Joanna Gaines Quirky Tip For Brightening Up Any Room

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like it just needed a little more brightness? And maybe you flipped on the light and threw open the curtains, but it still felt like something was missing. If this sounds familiar, try this tip from interior design queen and host of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" Joanna Gaines: add in some brightness with playful, quirky features like statues or fun art.

"Brightness is a state of mind just as much as a physical attribute, so don't forget to have fun with your decor and how it can put a smile on your face, plus those of your family and friends," per a blog post on Gaines' website Magnolia. "Playfulness is akin to lightheartedness, and sometimes that's as simple as having a game out on display or a quirky statue next to a stack of books. The unexpected can be an invitation to remember what brings joy and how opportunities for it abound, especially—and perhaps most importantly—when feeling a sense of ease at home." You probably know the feeling when you walk into someone else's home and spot a fun print on the wall or an unusual trinket on the mantel. These items can suddenly make the room feel more interesting, exciting, and therefore bright. Let's explore why this phenomenon happens and how you can use it to brighten up your own home.

Joanna Gaines recommends adding playful pieces because seeing things that make us happy lightens us and our environment. Think about how you felt the last time you saw your favorite movie, snuggled with your pet, or looked at photos from that amazing vacation. It brought the warm, fuzzy vibes, right? With playful decor, you can bring that same boost into your space. Because — let's be honest — all too often, we walk into a room thinking about what needs to be done. We need to make dinner, put the laundry away, or dust the coffee table. But seeing a fun decor piece — like a Harry Potter Funko Pop standing guard over your coffee machine in the morning — can help brighten your day and space.

For example, swapping out your plain coffee mug with one that makes you smile (we're particularly attached to our Taylor Swift mugs) can make that busy day ahead suddenly look a little more achievable. If you love to read, creating a cozy reading nook in your home where you display your favorite books on the shelf next to your reading chair and add in a textured throw will create a spark of joy, uplifting the entire room. Or bring a little brightness to your nightly meal ritual by adding colorful twisty pillar candles on a pretty tray to your dining table. Doesn't your home feel brighter already?

The trick to adding playful decor to your home is striking the balance between bright and childish. For example, this doesn't mean you should scatter games around the house, although repurposing your favorite old board games as home decor is a great way to add lightness to a space. Adding too many quirky or fun decor pieces can overwhelm the room instead of inviting in that brightness you're searching for. Instead, choose a few select pieces to add to each area — we recommend that the smaller the space, the fewer the pieces — and limit the color palette to five colors maximum. This ensures the pieces you display truly stand out and uplift the room.

Looking for playful decor ideas? There are a lot of ways to add trendy, whimsical accents to your home, like a bold statement wall with your favorite floral wallpaper or unusual light fixtures instead of plain ones. If you're not sure where to start, try something small at first. A rubber duck perched on the kitchen windowsill, a fun mug to hold spoons on your coffee station, or a string of fairy lights can start to brighten your space. As Joanna Gaines mentioned in her post, a fun statue, like one of an animal, is a great way to include some simple playfulness. Don't forget to shop your own home as you look for pieces. It's easy, inexpensive, and guarantees they will bring you joy. Plus, you never know what gem you'll find in the back of that closet.