I appreciate a well-placed throw pillow as much as anyone else. I adore the cozy shabby chic aesthetic and the allure of an open floor plan. It’s amusing to discuss shiplap, even if I still can’t define it. Shiplap, shiplap, SHIPLAP. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a captivating before-and-after renovation reveal? These elements contribute to HGTV’s immense popularity. We find joy in watching people demolish and reconstruct spaces, daydream about owning picturesque properties featured in shows like Beachfront Bargain Hunt, and chuckle at the high-maintenance homeowners while observing the occasional marital squabbles between hosts. It’s a guilty pleasure that lets us peek into the lives of strangers.
However, recently I can’t shake the feeling: What is going on with HGTV? Is this reality? Do people really inhabit those tiny homes with no closets and foldable sinks? How can a couple selling camel milk and hemp skirts afford a million-dollar beachfront mansion? And why is there so much complaining? It seems like someone is perpetually disgruntled. Homeowners often express disdain for their sprawling 5,000-square-foot homes, claiming they feel “too cramped,” while developers argue with contractors, and couples bicker over the chaos of home renovations akin to those on Property Brothers.
HGTV, what’s the deal? You present home renovations as a breeze when, in reality, they are anything but. You toss around terms like “bargain,” yet what you mean is “ridiculously expensive.” You portray house flipping as a fun side gig, but it often entails crippling debt, months of dust, and a diet of instant noodles.
And then there’s Joanna Gaines, the reigning queen of shabby chic and DIY projects, who is now selling throw pillows for $90 each. Really? Almost two hundred bucks for pillows that kids will just toss on the floor or that the dog will use as a scratching post? And an area rug priced at $2,300? I need a moment to catch my breath from laughing.
A friend, Molly, recently shared an episode of Beachfront Bargain Hunt featuring a couple searching for a $350,000 second home in Hawaii. Excuse me? If you can afford a $350,000 second property, you should not be on a show with “bargain” in the title. Let’s face it, the term “bargain” has likely never crossed your lips.
HGTV, you’ve lost the plot. Remember Trading Spaces? Neighbors redecorating each other’s homes on a budget? That was entertainment at its finest. Sure, there were moments of drama, but it was generally enjoyable and provided practical decorating inspiration. Can we bring back more of that? (Actually, it’s returning soon!)
Whenever I switch on HGTV, I either feel utterly perplexed (do parents really live in 300-square-foot tiny homes?) or irritated by the wealthy individuals upset that their lavish homes lack a rain shower in the fourth bathroom. And let’s not even get started on how it makes me feel about my own living situation. Before I tuned in, I had never heard of a “drop zone,” but now it’s a must-have for our shoes and coats.
Meanwhile, my family room resembles a chaotic Lego battlefield, complete with crooked pictures on the wall and a poster of a donkey taped up (the animal kind, not the other). Just a few minutes of watching shows like Rafterhouse and I begin to loathe my house, question my life choices, and feel an urgent need to rush to Home Depot for DIY projects like fire pits, bar carts, and rustic bookshelves. Bring on the chalk paint!
The reality is, I’m terrible at decorating, and as I grow older, I care less about it. My home looks less like a glossy catalog from West Elm and more like a clearance aisle at Target or Toys “R” Us. And you know what? I don’t mind. I might love decorative pillows, but Target has some adorable ones for just $12. Plus, I can order them online without even changing out of my pajamas. And honestly, shiplap sounds more fun to say than to install.
Yet, I still dream of having a drop zone. And a second home by the beach wouldn’t be too shabby either.
In conclusion, while HGTV may showcase aspirational living, it often strays far from reality, leaving many viewers feeling disillusioned.