For those of us who have the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” on repeat, there are a few things we’ve learned from America’s sweethearts Chip and Joanna Gaines. Besides being adorably in love, they have some great design tips that we’ve incorporated into our own homes.
13 Design Tips We Learned from Chip and Joanna
1. Pillows are more important than you think.
Pillows add a fun design element to an otherwise bland room. Mixing sizes, colors, and patterns is a fun way to update a sofa or bed without spending a fortune. We also love the way Joanna designs an end table like the one above!
{Gold sequin word script pillow by Darleen}
2. Mix old with new.
Joanna Gaines is all about mixing old items with new ones. Take this amazing table that one of our co-founders Missy found on Craigslist. It gives her brand new kitchen a cool retro vibe. Search Craigslist and consignment shops for your perfectly “old” piece.
{See more of Missy’s home design here.}
3. Tie your rooms together with one color.
One of my favorite Joanna tips is to tie the rooms in your home together with one common color. We love the turquoise Shelley uses throughout her home office. Subtle uses of the same color throughout your house adds a beautiful uniformity.
{See more of Shelley’s home office here.}
4. Stay on budget and repurpose.
If anyone can design incredible homes on a budget, it’s Chip and Joanna Gaines. The secret to saving those dollars? Repurpose the furniture you already own or find some cool pieces to transform at your local second-hands store! This piano was repainted to breath new life into it.
{18 Amazing DIY Makeovers You Have To See}
5. Incorporate something from your heritage.
One of the best ways to add character to your home design is to incorporate something from your heritage. Spruce up your grandma’s old piano or take that old wood from your grandpa’s barn and turn it into a shelf. Try to find ways to bring your past into your present.
6. How to stage a shelf.
All you have to do is watch a few episodes of “Fixer Upper” to see that Joanna Gaines is a master at staging a shelf. Bookshelves, built-ins, floating shelves…you name it, she can design the heck out of it. We like the way Kara used this DIY gold foil print to stage a pretty shelf.
7. Keep it natural with wood for decor.
There’s one simple accent that ties many of the “Fixer Upper” homes together and that is wood. Try your hand at decorating with tree stumps!
8. Farm-tastic touches.
The Joanna Gaines style is farm-fresh and fantastic! We love the way she uses simple farm and barn elements like our DIY custom barn lights by Kara. Ooh, and check out this Fancy Farmhouse Bedroom Makeover!
{DIY Cheap Custom Barn Lights}
9. Big vases and beautiful flowers.
Design with big vases and fresh flowers in mind. Joanna Gaines is notorious for using nontraditional vases like mason jars and cool vessels she finds at antique stores.
10. Modern Makeovers.
Some of the best “Fixer Upper” episodes involve taking an old home and giving it a complete modern makeover. Here are a few fun ideas you can try to modernize your home.
{21 Modern Makeovers on a Budget}
11. A rug says it all.
Don’t underestimate the value that a good rug can offer. Add a rug to your back patio, kitchen, living room, or entryway to really liven your space.
{7 Easy Steps To Create a Cozy Outdoor Living Space}
12. Give empty walls some lovin’.
If you’ve got empty walls that could use some much-needed design and you don’t have Joanna Gaines on speed dial, try some of these wall decor ideas!
{21 Stunning Wall Decor Ideas}
13. Hardwood floors.
The final design tip we learned from the HGTV show “Fixer Upper” is to honor the hardwood floor. Chip and Joanna don’t hesitate a second to rip up carpet in search of original hard wood. You can refinish your hardwood floors, or keep expenses down and try laminate flooring like Alison did in her home.
For some of us, beautiful decorating comes naturally. For the rest of us, we need to see it in order to do it. Thank goodness for Pinterest and that wonderful “Search” box!
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