Joanna Gaines Approved Tips For Adding Warmth And Character To A Small Cottage

Joanna Gaines has a long history of using interior design in fun, unique, and clever ways to bring life and character into a property. In particular, her farmhouse style has captured the attention of fans and aspiring designers for both its effectiveness and achievability — even in a small space. Using her artful Magnolia Hillcrest rental property as a guide, you too can learn how to transform a small space into an inviting, comfortable location that strikes just the right tone between form and function.

From unique murals and wall art to light-filled rooms and an abundance of natural materials, the cozy and charming design of this cottage is a great example of using interior design to fill, but not overfill, a home that has smaller dimensions. The key to following this decorating style is intentionality. Joanna uses different items in the Texas cottage like rugs and sofas to create a sense of separation between each room. However, that doesn't mean she designs each space with a different look. Instead, she uses consistent color schemes and an overall inspiration to help create a feeling of unity that makes the house feel both larger and more pleasant at the same time. So, which of these tips could you emulate in your own small space for a soft, cozy aesthetic that feels intentional and practical, too?

One of the first things you are likely to notice in the Magnolia cottage are the plants. Dotted throughout each room are potted plants in varying sizes, from trailing foliage on the mantelpiece to a standalone fiddle leaf fig in the dining area. Joanna has elected to use plants which have dark green foliage, providing a sense of softness and color in contrast to the monochromatic color scheme. Try this out for yourself by selecting some plants — real or fake ones will do — and placing them around the room where things feel a little too stagnant.

Wall art is great for adding character to a space, as each piece can be chosen with the specific owner and home in mind. However, large, colorful, or busy prints can sometimes feel overwhelming in small spaces. So, following Joanna Gaines' example, try opting for vintage pieces instead. Antique decor such as newspaper clippings, maps, or old magazine covers are perfect as they tend to use less color and often have an aged patina from the oxidization of the paper. For extra warmth, look for pieces that have a personal connection to you.

A great way to start decorating a small space is by emphasizing existing elements. Joanna does this in the cottage by painting the ceiling white to highlight the beautiful wood beams, and by echoing that natural material with other additions such as woven baskets and wooden furniture. She even places a few wooden cutting boards on display which replicate the shade of the beams. You don't have to buy new furniture for this tactic, either, just a few pieces like wooden bowls or rattan placemats whose natural imperfections will add a bundle of character to your space.

Have a blank wall that could use some character, but that isn't big enough for a gallery display? Joanna Gaines suggests using a mural. Just like her kitchen wall mural which uses the surrounding landscape as inspiration, you can choose a location or subject that feels personal to you. You can either work with an artist to formulate something stunning, or you can try painting your own wall mural for a fun experience with a truly unique result. Make sure to tie in the room's colors for an extra sense of cohesion.

If you've spent a lot of time making your outside space look beautiful, why not bring it inside, too? In the Magnolia cottage, Joanna Gaines uses french doors to improve the natural light of the house and connect it to the patio. To create a nice flow between the spaces, try following her example and echoing the garden's style with the interior decorations, like she does with her flower-inspired wall art. For example, if you've got a cottage garden full of blooms, you could utilize pressed petals or some floral wallpaper — like this pink peel-and-stick wallpaper — to bring that character indoors.

Cottages have often been decorated in a light, pastel color scheme, influenced by nature and the materials of a countryside life such as baskets, gardening tools, and dried herbs. However, Joanna challenges that notion with her Texas-based cottage by contrasting the white walls and ceiling with sleek black furniture. While this color could easily become oppressive in a small space, she restrains the dark accents to a few choice pieces (such as the dining table) to help them really stand out, making the cottage more interesting and memorable as a result.

While mixed metals have been a popular element of more modern interior styles, Joanna Gaines shows that this tactic can work great in a small cottage, too. She combines a brass standing lamp and fixtures with a matte black desk and stainless steel appliances, helping to make each piece stand out, rather than having them blend into the background. To mix metals in your home decor, make sure to infuse each room with them, just like how Joanna adds brass details to both the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen to create a feeling of continuity.