Golden Hours: Candles & Lanterns as Thanksgiving Table Decorations and Fall Home Decor

As the days grow shorter and Thanksgiving nears, there’s a special magic to cozying up our spaces with warm, flickering lights. This guide will help you create a Thanksgiving atmosphere that feels golden and inviting, perfect for gathering loved ones. Whether you’re a candle enthusiast or just someone who loves a good cozy glow, here are some top tips to craft your fall home decor with Thanksgiving lighting ideas.

For those who delight in crafting a mood—think of the romantic realists and cozy minimalists among us—the right lighting is everything. Start with three essentials: candles, lanterns, and fairy lights. Each of these elements brings a unique glow to the table—literally.

Thanksgiving Lighting Ideas

Fall candles, autumn lanterns, and fairy lights are perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere as part of your Thanksgiving lighting ideas. Fall candles in earthy tones like amber, burnt orange, and deep reds add a cozy glow, with scented options like cinnamon or pumpkin spice bringing a festive aroma.

Autumn lanterns in rustic materials—think weathered metal or wood—create a welcoming ambiance, whether used indoors or lining an outdoor path. Fairy lights, with their delicate twinkle, add a whimsical touch; wrap them around centerpieces or along mantels for a soft, magical glow that enhances any fall home decor.

Fall Candle Decorations

For the unapologetically nostalgic, candles are a must. From tall taper candles to little flickering tealights, fall candle decorations offer that old-world charm, a wink to times before artificial lights. Choose earthy tones—think ivory, burnt orange, and warm amber—and for the scent connoisseurs, nothing says Thanksgiving like notes of cinnamon, clove, or pumpkin. But remember, scented for the entrance, unscented for the dining table (trust us, your pumpkin pie will thank you).

Mulled Cider Scented Jar Candle

Featuring three wicks for even burning, this candle combines the natural scents of McIntosh apples, warm cider, and a sprinkle of spice. Handcrafted to ensure a clean burn and long-lasting fragrance, it's the perfect addition to any room seeking a touch of coziness and tradition.

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Autumn Lantern Decor

For those who dream of escaping to the countryside or appreciate a rustic touch, lanterns are where it’s at. Metal and glass lanterns add a grounded, timeless charm and come in styles from weathered copper to sleek black. Arrange them in different sizes—small, medium, large—and mix in warm metals to echo autumn tones. Autumn lantern decor doesn't just look lovely; lanterns embody the “welcome” glow, casting soft, comforting shadows across the room.

Fall Fairy Lights

Fall fairy lights are for the whimsical spirits who never stopped believing in magic. These tiny but mighty lights add a sprinkle of delicate, effortlessly enchanting sparkle. Whether you weave them around your table decor or drape them on a mantel, they add that soft twinkle without stealing the show. Warm white is your best bet for that coveted “golden hour” vibe.

Styling Ideas for Thanksgiving Table Decorations

Now, let’s talk tablescapes, a.k.a. the heart of Thanksgiving for anyone who believes every meal should have a little ceremony. For the tablescape aficionado (you know who you are), these Thanksgiving table decorations and lighting ideas will elevate your setting to a golden masterpiece.

Thanksgiving Place Settings with Candle Accents

For detail-oriented decorators creating a cozy Thanksgiving table, add small candle accents to each place setting—think tealights or mini taper candles in simple holders. Thanksgiving place settings can also include dried orange slices with herbs, mini pumpkin name holders, and tiny lanterns.

Little lanterns add to each guest’s Thanksgiving place setting, doubling as a sweet Thanksgiving memento to take home. You can also add a slender taper candle in a delicate holder by each setting—just enough glow to feel intimate and personal.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas

Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas are so much fun! Clustered pillar and taper candles of various heights along the center of your table create a stunning glow without overwhelming the senses. For centerpiece lovers who want to make a statement, add a rustic lantern or two filled with mini pumpkins, dried leaves, or pinecones—an artful nod to autumn’s bounty.

Wrap fairy lights around the base of your Thanksgiving centerpiece, or even within the foliage, for a subtle sparkle that feels straight out of a storybook. Tiered trays can also add visual interest; edible centerpieces give the table a lush (and snackable!) harvest feel; and glass jars or vases filled with cranberries, acorns, or corn kernels feel festive and extra-creative.

Your Thanksgiving table decorations represent your unique style and the vibe you want to create for your family and friends. I love this romantic Thanksgiving centerpiece idea from HGTV.

Cozy Thanksgiving Ambiance

Thanksgiving is more than the table—it’s about creating cozy corners for friends and family to gather. It's the perfect reason to go all out with your fall home decor. For the fireplace romantics and ambiance artists, here’s how to extend that golden light throughout your home.

To carry the Thanksgiving ambiance beyond the dining room, incorporate cozy touches throughout your home. Start by placing candles or lanterns in your entryway to greet guests with a warm glow. Add clusters of autumnal decor—think pumpkins, dried leaves, and seasonal flowers—on console tables and mantels.

In the living room, layer cozy throws and pillows in fall colors, and place small votive candles on side tables for a soft flicker. For windowsills, try adding fairy lights or small, rustic lanterns to create a charming view from outside. These simple details extend the inviting Thanksgiving atmosphere into every corner.

Thanksgiving Living Room Accents

If you have a fireplace, let it steal the show. Fill it with candles or lanterns in various sizes for a warm, rustic vibe, even if you’re not lighting a fire. For side tables, try grouping small votive candles to create a flickering “pocket” of light—a little oasis of warmth. And don’t forget the cluster of lanterns near a console table or tucked in corners; pairing them with autumn leaves or pinecones adds a final harvest touch.

Other Thanksgiving living room accents that double as everyday fall home decor include seasonal throw pillows in autumn colors, chunky knit blankets, dried floral arrangements, and autumn wreaths and garlands.

Dahlia and Mum in Glass Vase

Perfect for adding a touch of rustic charm to any space, this arrangement features vibrant faux flowers in a clear glass vase, offering an everlasting bloom that requires no maintenance. Ideal for rustic and bohemian decors.

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Fall Home Decor for Windows and Doorways

If you’re a host who loves to create an atmosphere before guests even enter the room, light up your windows and doorways with fabulous fall home decor. Windowsills lined with candles or fairy lights are like a golden “hello,” creating a soft silhouette from outside. Add lanterns by the door or hang a few by entryways for a warmly inviting threshold. The effect is part warmth, part mystery, ideal for those who appreciate a sense of welcome and wonder.

Some fun DIY fall home decor ideas include hanging autumn leaf garlands, wheat or corn husk wreaths, or dried orange garlands. These ideas are fun to make together as a family and offer a rustic fall home decor aesthetic.

Thanksgiving Mantel Decor

A Thanksgiving mantel can be the perfect focal point to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for the season. Start by layering autumnal decor items like mini pumpkins, pinecones, and dried leaves across the mantel for texture and seasonal color. Adding candles is key for achieving that cozy Thanksgiving glow—choose a mix of pillar candles in earthy tones like amber, ivory, or deep orange. Place them at different heights using candle holders or rustic wooden blocks to add dimension and interest. For a lovely autumn scent, consider cinnamon or clove-scented candles, which complement the ambiance and add a festive touch.

Adding lanterns on either side can add more drama to the Thanksgiving mantel decor. Vintage-style metal or glass lanterns with warm-toned candles inside offer a rustic, timeless charm. For a soft, twinkling effect, drape fairy lights around the mantel, weaving them through the decor. Place a Thanksgiving wreath or small garland above the mantel for a final harvest-inspired touch to bring everything together.

Outdoor Fall Lighting Ideas

For those with an eye for creating magical outdoor spaces (we see you, backyard revelers, and garden entertainers), here are ideas to bring the glow outside and make your porch or patio just as inviting as your indoor spaces. We have some cozy fall lighting ideas to make your outdoor spaces as comfortable and inviting as your favorite indoor ones. You can find some great ideas (and photo inspiration like the one below) at Homes & Gardens online.

Porch and Patio Lighting

My grandma used to have the best porch lighting year-round. Even when it got chilly, we all gathered on the porch late into the evening beneath the glow of a few lamps, lanterns, and string lights.

A lantern-lined path or a row of flickering lights up the porch is perfect for anyone who adores a grand entrance. That's why it's one of our favorite fall lighting ideas. Create a cozy seating area with outdoor-safe candles and hang fairy lights along railings or columns to carry that Thanksgiving magic into the yard. Group lanterns around an outdoor seating area or table to make outdoor dining in November feel like an evening escape.

Backyard Gatherings: Lighting Ideas

The backyard is a blank canvas for those planning a more rustic or outdoorsy Thanksgiving. Create an outdoor circle of lanterns and candles around a fire pit for extra warmth and intimacy. If you’re setting up tables outdoors, consider hanging mason jars with tealights from tree branches or hooks for a whimsical, floating effect. This is ideal for those who want a bit of an enchanted forest vibe as they celebrate.

For all the candle lovers, lantern aficionados, and fairy light enthusiasts, we hope these Thanksgiving lighting ideas will help you create a holiday glow that feels more magical than ever. With the right lighting, any space can be transformed into a cozy, inviting retreat where friends and family gather with warmth and joy.

So whether you’re inspired by a rustic lantern path, a twinkling tablescape, or the warmth of candlelight by the fireside, let this Thanksgiving be bathed in golden light that fills every corner with a festive glow. Here’s to a Thanksgiving that’s as warm, welcoming, and wonderfully golden as the season itself.

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