Holidays & Entertaining Entertaining Party Decorations 25 Centerpiece Ideas You Can Make at Home Quickly and Easily Luckily, the supplies you need are probably laying around your house! By Leslie Corona Leslie Corona Leslie Corona is the Senior Home Editor at REAL SIMPLE magazine. She has been styling, organizing, writing, and reporting on all things in the home space for a decade. She was previously at Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, and Parents. She has shared her expertise on the TODAY show, Cheddar, and local television news outlets. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 11, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Cindy Richter of Country Road 407 Whether you're prepping for a casual weekend brunch or a celebratory soiree, adding some DIY centerpieces to your spread can take the occasion up a notch. Your guests will appreciate that you put a little extra time and effort into the party, and you'll have a picture-ready piece of décor that sets the tone for the whole event. (You'll also have earned a few bragging rights.) Best of all, your charming centerpieces could influence others in your circle—before you know it, everyone will be putting together simple centerpieces to zhoosh their tables. Opting for seasonal table decorations (like pumpkin centerpieces) is fine, but so is creating one that works for any season. The key to a simple centerpiece is letting it speak for itself and not getting too hung up on one (relatively small) component of the party. After all, the purpose of the occasion is to enjoy spending time with other people. There are centerpieces that suit everything from a backyard party to a graduation celebration. Make sure yours pairs well with your skillset, crafting supplies, and available time, and this bit of party décor will shine. At the very least you'll get an A for effort—though these fail-proof centerpiece ideas are sure to shine. 01 of 25 A Bunch of Tulips Brea McDonald Photography There's nothing more classic than a simple bunch of tulips. While they're normally associated with spring, we love how Maine wedding planner Azalea Events displayed them here in a brass vessel alongside a mini gingerbread house to help it feel more holiday-themed. 02 of 25 Pumpkins and Greens Cindy Richter of Country Road 407 An inexpensive but incredibly smart idea is to layer mini pumpkins on top of lettuce leaves in a bowl, like how Cindy Richter of Country Road 407 did here in this centerpiece idea. Cindy humorously says, "Hotels do it all the time so why not me?! I’m fancy and cheap." And we have to give her credit: It looks ultra-lush and is very low-effort! 03 of 25 Wishing Well Levi Brown Here is an interactive and heartfelt way to celebrate someone—Mom, a recent graduate, or an expectant parent. Pass around strips of paper about 6 inches long and ask guests to write a message (like a wish, a memory, or a piece of advice) for the honoree. Twist the papers around a pen to curl them, then toss them into a large bowl. Have the guest of honor read the messages aloud during dessert. 04 of 25 Charming Container James Merrell Big blossoms, such as hydrangeas, roses, and peonies, look gorgeous displayed in an unused serving piece, like a soup tureen. 05 of 25 Related: Easy 15-Minute Party Centerpieces Dress up your home with these stylish vases that take just minutes to make. 06 of 25 Floating Fruit Anita Calero Float bright Granny Smiths in large, clear-glass vases (filled to different levels) for a whimsical still life. 07 of 25 Sweet Stash Anita Calero A bouquet of colorful pinwheel lollipops stands steadily and cheerfully in a bucket packed with dry sand. 08 of 25 Creative Combo James Baigrie The rich tones of sweet peas and cabbages (yes, cabbages) work together beautifully in a creative combination. 09 of 25 Natural Pairing Maura McEvoy Add jewel-toned fruit to a white bowl with sensuous lines for an easy arrangement. Look for fruits of differing sizes and shapes but with similar coloring, as with these plums and pomegranates. 10 of 25 Silver Bells Anita Calero What could be more delicious than a large-footed vase sparkling with foil-wrapped treats? 11 of 25 Citrus Twist Maura McEvoy Pair smooth objects (lemons) with smaller, textured ones (nuts) for a compelling composition. Show it off in a glass bowl with a pedestal for drama. 12 of 25 Colorful Cocktails Anita Calero An array of brightly colored sodas or juices add a fun note to a dinner. 13 of 25 Paper Pom Poms Quentin Bacon On a steamy night, set a casual table with a bouquet of hot-colored paper flowers, guaranteed not to wilt. 14 of 25 Daisy Toppers James Baigrie Bring a splash of sunshine to your meal with a vibrant partnering of daisies and oranges. 15 of 25 Fruit Fillers James Baigrie This tone-on-tone assemblage starts with miniature citrus fruits (key limes, kumquats) and Peruvian lilies bursting with color. 16 of 25 Modern Fruit Display Anita Calero Flip containers (here, acrylic boxes and lids) upside down and arrange fruit on top to create a multitiered design. 17 of 25 Row of Daisies James Baigrie A field of gerbera daisies and wheatgrass "grow" charmingly in a rustic table runner. 18 of 25 Mix and Match Vessels Marcus Nilsson Line floral arrangements down your table―if you don't have enough vases, cake tins, jelly molds, and small ice buckets make surprisingly pretty containers. For a bit of illumination, you can also add a few flameless candles in between arrangements. 19 of 25 Lush Carnation Display Maura McEvoy Two humble elements—a wooden salad bowl and carnations—add up to something special. Cut the stems to 3 or 4 inches, arrange them in a glass dish, and place them in the bowl. 20 of 25 Seasonal Substitution David Prince Trim off the top of a pumpkin and hollow out the seeds. Arrange fresh flowers in a water-filled jar and place inside, or use dried leaves and twigs. 21 of 25 Heavy Metal Maura McEvoy A galvanized tub becomes the base for a gathering of oversize leaves, like these from a magnolia. 22 of 25 Autumnal Delight Annie Schlechter For holiday decor, arrange pinecones—spray-painted gold or silver, if you wish—in vases and compotes of staggered sizes, and add festive ribbon. 23 of 25 Garden Greens Lydia Menzies Why not forage your own garden for some centerpiece greenery? Lydia Menzies proudly displayed her bounty in this clever arrangement featuring veggies like artichokes, apples, and zucchinis. 24 of 25 Wooden Candelabra Erin Gerlach of Hamilton Park Home We absolutely love this twist on a candelabra for the star of your table. Erin Gerlach of Hamilton Park Home actually made this herself! She found a 4' x 4' scrap piece of barn wood in her garage and drilled holes into it. Upcycling at its finest! 25 of 25 Branching Out Anita Calero Branches, whether artificial or the real deal, look striking in an arrangement. In a well-ventilated outdoor space, spray them with white paint, let dry, then display them in glass bottles or vases. Frequently Asked Questions What makes a good centerpiece? A good centerpiece is pleasing to the eye, doesn’t block a guest’s view, and is cohesive with the party’s theme. If using flowers, make sure they are fresh and properly trimmed. For any centerpiece, be sure it is appropriately scaled for the size of the table. What can I put in my centerpiece besides flowers? There are several items you can put in a centerpiece besides flowers. Some common filler ideas include branches, fruit, candy (like chocolate kisses), or pinecones. If you’re planning a child’s party, other whimsical fillers include lollipops, drink bottles, paper pom poms, or curled ribbons. How many centerpieces do I need? For round tables, one centerpiece should be plenty. However, use larger centerpieces for larger round tables. For rectangular tables, consider spacing out one centerpiece every 3 to 4 feet. So a four-foot table would have one centerpiece in the center, and an eight-foot table would have two centerpieces spaced equally apart. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit