Joanna Gaines' Do's And Don'ts For Decorating With Reclaimed Wood

Not every home renovation turns out picture-perfect, but with a little expert advice, you can make sure your reclaimed wood project stands out for all the right reasons. Working with reclaimed wood can be challenging, as its unique flaws often come with their own set of hurdles to navigate. Even if you have a professional handling the technical details, figuring out how to bring your design vision to life can still be tough. If you plan to decorate with reclaimed wood, it's helpful to consider Joanna Gaines' do's and don'ts — do be intentional about where you use it, so you don't go overboard.

Joanna Gaines loves working with reclaimed wood so much that she even named one of her Magnolia Home paint colors after it. While she may be a pro at designing with it now, one of Gaines' earliest "Fixer Upper" mistakes involved reclaimed wood. Sometimes the best advice comes from failed attempts, and Gaines' tips are worth taking into account so you can avoid similar mishaps. Although the low cost of reclaimed wood may tempt you to use it throughout your home, Gaines proves that a more thoughtful and strategic approach will give you a better result in the long run.

Joanna Gaines has had to hone the craft of using reclaimed wood through trial and error — like the time "Fixer Upper" proved that there is such a thing as too much reclaimed wood. But she's since had many more successes, like when she sparingly used reclaimed bowling lane wood to create stylish and impactful kitchen details. Projects like these prove it's best to be mindful about where you incorporate old timber so your design can truly shine. Reclaimed wood carries one-of-a-kind imperfections that can be incredibly charming when used in small doses. If overused, those same qualities can make the design feel chaotic and overwhelming. Follow in Gaines' footsteps and opt to use reclaimed wood for subtle but intentional details, like for a trim around a tile backsplash.

A "less is more" approach also allows you to give proper attention to more important features. For example, you'll want to follow the best way to clean reclaimed wood to preserve its unique characteristics while removing any dirt, stains, or pests from past uses. If you don't overburden yourself with too much material, you'll have time to concentrate on perfecting the elements that make up your design. When it comes to reclaimed wood, Joanna Gaines has mastered the art of balance by carefully choosing where to use reclaimed wood for a stylish yet subtle result.