Rustic Fall Tablescape with Simple DIY Details

Are you ready for cooler weather and dinner parties outside? I’ve got you covered with a rustic outdoor tablescape that’s ideal for a rustic dinner menu. 

You’ll get some unique decoration ideas from this cozy table, including a vintage inspired fall centerpiece and place setting your guests can’t wait to sit down to.

The best part? You may already have most of the items at home, and the rest are clever and cute details that you can make yourself.

Table Covering

To provide a foundation, use a flannel throw as a tablecloth. It provides instant warmth and seasonal style.

I have this one in a classic fall color scheme which provides the perfect base for the other items.

Rustic Centerpiece

Nothing says ‘rustic’ quite like a vintage soda crate. I just love them and use them every chance I get.

This time, place it in the center of the table and utilize the compartments to hold bottles filled with flowers, antlers, feathers, candles, and decorative balls. It’s so eclectic and unexpected, but makes a great centerpiece and conversation piece.

For an added touch, use a piece of burlap to wrap around the neck of a few of the bottles. Then, insert a wooden pick to hold it together. The pick is easy to push through the loose weave of the burlap.

This DIY detail is completely unique and simple to do.

Place Settings

This rustic table doesn’t call for fancy layers, but you can add interest with an appetizer basket on each guest’s plate. Start with wooden berry baskets and fill them with individual cheeses, bread loaf, and seasoning.

• Start the basket by laying a strip of cheesecloth inside and letting it drape over the sides to soften the edges.
• Here, I use Babybel cheese and wrapped them in brown craft paper. Then I used letters and ink pad to stamp the word “cheese” onto the paper.
• For the bread I simply bought a tube of refrigerated French bread dough and cut it into 4 even sections before baking. The mini loaves are the perfect portion for a single serving. Place them in small white paper sacks and fold down the top for a rustic market look.
• Finally, I filled small tubes with a seasoning blend that is great for making bread dipping oil.
• Tie a name tag onto the tube to act as a place setting marker. For these I used canvas tags from Hobby Lobby and iron-on transfer sheets to add the names. It’s very similar to how I made these DIY bottle labels.

Guests can eat the contents of the basket as the dinner appetizer, or they can take it home as a party favor. If they are to take it home, seal the bag that the bread is in to keep it fresh.

Roll the utensils up inside the napkins and make a burlap band that matches the one on the bottles in the centerpiece. Secure it with decorative bamboo picks. This is clever and adorable!

Finally, I suggest you include fall themed bottles of hard cider as the beverage of choice. The labels on these are just so cute and coordinate with the fall tablescape.

This dinner party table lends itself well to a casual gathering of friends sitting outside under market lights, and starting up the fire pit to keep warm after sundown.

Serve a hearty, rustic meal like beef stew or cheesy chili. They would both pair well with the cheese and bread basket, and the hard cider. Make a rustic apple galette for dessert.

More Fall Tablescapes Ideas

I had so much fun designing this rustic table for a fall supper. The DIY touches are unique, clever, and fun! Check out these other table ideas that will get you in the autumn spirit.

• Fall dinner party alfresco
• DIY caramel apple place cards
• Black and tan fall table
• Chic soup dinner party table