Joanna Gaines Will Convinced You to Try This “Vintage” Kitchen Decor Trend (It’s Too Cute!)

Brittany Romano
Brittany Romano
Brittany Romano contributes to Apartment Therapy's Kitchn, focusing on shoppable content. She holds a sociology degree from New England College and started her career as a freelance market assistant at Marie Claire. She's held positions as an editor at Future PLC, overseeing…read more
published Dec 8, 2024
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Joanna Gaines on a colorful background
Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Joanna Gaines has built an empire by designing homes that blend style, warmth, and comfort. From her popular Fixer Upper series to the charm of Magnolia Market, Joanna’s design choices have won over audiences worldwide. Unsurprisingly, the kitchen in her own home exemplifies her signature style: a seamless mix of cozy elegance. It showcases her talent for combining timeless farmhouse details with contemporary sophistication, and I can’t get enough.

With purposeful design, layered details, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, this kitchen is beautiful and practical. I did a deep dive on her social media to bring Joanna’s inspiring kitchen style into your home — and these are the nine things I spotted that make her space so captivating:

1. White Marble

White marble countertops are a hallmark of Joanna’s kitchens, effortlessly bringing luxury and timeless elegance. Paired with dark cabinets, they strike the perfect balance of modern style and cozy warmth, as seen in her Waco home. 

2. Cutting Boards as Decor

Wooden cutting boards are a staple in Joanna’s kitchens, adding a rustic touch that goes beyond their practical use as prep surfaces, serving as platters or decorative displays for items like salt shakers or small plants. Blending function with charm, choose cutting boards with unique grain patterns or interesting shapes for added visual appeal, and place them in accessible areas to keep them both stylish and functional.

3. Layered Lighting

Joanna’s kitchens are known for their warm, inviting lighting that sets a cozy tone. Instead of harsh overhead lights, she opts for ambient touches and layered lighting like small lamps by the sink, pendant lights, and under-cabinet lighting, creating a soft glow that transitions the space from day to night.

4. Hanging Storage

A simple yet effective detail Joanna uses is a storage rod above the sink. This addition provides a spot to hang dish towels or dry dishes, helping keep countertops clear and making the space more organized. Install a metal rod with hooks to create a functional, stylish feature that blends utility and elegance.

5. Glass Jars for Style and Organization

Glass jars are used in Joanna’s kitchens to store pantry essentials like flour, sugar, and rice. Displayed on open shelves (more on that below), they bring a cohesive, rustic charm while keeping the space organized. To achieve this look, use matching glass containers and label them for a clean, polished finish.

6. Vintage Cookware

Vintage-style cookware blends practicality with a decorative twist. Displaying items like copper pans or cast-iron skillets on open shelving adds a lived-in feel and personalizes the space. Arrange or hang your best cookware to showcase it as both a functional tool and a stylish accent.

7. Open Shelving

Open shelving is a Joanna Gaines classic, bringing openness and character to the kitchen. Perfect for showcasing dishware, vintage finds, or practical items like jars of dry goods, open shelves add visual interest and make frequently used items easily accessible. To maximize their impact, curate the items on display to strike a balance between style and functionality, selecting pieces that are both attractive and useful.

8. Greenery

In addition to the deep green walls, potted plants and hanging herbs are all over Joanna’s kitchen. Not only do they look fresh and lively, but they also enhance the space’s inviting ambience. Pick plants like succulents or herbs such as basil or thyme for some natural beauty that’s also good for cooking.

9. Woven Warmth

Woven elements, such as baskets and cloth towels, give off a cozy, rustic vibe that adds texture and comfort to any space. To enhance your kitchen, use woven items like baskets for storing produce or decorative cloth towels for a layer of warmth and charm.

Which of these elements is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!