Some of us have that one friend whose house just feels right. It’s welcoming, stylish, and put-together without feeling stuffy. For millions, that friend is Joanna Gaines. Through her television shows and Magnolia brand, she has redefined modern home style, blending rustic charm with clean, contemporary lines.
Her approach makes high-end design feel achievable, turning houses into homes. In the interior design, we will forgive you if you ask, “What would Joanna Gaines do?” Here are ten of her signature decorating ideas that you can bring into your own space.
1. Shiplap Walls
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Shiplap has become almost synonymous with the modern farmhouse look. These horizontal wooden boards add instant texture and architectural interest to any room, breaking up the monotony of flat drywall. Originally used for constructing barns and sheds, shiplap has been reborn as a stylish interior finish. It creates clean lines that draw the eye across a room, making spaces feel wider and more intentional. It’s a fantastic way to create an accent wall or to give an entire room a fresh, rustic character.
Why it works is simple: texture. Shiplap introduces a subtle pattern and shadow play that plain painted walls lack. It serves as a neutral backdrop that complements a wide variety of decor styles, from coastal to industrial.
Quick Guide:
- Where to Use: Accent walls in living rooms or bedrooms, entire bathrooms, or kitchen backsplashes.
- Installation Tip: You can install it horizontally for a classic look or vertically to make ceilings feel taller.
- Finishing: Paint it white for a bright, clean look, or choose a muted color like gray or sage green for a different feel.
2. Open Kitchen Shelving
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Forgoing traditional upper cabinets in favor of open shelves is a bold move that pays off in style and function. Open shelving makes a kitchen feel more airy and spacious, and Joanna Gaines approves. It also forces you to be mindful of your dishware, turning everyday items like plates, bowls, and glasses into part of the decor. This look is perfect for displaying your favorite ceramics, cookbooks, and a few decorative plants.
This idea is effective because it removes visual bulk. Heavy upper cabinets can make a kitchen feel closed in. Shelves open up the wall space, creating an illusion of more room and allowing more light to bounce around. It’s a practical way to keep frequently used items within easy reach.
Quick Guide:
- What to Display: Matching sets of white or neutral dishes look great. Mix in some wooden cutting boards, glass jars with dry goods, and a small plant or two.
- Maintenance: Shelves and their contents will need regular dusting to keep them looking fresh.
- Style Tip: Use brackets that match your kitchen’s hardware (like black, brass, or nickel) for a cohesive design.
3. Repurposed Decor
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Finding a new purpose for an old item is at the heart of Joanna Gaines’s style. This could mean turning an old wooden ladder into a blanket holder, using vintage crates as side tables, or transforming a window into a nursery art piece, as she did. Repurposed decor adds a layer of history and personality to a home that you can’t buy from a catalog. It’s about seeing the potential in forgotten objects.
This approach brings a unique story into your home. A piece with a past has more character than something mass-produced. It’s also an environmentally friendly way to decorate, giving old items a second life instead of sending them to a landfill.
Quick Guide:
- Where to Find Items: Flea markets, antique stores, thrift shops, and even your own garage are treasure troves.
- Project Ideas: An old window frame can become a picture display, a metal bucket can be a planter, and a vintage suitcase can serve as a coffee table.
- Getting Started: Look for items with good “bones”—solid construction and an interesting shape. Don’t worry about surface imperfections; they add to the charm.
4. Sliding Barn Doors
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A sliding barn door is a statement piece that blends form and function beautifully. It’s a space-saving alternative to traditional swinging doors, making it an excellent solution for pantries, closets, master bathrooms, or to separate rooms where a door’s swing would be awkward, like she did. Mounted on a track, these doors slide parallel to the wall, adding a rustic and industrial element to your home.
Beyond their practicality, barn doors serve as a dynamic architectural feature. They can be painted a bold color to act as an accent or stained to showcase the natural wood grain. The hardware itself—the track and rollers—adds another layer of industrial-chic detail.
Quick Guide:
- Best Locations: To separate a home office, close off a laundry room, or as an entrance to a master suite.
- Considerations: You need a clear section of wall next to the doorway that is at least as wide as the door itself for it to slide open.
- Style Options: Doors come in various designs, from the classic “Z” brace to more modern, clean-lined versions.
5. Industrial Light Fixtures
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Balancing rustic elements with industrial touches is a hallmark of the Gaines look. Industrial light fixtures, often featuring dark metal, exposed bulbs, and simple, utilitarian shapes, provide a perfect contrast to softer elements like wood and natural textiles. Think black metal pendants over a kitchen island or a cage-style light in an entryway.
These fixtures work because they add a bit of edge and sophistication. Their clean lines and no-frills design prevent the farmhouse style from becoming overly quaint. They ground the space with their strong, simple forms and provide excellent, focused lighting.
Quick Guide:
- Where to Use: Pendants over a kitchen island or dining table, sconces in a hallway, or a statement fixture in a living room.
- Bulb Choice: Edison-style bulbs with visible filaments complete the industrial look and cast a warm, inviting glow.
- Mixing Metals: Don’t be afraid to mix black metal fixtures with other finishes in the room, like brass or chrome, for a curated look.
6. Woven Baskets
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Woven baskets are the ultimate decorative multitaskers. They are perfect for stashing away everything from blankets and pillows in the living room to toys in a playroom or towels in a bathroom. Made from natural materials like seagrass, rattan, or hyacinth, they introduce organic texture and warmth into a space, softening hard lines and surfaces.
Their appeal lies in their ability to combine organization with style. Instead of using plastic bins, woven baskets offer a beautiful way to contain clutter. Grouping different sizes together can create a visually appealing arrangement while providing versatile storage.
Quick Guide:
- Functional Uses: Place a large basket by the sofa for throws, use smaller ones on shelves for organizing mail or keys, or put one by the front door for shoes.
- Decorative Uses: A large, empty basket can stand alone as a sculptural element in a corner, or you can place a potted plant inside (with a liner).
- Care: Dust them regularly with a soft brush or the upholstery attachment of a vacuum.
7. Faux Greenery
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Bringing the outdoors in is essential to this design philosophy, but not everyone has a green thumb. High-quality faux greenery offers a low-maintenance way to add life and color to any room. From faux olive trees in the corner of a living room to a simple eucalyptus stem in a vase, artificial plants can look remarkably realistic and require no watering, sunlight, or stress.
Good faux plants provide the aesthetic benefits of real ones, a pop of color, a touch of nature, without the commitment. They are perfect for dark corners where real plants wouldn’t survive or for people who travel often. They ensure your home always has a touch of green.
Quick Guide:
- Choosing Wisely: Look for plants with variations in leaf color and texture, as well as imperfections that mimic real plants. Bend the branches and leaves to create a more natural shape.
- Placement: Place faux plants in decorative pots or baskets to elevate their look. Mix them in with real plants to make them even more convincing.
- Maintenance: Dust the leaves with a microfiber cloth or a hairdryer on a cool setting every few weeks to keep them looking their best.
8. Vintage Mirrors
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A vintage mirror is more than just a place to check your reflection; it’s a piece of art. Ornate, weathered frames add a sense of history and elegance to a room. Whether it’s a large, gilded mirror propped against a wall in the bedroom or a collection of smaller, mismatched mirrors in an entryway, they bring light and character into a space.
Vintage mirrors are powerful design tools. They bounce light around, making a room feel brighter and larger. Their unique frames—whether wood, metal, or plaster—serve as a decorative element that can contrast beautifully with more modern furnishings.
Quick Guide:
- Finding Them: Scour antique shops, flea markets, and online marketplaces for mirrors with unique frames and some gentle signs of aging, like foxing on the glass.
- Placement Strategy: Hang a large mirror opposite a window to maximize natural light. Use one in a hallway or entryway to create a sense of depth.
- Styling: A grand mirror can be the focal point of a room, especially when hung over a fireplace mantel or a console table.
9. Area Rugs
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An area rug is foundational to pulling a room together. It defines a space, adds warmth, and introduces color, pattern, and texture. Joanna Gaines often uses rugs with traditional patterns, like Persian or Oriental styles, in neutral or faded colors. These rugs add a layer of sophistication and comfort without overpowering the room.
A rug works by anchoring the furniture in a room, creating a cohesive and defined seating or dining area. The right rug makes a space feel complete and intentional. It also provides comfort underfoot and can help with sound absorption in rooms with hard flooring. It’s the kind of decor that makes your house feel like a hug.
Quick Guide:
- Sizing is Everything: In a living room, the rug should be large enough that at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs are on it. In a dining room, the rug should extend far enough that the chairs remain on it even when pulled out.
- Layering: For added texture, you can layer a smaller, patterned rug on top of a larger, neutral one (like a jute or sisal rug).
- Material Choice: Wool is durable and soft, while natural fibers like jute and sisal are great for a rustic look. Synthetic rugs are a good choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
10. Cut Wildflowers
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A simple bouquet of fresh flowers can instantly brighten a room. The Gaines style often features informal arrangements of wildflowers or cuttings from the garden. Instead of a tight, formal bouquet, the look is more relaxed—a handful of whatever is in season, placed casually in a simple vase, pitcher, or even a glass jar.
This touch adds an element of natural, unpretentious beauty. It connects the home to the outdoors and the current season. An arrangement of fresh flowers feels personal and alive, bringing a small but significant dose of joy to a room.
Quick Guide:
- What to Use: Anything from your garden works—hydrangeas, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, or even interesting branches and greenery.
- Arrangement Tips: Don’t overthink it. Trim stems to varying lengths and place them in a vessel with water. A loose, slightly undone look is part of the charm.
- Vessel Ideas: Use a vintage pitcher, a ceramic crock, a collection of small bud vases, or a simple mason jar.
Find What Works for Your Style
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You’re now equipped with the essential elements of Joanna Gaines’s signature farmhouse style. You can replicate or create a home that feels warm, personal, and where your guests will be wowed. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, trust your instincts, and let your home tell your story. You can go all-in on shiplap or add a few rustic touches; the goal is to create a space you truly love. So go ahead, embrace your inner designer, and have fun making your home a place you can’t wait to come back to.