Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

A few years back, we hosted our first Thanksgiving meal on a few days notice! While it was  a very small group, there is still a lot of preparation involved. And because our house is older and has so many more pressing projects, we are short on time and all we’ve done is drafted a list of menu items!

In addition to having to do some serious cleaning, shopping and food prep, I want to do some small decorations to make the house feel more festive. My brain was at capacity, but since then I’ve brainstormed and scoured the interwebs for inspiration.

So here’s my list of last minute Thanksgiving Decor Ideas for all you out there running short on time or bandwidth:

  • Gift treat bags at each place setting (see my Etsy shop for a printables)
  • Placemats (Carve potato stamps on craft paper, accent with leaves, acorns, pine sprigs or cones from outdoors
  • Center piece – use plaid scarves to craft a center piece with pumpkins (real or fake) or a small birch stick bundle neatly wrapped with leather or rustic twine
  • Mini cranberry bogs – simple glass vases with rocks at the bottom and fresh cranberries floating inside

Area Rugs

After a year and half in our house, we are getting new flooring! Granted I “sold” my hubby on the idea of this outdated house on the promise of “imagine it with new floors” in order to look past the very 1980s pink, floral, and orangey-beige carpets.

Many hours were spent daydreaming and researching what the new floors should be. I was dead set on wood/wood-look in our main living areas and bedroom. We discovered that he did not like materials that had the wood-look that weren’t wood. So all tile, vinyl and laminates were off the table. The engineered woods have many benefits, but something about the splice of layers and how thin the actual wood layer was didn’t give me much hope that they could ever be refinished after our zoofull of pets had their way with them.

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Life with Multiple Cats

We live in a multi-cat household. It’s a Brady-Bunch-esque feline situation – some were mine, some were his. The transition to combining our beloved kitties into one household involved a lot of work and patience but we are now living in relative harmony. Granted, they don’t snuggle up together. There’s more of a tolerance and acceptance among the kitties.

If you’re wondering how we do it, here are some must-haves to keep our kitties harmonious.

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DIY Halloween Decor

Halloween is the quintessential time of year to break out those DIY skills and get creative. As a child, my mom always helped us create our costumes from scratch. It was partially due to the fact that we had no money and lived an hour away from a shopping center that sold costumes, but also partly because it brought her great joy. I remember her and our neighbor, with their big 80’s perms, smoking cigarettes and drinking diet coke in our kitchen, while they strategized costumes for us kids. Needless to say, those where the glory days of Halloween in our household – both my brother and I, and the neighbor kids won “best costume” awards year after year.

For one childhood birthday, I decided that instead of doing the traditional slumber party, I wanted to have a Halloween party. My mom and I spent hours brainstorming, creating and shopping for decor to transform our garage into a spooky pre-tween birthday party. Mind you, this was before Pinterest (and even the internet) so we really had to dig deep for ideas and brainstorm with other people.

So in the spirit of the technology age, and in appreciation of the plethora of inspiration the internet has to offer, here’s a roundup of Halloween DIY ideas that you can make on the cheap and with little time!

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The Eyes Have It

Collage of eye items

If eyes are the window to the soul, then home items with graphic representations of eyes are a window to your style.  In this case, the eyes have it!

After noticing small items with eyes popping up in home decor blogs and Pinterest, I decided to do a round up to see what was out there. And, if I can get over these cheesy eye puns, will provide a few sources to feast your eyes on!

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Simple Entry Way

Entry way with round mirror, bench, baskets and coat rack
Simple entry way. Image Credit: Almost Perfect

There is an appeal to a simply decorated entry way. One that favors a few well crafted decor items, offers a bench for convenience, a rack for belongings, and a mirror to check yourself over in case you have wind blown hair.

This entry way from Almost Perfect strikes a lovely balance of beauty and comfort. I’ve done a round up of similar items you can purchase to create your own simple entry way oasis.

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Bold Black and White Tablecloths

Black and white themed outdoor dining setup
Outdoor dining inspiration. Image Source: Vogue Mexico

After falling madly in love with this outdoor dining decor featured in Vogue Mexico, I set out to find similar bold black and white tablecloths. It was a bit elusive.

By getting creative, you can find more options out there. Therefore, I am including several tapestries that could double as tablecloths – a girl’s got to think outside the box sometimes!

Also, if you’re looking for graphic pillow options to go along with these patterned tablecloths, I did a separate post with bold pillow ideas.

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Snuggle Up with these Bold Pillows

Snuggle up with these bold pillows!

I recently stumbled across a collage of “boho style” items and was instantly smitten with the variety of boldly patterned pillows.

If it were up to me, my furniture and bed would be a layered in so many pillows that it would look like an elaborate textile version of a tiered wedding cake.

Throw pillows are the easiest way to change the style of a neutrally colored couch, loveseat or chair. Plus, you can buy several for a stacked up vibe without breaking the bank. For some snugly pillow inspiration, keep reading.

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Rich Multicolored Palette – Blue/Teals and Red/Orange

graphic of pictures with color palette
Lively blue, teal, red, orange color palette inspiration. Image Source: The Happy Heathen

The vibrant palette of teal/blue and red/orange multicolored palette with hints of lime and the palest blue speaks to a soothing yet lively sensibility.

When I stumbled upon this post by The Happy Heathen, the richness and vibrancy of the colors stood out to me. Then to see it was called “Delve into 2012” I started to question my sense of style. However, based on the popularity of this graphic on Pinterest, it seems that this colored palette is more enduring and just as interesting as time goes by. I’ll explore a few ways to bring this into your decor. If you’re ready for the big plunge and looking to paint your room, an accent wall or cabinets one of these rich blue/teal colors, you’re in luck –  I’ll share a few recommendations.

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Sage Green Inspiration

sage green inspiration board all items described belowSage green is showing up everywhere – from wall paints, to kitchen cabinets to a variety of home goods. While the color can get a little too earthy for my liking, the varieties available are getting into the livelier and brighter tones.

This color is a great neutral because you can pull through a pop that contrasts or complements, from red and maroon to white and navy blue. Whatever your tastes may be, it’s easy to see why some have called sage green the color of 2017. Keep reading for the sources of these fantastic sage green inspirational items.

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