Top HGTV Shows for Recession-Proof Decorating Tips
Top HGTV show one: Design on a Dime is perfect for those with tight budgets
I was hooked on this show from the start, even before news of Wall Street turbulence and housing bailouts motivated me to cut costs even more. Now that we seem to be facing a tighter economy, Design on a Dime seems particularly timely. Anyone who has a rock bottom budget is sure to find ideas that can be used to make a home look updated, trendy and even upscale. Kristan Cunningham was the host of the most recent episode I watched, with a vibrant personality and youthful energy. She took on the challenge of taking an awkward apartment, completely lacking in style, and transformed it into an attractive living space.
Design on a Dime is probably best for homeowners on a strict decorating budget, perhaps those just out of college or just starting on their careers. Some of the rooms end up being a bit eclectic and bold colors may not appeal to everyone. Many of the homeowners are young, willing to be trendy and experiment. The low budget ideas often are surprisingly appealing, with far more hits than misses.
This show should also appeal to those who could easily afford to spend more but prefer to be thrifty. I’d use this show to take some decorating risks or get outside my comfort zone. Don’t like an inexpensive accent? Simply replace it. Hate a wall color? Paint over it. Unlike replacing a granite counter top, these are easy and cheap fixes. Kristan Cunningham’s encouraging words were appealing and she didn’t seem too perky or annoying.
Stores and resources used: it isn’t unusual to see the hosts and homeowners scouting out finds at garage sales, vintage furniture stores and other places where bargains can be found. They also reveal the art of bargaining with store owners and mixing and blending both costlier and bargain finds. I really loved two vintage lamps that only cost twenty dollars for the pair, convincing me that great design doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Best decorating advice from Design on a Dime : features of this top HGTV include the short mini lessons that occur just before or after an episode airs. Recently, there were some suggestions for using chalkboard paint, which is not only a great accent feature in a child’s room or playroom or family room but provides a place to leave messages or create artwork, all for a bargain price.
While watching Design on a Dime, I also saw how it was possible to mix some expensive fabrics with less expensive ones. When one fabric cost over $50 a yard, the designers simply bought a yard of it, used the costly sections for pillow fronts and then backed the pillows with much less expensive fabric. Smart- and very budget friendly! Instead of using more expensive brass hinges for $8 each, designers bought satin finish hinges that look nearly identical for two dollars a pair. Voila! These kinds of savings can add up quickly. Teaching homeowners how to put tile on floors and paint walls are skills that could save lots of money.
Tutorials offered: how to make room dividers, using molding as a focal point or frame on a wall and making pillows and seat cushions from start to finish.
Design on a Dime website: here
Sweat Equity is a top HGTV show that can save homeowners money during tough times
I hadn’t been watching this show for long but I really like it. I was also pleased to see that the show doesn’t totally discourage viewers from calling in the experts, especially for tricky or potentially dangerous jobs. This was a nice compromise between saving money but also using home design experts, electricians and cabinet installers as needed. By doing simpler projects themselves, homeowners often had dollars left over for professionals. Adam Berlin, often featured on the show, has an upfront manner as he discusses which projects can be tackled without calling in the pros – and when to shell out money for expert help.
Best features of HGTV’s Sweat Equity: the cost breakdowns and budgets are winners. Also included? Basic information about typical costs for kitchen remodels and other home improvements. The show I watched revealed that an average kitchen remodel costs about $14,913…but the hosts of Sweat Equity taught a couple how to do a complete kitchen overhaul for only $7,742.00 (quite a savings). Homes are appraised before and after remodeling, to see if the improvements actually add value to the homes.
This top HGTV show, Sweat Equity, is probably best for viewers who don’t mind working hard to save on home remodeling and decorating. The name, Sweat Equity, is totally appropriate! In a recent show, the one featuring a kitchen remodel, both homeowners and designers helped install cabinets themselves! While it seemed a daunting task, they step by step instructions actually had me convinced I could do this. Along the way, the pros and cons of refacing cabinets were also discussed and I understood why these particular cabinets were replaced.
Best advice from Sweat Equity: everyone makes mistakes but they can be disguised or worked around (in most cases), very reassuring to know.
Tutorials offered: putting up cabinets, tiling bathroom showers and floors and plenty more.
You can catch full episodes and tutorials of Sweat Equity here or check out the show’s website here
Deserving Design is tops for a HGTV decoratig show which combines decorating tips with doing good for others
I always feel good after watching HGTV’s Deserving Design, hosted by Vern Yip. In the most recent show I watched, a woman who’d served others for years had finally bought her first home. She didn’t even have funds for furniture. Vern Yip swooped in and turned her modest home into a showplace that also reflected her personal style, warm and cozy. It was truly moving and inspirational to see this transformation.
Deserving Design ought to appeal to anyone who likes to see how home design and decor can truly transform someone’s life and lift the spirits. This is an ultimate “feel good” decorating show, with a focus on giving back to others.
Best features of Deserving Design: I’m a fan of Vern Yip so he is a major feature of this show. After he revealed how he’d saved big bucks by buying store samples and display pieces, I did used his advice to get some bookcases and counters from Steinmart- for five to ten dollars each! When I watched a recent episode of Deserving Design, I saw a completely unfurnished and modest home get filled with wall displays, bedding and personalized letters that fit the homeowner, a rather modest woman without extravagant tastes. Yip came up with a striking design that used animal prints, masks and multicultural, eclectic designs.
Best advice from HGTV’s Deserving Design: good design reflects a homeowner’s personality. Also, this is one of the most inspiring design shows I’ve ever watched. You might want to keep some tissues nearby.
Tutorials offered on Deserving Design: how to dress up a non-working fireplace so it became a showplace. Vern Yip also dealt with a major challenge: putting a bed in front of a window. His suggestions made me realize that it could be possible to use unconventional furniture arrangements and make them work. While I was skeptical about how he’d use international accents and still come up with a classic design, he managed to achieve the right balance. You can see more tutorials from HGTV’s Deserving Design here
Website: here
Divine Design is my top pick for an HGTV show featuring ultimate dream rooms
Candice Olsen is vibrant, daring and has one of the most enthusiastic personalities I’ve seen on HGTV decorating shows. I’ve been watching her show for years and am totally hooked. Do I like every room she creates? No, but when she gets it right, I find myself taking screen shots and jotting down notes. I’m always eager to see what she’ll design. However, the show is probably best for those who have unlimited or high end budgets – or know how to adapt her designs for more limited budgets. In a recent episode, she took a vintage kitchen from the 50’s and gave it a modern update, from quartz counters to striking blue walls. Again, not a cheap redo but one for higher end budgets….but oh, was it a stunning kitchen!
Best features of Divine Design: being able to see cutting edge design, especially when it comes to home gadgets, refrigerators, televisions and lighting. Ever seen a television which zips out of sight within a special counter? You’ll see it on Divine Design. Another recent show had a refrigerator which was completely hidden by paneling, making it appear nearly invisible. The shelves within the refrigerator could be adjusted by remote control or by pushing a button. Many of the rooms on Divine Design are made to impress – and they do!
Best lessons learned from HGTV’s Divine Design: decorating can truly be fun and even dream rooms can be done on budget.
Tutorials offered on Divine Design: most of the information on the show focuses on selecting fabrics and how Candice makes choices about selecting fabric and mixing textures. She does most of the work herself so the homeowners don’t get as involved as they would on a show like Sweat Equity.
Website: here
Curb Appeal has to be tops for giving a home’s exterior the same attention as the interior
I can’t list a top HGTV show without mentioning Curb Appeal, if only for the focus on home exteriors, landscaping and making a great impression on prospective home buyers. Often amazing? The transformations that can be achieved with relatively little money. The show is best for those who don’t mind puttering around in the dirt or helping out with gardening or landscaping. The episode I watched most recently featured Rick Spence, a handsome guy with a winsome smile and appealing personality.
Best features of Curb Appeal: the focus on landscaping, garden design and outdoor sculpture and walkways. In most episodes, homeowners will balk at some suggestions, leading to compromises. One example? Homeowners didn’t like a very cutting edge garage door and went for an equally costly – but slightly less striking – design. I’m nearly always inspired by the landscaping suggestions as well as exterior paint colors used in this show. Sometimes it only takes a coat of paint to turn a dated home to one that seems updated!
Best for: those noted above as well as anyone whose home is fine on the inside but needs stronger curb appeal to convince buyers to step inside. Perfect for those who’ve neglected exterior home maintenance or have flaking paint or a sorry mailbox. Even the front door may be due for a makeover- and Curb Appeal often offers cost-effective suggestions for renewing doors.
Best advice from Curb Appeal: vary the levels of landscaping. I’d never have consider a row of Aspen trees in the front yard but it worked perfectly when mixed with several other design features.
Tutorials offered: how to build stone planters, build a bench, create seating areas and build focal points within landscapes. You can see more examples and episodes here
Website: here
