Joanna Gaines always decorates with 3 winning colors, and this instantly expensive-looking palette is the best choice for fall and winter 2024

Settling on a room color idea can often be a lengthy process, with many important factors to consider, from lighting conditions and color theory to decorating tastes and architectural styles. It is a minefield of choices, endless color swatches, and fabric samples.

With this in mind, I turned to HGTV's Joanna Gaines's recent Lake House renovation to find a foolproof room color idea and palette perfect for fall and winter – that can even work all year round. The Fixer Upper favorite has a tried-and-tested color palette that just always seems to work. The designer and TV host tends to pull from nature's seasonal palette to draw inspiration for her home ideas, and it is a foolproof color scheme that never fails to deliver. More importantly, I am impressed by the longevity and timelessness of each color. We don't trust every interior design trend at H&G, we are always more interested in curating a house that feels like a home.

1. Sage green

Color theory in its entirety can be complicated but there are a few basic principles to help steer you in the right direction, explains Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball.

‘Green is a joy to use and a perennial color trend: the primary color of nature. It is the perfect color to deliver calm and serenity and therefore has the flexibility to be applied in every room in the home but is especially great for bedrooms and sitting rooms. It symbolizes renewal and growth,' he says.

However, finding the right green isn't always easy, but I've looked at 1000s of spaces over the past decade, and if there is one green that stands head and shoulders above the rest, it is sage green.

One of the cleverest greens in the spectrum, this color-shifting hue shares subtle blue and gray tones, making it a sophisticated and soulful choice as well as bringing biophilic benefits with its organic origins.

‘Sage green is a comforting color. Even by name alone, it evokes the thought of foraging and nourishment in the natural world, growth, renewal and life as a whole,’ says Alice Hood, senior design consultant at Roundhouse. ‘It brings the outside in, even in the most urban setting, and studies have been conducted to show that being surrounded by green can relax our nervous system and help us to feel calm, and in some cases, even live longer.’

It is the perfect option for decorating in fall and winter – it makes our home feel safer, warm and grounded.

2. Beige

If there is one color that is replacing gray for 2024, it is beige and similar hues. Off, white, sand, greige and beige are some of the most versatile shades in all of design – they will instantly brighten while evoking a sense of calm and flawlessness.

Joanna Gaines's Lake House living room champions beige tones in almost every single one of her renovations on HGTV's Fixer Upper, and it is easy to see why. It is such a versatile color, and it goes with just about anything.

Interior designer Tamsin Johnson agrees: 'If I’ve got a calm color scheme, then I focus on texture to bring different layers of interest,' she adds. 'You have to think about how to introduce variations and things that feel different to the touch without just focusing on color, and often that creates a more interesting scheme. Varying glossy, shiny surfaces with matt ones adds an extra layer of texture and tactility.'

'Natural textures, whether they are stone or wood or linen, can help to anchor a neutral color scheme. It means that the overall look doesn’t feel too contrived or uptight or overly designed. They bring a laid-back quality that always works well.'

Beige is also a great alternative to white. The beauty of decorating with beige is that it brings a certain timelessness and longevity to the design.

3. Brown

Take inspiration from nature's seasonal spectrum of earthy browns to create warm and welcoming spaces. Nature’s dazzling taupes, chocolates and nutmegs are one of the joys of fall and winter – and provide rich inspiration for creating cozy interiors similar to Joanna Gaines.

Considered a dark neutral, earthy browns are grounding but they also have an elegance that is truly sophisticated. Versatile, it can be striking on its own or allow other hues to stand proud. For me, it is the standout color of the year.

For those of you who remember the '80s and early '90s, you'll be familiar with decorating with brown. This once loved – and loathed – color dominated our floors, walls and furniture until the early '00s saw us switch out the brown decor in favor of minimalism, sterile white and gray took over. Thankfully, brown is back, and in a more subtle, sophisticated way. Nostalgia has us reaching for this 'ugly color' once again, and yes, it can be done beautifully.

The nuances of brown are often underplayed, but one look at the many hues on offer shows how complex and interesting the shade can be. There is an unexpected richness to dark brown that reveals itself in different ways.

My advice on using brown is to just go for it. It is truly a wonderful color, so don't be afraid to use it everywhere, from walls, and flooring to joinery and furniture. It is a brilliant foil for pretty much every color, the darker the tone the sharper the contrast and that’s when I like it best. Team brown with sharp bursts of primary colors for an electric look.