Pears may be in season right now, but they also happen to be in style. That’s right—pears are the unexpected fruit to decorate with for fall. The latest styling it-prop seems to be everywhere, gracing centerpieces and tablescapes and adding charm to artwork and styled vignettes. “Pears are having a moment this fall,” says Michelle Squire, founder and principal designer at Studio SQUIRE. “They bring warmth without trying too hard, which is exactly what good seasonal styling should do,” Squire says.
The humble fruit’s warm tones and simple silhouette feel autumnal without being obvious (sorry, pumpkins). “The soft ochre and blush gradient sits right in the same family as the season's palette, so pears complement everything from rust and terracotta to deep green and brass,” Squire says. “They also have a shape that feels organic and a little unexpected next to the pumpkins everyone else is using, so they read as more considered,” the designer adds.
Below, designers, entertaining pros, and florists share simple yet stylish ways to use pears to add seasonal warmth to your table and beyond.
Use Pears for Harvest-Inspired Place Settings
Set an inviting harvest-inspired table with pears at every place setting. Interior designer Courtney Klinger, founder of Studio Whitford, adores decorating with pears and especially likes adding them to tablescapes and charcuterie boards for additional color and visual interest.
“You can include them whole or slice and fan them out for a more unique look, which also makes them easier to snack on,” Klinger suggests. The designer likes green pears like a Bartlett for their sweetness, but for strictly decorative purposes, she loves a Bosc pear’s rustic brown tones. “They complement the season's shifting color tones beautifully,” Klinger says.
Create an Effortless Kitchen Vignette with Pears
Although displaying fruit on a kitchen counter or table is not a new trend, Diane Luna, founder of Diane Luna Interior Design, says the mode in which it’s displayed can be unique. This season, the designer is loving patinated silver serveware. “The verdant shade of a newly ripe pear ‘pairs’ wonderfully with an antique silver serving tray—tres chic!” Luna says.
Fresh pears have a down-to-earth, unfussy nature to them, and look lovely piled high on a beautiful tray or in a rustic bowl for an effortless vignette. “Pears boast a speckled, green-brown hue that is a natural complement to fall’s rich colors, and no two pears are ever alike, which enhances the authenticity of the harvest decor," Luna says.
Work Pears Into Floral Arrangements
Farmer’s market-inspired floral arrangements are one of this fall’s biggest hosting trends, so it’s no surprise pears are making an appearance in florals this season. “Since florals will only stay vibrant for a week at most, fresh pears are the perfect addition,” Luna says. Just make sure your arrangement is large enough to accommodate the scale of the pears. “My secret hack for including fruit in floral arrangements is to spear the fruit with wooden s’mores sticks, which creates a ‘stem’ that can be inserted into the vase with your flowers,” Luna shares.
In addition to their shape introducing a sculptural element into an arrangement, Squire says the pears’ texture provides a lovely juxtaposition to florals. “They add a soft, matte texture that contrasts beautifully with the shine of ranunculus or the paper quality of a dried hydrangea,” Squire says.
Incorporate Pears Into a Tablescape
“We love using pears as an addition to a tablescape,” says Gabby LaRussa, founder and lead floral designer at Flower Gypsies. Recently, LaRussa incorporated grapes, pears, and artichokes to table arrangements at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “We check every pear before purchasing to ensure there is no bruising and before the event we take them out of the cooler a few hours before as they will start to sweat,” the floral designer says. She points out that the shape of a pear resembles that of a gourd, which makes the fruit a sophisticated nod to harvest season.
Adorn Grazing Boards With Pears
Grazing boards are as much of a visual display as they are a culinary delight. This season, pears are making an appearance on them not just because they pair well with other snacks, but because they look beautiful. “Pears are one of my favorite elements to use on fall grazing boards because they work so well both visually and from a flavor standpoint,” says entertaining expert Erika Gessin, founder and creative director of The Fête Edit.
“Their shape adds height and movement among flatter elements like cheeses and crackers, while the warm green, gold, and russet tones make the board feel seasonal without needing much extra decoration,” Gessin shares. And because they pair well with things like cured meats, honey, and preserves, Gessin says fresh pears look like part of the composition rather than something added just for styling. “I also love leaving some whole and slicing others just before serving, which gives the board a more collected, abundant look,” the expert adds.
Add a Seasonal Touch to Wreaths
Wreaths are the one place where faux pears can actually work better than real ones, simply because they’re lightweight and won’t rot. “If your fall wreath needs to last the season, I advise using lovely faux pears that look realistic rather than real pears, which may spoil too soon,” Luna says. She suggests mingling the faux pears with orange-brown berries and white flowers, and nestling the grouping into a deep green circle of magnolia leaves. “Hang with a brown satin ribbon for a classy touch,” Luna says.
Bring In Pear-Themed Art
Fruit has been a popular subject for still-life paintings for centuries. This fall, pears are making an artistic comeback through vintage-inspired still-life pieces perfect for layering on open shelving or countertops in the kitchen. Check your local thrift stores, antique malls, and flea markets for original pieces featuring pears, or take the Amazon route to snag some pear art.
Maria Sabella is a lifestyle writer with a passion for home and interiors — from paint colors and holiday decor to the latest design trends. Her work has appeared in outlets including Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, BuzzFeed and Bustle.
