9 of the best interior design TV shows
With so many great interior design shows on TV these days, we’re certainly not short of opportunities to nosy inside other people’s homes. But which ones are the best for those seeking interior design inspiration? Good Homes magazine picks out some of the best on the box…
1. Worst House on the Street, Channel 4
Always buy the worst house on the best street. So the saying goes. This is the concept put to the test in this Channel 4 TV show, which offers guidance for DIYers tackling a renovation. The challenge is to transform a run down property into a dream home while keeping budgets low and boosting the value of the house. But despite its gameshow-style format, there’s no winner and no prize. The renovations are undertaken by the homeowners, not developers, so adding value to their home is just a bonus. Brother-sister co-presenting duo Scarlette & Stuart Douglas are property developers, however, and their knowledge of what adds value – should you whip out that chimney breast? Is it worth moving that downstairs bathroom upstairs? – is invaluable to anyone undertaking their own project.
Watch Worst House on the Street on Channel 4
Presenters Scarlette and Stuart Douglas in Worst House on the Street. Photo: Channel 4
2. Sort Your Life Out, BBC One
Sort Your Life Out is presented by Loose Women and Instagram sensation Stacey Solomon, alongside organiser extraordinaire Dilly Carter, carpenter Robert Bent and cleaning fanatic Iwan Carrington. The show focuses on decluttering, but once that’s out of the way – it’s a surprisingly emotional process to watch – the cleaning, organising and interior design kicks off. The cleaning and organising tips are brilliant for those looking to get their own homes in shape, and the transformation is always impressive, with Stacey demonstrating her upcycling and DIY skills to help create beautiful interiors, with no clutter in sight!
Watch Sort Your Life Out on BBC One
BBC One’s Sort Your Life Out. Left to right: Iwan Carrington, Stacey Solomon, Dilly Carter and Rob Bent. Photo: BBC/Optomen TV/James Stack
3. Queer Eye, Netflix
Queer Eye – the Netflix reboot – is a feel-good interior design show that offers some amazing inspiration. Interior designer, Bobby Berk, is a master at revamping spaces without losing those important personalised touches. In each episode, one lucky individual is nominated by loved ones to have their whole world – including their home – transformed. Although less focus is placed solely on the design process compared to other shows, Queer Eye never fails to amaze with the home transformation reveal at the end.
Queer Eye. Photo: Ryan Collerd/Netflix © 2020
4. Interior Design Masters, BBC
Interior Design Masters has all the makings of a binge-worthy show: impressive competition, real-life drama and some jaw-dropping results. The popular interior design show highlights the creative process behind these unique design concepts as a group of aspiring designers compete for the chance to win a life-changing contract. Acclaimed presenter Fearne Cotton hosted the first season, while equally beloved comedian Alan Carr and interiors guru Michelle Ogundehin took over for the second season.
Watch Interior Design Masters on BBC iPlayer
Interior Design Masters. Photo: BBC
5. Escape to the Chateau, Channel 4
Dick and Angel Strawbridge have won the hearts of millions as they renovate the 19th-century Château de la Motte-Husson in Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France, while running their events and wedding business. The show has grown from the initial concept to other variations including Escape to the Chateau DIY, where the Strawbridge’s give help and advice to other immigrants trying to run a business from a chateaux similar to their own. It’s feel-good TV at it’s finest, and definitely one to add to your summer viewing schedule.
Watch Escape to the Chateau on Channel 4
Escape to the Chateau. Photo: Channel 4
6. Grand Designs, Channel 4
The OG of homes shows, Grand Designs – fronted by Kevin McCloud since the programme was first broadcast in 1999 – follows some of the most ambitious self-build projects in the country as homebuilders pursue their dream property. The programme focuses more on the architecture, but once the building is complete, viewers get to take an armchair tour of the property both inside and out, revealing some glorious interior design. This is a great watch for learning how interior design and architecture can work to complement each other.
Watch Grand Designs on Channel 4
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7. Kirsty and Phil’s Love It or List It, Channel 4
Property know-it-all’s Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp compete against each other on Channel 4’s Love It or List It as they try to change the way families feel about their home. Kirsty uses her interior design charms to transform the current home, while Phil opts for a more cutthroat approach of encouraging them to just move house. It’s a close call in most episodes as both competitors bring their A-games to impress, but all we have to do is sit back and soak up the top-notch decor and property advice.
Available Kirsty and Phil’s Love It or List It on Channel 4
Kirsty and Phil’s Love It or List It. Photo: Channel 4
8. Dream Home Makeover, Netflix
Dream Home Makeover on Netflix not only lets you ogle luxurious mansions and flawless interior design concepts, it also opens the door to the wholesome lives of married couple Shea and Syd McGee. The cameras capture the couple’s most heartwarming moments with their family, as well as the day-to-day of running their own design studio. With a wide range of clients – and budgets – there’s plenty of variety to the projects. Plus, you’ll gain a real appreciation for where many of those current Pinterest trends are circulating from.
Watch Dream Home Makeover on Netflix
Dream Home Makeover. Photo: Netflix © 2020
9. Tiny House Nation, Netflix
For many of us, the concept of living in a smaller space seems like a step backwards, but Tiny House Nation will soon change that mindset – especially if you binge watch all five seasons! Host’s John Weisbarth and Zach Giffin set off on a mission across America to help an array of people downsize in style. With the spread of ideas like minimalism, environmentalism and balanced living coming to the fore, the show definitely makes you think about how big our homes need to be to give us what we really want from them.
Watch Tiny House Nation now on Netflix
MORE ON INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWS
- Interior Design Masters winner transforms holiday home
- Stacey Solomon to front new decluttering BBC series, Sort Your Life Out
- Dick and Angel’s Escape to the Chateau secrets