Joanna Gaines Reveals Her 3 Simple Secrets For Keeping Her Home Fresh

As autumn is fast approaching, many homeowners may be planning small changes to make way for the new season. A tried and tested method is finding inspiration from "Fixer Upper" star Joanna Gaines to refresh one's home for fall. The celebrity home decorator knows a thing or two about updating any space to match a mood, vibe, or holiday aesthetic. As she's also busy preparing to set up her home for fall 2025, she recently disclosed her three simple secrets for autumn decorating.

In an Instagram video, Gaines gives her fans a peek into her process of shopping for fall decorations during a quick trip to Magnolia Home. She grabs little ornaments from the store, including an hourglass, a black marble swan figurine, and a brass bird, and then she tells the camera that she likes to mix and match these items to tell a story. Highlighting how easy it is to make a space feel new again without overhauling the entire decor, Gaines quips, "The way I like to switch things out in my house is I change the florals, and I change the scent... and then my tea towels."

By focusing on these three aspects, Gaines seamlessly incorporates fall touches that feel intentional yet effortless. For instance, swapping out the flowers inside the house for those that are in season during fall, such as aster and chrysanthemums, can give that genuine autumn vibe. For the scent, she prefers the Gathered Candle from her Magnolia collection, since it has a clean, autumnal aroma.

Joanna Gaines's tip for updating home decor is not limited to the fall season. You can actually follow it the entire year-round, since replacing florals, scents, and linens to match the different times of the year is an easy and highly effective way to breathe new life into any space inside the house. Gaines likes blending different styles, but she also sees to it that they work harmoniously. 

Since fresh or faux flowers can brighten a room and make it look more appealing, choose varieties that match the season, or stick with neutral greenery if you want to keep it minimalistic. Similarly, change the scent in your home using candles, diffusers, or essential oils. Different scents can trigger entirely different moods. For example, citrusy or herbal fragrances are perfect for spring and summer, while warm spices or woodsy notes bring a comforting smell in the colder months.

Finally, though often overlooked, changing tea towels and choosing designs that match the different seasons will keep your home feeling fresh. These towels are inexpensive, practical, and come in numerous design patterns and colors. Unlike buying new furniture or repainting walls, swapping out tea towels can be done quickly. Plus, they are more budget-friendly and flexible, making them ideal for anyone who simply wants their home to feel refreshed from time to time without spending much time or financial resources.