Stunning Design Choices That'll Never Go Out Of Style, According To Joanna Gaines

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Joanna Gaines first graced our TV screens when "Fixer Upper" premiered in 2013, and she opened her famous Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas a decade before that. With more than 20 years of experience flipping houses and creating decor lines under her belt, she knows a thing or two about what tends should stick around and what shouldn't. Yes, a few things that she loves have started to look dated to some (looking at you, shiplap!), but even then, there are still shiplap alternatives that Gaines absolutely adores, like skinnylap.

She's known to love classic farmhouse aesthetic and all the vintage touches of charm that typically come along with this style. If something has already lasted decades and is still loved and used often, it's a fair bet that it won't be falling out of favor anytime soon. With this in mind, these are Gaines' favorite stunning design choices that'll never go out of style. So whether you're planning to repaint, redecorate, or just want to judge her preferences, here's everything you need to know before getting started.

Nailing your curb appeal can be a timeless part of home design that's often overlooked. No matter the color of your home's exterior paint, Gaines thinks that a crisp trim look will never go out of style. "I love a strong pure white trim around doors and windows to really make the architectural elements of the home stand out," she told KILNZ paint in a promo for her collaboration with the brand, per YouTube. "So True White is a bright white that I designed mainly for trim and molding." The Magnolia Home collection from Kilnz is marketed as timeless with True White Trim, Door + Cabinetry Paint as just one of many stunning colors.

Bright white trim is a design choice that will always feel fresh no matter how trends shift over time, as it highlights the best features of a home without stealing the spotlight! Plus, freshening up your trim and molding (whether on the inside or outside of your house) is also one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into a space, especially if your current paint is chipped or yellowed. A bright white like True White can draw clean lines around the main focal points of your home, helping to define the architecture and create a nice touch of visual contrast. As white tends to complement everything, the hue does this even against the softest wall colors.

Choosing the best exterior option for your home is essential, as it's a major renovation choice you won't want to redo as trends change. For something truly timeless, the Gaineses recommend James Hardie siding, as they've been using the products for decades. "We drive by the homes we did 20 years ago down by Baylor University, and those were all Hardie-sided homes," Gaines told People about her collaboration with the brand. "This is truly a product that we've believed in for 20 years." Whether it's plank, panel, or shingle, she knows the siding will not only hold up well functionally, but aesthetically, too. "We still feel a lot of pride in it instead of feeling like we have to shade our eyes because we're embarrassed of how it looks years later," she continued.

While the Magnolia X Hardie collaboration was only for a limited time, colors and styles similar to what the Gainses recommended are still available to purchase. "They're more earthy. There are some greens and some blues, but they can still come off as a neutral," Gaines said about her color choices. The Hardie Plank Lap Siding in BoothBay Blue is a great example of this, as is the Hardie Plank Lap Siding in Light Mist. When paired with white trim as Gaines also suggested, plus a window box or two and a lush flowerbed, your home will hang onto its timeless curb appeal for years to come.

There are some design choices that are so practical they have always, and will always, show up in all types of homes over the years. The convenience of built-in storage is one of those things. According to both Chip and Joanna, it's the old-fashioned home amenity that never goes out of style. "People love things that are nostalgic, they love things that are antique-looking, and I want this place to feel like it did in 1915," Gaines explained when installing bookcases in an episode of "Fixer Upper: The Castle," per Realtor.com. "So whether you walked into the space in 1915 or today, it has that same feeling of history and love and beauty and castle-ship." Built-ins are charming, but also give you more space for storage without intruding into the room, making them handy, too.

If you can't install built-ins because you rent, or just don't have the budget for a bespoke renovation, you can still mimic their impact. Look for freestanding bookcases or vanities, then paint them the same color as your walls. This can create that seamless, custom feel without the permanency. IKEA's Billy Bookcase, especially the corner piece, is a popular choice for this purpose, as is Anthropologie's Fern Marble Top Bookcase, which has the same strong, rounded profile as the bookshelves the Gaines' used during the episode. If your home has niches, placing the painted shelving within them only further elevates the look.

Gaines believes that to make a home truly timeless, it needs to have a number of different styles and trends present, all overlapping in a way that's unique to those who live there. "In the book, I was trying to show people this is what traditional feels like, or this is what modern feels like," Gaines told Domino about her book, "Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave." "Early on, when I started, I always thought we have one or two styles. As all of us are continually evolving, there are new things that we're loving; there are new things that we're telling our own story about. It's that mix that makes it feel more like home." Investing in things that you actually enjoy is always going to be more evergreen than just copy-pasting a single design style into your space for the sake of it.

To bring this mindset to your own home, start by identifying pieces you already own that you love, regardless of their style. Maybe they don't necessarily go together, but if they "spark joy," they're still a great timeless base. Then, as you bring new furniture or decor into the space, look for similar wood tones or textures in fabric to tie things together. That is, you can add a touch of mid-century modern style to your bedroom with a period coffee table, then still add a bohemian couch. They can complement each other perfectly, especially if they're both made from teak — a material popular in both trends.

Rugs are a great way to add some comfort underfoot, as well as a little bit of personality to any space. Gaines worked with textile company Loloi to create a collection of timeless styles with indoor and outdoor options, so you can add life to both your patio and your living room. "I love textiles that feel lived-in and classic, so I designed this collection to feel both old and new, timeless and fresh," she posted on Facebook about her inspiration behind the collection. There are so many patterns to choose from, including a Charlie Striped Polyester Indoor / Outdoor Area Rug in Black/Gray, inspired by the ticking stripes of 16th-century France. The Brick / Ivory Runner Rug has a pattern that looks like it came right off a loom in Türkiye, while the Ryder Stone / Ivory Area Rug has a bold grid pattern that's perfect for any modern space.

Introducing patterns is one of the easiest ways to add movement and visual interest to a room. Rugs like these are the perfect vehicle for it, as they can be easily swapped, while furniture or painted features can take way more effort to change if you tire of them. Whether buying a rug from Gaines' collection or elsewhere, check that the option you've selected is machine washable. These modern options mimic old-world options without the hassle of getting them professionally cleaned. You can just pop them in the wash instead.

While repainting your room because the color you chose is past its prime might be one of the easier home DIYs to do, you can still save yourself the trouble by not following trends at all. "The whole ideas of trends, that's something I shy away from even though I get there are trends in design," Gaines told Country Living during a design workshop. "For me, as a designer and someone who also does renovations, trends are hard for me because I feel like you're directing people one way and then the next year, if you paint everything one color, you're painting it another."

If you were to investigate every Pantone Color of the Year for the last decade, it's clear that what's en vogue changes often. While a fun idea, things swing quickly from purple to pink to orange to brown — that's a lot of repainting. Instead, Gaines shared she doesn't pay attention to what everyone else is doing and just goes with her gut instead. She followed, "So I go more with my gut — what I think is going to happen this year, what I see and what our clients are asking for." Instead of what's trending, or even just sticking to the basics, go for the colors that call to you, and you'll find that you won't repaint for years, or even decades.

Bubblegum shades of pink have often been associated with childhood spaces, but Gaines thinks that if you lean into the subtler, more dusty, hues, then it can actually be quite timeless and elegant. One of her favorites for this is Magnolia's Ella Rose. "This shade of pink is such a pretty color. I think it's a true classic that won't ever go out of style, and that's why I chose my grandmother's middle name and my oldest daughter's middle name to describe it," she told KILZ in an advertisement for the collaboration, via YouTube. "Both of them are timeless beauties, equally gracious and graceful," she shared of both ladies on the Magnolia website.

Dusty pinks like Ella Rose or Magnolia's Rosy Pink work beautifully anywhere you want a soft, welcoming atmosphere. This doesn't have to be your daughter's bedroom, but can be in your hallway half bath, or even on a piece of painted wood furniture as an accent to warmer neutrals elsewhere in the space, like cream or taupe. To keep the look timeless, pair dusty pinks with natural textures like linen, rattan, or light oak. For example, if using it in your bedroom, consider the Coucheta Rattan Bed Frame paired with a BOLL & BRANCH Waffle Bed Blanket to keep things both charming and cozy.

Gaines is known for her love of wallpaper, but she does have a favorite pattern that she thinks will never go out of style. When asked by the Orlando Sentinel what style she would be if she turned into wallpaper herself, she answered, "Classic black and white stripes, because it's timeless." Black and white stripes have stood the test of time because they're simultaneously both bold and simple. You can choose the width of your stripe to suit your space, whether you want thick stripes for a big statement or pinstripes for something more delicate. Vertical stripes can even make ceilings appear taller, which is great for smaller spaces or entryways, too.

To get the look at home, Gaines even has a line of wallpaper to choose from through a collaboration with York. "This collection of timeless wall coverings is layered with warmth and charm, and effortlessly blends nostalgic patterns with modern designs," she wrote for her Magnolia blog. "This assortment has a little of everything — simple stripes, subtle plaids, vintage motifs, and bold florals." You can choose from intricate geometric shapes like Ridge Wallpaper in Midnight, delicate florals like Colette Wallpaper in Navy, or even the classic stripe, French Linen Stripe Wallpaper in Charcoal. For the black and white option, try the Hokku Designs Zikayla Striped Accent on Wayfair.

Marble has long been associated with luxury and longevity, which is why it continues to be a go-to material for bathrooms. Its natural veining adds movement and elegance, while the soft, light tones it tends to have can help brighten smaller spaces. Whether you opt for marble floors, shower walls, or just a vanity top, it instantly elevates the room. During the special "Fixer Upper: The Castle," Gaines and her team thought the same. "The space used to be a dressing room, but we reworked the layout to include a shower and vanity area," she posted on Facebook. "I love how the walnut cabinet contrasts with the clean, timeless look of the marble."

To make the most of it, pair the marble in your bathroom with warm woods, like Gaines did with a walnut cabinet vanity. Something like the Retrograde Furniture Mayfield Freestanding Vanity in Walnut or this MonkeHaus Mid-Century Modern Walnut Vanity with Toe Kick could fit the bill. For finishes and decor, you can mimic the final product from the show with soft metals like brushed gold or chrome to balance the marble's cool undertones, like this WallBonito Gold Custom Made Frame or the VETROVUE Gold Bathroom Mirror. However, for a bold modern look, try using the accent color that is perfect for a white marble bathroom — matte black — as it offers lots of contrast. 

While large-format, minimalist tiles have become popular in recent years, patterned and intricate tiles have a much longer history. Some, such as zellige tile, even date back to the 10th century! Because of this, these tiles often feel more personal and storied than modern options. Choosing a patterned tile can instantly connect your home to that sense of tradition and craftsmanship. It brings depth and visual interest, without overpowering the space, especially when paired with simpler elements like wood or neutral walls. During an episode of "Fixer Upper: The Castle," this is exactly what Gaines and her design team did. "One of my favorite details in the Castle's primary bedroom is this beautiful tile we chose for the hearth," she wrote on Facebook. "It's timeless design paired well with the original mantel and mirror."

When installing tiling, whether it be around a fireplace like the show, or in your bathroom, a quick tip is to never install tile over the top of tile. There won't be enough space or support between the layers, and they're bound to crack. You also need to assess the underlay for mold or other damage before laying new flooring. When ready, nationwide stores like Lowe's have plenty of patterned options, like the Satori Nouveau Flora Deco Matte Porcelain Tiles or Affinity Tile Klinker Retro Blanco Aster Satin Ceramic Tile. If you don't want to lay it yourself, these stores often offer installation services, too.