Homebody by Joanna Gaines book review

Homebody by Joanna Gaines is all about creating a home that fits your stage in life, by making your space work for you and your family.

I love the book’s simple and easy to follow design ethos – choose what you love and it will work. That’s achievable for everybody.

“Whatever home you find yourself in now, I want you to own it. Dream about it. Make it matter for everyone you share it with. That’s what Homebody is all about.”
Joanna Gaines

*This post contains affiliate links. I was given a copy of this book, with no obligation to review.

Who is Joanna Gaines?

Joanna Gaines is a New York Times bestselling author, and the co-founder of Magnolia, a Texan home and lifestyle brand.

Joanna’s face is well-known in the USA, as she co-hosts Fixer Upper on HGTV with her husband Chip.

UK interiors fan can get their fix of Fixer Upper regularly on ITVBe.

Joanna writes about design and lifestyle on her blog at Magnolia At Home.

What’s in Homebody by Joanna Gaines?

Joanna Gaines has produced a total deep-dive design book that’s practical and helpful, whatever your level of expertise.

Firstly, Homebody helps you identify the design style (or mix of styles) that you love most.

Among others, that might include farmhouse, industrial, boho or traditional.

It’s a useful exercise to work through, as you can see what fits best with your chosen style.

Then Homebody explores how to interpret your signature style, by outlining design choices in different type of houses.

Best of all, the book works through the house room by room. You’ll find a practical summary of critical thinking for each room, including pieces you might want to buy.

Then once you’ve oohed and aahed through the pretty photos of Joanna Gaines’ design in action, you’ll find a troubleshooting section. This shows you how to overcome common pain points in each room, whether it’s low light or poor storage.

What are the best takeaways from Homebody?

For me, the best chapter was the one on entrances, as I loved the philosophy behind the design tips.

Namely, that the entryway is your home’s warm welcome. You’ve got to make it count, not just for visitors, but for you and your family too.

Joanna Gaines believes that we should put energy into creating a warm feeling when we cross the threshold of our homes, just as we do for the core entertaining rooms of the house.

And in my experience, homeowners generally do feel that their front doors and hallways are important. One of my most popular Pinterest boards is the one devoted entrance hall and hallway ideas.