Ah, the comforts of home. Home sweet home! Where the heart is… and also where you find the open-concept kitchen, dual bathroom vanities, a finished basement, a quaint hearth room, shiplap galore, an outdoor oasis, a media room, a man cave, and, of course, a mudroom. Welcome to the enchanting world of HGTV, the 24/7 “we’ll just knock down that wall and call it a day” home improvement channel.
What is it about watching a stranger’s quest for the ideal house that keeps us glued to the screen? Am I just a sentimental fool for a heartwarming family-home narrative? Perhaps I secretly yearn to become a house flipper, scouring short sales and hunting for shaker cabinets and budget-friendly hardwoods. I can’t help but get a little misty-eyed when Chip and Joanna prepare to unveil a gigantic “before” image of an ’80s ranch and ask, “Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?” Yes! I’m ready! I’m also eager to see how that young couple hoping for a beachfront home on a bungalow budget will fare, or if that large family can rediscover their love for their first house after a total makeover and innovative storage solutions. And what about that adorable retired couple from Indiana deciding to downsize to Malta? Can they thrive in a cozy 400 square feet? (Pro tip: If you ever want your home to feel gigantic, binge-watch House Hunters International. You’ll find yourself hugging your dishwasher and clothes dryer.)
I adore all the shows! From demo days to budget-friendly flips, and the Property Brothers transforming chaotic spaces into dreamy homes. But there’s a significant downside to my HGTV obsession: it can lead to discontentment with my own home. After a recent binge, I found myself at my kitchen table, gazing around in despair. Suddenly, everything felt wrong, outdated, or broken. I cringed at the spot on the wall where a kid yanked off the wallpaper border, and I felt rage at the missing trim on the island that I’ve been asking my husband to replace for five years. The chipped tile floor, loose drawer pulls, and sticky cabinet doors didn’t help either.
It could all just be better. If I could just fix that! Redo this! Tear down a wall! Paint! Strip! Replace! Then I would be happy! Happy! Happy!
A few days later, during a rare family TV time, we stumbled upon an episode of HGTV’s House Hunters. We watched a lovely couple with two small kids explore a sprawling 5,000-square-foot house and complain. I sighed, “Look at all that space! What I wouldn’t give for a game room and a big laundry room!”
Then my 17-year-old chimed in, “But if we had all that, we wouldn’t be together like this. Who wants that?” I was taken aback. My teenager just delivered a reality check. It was as if all those hours of home improvement voyeurism had convinced me that bigger and newer equals better. Would I love for the Fixer Upper team to work their magic on my well-worn, kid-torn home? Absolutely. But do I need that to be happy? Not at all.
I can guarantee that when my family gathers around the dinner table, they aren’t focused on the chipped floor or the torn wallpaper. They’re looking at me, their dad, their brothers, and their plates. And honestly, that is all they need.
Will I break my HGTV habit? Probably not. I mean, who doesn’t fantasize about smashing soap-scum-covered bathroom tiles? But I definitely need to check my ungratefulness at the door. Until then, I’m going to cherish my imperfect home because it’s where I’m raising some truly awesome kids. And what more could I ask for? Okay, fine, maybe a mudroom—but only if it’s adorned with shiplap.
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Summary
Embracing the comforts of home is crucial, but an obsession with HGTV may lead to dissatisfaction with your own living space. While dreaming of renovations is fun, it’s essential to focus on the joy of family gatherings and the love shared within your home.