Magnolia's "Shiplap" is an off-white paint color with warm, creamy, and slightly weathered undertones. Rather than a stark, sterile white, these cozy undertones create a vintage feel that softens interior spaces and adds a classic, lived-in character to walls, trim, and cabinetry.
Shiplap by Magnolia Home
Shiplap is a go-to white—it's creamier and feels more comfortable in a space than a harsh, sterile white. It's such a versatile shade that works well on walls, trim, and cabinets. In bright, natural light, you can really notice the cream undertones.
You'll still find the charm and detail of shiplap panels, but with options like tongue and groove wood wall planks, fluted paneling, and limewashed walls, there's a lot more to explore.
Magnolia is a classic white with a slightly peachy undertone. Choose this colour if you would like a warm cream to simplify your room and create a fresh place to start.
Red. When Real Simple asked Gaines about the one paint color she would never use in her own home, the HGTV star admitted that there is a bold hue she tends to avoid. “For my own home, I typically tend to lean more toward neutral colors and a clean palette,” she told the magazine. “I might shy away from reds.”
Steely, cool grays are being replaced by warmer, earthy neutrals. Instead of flat greys, designers are favoring cozy, nature-inspired hues that bring depth and comfort to interiors.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home
It doesn't have to look yellowed and dated - magnolia can be a fresh and inspiring paint trend that has hints of playful colour while still being easy to decorate with. So, here's where to use magnolia around your home, whether as a living room paint idea or to revamp a kitchen design.
Pale earth colours are the perfect alternative to magnolia, which is a soft easy way to create relaxation in your space, whilst richer browns add an extra level of warming indulgence to a room. Combine with neutral greys, soft pinks or light purples to add a new sense of energy to the scheme.
Beige is typically a warm neutral with soft yellow or golden notes, while taupe leans more toward a beige-brown or gray-brown blend that feels slightly deeper and earthier. Greige, as the name suggests, is a mix of gray and beige, offering a modern neutral that balances warmth with a subtle coolness.
Broadly speaking, basic white shiplap is no longer the height of fashion, with designers shifting toward smoother, "old-world" finishes like limewash and textured plaster. However, shiplap can still feel stylish if used intentionally in smaller doses or updated with modern styling.
A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
A big complaint from those with shiplap in their homes is that it is a magnet for dust. Dust will settle in the gaps and grooves and can make the space look dirty. 2. If not installed correctly, shiplap can warp or rot.
Joanna Gaines actually created a dedicated paint shade named "Shiplap" in her Magnolia Home paint line (color code JG-22). It is a creamy, weathered white that provides a warm and timeless feel, avoiding the harshness of sterile, stark whites.
Here are five paint colors that real estate professionals and designers consistently recommend to help homes sell faster and for more:
Magnolia Blossom is a pale, subdued, sepia yellow and the undertone is umber. This paint colour gives any interior a perfect look. Combine it with darker rusts, teals and a diversion of dark wood accents.
Joanna Gaines’ favorite paint colors heavily feature timeless whites, soft warm neutrals, and nature-inspired greens and blues. She frequently uses her own line, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines (crafted in partnership with KILZ), as well as Sherwin-Williams.
Magnolia paint living room ideas
Use magnolia as part of a tonal look by complementing it with a deeper beige or even a taupe shade. Bring the look together by incorporating pops of white. A white pendant or wall light will look great, as will white furniture.
Choose a crisp white or grey for the walls – think porcelain white or a very pale stone grey – and pick one warm neutral, like a soft pink or brown with purple undertones, to breathe new life into forgotten spaces, like this windowsill.
To make a home look expensive, rely on sophisticated neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues rather than stark whites or highly saturated brights. High-end spaces feel cohesive and intentional, using layered tones, natural materials, and high-quality finishes to create a calm, custom feel.
In the UK, magnolia paint is a neutral to warm cream, noted as being the 'standard' colour of household paint, other than white. It is a ubiquitous colour which is available in most types of paint.
One of the most prominent colours stepping in to replace grey is beige. This versatile shade is celebrated for its ability to brighten spaces while evoking a sense of calm and timelessness. Unlike grey, beige offers a warmer, more organic feel, making it a perfect backdrop for a variety of design elements.
4. Muted Greens. While beiges can often feel flat, these greens with their earthy undertones have greater depth and feel more 'alive in a way beige never can', according to Bari Jerauld, founder of Blank Slate. Taking their cue from nature, soft sages, olives, and mossy shades are soft and enveloping – never cold.
Colors that do not combine
Create a luxurious-looking sitting room with a deep chocolate brown paint color. Pair the rich walls with a light pink ceiling and dark, red-toned décor for a bold and sophisticated design that works effortlessly.