5 Renovation Shows to Watch When You Run Out of Episodes of ‘Fixer Upper’
There’s something so gratifying about watching a “before” become an “after.” That’s why HGTV renovation shows saw such an explosion in popularity recently — people clearly wanted to see average-looking homes transformed into stunning dream houses, but without all the personal effort.
Sitting on the couch watching someone else swing a hammer is so fun to watch. Especially when you’re stuck at home with nothing to do.
Fixer Upper was one of the most popular of these shows. Married renovation duo Chip and Joanna Gaines took, “the worst houses in the best neighborhoods” and restored them to their former splendor. These Texas natives had a true talent. But now that Fixer Upper went off the air, where should fans turn?
Don’t fret, shiplap lovers! There are quite a few comparable renovation shows that can help mend the Joanna Gaines-sized hole in your heart.
‘Home Town’
Fixer Upper fans know that Chip and Joanna Gaines are irreplaceable. However, if you’ve been specifically seeking a sweet married couple renovating old houses in their hometown, then look no further Erin and Ben Napier in Laurel, Mississippi with their show, Home Town. T
his charming couple has real talent and for anyone missing Chip and Jo, they’re almost certainly the next best thing.
‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’
If you’re a fan of being blown away by an “after,” then HGTV’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition needs to be on your must-watch list.
The ABC show has been rebooted with Jesse Tyler Ferguson hosting and just like the original version, it’ll probably require you keeping a box of tissues nearby. The renovations are epic, the stories are uplifting, and the whole show will help restore your faith in humanity. What more could you ask for?
‘Property Brothers’
Drew and Jonathan Scott are HGTV royalty and it shows. This talented duo is also fantastic at transforming ugly spaces into chic, upgraded abodes that anyone would love to live in.
Besides just the original Property Brothers, these two have several other shows in their arsenal including Property Brothers: Forever Home, Brother Vs. Brother, Buying and Selling, and the new celebrity-focused renovation show, Celebrity IOU.
‘Good Bones’
Laine Starsiak and Mina Starsiak Hawk are an unlikely renovation duo because instead of being married, they’re actually mother and daughter.
The show is based in Indianapolis and like the Gaineses, the show hosts seek out dilapidated structures to restore to beauty on Good Bones. These women are super talented and fun to watch, and like Fixer Upper, they offer a lot of dramatic, inspiring big reveals.
‘Flipping 101 with Tarek El Moussa’
Most HGTV devotees remember Tarek and Christina El Moussa from their hit series, Flip or Flop. This former duo went their separate ways both personally and professionally, leaving room for Tarek to launch a new program that’s focused on helping real estate novices find the right investments to make the most cash.
Flipping 101 takes a different approach to home renovation but is useful for homeowners who want to get the most bang for their buck before selling, too.
Magnolia Network
Watching all these shows still might not be enough to soothe the pain of losing Chip and Joanna. But good news — they’re coming back! Currently, Magnolia Network is scheduled to launch in Oct. 2020 and will feature curated content the Gaineses chose themselves.
Curiously, there haven’t been any renovation shows announced on the network — at least, not yet. But fans are assuming there will be a special documenting the process of Chip and Joanna renovating an old hotel in downtown Waco, which could fill that void nicely.
No matter what, we’re all counting down the days until we see Chip and Joanna back on television again.
