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Fall is the perfect season to gather around the table, and if you love the charm of coastal living, why not bring that seaside touch into your autumn décor?

Here’s 10 fall dining table décor ideas for a coastal cottage home that beautifully blend beach-inspired style with cozy seasonal accents. If you’re decorating beyond the table, you might also enjoy How to Decorate Small Spaces with Coastal Home Decor.

From driftwood centerpieces and nautical pumpkins to oyster shell votives and rustic seagrass layers, these ideas will help you create a warm, welcoming table that feels both festive and coastal.

Key Takeaways:

Discover 10 creative coastal fall dining table décor ideas.
Learn how to mix beach elements with traditional autumn accents.
Get inspiration for Thanksgiving and cozy seasonal gatherings.
Easy, budget-friendly tips to create a charming coastal cottage look.

1. Nautical Pumpkin Centerpiece

Nothing says fall like pumpkins, but when styled with a coastal twist, they become the perfect bridge between autumn warmth and seaside charm.

A nautical pumpkin centerpiece works beautifully for a coastal cottage dining table because it captures the essence of the season while staying true to your beach-inspired style.

Why It’s Perfect for Fall Decorating:

Combines the traditional fall pumpkin with a fresh coastal vibe.
Works as a versatile centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinners, autumn gatherings, or everyday décor.
Adds seasonal coziness without overpowering the light, airy feel of a coastal home.

How to Style It:

Start with white, blue, or muted-toned pumpkins; these softer hues pair beautifully with coastal color palettes.
Arrange them in a weathered wooden boat, wicker tray, or dough bowl to serve as your base.
Accent the display with seashells, starfish, or pieces of driftwood to bring in that seaside touch.
Layer in a few sprigs of dried wheat, eucalyptus, or sea grass for seasonal texture.
Finish with fairy lights or tea candles tucked in between the pumpkins for a warm autumn glow.

Where to Buy Coastal Pumpkins & Decor:

Amazon – faux white and blue pumpkins, dough bowls, and LED candles.
Etsy – hand-painted coastal pumpkins, nautical dough bowls, oyster shell accents.
HomeGoods – budget-friendly seasonal pumpkins and rustic trays.

DIY Project Idea:
If you love a hands-on project, try painting your own pumpkins to match your coastal palette:

Buy small faux pumpkins from a craft store.
Paint them in shades of seafoam, navy, or sandy beige using chalk paint for a matte finish.
Add nautical details like rope trim, painted anchors, or seashell embellishments.
Seal with a matte top coat for durability.

This DIY version not only saves money but also lets you personalize your fall centerpiece to perfectly match your cottage’s décor. For more seasonal craft inspiration, check out 6 Brilliant Holiday Decorating Tips That Won’t Break the Bank.

2. Driftwood and Candles

Driftwood naturally reflects the coastal lifestyle, and pairing it with warm-toned candles instantly adds autumn coziness.

It’s a simple way to combine rustic seaside textures with the soft glow of fall.

How to Style It:

Find a sturdy piece of driftwood long enough to run along the center of your table.
Place pillar candles of varying heights in autumn shades like ivory, cream, and muted orange.
Tuck in small gourds, acorns, or pinecones between the candles for seasonal charm.
Scatter bits of sea glass or sand for subtle coastal sparkle.

Where to Buy:

Amazon / Michaels – faux driftwood pieces, LED candles.
Etsy – real driftwood décor, handmade coastal candle holders.
Target – fall candle sets in seasonal colors.

DIY Project Idea:
Collect driftwood from a local beach (clean and dry thoroughly). Attach heat-safe candle plates to the top, so candles sit securely. Add decorative touches like rope or shells along the wood.

3. Seagrass Placemats with Copper Accents

Seagrass has an organic coastal feel, and copper adds a warm autumn glow. Together, they create an inviting and textured tablescape.

How to Style It:

Start with round seagrass placemats as the base.
Layer with copper chargers to add metallic warmth.
Use crisp white plates and navy napkins to balance the fall and coastal look.
Finish with small sprigs of rosemary or eucalyptus tied to napkins for freshness. Pair this look with ideas from How to Use Beach-Inspired Textiles in Home Decor That Are Not Tacky to keep the style cohesive.

Where to Buy:

Amazon – affordable sets of seagrass placemats.
Etsy – handmade woven placemats and custom copper chargers.
HomeGoods – budget-friendly copper dishware.

DIY Project Idea:
If you already own neutral placemats, spray-paint thrifted charger plates in metallic copper for a DIY coastal-fall upgrade.

4. Oyster Shell Votive Holders

Oyster shells tie directly to the sea and, when turned into candle holders, create a rustic yet elegant glow—perfect for cozy autumn evenings.

How to Style It:

Arrange oyster shells along a burlap or linen runner.
Fill each with a pinch of sand and a tealight.
Mix with mini pumpkins or pinecones for seasonal flair.

Where to Buy:

Etsy – handmade oyster shell votive holders.
Amazon – bulk oyster shells and tealights.
Local seafood spots – ask for cleaned shells.

DIY Project Idea:
Make your own by gluing oyster shells to small wooden bases, filling them with candle wax, and adding a wick.

5. Glass Float Centerpiece

Vintage glass floats (in ocean blues and greens) bring in coastal nostalgia, while pairing them with pumpkins and leaves makes them seasonally relevant.

How to Style It:

Place glass floats in a clear bowl, lantern, or hurricane vase.
Surround with mini white pumpkins and colorful fall leaves.
Use this as a table centerpiece or even on a sideboard for balance.

Where to Buy:

Etsy – authentic vintage fishing floats.
Amazon – reproduction glass floats in sets.
Thrift shops – hidden gems for coastal finds.

DIY Project Idea:
Create faux glass floats by wrapping clear glass ornaments in jute twine netting and painting them with sea glass spray paint.

6. Coastal Cornucopia

The cornucopia is a classic Thanksgiving symbol, and using a conch shell instead of a woven basket creates a clever coastal twist.

How to Style It:

Use a large conch shell or clam shell as your vessel.
Fill with mini pumpkins, pinecones, seashells, and sprigs of dried wheat.
Place on a runner with scattered autumn leaves for extra depth. If you love seasonal centerpieces, you’ll also enjoy my guide to 20+ Festive Coastal Christmas Table Settings.

Where to Buy:

Amazon – faux conch shells or oversized clam bowls.
Etsy – natural shells for décor.
Craft stores – mini pumpkins, gourds, dried wheat.

DIY Project Idea:
Transform a thrifted basket into a shell-like “cornucopia” by painting it pearly white and accenting with seashells and rope trim.

7. Driftwood Napkin Rings

Napkin rings may be small, but they add a handmade touch that elevates your entire table. Driftwood keeps it coastal while twine and shells add autumn rusticity.

How to Style It:

Collect small driftwood twigs.
Tie together with natural twine.
Add a mini starfish or shell for embellishment.
Pair with linen napkins in muted fall shades (rust, navy, cream).

Where to Buy:

Etsy – handmade driftwood napkin rings.
Amazon – starfish, shells, and rustic twine.

DIY Project Idea:
Drill a small hole into driftwood slices and thread twine through to create rustic rings.

8. Beachy Lantern Centerpiece

Lanterns evoke warmth and coziness, making them perfect for shorter autumn days. Adding coastal greenery and pumpkins ties it to the season.

How to Style It:

Place a tall nautical lantern in the center of your table.
Surround with a wreath made of dried lavender, grasses, and mini pumpkins.
Use an LED candle inside for soft flickering light.

Where to Buy:

Amazon – rustic or nautical lanterns.
Etsy – handmade wreaths with coastal grasses.
Target – LED candles and seasonal fillers.

DIY Project Idea:
Wrap rope around a plain lantern for a nautical look. Add dried grasses from your yard to form your own mini wreath.

9. Coastal Color Palette

Seasonal décor doesn’t always need to be bold orange. Using sandy neutrals, seafoam blues, and pops of burnt orange lets your space feel both coastal and autumnal.

How to Style It:

Choose linens in soft beige or ivory as a base.
Layer with napkins in seafoam, navy, or muted rust.
Mix pumpkins in whites and blues with just a few traditional orange ones.
Add copper or brass flatware for warmth.

Where to Buy:

Amazon – coastal table linens, flatware sets.
Etsy – hand-dyed napkins in muted tones.
HomeGoods – seasonal pumpkins in various colors.

DIY Project Idea:
Dye plain white napkins with natural dyes (like tea, turmeric, or blueberries) to create your own soft coastal-fall palette.

10. Seaside Herb Centerpiece

Herbs are practical and decorative. Bringing fragrance, greenery, and rustic charm to your table. When paired with coastal accents, they create a refreshing centerpiece.

How to Style It:

Plant herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary in terra cotta pots.
Distress pots with whitewash to give them a weathered, seaside look.
Arrange along the table runner and add sea glass or candles in between.

Where to Buy:

Local garden centers – fresh herbs.
Amazon – weathered terra cotta pots, sea glass fillers.
Etsy – handmade rustic pots.

DIY Project Idea:
Paint terra cotta pots with a saltwash or chalk paint to create a coastal-weathered effect, then plant your favorite herbs for an easy living centerpiece.

Remember, the key to a beautiful coastal cottage fall table is to blend elements of the sea with traditional autumn decor.

Don't be afraid to mix textures and materials. The juxtaposition of smooth sea glass with rough driftwood, or sleek copper with nubby burlap, creates visual interest and depth.

Happy decorating, and enjoy your cozy coastal fall gatherings! When winter rolls in, don’t miss 15 Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas for Charming Coastal Cottages to carry your style into the next season.