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The Secret to Creating a Simple Neutral Fall Centerpiece

Learn how to create a simple, neutral fall centerpiece perfect for your kitchen or dining room table, console, or buffet!

Do you love decorating for fall?

Me too!

Changing things up in my home with the seasons is such a fun way to get creative.

And I’ve got a secret tool in my decor stash that makes decorating so. simple!

I can’t wait to share my secret with you, because that’s what friends do.

Creating a Neutral Fall Centerpiece

I love keeping my decor pretty neutral.

Having great neutral foundations makes it super easy to add in little pops of color as the seasons change.

Close-up photo of green painted vintage wood box with neutral linen table runner tucked inside and hanging out on the edge. There's a large antique wood spool in the background and a cream felted pumpkin in the foreground

These gorgeous skinny table runners are EXACTLY the kind of neutral foundation piece I’m talking about!

Since they’re narrow (only 10 inches wide), they are so versatile.

Sure, you can use them as a table runner down the middle of your table. And since they’re skinny, you won’t have to worry about them getting in the way of your place settings.

But.

Since they’re narrow? You can use them on a console table!

Or a coffee table.

Oh, and don’t let that “table runner” name get stuck in your head.

Because they’re also fun on a buffet.

Or a dresser.

And even a mantel!

Today, I wanted to show you how nicely they drape, so I’m trying something a little different.

Table with a neutral fall centerpiece made of green wooden vintage caddy filled with faux dried white flowers, a natural linen table runner is tucked inside and trails over the edges, In front, there is a vintage wooden spool, a cream sweater pumpkin, a woven pumpkin, and a white fleece pumpkin.

For your convenience, I’ve included links to some products shown in this post. Some of these links may be affiliate links and we’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you. You can read our full disclosure here.

How to Use a Skinny Table Runner

One of my favorite budget-friendly crafts for fall is the sweater pumpkin: no sewing required!

If you’ve never tried making them before, you’re gonna love making them!

I may have gone into a sweater pumpkin frenzy last year…

You can check out how easy they are to make right here. I’ll wait. Because you’re gonna wanna have some sweater pumpkins in your life this year!

Table with a neutral fall centerpiece made of green wooden vintage caddy filled with faux dried white flowers, a natural linen table runner, and surrounded by neutral fabric pumpkins, woven pumpkins, and large vintage wood spools.

See what I mean? That cutie little cream colored pumpkin looks perfect with the neutral linen runner.

Let’s break things down so you can get the same kind of look in your home.

Overhead view of a table with a green wooden vintage tool caddy with four compartments sitting on a wood kitchen table

I started with a distressed green vintage wooden caddy. I found it in a local antique mall. Here are some similar ones you might like:

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Overhead view of a table with a green wooden vintage tool caddy with a natural linen table runner is tucked inside and trails over the edges.

I divided the runner into thirds and pushed some of it into the vintage box. That left a little “tail” hanging out one side, and a longer part out another side.

A table with a green wooden vintage tool caddy with a natural linen table runner is tucked inside and trails over the edges. In front, to the side, there is a vintage wooden spool

These runners are so nice and fluid! It was easy to scrunch up that long tail to add some dimension and texture to the centerpiece. A vintage wooden spool was a great way to anchor the runner in place.

Table with a neutral fall centerpiece made of green wooden vintage caddy filled with faux dried white flowers, a natural linen table runner is tucked inside and trails over the edges, In front, there is a vintage wooden spool, a cream sweater pumpkin, a woven pumpkin, and a white fleece pumpkin.

Now it’s time to add in some pumpkins! After all, can a fall centerpiece really be complete without a pumpkin (or three)?

I love mixing in lots of texture and these pumpkins were a great way to add so much variety!

Small clear glass vase with cream dried faux flowers sitting on a table

Speaking of texture, how about some dried flowers? I love these faux stems I found at that same antique mall. The colors look so fallish, dontcha think?

A little vase holds the stems…

Overhead view of a table with a green wooden vintage tool caddy with a natural linen table runner is tucked inside and trails over the edges. A small vase is filled with faux dried cream colored flowers and is sitting inside one of the compartments of the box. An antique wood spool is in the back ground and neutral sweater pumpkins sit to the side.

I leaned that vase on its side a bit so the flowers look like they’re spilling out of the side of the box.

Table with a neutral fall centerpiece made of green wooden vintage caddy filled with faux dried white flowers, a natural linen table runner, and surrounded by neutral fabric pumpkins, woven pumpkins, and large vintage wood spools.

Next, I tucked in another runner the same way as on the opposite corner. Two more large vintage spools hold it in place.

Then it was time for some more texture with more neutral pumpkins in all different sizes.

But maybe you prefer a more pared down look?

Table with a neutral fall centerpiece made of green wooden vintage caddy filled with faux dried white flowers, a natural linen table runner, and surrounded by neutral fabric pumpkins, woven pumpkins, and large vintage wood spools.

No problem! Strip back some of the pumpkins for a simple vintage fall look.

The Secret to Centerpiece Styling

So.

Have you figured out what my secret is?

If you yelled out “a skinny table runner” then I’m giving you a gold star!

Close-up photo of green painted vintage wood box with neutral linen table runner tucked inside and hanging out on the edge. There's a large antique wood spool in the background and a woven rattan pumpkin in the foreground

Besides it being so versatile, I love that our friend Diane designed them with beautiful “aged edging.”

What’s Aged Edging you ask? It’s that lovely fringe on the edges that gets prettier every. time. you wash it.

Talk about the perfect complement to all things vintage!

If you’d like your very own natural linen table runner, she’s just added them to her storefront and you can get one (or more!) for yourself right here: Washed Linen Skinny Table Runner – by South House Designs.

Be sure to tell her Anne & AnnMarie sent you.

Because that’s what friends do. They share their very best secrets with each other.

If you’re visiting from Ahna at Hammers n Hugs, or to see even more fun ways to style these beautiful runners, go visit our friend Michele at Vintage Home Designs. You can find links to all the other ideas we’re sharing today below!

If you have any questions or suggestions, contact me or leave a comment! Follow us over on Instagram and Facebook to see everything we’re up to.

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Saturday Shares - Cottage On Bunker Hill

Saturday 12th of September 2020

[…] AnneMarie and Anne over at Simply2Moms do. I couldn’t stop scrolling their pictures of this Neutral Fall Centerpiece; I bet you won’t be able to stop […]

Jennifer Howard

Friday 11th of September 2020

I love this and your photography is beautiful.

Anne

Saturday 12th of September 2020

Thank you so much for your kind words, Jennifer! And thank you for sharing our post in your round-up today. :)

Linda Johnston

Friday 4th of September 2020

Thanks for sharing! I love using runners too.

Anne

Friday 4th of September 2020

Thanks, Linda! Diane's skinny runners were so fun to style!

wendy Zock

Sunday 23rd of August 2020

This is so pretty great idea

Anne

Sunday 23rd of August 2020

Thanks so much, Wendy!

Barbara at Mantel and Table

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

Oh this is wonderful Anne - I've gotten so many ideas from this post - I can't wait to try them out! I love this skinny table runner! It's perfect for everything! Thanks a million for the inspiration! :)

Anne

Wednesday 19th of August 2020

Thanks so much for checking out our post and for your kind words! I'm totally loving Diane's skinny table runners for sure!