Joanna Gaines Nails this Classic 70's Color Combination

Joanna Gaines sat in armchair beside table with candle and mug — (Image credit: Target)

Joanna Gaines' style is so approachable and elegant, and her designs create a natural warmth thanks to her use of natural materials, artisan-style pieces, and earthy color palettes, featuring olive greens, warm woods, and soft beige hues. In this living room example, the design leans toward a subtly 70's look, bringing Joanna Gaines' signature timeless style to retro colors, silhouettes, and materials, and we're here for it.

Whilst I associate Joanna Gaines' style more with heritage, tradition, and muted tones, the retro decor ideas in this particular space stood out to me, from the olive green sofa (Wayfair has similar) to the tan leather lounge chair (Chairish).

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Shop Pieces From Joanna Gaines' '70's Inspired Look

Chenille finish

Olive Green Loveseat

Chenille or velvet bring in a textural touch that elevates olive green from flat to multi-tonal, which works beautifully in a 1970's inspired living room.

Walnut wood

Hollis Media Console

With a subtly '70's silhouette and a warm walnut finish, this console will provide plenty of storage for a seamless look in a calm living space.

Brushed brass

Sputnik Chandelier

With a very similar look to the statement light in Joanna Gaines' living room, this sculptural design brings in warmth with brushed brass.

1970's original

Ariaen Lounge Chair

In cognac leather, this original 1970's chair by Arne Norell is the exact style featured in the living room designed by Joanna Gaines. It's expensive, but iconic.

Joanna's design

Deco Marble Coffee Table

From Joanna Gaines' own Magnolia collection, this is the exact coffee table in her 1970's inspired space. The cool marble contrasts the earthy hues.

Amber glass

Hurricane Candle Holder

Giving off a warm glow from the smoky amber glass, a hurricane candle holder like this will bring depth and coziness to a calm living space.

Whilst retro style can have a reputation for being a little garish (think mustard, burnt orange and psychedelic prints), the 1970s brought more of a muted look, which Joanna Gaines has tapped into with this chic living room decor.

Jennifer Guerin, Interior Designer, Color Expert, and Owner of JG Color Studios shares her insight: 'The 1970’s embraced natural palettes as a reaction to the bright, synthetic colors of the 1960’s. Interiors and fashion shifted toward hues like avocado, olive green, chocolate and walnut browns. Today, the combination of olive and brown recalls that era’s cozy, analog vibe, which is currently trending as a reprieve from an overtly digital world.'

Whilst brown and green feels like a bit of an unexpected color combination, Jessica Gersten, founder of New York–based Jessica Gersten Design says 'Green and brown feel instinctive together in design: green introduces life, while brown anchors the palette with natural warmth.'

But how can we capture that vibe in modern interior schemes? 'To make this palette feel luxe today, we can mix in marble [think Joanna Gaines' Magnolia marble coffee table], a natural stone that provides a sophisticated weight while lightening the overall color scheme,' suggests Jennifer.

Krystyl Baldwin, Owner of San Francisco Vintage goes deeper: 'I think that 1970's color combinations still work today because they were never about novelty. Olive green, tobacco brown, and warm creams are fundamentally human colors. They reference earth, warmth, and ritual. When used intentionally, often in matte finishes or textured materials like wool, ceramic, or wood, they ground a space rather than overwhelm it.'

Joanna Gaines cleverly uses these natural materials and textures to elevate this nature-inspired and calming palette. 'Materials such as wood paneling, suede, leather, and corduroy made these colors feel warm and tactile in that era,' agrees Jennifer. 'Additionally, introducing a subtle metallic shimmer through sculptural lighting [like this Etsy Sputnik Chandelier] or accessories, creates a layered, modern look that feels refined rather than loud.'

If you still feel unsure about what colors go with olive green, Marissa Burrett, Lead Designer at DreamSofa says 'A deep olive velvet sofa looks beautiful against warm brown furniture, such as walnut tables or leather chairs. Combining those natural tones and shades adds depth and makes a room feel calm and effortlessly chic.'

So, to capture Joanna Gaines' timeless and calming take on this retro color pairing, focus on natural materials, layered textures, and furniture designs that nod to the era whilst still feeling ageless.

Krystal concludes: 'In contemporary interiors, these palettes succeed because they soften minimalism and reintroduce emotional warmth. The mistake people make is treating them as retro accents rather than as a complete, considered system. When balanced with modern lighting and negative space, they feel timeless rather than nostalgic.'

For an up-to-date twist on this 1970's color combination, consider introducing blue along with green and brown, to try the serene earth palette that designers are raving about right now.

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Katrina is Head of Living at Homes & Gardens, covering hosting and entertaining, seasonal styling ideas, sleep and wellbeing, along with a highly experienced team of writers and reviewers. With more than 15 years' experience in lifestyle content, Katrina was previously an editor at luxury lifestyle platform, Muddy Stilettos, has been a features writer at Sainsbury's magazine and has also written for a wealth of other food and lifestyle titles including Ideal Home, Waitrose Food, John Lewis' Edition and The Home Page. Katrina is passionate about heritage style and lives in a 100-year old cottage in rural Hertfordshire, where she enjoys finding creative ways to live and host stylishly.