Fall Decor: DIY Tablescape & Centerpiece

What do you do when you really want to decorate for fall but you aren’t sure what to do? Great news! Fall decor is literally everywhere.

I am going to walk you through picking your inspiration piece, deciding on a color palette and creating your DIY centerpiece step-by-step. Let’s get started!

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Fall Decor Decisions

Deciding what type of decor to use for your fall tablescape can be the hardest part of the process.

The obvious problem here is, starting can’t happen if a decision isn’t made.

With options in every store you walk in to, it is easy to get completely overwhelmed and avoid making a decision alltogether.

Picking Your Inspiration Piece

First, to get started on your fall decor, the best thing to do is find a piece that you are drawn to.

Don’t overthink your choice!
Trust Your gut

When you find “the one” that will be your inspiration for your DIY Decor!

It’s that simple… if you let it be.

My inspiration for the tablescape I’m showing you here were these pumpkins. I just LOVED them!

Your inspiration might be part of the tablescape itself or even the vase or pot for your centerpiece.

It could even be a table runner for under your entire fall decoration you are creating.

Whatever it is, stick to it! Stick to your inspiration.

Picking Your Color Palette

Next, you need to pick your color palette.

To do this, hold the inspiration piece or a picture of it up against the other elements you are considering using.

Now, determine what you want the focal color to be.

Remember, sometimes (often times) making it your focal color means neutrals around your primary color.

With Fall decor, this is usually some version of white, cream or beige.

Choosing your fall decor color palette is really a matter of your personal taste.

If you aren’t sure, just search fall color palette on Pinerest.

Plan Your Fall Decor Centerpiece

Finally, it’s time to start your centerpiece!

Choose Fall Floral Elements

Pick your floral elements for your centerpiece.

I chose a bouquet of fall flowers and added two stems for my focal floral pieces.

Looking for floral stems or bushes? Check these out from Michael’s.

Try choosing flowers that are in the same color family and having your focal color in one type of flower.

TIP: Keep in mind that smaller flowers may be cheaper but the smaller the flower, the more you will need.

In this example, the focal color is the beige to let the whites and creams to be prominent.

Select Fall Fillers

Next, choose the fillers to go in the centerpiece.

Fillers are used to add depth, dimension and interest to your centerpiece.

I selected fillers that have different textures.

Lavender for length, wheat for softness, eucalyptus for interest and another filler with a completely different texture.

Here are some options for fillers and greenery to add to your arrangement.

Keep your color palette in mind as you choose your fillers.

Notice, I didn’t pick elements that are all in the same color family. Choose some elements that are many shades of the chosen color palette.

Choose Base & Tools

First and foremost, look around your house to see if you already have a base for your centerpiece on hand.

More than likely, the same thing that is inspiring you now goes with something that inspired you before.

If not, pick which base to use. There are several options which include a vase, a pot, or a non-traditional option.

Non-traditional bases for your fall decor could be clay pots, metal buckets, candle holders, a pumpkin or whatever is feeling “right” for your fall centerpiece.

I chose a resin pot that has texture and a hint of color. The beige is a lighter shade than the beige flowers in my flowers.

Here are a few gorgeous options for your fall centerpiece base.

Wire cutters will be used to cut your floral stems. You can get wire cutters at large craft stores and hardware stores.

Grab these wire cutters and have them sent straight to your home.

Pick Your Fall Tablescape Decor

Now that you have all of your Fall Centerpiece elements picked, it’s time to choose your tablescape decor items.

I picked pieces that have different textures to add warmth to my tablescape.

The pumpkins are both wood with hand-carved features. While rustic, they are different colors and still have a softness to them.

To contrast the pumpkins, the glass riser adds a bit of elegance. This was used as a riser for my Fall centerpiece.

There are three round raw wood disks with the bark still on them. These are hand-cut but you can buy them HERE and save yourself some time.

Last, but not least, two rustic white candlestick holders will finish of the fall tablescape.

Create Your Fall Decor Centerpiece

Now that you have everything selected for your Fall Centerpiece, you can start creating it!

The best part is, you will do this in less than 30 minutes by following these simple instructions!

Prepare Base For Fall Centerpiece

Start by setting floral foam over the top of the base.

Next, cut the foam slightly larger than your base.

The floral foam is very soft so you can use a butter knife to cut it.

TIP: Cut the foam while it’s still in the plastic wrapper. You will save yourself a huge mess AND you can save the extra foam easily.

Press the foam into your base. (Press firmly with the flattest part of your hand to avoid making holes)

Have gaps? Cut small pieces of foam to press into the gaps that exist in your base.

Start Building Your Centerpiece

Begin building your centerpiece by cutting your biggest focal flower‘s stem at the preferred height.

In the example shown, the main floral stem is cut 4″ above the top of the base using wire cutters.

To put your stems in the base hold the stem firmly, close to the foam, and press it straight down.

It’s very important not to put the stems in at an angle. Especially if your base is under 5 inches in diameter.

Remember, the stems have wire in them so, you can manipulate it once it’s in the base.

Add Floral Layers To Centerpiece

Starting this step, you should have a single stem in your base.

Next, begin adding your floral stems working around the base of your focal stem (already in the base).

As you cut the stems for the rest of your floral arrangement, remember that your stems should get slightly shorter as you get closer to the top of your base.

In the arrangement shown, the main stem is approximately 8″ long. The stems at the second layer are approximately 6″ long. The next layer are approximately 4.5″ long.

TIP: Cut your stems a little long. You can always cut more off but you can’t put the stem back on!

As you build your arrangement, cup your hands (both of them) as though you’re holding a ball between them.

Now, put your hands over your arrangement keeping that basic shape.

While not perfect, you want to aim for a dome shape with your floral stems.

IMPORTANT TIP: Don’t try to make it look perfect. Flowers aren’t perfect. Be sure to avoid following an exact pattern so your centerpiece looks natural.

Time To Fill The Gaps

In the image for step 4, the picture on the far left shows how the arrangement is coming along but it looks lack luster.

There are gaps and it hasn’t taken shape yet.

Don’t worry, this is where everything starts coming together.

Next, cut your filler stems, one at a time, as you place them in your centerpiece.

The picture in the middle shows how I cut the lavender to stand slightly taller than the floral stems.

Start with the gap nearest your main focal stem (the first flower in).

REMEMBER: Cut the stem longer than necessary. You can always trim it if it’s too long.

Continue to follow this process, adding filler stems one at a time.

Manipulate Fillers to Add Depth And Interest

The images provided for step 5 outline the centerpiece prior to adding fillers.

The middle image fills the gap and the last image shows how to gently manipulate the fillers.

Once your filler stems are in, gently manipulate each fork of the filler to distribute them throughout your arrangement.

BE CAUTIOUS not to add too many fillers.

Remember it’s OK to have extra materials left at the end of your project.

“Fluff” And Finish Your Fall Centerpiece

Now that everything is in your centerpiece, it’s time to fluff and finish!

To turn flowers to face out instead of up, hold the stem firmly. Then, with your thumb on the front of the flower and your index and middle finger on the back, slightly bend the flower to face the desired direction.

Remember to test the shape of your centerpiece arrangement using the ball-in-hand method I shared earlier.

Some of the fillers should extend slightly beyond your floral stems.

Continue to “fluff” until you are pleased with your Fall Centerpiece.

TIP: Use extra leaves on stems to place at the lowest layer of your centerpiece arrangement to finish it off!

When placing leaves in your arrangement firmly bend them downward underneath your flowers at the base of your arrangement.