Though Emily Henderson's home life may look perfect from her Instagram feed, she struggles just as much as the rest of us when it comes to hosting. "I tend to fall into the 'scramble the day before' category," admits the designer and Target Home Style Expert. Still, with her background as a stylist, it's no surprise Henderson inevitably manages to pull it off, creating enviable spreads for her guests. So, in anticipation of spring soirées (if this cold weather will ever abate!), we checked in with her to hear just how she makes party magic happen—even when you've barely got time.
1. Stock the basics
"Neutral dishware and simple plates can be easily mixed-and-matched with statement pieces for special occasions," says Henderson. With a neutral base, you're free to go crazier with accessories (more on that below).
2. Make a signature dish
As for food and drink, Henderson advises sticking to a go-to recipe that can be easily served en masse. "Some of my favorite time-saving solutions include creating a signature drink that can be prepared in advance (extra points if you serve it in a decorative pitcher!) and allowing guests to DIY their food or serve family-style," she says. "For this brunch I served deconstructed bagels and allowed my guests to choose their own toppings. This allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time spending time with your guests!"
3. Focus on ambiance
The food doesn't matter all that much if the setting is on point. "An hour or so before guests come over, I’ll open my windows and patio doors, and will light a few candles," Henderson says. "The mix of natural light, fresh air, and a good scent helps to easily breathe new life into my home when I’m short on time." Henderson also recommends investing in some good string lights to hang for a special occasion.
4. Nix the complicated theme
"I’m a big fan of using one central color palette versus decor themes when it comes to hosting," says Henderson. "I was inspired by all of the beautiful blushes and blue pieces featured in Target’s latest assortment that are timeless and just scream 'spring.' So I mixed-and-matched several of these items—throws, pillows, and melamine dinnerware—throughout my space."
5. DIY to add personalization
"Nothing puts a smile on my face faster than thoughtful details, so I love adding unexpected moments when I have guests over," says Henderson. "For example, I created these DIY name cards by using faux stems, twine, and leaves. The whole process took less than two minutes and my guests loved the gesture."
6. Don't be afraid of faux!
Real flowers are beautiful, but these days you can get very high-quality (and far less finicky) fakes. "I love using a mixture of fresh and faux when entertaining," Henderson says. "For this look, I chose these beautiful faux cherry blossom wreaths and arrangements that look just like the real deal and styled them in this gorgeous vase (which is under $15 but looks so high-end)." Plus, those faux stems are reusable—stash them for your next dinner party.
7. Play crowd-pleasing music
All good hosts will agree the right soundtrack is critical to a good party. So what's on Henderson's? "I love to put on a Spotify playlist that includes classics like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald." Can't beat that.
Opalhouse Serving Bowl
Threshold Table Throw
Opalhouse Scented Candle
Opalhouse Chunky Throw
Smith & Hawken Dried Protea
Threshold Glass Vase
Room Essentials String Lights
Project 62 Gold Flatware
Threshold Cherry Blossoms
Threshold Dinner Plate
Threshold Striped Pillow
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Hadley Keller is the Director of Editorial and Community Engagement at the Design Leadership Network, a community of top interior designers. She has covered design, interiors, and culture for over 10 years.
