Interior Design Show to Watch While In Quarantine: List Approved By Real-Life Designers
Since we’ve all had a bit more spare time quarantined, here are interior design shows to add to your watchlist. We interviewed a handful of designers to see what shows they approve of, and we are spilling the tea.
When it comes to any reality show, it’s important to understand that it’s not entirely accurate. Some real designers are frustrated with the misrepresentation of their profession on TV. The design process happens quickly on TV. In reality, it can take months of planning, discussing, and paperwork. Most of the designers on TV don’t have a degree. They’re hired for their TV personality.
Check out this list of designer approved shows to watch while quarantined! How many have you seen?
Queer Eye
Queer Eye has quickly become a popular fave for many. We love the combination of expertise each one brings to the table. The team deals with real design problems that normal people have. It’s not your traditional design show, but we would suggest you give it a watch. You can watch Bobby Berk and the rest of the team on Netflix.
Queer Eye is a highly popular show for a reason. Season 5 will be released sometime in 2020.
Photo Credit: Vanity
Property Brothers
In this show, twin brothers, Johnathan and Drew Scott help create dream homes. You can watch the show on HGTV and Hulu. Be warned, not everything you see on TV is like real life. We interviewed Austrie Messer, an interior designer at Lisa Escobar Design in Las Vegas. She also worked alongside the Property Brothers on episodes 106 and 107.
“The Property Brothers are just as charismatic in real life as they are on TV,” says Austrie.
The Property Brothers TV show aired in 2011 and is now on season 13 on HGTV.
Photo Credit: FIPP.com
When we asked her about the process, we were surprised at how close the deadlines are on tv as to what is shown. A real-life project could take 6-18 months.
Austrie says, “It’s a quick process and a well-oiled machine working with general contractors and other vendors. The turn around is only about 3 months from start to install/filming.”
Accessorizing for television is a lot different too. It’s very over the top. Over accessorizing shelves, coffee tables, even doubling up pillows and layering throws looks so much better on camera. We don’t recommend decorating as over the top for your home. If you’re interested in learning more about styling for production, click here.
Flip or Flop
Tarek and Christina El Moussa buy the most horrid home in an area and remodel it. They stage it and try to sell it for a profit. It’s fun to see the transformations they create. As far as design goes, they don’t exactly have the best taste, but they are great at entertaining and so we give this one a thumbs up.
Love It or List It Vancouver
Love It or List It Vancouver is on Hulu and HGTV.
Photo Credit: HGTV CANADA
“I don’t watch TV much anymore, but I used to love the show Love it or List it Vancouver, with Jillian Harris. She is so talented and a great example of being unmistakably herself. She’s hilarious, straightforward, gets the job done and is always kind. I have followed her on Instagram since she was the Bachelorette in 2009.”
– Melissa Allen, Interior Designer, Natural Instincts Interior Design
Extreme Makeover, Home Edition
“I used to love Extreme Makeover! That was the original design show that got me into design when I was really little. We used to watch it as a family. MOVE THAT BUS!”
The old series ended in 2012 but, the new series launched earlier this month.
Boise Boys
Clint Robertson and Luke Caldwell flip homes in the hometown, Boise, Idaho. The pair is hilarious and is a surprising duo that works well together. They describe themselves as family men and both are married with children. For each renovation, they aim to create a home that meets the need of families.
This opposite duo is on Hulu.
Photo Credit: HGTV