We Can't Help But Notice What's Missing From Joanna Gaines' Office Makeover For Hoda Kotb

When interior design icon Joanna Gaines and beloved TV host Hoda Kotb teamed up for an office makeover, it's safe to say expectations for the results were set pretty high. Kotb's decades-long history hosting the "TODAY Show" has shown audiences that she is undoubtedly charismatic, joyful, and sophisticated — some qualities you might expect to translate into her office design. When you picture her character paired with Gaines' knack for infusing personality and down-to-earth style into home interiors, it paints a picture of what could be a fun, fresh, and memorable look. The results were, of course, nothing short of outstanding, but it's hard not to notice something that seems to be missing from the makeover — the use of color.

We all know that Gaines is a big enthusiast of neutral palettes, but some fans may have expected that this office design would have a more colorful scheme to align with Kotb's vibrant personality. Aside from intentional touches of greenery, the office refresh was widely made up of neutral tones, prioritizing unique textures over splashes of color. That said, there is much to love about this iconic collaboration that you may want to keep in mind for the next time you give your home office a makeover.

Kotb's office makeover gave Gaines plenty of room to work her magic, as the spacious layout included a cozy entry room, team offices, a conference room, and even a cute kitchenette. Although the ample square footage allowed for more experimentation with different hues, the design seemed to maintain a strictly neutral palette that only featured very small, spread-out doses of color. The majority of the color usage came out in the form of greenery (although green is still considered a neutral by many) — potted plants small and large, hanging plants among the walls, and some faux flowers with warm, but neutral petals.

The overall color palette is grounded by white walls and furniture, warm wooden floors, many notes of light gray, and various beige accents. The plants do all the heavy lifting in terms of color, allowing the space to not feel too one-note. Painting your home office white may be a huge mistake if your job requires an environment that is slightly more stimulating, but Gaines' neutral design still does an excellent job of creating an inspiring atmosphere. In some cases, these color-less palettes can be beneficial to an office environment, as they offer a calming space that limits distractions. Gaines' design for Kotb's office space seems to be missing splashes of color, but it doesn't necessarily lack visual interest. However, one could argue that the look feels underwhelming compared to Kotb's larger-than-life personality.

Although the use of vibrant color is limited in this office design, it doesn't mean the final look falls flat. Contrasting and complementary color pairings is one way to add dimension to a design, but it's not the only way — the use of texture can be just as powerful. In Gaines' design for Kotb's office space, it seems she leaned heavily into textural elements to create depth. For instance, the kitchenette area offered plenty of depth, despite the only color coming from some plants and a bowl of pears. The mosaic tile backsplash layers shades of white, gray, and beige to bring an interesting sense of dimension and texture, especially when paired with the smooth quartz countertops and arched paneling on the cabinets.

Elements of texture are even used above the walls, with the antique metal ceiling tiles and dynamic chandeliers adding some stylish depth and character. The use of houseplants and other greenery is also a way to add texture to your home decor, so although it may not feel like a bold sense of color, it does accomplish a similar goal. When looking at the before and after of the space, it's clear that what it lacks in color, it makes up for in its layers of neutral tones, varied textures, and thoughtful decor. That said, if Hoda ever craves those exciting hues, she can simply step outside her office, into the heart of NYC, where the streets are buzzing with lively colors around every corner.