There is a wide variety of home improvement tv shows out there, but only 10 stand out as inspirational options for your DIY projects. Check out this list to be inspired.
“Flip or Flop,” one of HGTV’s most beloved shows ever, follows real estate agents Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall – former spouses – as they purchase rundown houses, renovate them to their specifications, and sell them at a profit for profit. This show remains immensely popular.
1. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
This iconic reality series presents families in need of both a new home and life change with designers, workmen and volunteers coming in to renovate them in just one week with help from host Ty Pennington – plus providing financial and charitable assistance throughout their year of support!
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was an instantaneous hit during its 10-year run from 2003 to 2012, becoming a fan favorite with viewers for its spectacular home designs and heartbreaking tales of homeowners receiving free homes but struggling to keep up with mortgage and utility payments. You won’t want to watch an episode without your tissues handy.
2. The Property Brothers
Property Brothers on HGTV has been entertaining viewers for more than 10 years and continues to do so today. Real estate and contractor twins Drew and Jonathan Scott help families find and buy houses they’ll call home, then renovate it to meet each family’s individual needs and wants – a veritable paradise for home improvement fans everywhere!
Renovation television show Brothers Under Construction provides all of the ingredients typically associated with renovation television programs – like knocking down walls and pulling up carpet – but what sets this show apart from others is its stars: twin brothers Michael and Jonathan Scott and their clients’ love of them both. Now with spinoffs like Income Property and Love It or List It available on HGTV, this is easily one of their most watched shows – for good reason.
3. Fixer Upper
The Gaineses have earned themselves an almost legendary status on television, proving that you don’t need millions to turn a house into an eye-catching work of art. Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV fame showcase this with their show that shows them finding reasonably priced homes before renovating them into modern farmhouse designs that reflect Joanna’s distinct taste.
Contrasting with Property Brothers’ epic renovation disasters, this HGTV show shows all sides of home remodeling from beginning to end – including an exciting tearjerker of an reveal where an unaware family returns home to find it has completely been transformed! Box of tissues required.
Although Bob Vila no longer appears on HGTV’s program, his pioneering show still draws millions of viewers weekly and helped launch the DIY home improvement industry. With over 28 seasons under its belt and still drawing over 3 million weekly viewers – making this show one of the most reliable and long-running home renovation shows around.
4. Fixer Upper: Cabin Fever
Fixer Upper was an HGTV home improvement show that truly connected with its viewers, lasting five seasons before concluding its run in 2018. Hosted by Chip and Joanna Gaines (aka “the power couple”), viewers watched Fixer Upper transform families living in Waco, Texas into stars by helping families select and renovate homes within Waco’s city limits.
Chip and Joanna may be the stars of this popular series, but their team of talented professionals is just as impressive. From Joanna’s Type A personality to Clint Harp’s creative metal work, these individuals know exactly how to turn a house into the dream home!
Tiny Luxury was an unexpected delight among home renovation shows that focused solely on huge mansions. Instead, this original show follows homeowners as they downsize into more affordable properties.
5. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
This Netflix series follows world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo as she guides families in decluttering their homes. Whether she’s helping a busy family with young children organize their playroom or helping an elderly couple make space in their cramped living situation, Marie helps clients choose joy through organizing and storage solutions.
Kondo encourages her clients to involve their children in the KonMari method right from an early age so that it will become part of their routine as adults. Kondo believes the aim should be teaching kids early how to fold and sort, which she hopes they’ll keep up as adults as well.
HGTV’s home improvement shows are an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to transform their living spaces. From farmhouse-fresh ideas from Joanna Gaines or renovation guidance from twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, these TV shows can provide plenty of motivation.
6. First Home Fix
Home renovation shows often follow a similar formula: an experienced contractor-designer pair like Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper or Ben and Erin Napier from Home Town works with an array of telegenic homeowners looking to turn their house into the dream home they envision – often within a budget cap that must be adhered to as well as many gasps and tears along the way.
Property Brothers on HGTV is one of the most-watched home renovation shows, featuring twin brothers Drew (the realtor) and Jonathan Scott helping homebuyers locate and renovate houses needing some tender loving care. There’s plenty of drama, torn-down walls, and bickering experts at its core; and you can stream it via Hulu, YouTube TV or the HGTV website.
7. Fixer Upper: Outdoor Living
HGTV’s flagship series follows Chip and Joanna Gaines of Waco, Texas; each episode offers stunning homes as well as charming banter between episodes.
But is Fixer Upper really as real as it seems? Some viewers have noted that renovation projects don’t always go smoothly in real life.
As an example, it would be unwise to hang drywall before plumbing and electrical updates are completed, or install cabinets before flooring or paint has been finished.
Yard Crashers has also been accused of screening its home buyers beforehand to secure them for ratings purposes – this time by using “random store encounters”. No doubt all this effort pays off; who wouldn’t love seeing an incredible renovated home come alive on screen! Tune in soon to find out!
8. Fixer Upper: Interiors
If you want farmhouse-fresh ideas from the queen of shiplap, this show may be just what you need. Hosted by Joanna and Chip as they renovate homes in Waco, Texas – with unrealistic expectations from owners, torn-down walls galore, and bickering experts – it has all of the hallmarks of an exciting home renovation series: unrealistic couples’ expectations, plenty of torn walls being taken down, bickering experts and an eventual reveal with Joanna staging it with furniture from Magnolia Market as seen on television!
That decision proved fruitful: the show quickly became one of HGTV’s most successful programs ever and has a unique knack for turning unattractive money pits into beautiful dream homes.
9. Fixer Upper: Design Challenge
Fixer Upper’s spinoff offers diehard fans a look into Joanna Gaines’ design decisions – everything from pillows to paint color – letting viewers witness her magic at work.
While many home renovation shows on HGTV are optimistic in nature, some can have sad outcomes. According to Dianne Perry & Company’s blog post about Fixer Upper homeowners who may think their new homes will become their forever homes may be mistaken; but it’s never that straightforward.
According to reports, in order to be featured on the show there are numerous requirements that must be fulfilled in order to qualify. One key criterion for making it on is for couples to allow Chip and Joanna full control over their home renovation process and to commit to filming for at least eight days at a time.
10. Fixer Upper: Renovation Challenge
Since Fixer Upper first debuted, millions have been transfixed by its captivating show set in Waco, Texas. This dramaturgical tale follows Chip and Joanna Gaines transforming homes that need some renovation into masterpieces for millions to watch each week.
The show demonstrates how even budget-friendly renovation can increase the value of a home. It has opened people’s minds to the fact that one doesn’t need to be a millionaire to upgrade or renovate a house.
Other great home improvement shows include DIY Network’s “Holmes on Homes,” which features contractor Mike Holmes saving homeowners from subpar work, and HGTV’s “Rehab Addict,” where Nicole Curtis restores historic houses demonstrating the value of preserving their architectural character.
