Autumn is the season for gathering around the table. It’s a time to slow down, enjoy seasonal food, and take a moment to reflect on everything we’re grateful for. Whether you’re hosting a harvest supper, a Thanksgiving dinner, or a cosy autumn lunch, thoughtful touches – without too much fuss – make any get-together feel considered and welcoming.
Here, we’re sharing some of our favourite tips for autumn hosting – from styling your table with seasonal accents to serving dishes that are effortless, delicious, and made for sharing. Pull up a chair, make yourself at home, and tuck in!
Setting the Scene
Decorating for an autumn gathering doesn’t need to be complicated. Pumpkins, seasonal flowers, and sprigs of foliage bring natural colour and texture. Add a few candles – tapered dining candles in stoneware or brass candle holders work well – and your home immediately feels inviting.
Dotted tealights in simple stoneware cups (choose from white, eggshell, or forest) are perfect for adding a soft, flickering glow across surfaces, too. A few golden accents or seasonal fruits around the house complete the look without feeling overdone.
Laying the Table
A good table is one that’s curated but uncomplicated. Scatter seasonal produce – crab apples, pears, or more foliage – along the centre, and tie napkins with twine and dried leaves or herbs from the garden. Handwritten menus or place cards add an extra personal touch.
Stick to a palette of autumnal colours: deep reds, warm clay, forest green. Our Rhubarb Linen Blend table runner and matching napkins work beautifully, or mix patterns like Fern Green & Dusk Blue Colour Drenched Gingham with Rhubarb Kemptown Stripe. Setting the table the day before gives you one less thing to worry about and helps make the day of the gathering feel a little calmer.
In the Kitchen
Autumn is a season for comfort food meant to be shared. Choose recipes that can be prepared ahead so you can focus on your guests rather than the kitchen. Platters of warming dishes and one-pot wonders – a nourishing spiced daal, puff pastry pumpkin, or brussels sprouts with a twist – make it easy for everyone to serve themselves. (Side note: our brass salad servers are a practical and elegant addition for this.) Finish with a delicious autumnal apple crisp – a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Drinks are just as important. A batch of cranberry syrup to add to Aperol spritzes or a tart cherry mocktail can be prepped in advance and served with minimal fuss. Starting with a simple, seasonal drink sets the tone before the main meal.
Finishing Touches
Lastly, don’t forget about the little details. Light a single scented candle or create an autumnal simmer pot, leaving cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange slices to steam on the stove. Our Morning Breath Wallow Candle, with notes of citrus, spice, and black tea, is perfect for filling your home with autumnal magic – and doubles as a thoughtful gift for a host, too.
Pair that with a slow, easygoing playlist for the perfect backdrop for conversation and clinking glasses. With gentle lighting, seasonal scents, and your favourite people around the table, your autumn gathering will be set for success.
