. The subtle, celestial pattern echoes the longer nights of fall and winter. Starting with a black-and-white motif lets me build out fall tablescapes that bring in more color through dishware, centerpieces, and other accents. 

PRIORITIZE DURABILITY FOR FALL TABLE LINENS 

Our durable 55/45 linen-cotton blend luxury table linens make hosting stress-free.

Red wine, gravy, crumbly apple pie… a lot of messy foods are going to be served on your fall table linens. They need to be able to hold up throughout this deliciously busy time of year. Your life gets a lot easier when you use fabrics that are easy to care for, and that still look crisp and bold after they’ve been cleaned. Before people come over, devote your energy to perfecting your array of apps instead of fussing over stained or faded table linens. 

I’ve tested the durability of our 55/45 linen cotton blend fabric in my home a lot over the years. And my table linens have been through the wringer, setting the table for lots of long, often messy meals with friends and family. I’ve easily treated stains myself; there may be people out there who want to take their table linens to the dry cleaner, but I’m not one of them. The 55/45 linen cotton blend still looks and feels like new, even in the napkins (which probably get the most use). The fabric holds colorfast patterns beautifully, and still has the elegant finish and weight of linen. I plan to host fall gatherings over my Palizada table linens for many years to come. 

LAYERING AUTUMN TABLE LINENS

Palizada in Albatross and Constellation are perfect for layering your fall table linens.

I’m often asked for advice on choosing and arranging table linens for entertaining. The first step is always to choose the right size and shape of tablecloth for your table and space. A round tablecloth is easy for a round table. Oblong or rectangle table linens can be used on an oblong or rectangular table. The length is really up to personal preference. You might like the formality of a floor-length tablecloth. Personally, for more casual entertaining, I like a shorter drape. Six to 12 inches of drop is fairly standard. 

As for fall tablescape ideas, I think it’s all about layering with different colorways to create texture, warmth, and visual interest. I might start with a Palizada tablecloth in Albatross, then add placemats in Constellation and napkins in Albatross. I might even add a table runner in Constellation. Then,  mustard yellow dishes, gold flatware, and a few gold candle holders as a centerpiece, and it’s done. Swap in orange dishes, napkin rings, and centerpieces around Halloween, then transition into red or blue and metallic accents toward the end of the year. The same set of linens can easily take me all the way to the new year. 

I’m looking forward to a jam-packed fall entertaining season and hosting as many people as I can around my table. I know my tablecloths, napkins, and other table linens are going to look and feel luxe and new every time. At300Nelson’s 55/45 linen-cotton blend is the perfect blend of soft structure and durability, blending the look of linen with the strength and easy care of cotton. Contact us with questions about autumn table linens or to discuss a custom project.