Joanna Gaines' Home Design Guide

The Magnolia founder's book inspires you to create spaces you'll never want to leave

Joanna Gaines is a marketing genius. Her Magnolia brand is everywhere, from magazine racks to the shelves of Target. But there's no denying that she's got a great sense about putting together a comfortable home. 

Her new book, Home Body: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave, is a hefty design guide for any and all who want some home design inspiration. While the photos are Pinterest-worthy, Gaines didn't want to fill its pages with "beautiful, aspirational images" that make readers "feel defeated" at a picture-perfect home. 

"Home is my favorite place on earth, but I've learned that not everyone feels this same way, " says Gaines. "From the beginning, I wanted this book to be a practical and useful guide that would empower and motivate anyone who reads it."

The book is full of design and styling advice, 350 pages to be exact, and even photos of and notes on Gaines' farmhouse that she created with her husband Chip. Room by room, the book gives an in-depth look at creating style and blending genres to create unique spaces that feels all your own. 

Below are our a few of our favorite rooms from Homebody, but to see her sensibility expanded, pick up her book today.

In deciding how to design your entryway, Gaines suggests you make a statement while paying attention to the functionality of the space. Find items that are practical, like coat hooks and baskets, and illustrate your personal style. 

In the entryway to her farmhouse, Gaines incorporates functional items, like a comfy bench where guests can take off their shoes, alongside her personal style. 

"Most furnishings in our entryway at the farm are antiques I've collected over the years," says Gaines. "Since the area serves as the introduction to our home, I've made it welcoming by mixing practicality with visual interest." 

Keeping with the theme of beautiful-yet-functional spaces, Gaines suggests you approach the design of your kitchen in terms of creating a highly functional space that is also warm and welcoming.

"If you feel drawn to the idea of having those you love gathered in your kitchen, make that your priority in this space," she says.

Don't be afraid to mix materials, like metal open-shelving to glass cabinets, and stick to a relatively neutral color palette, where accessories and textiles can add pops of color and texture. 

The dining room is a space where intentionality is key. Here, the table or a light fixture tend to be the focal point, and the other furnishings tend to be few. 

"I added black built-ins to make a strong statement in this formal dining room, and the paneling behind the shelves resonates with the antique charm of this historical estate," she notes. 

Depending on the location of the dining room, Gaines suggests you keep it consistent (if near the kitchen) or make it a distinctly separate space, design-wise.  

"I really appreciate what this rooms represents. It's a set-apart space that has been intentionally designated for lingering over good food and conversation with family and friends."