The Definitive Guide to Joanna's Style: 43 Things Every 'Fixer Upper' House Must Have
You don't need a giant rolling poster to recreate Fixer Upper's signature modern, rustic and oh-so-comfortable look at home. See if you can pinpoint these hallmarks of Joanna Gaines' style during your next binge-watch sesh. (Then copy them for your own home reno.)
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December 17, 2015
By:
Liz Gray
Show:
Fixer Upper
Outdoors: Curb Appeal for Days
When Chip and Jo roll back that house-sized poster, you'd better believe the yard will be stocked with style to spare. Hallmarks of their front yard game: Curvy stone front walks and mature landscaping, like in this tree-filled lawn.
Outdoors: Greenery-Filled Windowboxes
Joanna loves to add life to a home with lots of plants. No green thumb? No worries! Here, the crew added rustic windowboxes filled with easy-to-care-for spider plants.
From:
Chip Gaines
Outdoors: A Fab Front Door
A front door doesn't have to be a bold hue to make a statement. To copy the Fixer Upper look, opt for a dark neutral hue or a natural wood version that hints to the modern-rustic details inside.
Outdoors: Twin Container Gardens
Think of it like a set of earrings for your house: Flank that new front door and embrace traditional symmetry with two oversized planters.
Outdoors: Unpainted Wood Accents
Chip and Jo love to accent their homes with unpainted wood accents, which adds a modern touch to more traditional exteriors.
Outdoors: Rocking Chairs
Once you have that big, roomy front porch, it's pretty much mandatory to enjoy it via rocking chair...
Outdoors: Porch Swing
...unless, of course, you'd prefer to cozy up on a porch swing.
Entryway: Family-Friendly Function
Sure, every Fixer Upper home is packed with style. It's also packed with function, especially in the entryway, where Joanna is sure to create space for families to store all the clutter that comes with kids. Got baseball gloves, soccer balls and backpacks? Assign each kid an under-bench cubby to keep the entryway organized and clutter-free.
Entryway: Seating for a Crowd
An entryway bench can double as a staging area for trips or the daily grind. That's why an old church pew is perfect: It's sturdy and spacious, plus scuffs from daily activity will just add character.
On the Walls: Quote Art
Take a cue from Joanna and add something inspirational just inside the door. A glance when you walk in or out could totally change your daily outlook.
From:
Chip Gaines
On the Walls: Magnolia Wreaths
A true signature, Joanna loves to incorporate a magnolia wreath into every home — after all, the family company is called Magnolia Homes.
On the Walls: Life Lessons
Especially in kids' spaces, like this playroom and guest room, Joanna is fond of reminding young minds what's really important.
On the Walls: Oversized Clocks
Large-scale clocks serve as both wall art and as functional pieces that remind kids there's a way to tell time that doesn't involve looking at a screen.
On the Walls: Large Object Art
Joanna loves to personalize her homes with objects that speak to the homeowners personality — yes, even guitars! The lesson? Even non-traditional art can become wall decor when a frame is added. (DO try this at home.)
On the Walls: Vintage Maps
It's easy to see why vintage maps are a wall art standby for Joanna: They add instant history to a wall, whether the home was built last century or last year.
On the Walls: Vintage Mirrors
Snatch these up when you see them at the thrift store; they look as at-home in a Fixer Upper-inspired master bedroom as they do in an entrway.
On the Walls: Vintage Mantels
No fireplace? That doesn't stop Joanna from adding a vintage mantel to the wall, which adds instant architectural detail, not to mention a ready-made display shelf.
On the Walls: So Many Vintage Mantels
They're so versatile, Joanna uses them all over her houses, even in bedrooms.
On the Walls: Salvaged Architectural Pieces
When is a door not a door? When it's a piece of salvaged wall art. Joanna repurposes moldings, doors, windows and more as history-filled wall decor.
From:
Chip Gaines
In the Living Room: A Cozy Fireplace
No Fixer Upper home would be complete without a hearth (real or faux) to gather around.
In the Living Room: Shiplap
Shiplap is practically Joanna's middle name. If Chip and the crew don't find it under the drywall, they add the rough-hewn wood paneling to add texture on the walls.
In the Living Room: Open Floor Plans
Chip and Joanna love to remove walls and widen doorways to make one room flow into the next.
In the Living Room: Durable Rugs
Natural fiber rugs, like jute or sisal, warm up hardwood floors while hiding dirt, spills and pet hair. Do I need to say more?
In the Living Room: Cozy Furniture
Joanna opts for durable furniture with a sense of history, like leather or linen Chesterfield sofas that look even better after a little wear-and-tear.
In the Living Room: Slipcovers
White slipcovers might seem like an odd choice for a home filled with children, but Joanna and lots of cottage design lovers know a secret: White covers can be throw in the washer with a little bleach, making them even easier to care for than dark colors.
From:
Chip Gaines
In the Living Room: Modern Pipe Shelving
Galvanized pipe shelving is super-popular with homeowners who love the modern rustic look, for the same reason Chip and Jo love the shelving style: It's easy to build, inexpensive to create and adds industrial style to virtually any space, from a living room to a kitchen to a bathroom.
In the Kitchen: Farmhouse-Style Sinks
Apron-front and farmhouse-style sinks lend even the newest kitchen an air of history, so it's no wonder that Joanna loves to use them in her renovations.
From:
Chip Gaines
In the Kitchen: Vintage-Inspired Plumbing
Leaky, inefficient plumbing from the 1890s? No thanks. Brand new plumbing inspired by the original? Yes, a million times yes.
In the Kitchen: Subway Tile
Whether white or gray, subway tile lends both traditional, classic style and modern simplicity to a kitchen, and also pairs well with the rough-hewn accents of which Chip and Jo are so fond.
From:
Chip Gaines
In the Kitchen: Island Life
Chip and Joanna work a big island with tons of workspace into almost every kitchen. This one has room for eating, cooking and more, not to mention lots of texture and history thanks to the reclaimed wood used for the base.
In the Kitchen: Vintage-Style Barstools
That big island wouldn't be complete without vintage-style stools, perfect for homework, dinner parties and quick breakfasts.
In the Kitchen: Dramatic Lighting
Industrial pendants are a go-to for Chip and Joanna, since they combine modern style and a bright, functional light source.
From:
Joanna Gaines
In the Kitchen: Open Shelving
Joanna loves to display simple white dishes in front of rough-hewn wood walls or exposed brick. Here, the shelves become a functional focal point.
In the Kitchen: Even More Shiplap
If you're a fan of the show, you know that Chip and Joanna are shiplap-crazy. Here, they used the unpainted version of the material to create a modern-rustic look.
Plant Life: Wildflowers
Wildflowers are beautiful, easy to find and, oh yeah, free, if you know where to look. Here, Joanna displayed them in vintage-style blue glass demijohn bottles.
Plant Life: Two (or Three) of a Kind
What's better than one vase of wild alliums? Two, of course! Grouping vases adds more than twice the visual bang for your buck.
Plant Life: Make That Four of a Kind
See? Flowers are even better in fours.
Extra Accents: Vintage Books
Joanna uses vintag books as the base for colorful plant life, clocks and other accessories. Here, she paired volumes by color to create a cohesive look.
Extra Accents: Vintage Books
Another Joanna-approved trick? Display books spine-side-in for a monochromatic display that lets florals shine.
Extra Accents: Just Add Candlesticks
Joanna is a huge fan of the ambiance-boosting power of a few candlesticks (or more than a few, as seen here).
From:
Chip Gaines
Door Style: Antique Additions
When it comes to Fixer Upper designs, antique doors often make an appearence in the most unlikely places. These dramatic doors lead into this home's pantry and laundry room.
Door Style: Barn Doors
Sliding barn doors are a staple on the show. Here, they conceal his and hers closets while adding an architectural element to the master bedroom.
In the Bedroom: White on White on White
Joanna's design mantra? When in doubt, paint it white. Here, white bedding and a salvaged white headboard sit against white shiplap walls. Master this monochromatic look and you're on your way to Fixer Upper-level style.
