Emily Henderson's 12 Décor Tips to Style Target at Home

Get to Know the Room First

"A room should reflect the person that lives there and uses it every day," says Henderson. "When I first start decorating a room, I like to get to know the person—how they live in the room, what they want the room to function as, and most importantly, how they want the room to feel. Is it cozy and inviting, more formal and traditional, a place to kick up your feet, or a room that they want to function more efficiently than it currently does?"

Make Sure It Has Function and Personality

When it comes to décor, Henderson notes two qualities that each room should have: function and personality. "[Personality] can be brought in through an heirloom piece, a piece of art the homeowner has owned and loved, or even something vintage," says Henderson. "Filling a room with brand-new items can be beautiful, but adding in pieces that make it unique and special adds the personality and soul that every room needs." When it comes to function, "Form over function or function over form is an age-old designer battle, but every room should function just as well as it looks," the designer notes.

Consider the Space

"How much space you have to work with usually speaks to the scale of an item you use in that room. If your living room is on the smaller side, you don't want to put in a giant overstuffed sectional paired with two hulking wingback chairs, but if your ceilings are tall and your floorplan is open, then you're going to need larger items to fill the volume of the room," says Henderson. "That's not to say you need tiny furniture for a tiny room, but if you want to live comfortably around your furniture (i.e., have enough room to walk around your sofa or coffee table), the proper scale is everything."

Don't Forget Texture

"Texture is so important and helps add character to a room," says Henderson. "I love shopping at Target for layering pieces—like throws, pillows, and rugs—because they are affordable yet stylish and help to make a room more visually interesting. The Threshold fall collection has some incredible textural pieces like a beautiful striped area rug and a two-toned textured pillow."

Embrace Color

"I don't think there has ever been a space that I have designed that didn't have some blue in it," says Henderson. "Blue is one of those colors that can read as a neutral while still bringing in an actual color, so I love using it throughout all of my spaces. It's a cool color that is calm and inviting while still being timeless and not trendy. When someone is 'afraid' of color, blue tends to be a bit of an easier sell—kind of like a gateway color."

Look for Furniture Specific to Small Spaces

"The Project 62 collection is great for small spaces. For example, this gray sofa features a simple, sleek design, but won't take up too much space." Loveseats are great options for comfortable seating in rooms lacking extra floor space, and they can add plenty of personality to a design when styled with items like ottomans, plants, and throw pillows.

Target Project 62 Medway Sofa with Metal Legs Beige $630.00

"Made By Design is another great collection to use if you are short on space," says Henderson. "I love using open shelving in small spaces to make a kitchen feel bigger and add a layer of personality. Made By Design stackable wine glasses look so good on open shelves, and are a huge space saver for small spaces."

Target Made by Design Stackable Stemless Wine Glass $2.00

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Minimize Clutter

"Swap bulky furniture pieces like desks and nightstands with ones that feature handy compartments for storing books and tech items, like laptops, cords and TV remotes," says Henderson. "The Made By Design nightstand is a great size and has an easy-access storage cubby. I also love using decorative storage baskets both large and small to help keep clutter off the floor." The Threshold basket, for example, is great for storing laundry or pillows—and it's made with a durable metal construction that will last for years to come.

Target Threshold Extra Large Round Wire Decorative Storage Bin $24.00

"Personally, I am very short on shoe storage, so I love using an over-the-door organizer," says Henderson, "like this one from Made By Design that helps me visually see my different options. It's great for small spaces."

Target Made by Design Over The Door 26 Shelf Mesh Shoe Organizer $20.00

Choose a Design Theme

"Just like you wouldn't start baking a cake without all the ingredients and recipe in front of you, so it is with the design," says Henderson. "You can definitely design with spontaneity, but having a game plan before you start purchasing larger pieces can save you a lot of time and headache later down the road. Choosing a theme—colors, materials, and mood or feel—can help you as you go shopping to navigate through all the many options out there."

Measure the Space First

"Not measuring the space first or double-checking your measurements [is a design mistake]. I have done this before, and it never ends well," says Henderson. "Before you head out to a store to shop or start browsing online, do some preliminary measurements of your space (and doorways) to find out exactly what size sofa, table, chairs, or rug will work best in your space. Tape it out on the floor with blue painter's tape to help you see it visually, and then go to the store prepared with a set of measurements so that you can easily navigate the many options available."

Sprinkle in Some Joy

"Make every room a room that you want to spend time in," says Henderson. "Whether that is achieved by making it more family-friendly, more comfortable, or filling it with items that make you happy, every room should be a space that evokes joy and makes you happy when you are in it." You might include pieces of décor that have been passed down throughout your family, or instead, opt for new cozy blankets that make you feel at home. However you choose to decorate, surrounding your rooms with items you enjoy will create feelings of happiness each time you walk through the door.

Layer Lighting

"Ambiance is important," says Henderson. "There is nothing worse than being stuck under fluorescent light. Every room should have at least two (if not three) sources coming from a few different heights to evenly disperse light throughout the room. I love using a brass statement floor lamp in the living room that can be moved around and easily works with just about any color palette or style."

Target Project 62 Span Single Head Metal Globe Floor Lamp $120.00

Mix Various Collections

"No matter your personal style, there is a Target Home collection for you. For example, if you tend to gravitate towards modern pieces, try Project 62. If you can't get enough of globally-inspired décor, you will love Opalhouse. Target's newest brand, Made By Design, features functional-yet-stylish basics that won't break the bank. I love Threshold because it features relaxed, classic pieces that you can use for years to come.

"The best part is that these collections work well alone or when styled together. One of my biggest tips for styling Target home pieces is don't be afraid to mix and match products from the different home collections. The pieces within each collection work well when styled together, but the various aesthetics from different collections also complement each other—and are made to be mixed together to create a unique look. For example, if you're going to use a more color- or pattern-heavy duvet from the Opalhouse collection, consider grounding the look using neutral bed sheets or streamlined dressers from Made By Design."