Window treatments can completely transform a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Joanna Gaines, the design queen from Fixer Upper, has mastered the art of selecting the perfect window coverings that balance beauty and function.
Her signature style combines farmhouse charm with modern elegance, creating spaces that feel both fresh and timeless. Let’s explore some of her most stunning window treatment ideas you’ll definitely want to copy in your own home.
1. Natural Woven Roman Shades
The organic texture of woven wood brings instant warmth to any room. Joanna frequently uses these natural beauties to add depth while maintaining a clean profile. They filter light beautifully throughout the day, creating a soft, golden glow that’s both cozy and inviting.
Perfect for kitchens and breakfast nooks where you want some privacy without blocking all that gorgeous natural light.
2. Flowing Floor-to-Ceiling Linen Panels
Nothing says elegance quite like billowy linen curtains that puddle ever-so-slightly on the floor.
Joanna loves installing curtain rods close to the ceiling to create the illusion of taller windows and more spacious rooms. The gentle movement of linen in a breeze adds life to static spaces. She typically chooses neutral tones—soft whites, oatmeal, or pale gray—allowing the fabric’s beautiful drape to be the star.
3. Black-Framed Factory Windows
For a statement piece that needs minimal dressing, Joanna often incorporates black-framed factory windows. These architectural elements stand confidently on their own or with the simplest treatment.
Sometimes she’ll add a light Roman shade or sheer panel for privacy while maintaining the dramatic impact. The contrast between black frames and white walls creates that signature modern farmhouse look she’s famous for perfecting.
4. Vintage-Inspired Cafe Curtains
Half-height cafe curtains bring old-world charm to kitchens and bathrooms. These partial coverings offer the perfect balance of privacy and light, especially in spaces where you want protection from prying eyes without sacrificing brightness.
Joanna often selects simple cotton or linen fabrics in white or cream. The casual, unfussy look complements farmhouse sinks and subway tile, creating that lived-in comfort her designs are known for.
5. Minimalist Wooden Blinds
When you want structure without heaviness, turn to slim wooden blinds. These tailored treatments add architectural interest while maintaining clean lines that complement both modern and traditional spaces.
Usually in warm honey tones or whitewashed finishes, they bring a natural element indoors. She’ll often pair them with simple curtain panels for layered texture that feels thoughtfully collected rather than store-bought.
6. Repurposed Architectural Salvage
True to her waste-not philosophy, Joanna frequently incorporates salvaged elements as window treatments. Old shutters mounted inside window frames or antique doors repurposed as sliding treatments add instant character and history.
These conversation pieces transform ordinary windows into focal points. The weathered patinas and authentic chippy paint tell stories that new materials simply can’t match, bringing that signature Magnolia authenticity to even new construction.
7. Layered Neutral Treatments
Joanna’s magic often comes from thoughtful layering. She’ll combine woven blinds with linen curtains, creating depth through texture rather than bold patterns or colors. This approach allows each element to shine while creating a cohesive look.
The varied neutral tones—from creamy whites to natural tans—create visual interest without overwhelming the space, allowing architectural details and furnishings to remain the focus.
8. Striped Awnings for Outdoor Living
For porches and outdoor spaces, Joanna loves classic striped awnings that add vintage charm. These functional beauties provide shade while injecting personality into exterior spaces. Usually in crisp black and white or navy and white combinations, they create instant character.
The structured lines complement the more relaxed elements of outdoor living spaces, creating that perfect tension between formal and casual that makes her designs so appealing.
9. Statement Patterned Roman Shades
While Joanna typically embraces neutrals, she occasionally makes exceptions with subtle patterned Roman shades. These controlled doses of pattern add visual interest without overwhelming a space. Vintage-inspired ticking stripes, delicate florals, or subtle geometrics make windows sing.
10. Barn Door Window Coverings
Bringing her famous sliding barn doors to windows, Joanna creates movable wooden panels that serve as both functional coverings and architectural statements. These substantial treatments work beautifully in media rooms where light control is essential.
The track hardware adds industrial flair while the wood brings warmth. When open, they frame the view; when closed, they become artwork themselves, showcasing beautiful wood grain or custom paint treatments.
11. Drop Cloth Curtain Simplicity
Among Joanna’s most accessible ideas is using humble painters’ drop cloths as curtains. This budget-friendly option delivers the perfect relaxed drape and neutral color that works with everything.
The slightly irregular texture feels authentically rustic rather than mass-produced. She’ll often hang them with simple rings on iron rods, allowing their casual elegance to shine without fussy details or trimmings.
12. Vintage-Inspired Roller Shades
Joanna has a knack for making practical solutions feel special. Her take on roller shades includes selecting styles with scalloped edges or subtle trim details that elevate these functional workhorses. Often in natural canvas or light filtering materials, they provide privacy without bulk. Perfect for smaller windows or spaces where fabric curtains might feel too heavy, these shades bring quiet charm while honoring the architectural simplicity she values.
13. French Door Panel Treatments
French doors present unique challenges that Joanna solves with tailored panel treatments. These fitted fabric panels maintain the doors’ functionality while adding softness and privacy.
Usually mounted with simple rod pockets directly on the door, they move with the door rather than getting in the way. She typically chooses lightweight linen or cotton in neutral tones that complement rather than compete with the door’s architecture.
14. Indoor Shutters with Character
Interior shutters bring architectural interest while providing adjustable light control. Joanna often chooses versions with wider slats for a more substantial, farmhouse-appropriate look.
Painted in crisp white or left in natural wood tones, they add permanent structure to windows. Unlike curtains, they maintain their tailored appearance regardless of whether they’re open or closed, bringing that consistent pulled-together look her spaces are known for.
15. Unexpected Burlap Accents
For spaces that need textural contrast, Joanna occasionally turns to humble burlap. This rustic fabric brings earthy texture and casual warmth to windows, especially in dining spaces or home offices. The loose weave filters light beautifully while adding visual interest.
She’ll often pair it with more refined elements—like crystal chandeliers or polished furniture—creating that high/low mix that makes her designs feel collected and personal rather than straight from a showroom.
16. Arched Window Simplicity
Arched windows present decorating challenges that Joanna solves with elegant restraint. She often leaves these architectural beauties undressed or uses simple treatments that follow the curve without hiding it.
When coverage is needed, she’ll use custom Roman shades that stop at the arch point. This approach honors the window’s unique shape while still providing function, allowing the architecture to remain the star of the show.