Joanna Gaines' laundry room offers a lesson in the hanging house plant trend

Has the designer kickstarted a new house plant movement? Here's what you need to know before following by her example

Joanna Gaines' laundry room
(Image credit: Joanna Gaines)

Joanna Gaines may be known as a force in the decorating industry, but her most recent movement combines interiors with biophilia, too. 

The Magnolia designer shared a glimpse into her laundry room – primarily showcasing the table and chair that crowned the space as one of her favorite spaces in her home. However, while we are admirable of her furnishings – it was her organic laundry room ideas that caught our immediate attention. 

In her laundry room (pictured above and below), the Fixer Upper star exhibited hanging ivy that falls from her industrial-style light and crowns her beloved table. And while this quirk is undeniably aesthetic, it has a range of other benefits for you and this practical space. Here's what the experts think about Joanna Gaines' emerging plant trend

Joanna Gaines' laundry room plant trend

Joanna Gaines' laundry room

(Image credit: Joanna Gaines)

'It seems like no matter what’s gone on out there, how loud the world gets, I can always come back to the familiar quiet in here: the swoosh of the wash, the rumble of the dryer, the piles undone at rest on the floor,' Joanna says on Instagram. 'The swoosh of the wash, the rumble of the dryer, the piles undone at rest on the floor. There is something about the ordinary, the profound absence of performance in this space, that lets me be my truest self.'

Joanna Gaines explains that she visits her laundry room to journal, solve a problem, say a prayer, or work through her thoughts. It's also where she wrote her new book, The Stories We Tell (which is available on Amazon here.) 'Feeling grateful today for this space and what it helped shape,' she adds. 

The designer explains how she took joy from her decorating ideas, such as her table and chairs. However, plant experts suggest that her hanging ivy also contributes to the peace of her space. 

Hanging ivy in a bedroom

(Image credit: GettyImages)

The benefit of hanging ivy – in a laundry room – and elsewhere

'Ivy can be an excellent choice for a laundry room as these plants can survive pretty much anywhere,' says Kevi Tara, a plant expert from LeafNJoy. But aside from Joanna Gaines' approval – what makes ivy one of the best indoor plants you can choose for your laundry room?

'Their dark shaded green leaves bring a touch of peace and calmness, but at the same time, the forest green variations carry a notch of seriousness and structure with them – which align with a busy laundry room well,' Kevi explains. 

'Ivy plants are rarely just a simple shade of green, however. Most of the specimens have striking white venation or other types of variegation. These colorful plays on the leaves, on the other hand, can brighten up even the darkest color and bring cheerful energy.'

joanna gaines in dining room with gold ceiling

Joanna Gaines

(Image credit: Magnolia Network)

Besides its aesthetic, ivy is one of the best air-cleaning indoor plants you can choose. 'They've been known to be able to absorb airborne toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, and even mold and mildew,' Kevi adds. It is also notably low-maintenance – meaning you can replicate Joanna's utility room ideas without inconvenience. 

'Ivy is a great choice for those that are looking for a unique plant that makes a sharper statement of wilderness and character, and the calm pothos just isn't suitable,' the expert adds. We're following Joanna's example at the first opportunity, 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.