If you’re anything like me, you think about many elaborate and beautiful ways to set your Thanksgiving table, and in the end, you are likely to throw a random tablecloth over the dining room table, use some everyday napkins and maybe light a candle or two.

This year is going to be different. Really. And I’m going to share some inspiration and affordable products from iQ Linens that just might stick (for you and for me).

Keeping Your Thanksgiving Table Simple

Truly the easiest way to go when choosing the tablecloth and cloth napkins is sticking with matching table linens in neutral, like a white or tan tablecloth and napkins.

This base can be dressed up in any way. One of the best opportunities to add pops of color is to use brightly colored plates and/or glassware.

This modern Thanksgiving table from homedit.com uses purple glassware to highlight their crisp, white table linens.

Get Creative with Cloth Napkins

Another modern Thanksgiving table décor idea is to plan your centerpiece first and build the rest of the table’s decoration around it. This can include flowers, a table runner, and other fall décor, and it could feature multiple traditional fall colors. Set your table with this full fall color scheme in mind using a different color napkin for each place setting with a centerpiece that pulls it all together.

Think about a multi-color table runner that includes shades of brown, orange, and green. You can pull those colors from the centerpiece and use a collection of solid napkins in each color, setting places at the table that vary cloth napkin colors at each one. This approach would also work for a plaid tablecloth in this or other color combinations.

Homedit.com gives a fantastic example of using different color cloth napkins at each Thanksgiving place setting.

Using Unconventional Colors in Table Linens

Who says Thanksgiving decorations have to be shades of orange, red and brown? A fun option for your Thanksgiving table decorations is to take it in a completely different color direction. We’ve already talked about purple above, though it is arguably a fairly traditional color for the season. How about teal? Think about using teal cloth napkins over a crisp white table cloth. Find some velvet teal pumpkins and candles for the centerpiece adding some metallic highlights.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces (Should) Keep a Low Profile

My biggest pet peeve about many dinner table centerpieces is their overall height. Some are so large that it’s impossible to carry on a conversation with the person sitting opposite, much less pass the mashed potatoes. It’s for practical, as well as aesthetic, reasons you shouldn’t pile those centerpieces too high, even if the statement might be more dramatic.

Stick to low-profile pumpkins with leaves scattered about. Or maybe even consider a living centerpiece, like a tray of moss. Another option is to use a beautiful table runner and a few candles that leave room to make the food the star of the table. Using beautiful serving dishes for the turkey and green bean casserole can make them pleasing to the eyes, as well as the belly.

Don’t Set Your Table on Fire

All cooks fear a burning smell coming from their ovens, but they don’t give a lot of thought about smoke coming from their dining room. However, there was one dinner party at my house where that became a concern. Dessert was cleared and the conversation continued when suddenly a candle melted too much and a fire started.

It was small and quickly squelched, but it did happen! (Yes, my friends are still talking about it years later.) I now know how to avoid that happening again. Buying dripless candles protects your table from the wax residue, as well as fire. You can find them in many shapes and colors that will complement any Thanksgiving table and centerpiece. However, this is but one way to protect your table from catching fire.

Many tablecloths and table runners from iQ Linens provide a literal layer of protection for your table.

Our Basic Polyester Burnt Orange tablecloth is flame resistant and will keep your table itself from getting burnt, while still looking beautiful. These beautiful polyester products from iQ Linens are certified as inherently flame retardant by passing NFPA 701-2010 Test #1.

Products made of this fabric include every table linen you might need, including tablecloths, table runners, cloth napkins, and more. And its availability in all the classic colors of Thanksgiving and beyond offers all the choices you need. From sage green to goldenrod, you’ll find the right color of flame-resistant polyester table linens at iQ Linens to complement your Thanksgiving decorations.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Hopefully, these tips and resources will help you set the perfect Thanksgiving table.

Choices of iQ Linens tablecloths, cloth napkins, and table runners can be used no matter whether you host a relaxed family meal or a more formal dinner. You’ll find great Thanksgiving table setting ideas from HGTV and other inspirational websites into which these linens can be incorporated.

Just remember, gathering for a meal together is the point of this holiday no matter how large or small your dinner ends up being.