I would not use the tablecloth. It looks old fashioned. A fall colored bouquet of flowers in the green pitcher and the napkins/rings will be plenty.

Really like the table cloth and napkins and leaf napkin holders.

The large "pumpkin" alone or either of the two flower boxes will work well for when the table is not in use. Probably wouldn't use them all together, though -- that much is a bit "busy" for my taste. Any one by itself (flowers in the pitcher) will work.

Maybe leave the "pumpkin" on the table and set the flower boxes in other rooms.

NOT to light, of course, but you might hide scented wax or a scented candle within your "pumpkin" to add to the holiday vibe. If you cannot find a "pumpkin pie" scent you like, consider the banana nut bread or apple cinnamon.

I would skip the tablecloth. It kind of screams “FALL DECORATING” a bit much. It also looks too busy with the other items. So try taking it off and taking more pics

Thank y’all so much! I appreciate the recommendations!

I'm not crazy about the tablecloth. It seems to me that many fall (and Christmas) tablecloths are too much. In other words, they try too hard to set the season.

If you'd like a tablecloth, you might want to consider a plain silk one with a burlap runner on it. I have a dark forest green polyester silk tablecloth and a mint green burlap runner myself. On it, I have a collection of faux (glass, copper, burlap, etc.) and real pumpkins. (Today I found three birch candles at the thrift store so those will be added.) To avoid possible table damage I feel the real pumpkins every other day or so to be sure they are still hard. This mixes well with my other somewhat minimal autumn decor throughout the living room.

With more than one item as centerpiece, the table cloth does look too "busy". With only one item -- not so much.

It does, however, depend upon the look you want and the people you're entertaining. If your children are gathering with their friends for a Halloween party, keep the tablecloth.

If it's just family -- depending upon how "stuffy" your family might be -- optional.

If you're entertaining co-workers ... maybe go with a more "conservative"/formal one.

I'd probably use the table cloth for entertaining as I'd not be inviting anyone into my home that would find it objectionable at all -- anyone that I'd invite would be more interested in the conversation and food.

I love the tablecloth! I think the pumpkin is a little to "heavy" for the table decoration when you'll be dining. Try the two flower arrangements end to end so they look like one long centerpiece. With the leaves on the tablecloth and the arrangements, I think that's plenty of decor on the table.

You've got a lot going on with your choices. I would remove the table cloth and replace with a solid coloured runner, perhaps in a dark mustard colour. That should be enough to tie everything together. You could also remove the pumpkin (it looks like brown bananas tied together, sorry).

Okay. So I removed the tablecloth. Now I could still use just the green pitcher and but some flowers to put in it. For now, I just put the two boxes of flowers together, and the other is the pumpkin with a fake candle in the center. Is this better? Do I need placemats or something else in the center? I can return any of this stuff as I bought it all today. Y’all are so helpful; I appreciate your time and suggestions.

Oops forgot the pics!

(Valerie, I have to agree, I'm not a fan of the table cloth but I love how you are getting into the spirit of fall and having fun with table scapes! If you want to have something on the table, I saw a few cute table runners at target in the magnolia department. You could add a table runner with a some fall foliage, or small pumpkins or apples. I like to add a neutral round placemat and a plate with a folded linen napkin with something like a small pumpkin or apple. I would upload a photo but it's not showing.

(sorry the table was in the middle of a paint/gel finish and I hadn't added my drawers yet)

I agree regarding the tablecloth being too busy. A solid, neutral color would be nice, such as the background color in the one in your photos. Your two wood boxes remind me of something our daughter does that's really nice. She has one very long, narrow wood box that might be (approximately) 30" long by 6" wide. She fills it with (real) mini pumpkins, gourds, nuts, berries, leaves, candles, or anything else Fall-ish. These examples are just to give an idea.

I loved it with the tablecloth! It looked so festive and fun. It looks empty and forlorn without it. If you want to tone it down a bit and set off the arrangements a bit better, maybe a solid color runner over the top of the tablecloth?

chloe has the perfect centerpieces to go w/your table cloth! the wood boxes w/mini pumpkins , nuts, greenery or candles would be perfect

Keep them all. Use different centerpieces for different occasions and different meals.

The pumpkin will be too high while actually dining because people may be unable to see each other over it but between meals go ahead and enjoy it. Perhaps you have a cabinet or other place in the same room or nearby room for the pumpkin while you're dining.

Like the idea of putting the two rectangle boxes end to end to appear to be one.

We have an old pine kitchen table that my husband made 46 years ago. Even though it’s showing it’s age I just use a table runner and placemats. The little ceramic fall pieces are ones that the kids painted about 35 years ago. Every year I drag the stuff out. Last year I treated myself to new placemats.

I like your tablecloth too. I think a runner on top of tablecloth as suggested already woukd look very nice. I think you need more layers instead of taking things away. A striped burlap or buffalo check runner would be cute, and then if you placed a few leaves on the runner like in the photo I’m attaching you would have leaves peeking from under and then on top of runner. If you aren’t going to have place settings, I don’t feel you should leave napkins out by themselves. Maybe find a nice basket or container to display them in.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Use the tablecloth and napkins! I personally loved your last foto with the figurine, very special. With plates and glasses it will look great, it isn’t finished yet ....

Looks like we cannot add smilies (emojis) to our posts....

The tablecloth and decorations seem to fight each other. A plainer table cloth will let you keep the decor and use adorable placemats. The wood boxes also would work with your decor. Glad you’re getting into the fall mood!

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I also thought this was nice with the apples.

Valerie, your two boxes end to end are nice. My preference would be to add a solid color runner or tablecloth. Something wheat- or oatmeal-colored would be nice with your boxes.

We all have different opinions. The important thing is that you like it.

The apples, eucalyptus and white candles would look very festive even on a table without the cloth or a runner. But please be aware that eucalyptus oil is toxic to cats and dogs. I love the smell but won't risk killing my pets so faux eucalyptus it is. (If you do have pets check out the ASPCA's list of plants toxic to animals before bringing something home.)

Excellent post here some months ago about not using burlap directly on your wood furniture - she had a ruined finish from having done so, as there's some chemicals in burlap that react to finishes. Use with underlayer of some kind.

If the eucalyptus is a problem, any greens you feel comfortable with would work nicely with the apples and candles. They used cheesecloth underneath. Here's one with white pumpkins.

A center piece is what you need and a table cloth and napkins are not

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Again, thank you all for your help! Obviously, there are many options and opinions. I tried to take what each of you said and reevaluate what I was trying to achieve. Even my husband came home and said he thought it all was too busy the way I had it. And while I liked the tablecloth, I get what you meant by it being too busy all together. I’m learning here! With that said, I scrapped the tablecloth, took 1 leaf out of my table to take that “long ness” away, which helped my two centerpieces look bigger, added some colored plates, which someone recommended mustard. I got a neutral placemat, which I will take off those tags after I’m 100% sure later, after my husband gives his opinion! I think this is much more simple, but feel I like it better. I have friends coming for dinner next week and unless anyone thinks I need to enhance this with a little something else, I think I’m tired of shopping this weekend all for this table!!

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Here are the pics.

oops, try again!

Do something unexpected for your guests.. Don't save exciting looks for New Years only

Pumpkins & Plaid tablecloths and scarves look lovely, but they are nothing new. Try this 3D petal taffeta fabric. You could buy yardage to suit your table length. Keep the selvage edges and hem the width (57 inches wide)

There are lots of colors in petal tafetta. There are circular petals, spear flower petals (mango leaf) leaves, and others. The link below offers fall leaves in Ivory, gold, coppery brown, blush, champagne.

http://www.fabricempire.com/grape-leaves-taffeta-fabrics.aspx

Although this is a full length tablecloth and a circle pattern petal- the tactile effect is the same. Just add a simple vase of cream mums to the image below

Detailed "grape leaves"

More petal fabric "mango leaf"

Trying the pics again. Feel somethings missing...better but still unsure.

Get a few little gourds and place at each end of the arrangement, or candlesticks. Otherwise it looks very nice.

Here’s how I have this fall’s table. Have fun with it! And hit the sales after season.

Valerie, I was thinking some mini white pumpkins might tie in nicely with the white berries in your boxes. The color of the placemats and boxes seems to blend nicely on my screen. The plates are a little bright and grab focus for me, but obviously a non-issue if you like them. Just curious...will the plates/napkins remain out, or are you just showing what mealtime will look like? I might go with the boxes, mini white pumpkins, and maybe some candles. Placemats optional. Could you fit some candles into the boxes...similar to the photos I posted? If not, no biggie.

Just wanted to say you're a good sport with all this!

Oh...and definitely unscented if you do use candles for the table.

Chloebud, So I just set it because I have company coming. I did buy some gourds this afternoon and that helped. I hear you on the plates, but there were yellow then there were mustard, or others that I was afraid of being too matchy. I wanted a little pop of more color. Here’s my final photo with the gourds. Sorry to any pro’s on here; you might be shaking your heads. Lol. This doesn’t come naturally to me.

"So I just set it because I have company coming."

Got it! Nicely done...the gourds look great. Maybe push them snug up against the ends of the box to simulate one long centerpiece. Okay...I'll be quiet now. ;-)

I would be very happy to be served a meal at that table! Good work!

I just noticed the coordinating but not matching napkins. I like that a lot.

That’s really pretty on your table!

Once you add the cutlery and glassware that table will look perfect. Nice job.

Actually, I think what you have now works very well. I'd enjoy sitting at and enjoying that table (and the company).