Mariska Hargitay's Thanksgiving tablescape proves that seasonal decor has a longer lifespan than we thought

The holiday season has gone by, but we would like to believe that seasonal decor can be transferred into our collection of everyday styling must-haves. This stands especially true for tablescaping materials, which can absolutely be used beyond Christmas and Thanksgiving.

When it comes to the latter, we are taking cues from Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, whose Thanksgiving tablescape is a perfect example of a setting that can easily be used well into the fall and winter season.

The actor's table setting features greige taper candles, flower and fruit bouquets, red wine glasses, linen napkins, and blue and cream dishes, all of which are placed atop a chic, white tablecloth. Though there are obvious pointers towards the fall season with the seasonal bouquets, the individual items would look fabulous on a tablescape well into the new year – all it takes is some strategic styling.

According to experts, bringing natural materials onto a tablescape is not only a great fall table decor idea, but one of the best ways to tap into the current season, whether it's fall or winter.

'Building a memorable tablescape doesn’t have to break the bank or even require a trip to the store,' says Cassandra Leisz, creative director at Ruggable. 'Embrace foliage by gathering dried branches, fallen leaves, pine cones, and acorns from the outdoors. These can be scattered on your tablescape or gathered in a bowl or vase. Boost the coziness by adding real candles or flickering twinkle lights. If you already have apples in your fruit bowl, add these to your table decor on plates, garnished with cinnamon sticks. This is a fun way to set the table and a perfectly healthy snack for those unable to wait until dinner!'

Leisz also recommends a nature-inspired color palette, which serves well beyond the fall.

'When layering on aditional decor like namecards, table cloths, placemats, or centerpieces, stick to an earthy color palette,' she says. 'Warm shades of brown, green, yellow and burgundy are easy go-tos. For a finishing touch, styling some fresh cut fall flowers will add an inexpensive yet elegant touch.'

She continues, 'For the overall color scheme, I like to rely heavily on a traditional autumnal palette of warm oranges, olive greens, deep browns, and dark reds, which instantly evoke the depth of the season,' she says. 'To elevate the look, I love adding metallic accents such as gold flatware, silver figurines and dishes or brass candle holders. These touches can bring a contrast to the warmth of the season’s colors while adding a festive glow.'

Shop the Mariska Hargitay tablescape edit

We would also recommend experimenting with wine glass colors depending on what season you are hosting; for example, red and green glasses look great in the fall and winter, while pink and yellow glasses are fantastic for spring and summer.