HGTV shows have inspired millions of home makeovers, but not every trend deserves standing ovation. Fans across America roll eyes at certain design choices that appear in seemingly every episode.
From farmhouse overkill to impractical storage solutions, viewers have strong opinions about what renovation trends need to disappear forever.
1. Shiplap Invasion
Joanna Gaines unleashed a monster. Farmhouse fanatics slap weathered wood on every vertical surface regardless of home style or location.
Ranch houses in Arizona suddenly sport New England coastal vibes. Urban apartments transform into faux barns. Meanwhile, actual farmers wonder why city folks obsess over materials historically used because nothing better was available.
2. Barn Door Mania
Nothing screams “I watched too much HGTV” like hanging a massive sliding door where a normal one would suffice. Especially in bathrooms where privacy suddenly becomes questionable.
Gaps around edges, noisy hardware, and tracks collecting dust make barn doors functionally inferior. Yet designers install them in Manhattan penthouses where no barn has ever existed.
3. Gray Everything Epidemic
Gray floors. Gray walls. Gray cabinets. Gray countertops. Walking into some renovated homes feels like entering a black-and-white movie.
Designers claim it’s “neutral” and “timeless,” but fans predict we’ll look back at the 2010s gray-scale homes like we do avocado appliances from the 70s. Personality and warmth vanish when entire houses become concrete-colored voids.
4. Open Concept Obsession
Demolition crews rejoice as another load-bearing wall faces destruction in pursuit of “flow.” Hosts gasp dramatically at each reveal: “Look how OPEN it is now!”
Meanwhile, cooking smells waft freely throughout living spaces. Every clanging pot announces itself to guests. Conversation competes with TV noise. Families secretly miss having rooms where messes could hide behind actual doors.
5. Floating Shelves Fantasy
Magazine-perfect styling disappears once real humans move in. Designers arrange three artful bowls and vintage camera on pristine open shelving.
Reality hits when homeowners realize cereal boxes, mismatched mugs, and everyday dishes look cluttered regardless of arrangement. Dust accumulates on rarely-used decorative items while practical storage remains insufficient. Viewers scream “where do groceries go?” at screens nationwide.
6. Subway Tile Saturation
White rectangular tiles arranged in brick pattern have conquered American backsplashes with shocking speed. Once unique, now utterly predictable.
Designers claim versatility while installing identical kitchens across vastly different homes. Renovation shows feature dramatic reveals of—surprise!—another white subway-tiled kitchen. Viewers increasingly crave any alternative to offset mounting subway fatigue.
7. Farmhouse Sink Folly
Massive porcelain troughs dominate kitchens nationwide regardless of architectural context. Victorian homes, mid-century modern ranches, Spanish revivals—all receive identical farm-inspired fixtures.
Practicality issues emerge once installed: water splashes everywhere, dishes stack awkwardly, and shorter users struggle reaching bottom. Still, renovation hosts insist each oversized basin represents essential luxury rather than passing fad.
8. Word Art Worship
“Live, Laugh, Love” haunts walls across America. “Gather” hovers ominously above dining tables. “EAT” signs state obvious kitchen functions to people who somehow forgot why kitchens exist.
Renovation shows install massive script announcing “Farmhouse” inside actual farmhouses. Viewers cringe watching designers hang typography explaining room purposes as though homeowners might otherwise confuse bathrooms with libraries.
9. Accent Wall Addiction
Designers seemingly cannot complete renovations without designating one wall for special treatment. Geometric patterns, bold colors, or—most predictably—faux reclaimed wood transform single surfaces while neighbors remain plain.
Hosts dramatically reveal each accent as revolutionary design concept rather than tired formula. Viewers recognize pattern: every fourth episode features identical hexagon wallpaper moment presented as groundbreaking innovation.
10. Edison Bulb Excess
Exposed filament bulbs dangle from ceilings, protrude from wall fixtures, and cluster in pendant arrangements nationwide. Dim amber light creates ambiance while actual visibility suffers.
Energy bills climb as inefficient vintage-inspired lighting consumes electricity. Homeowners squint while attempting to read beneath stylish yet inadequate illumination. Meanwhile, designers declare each new installation “industrial chic” despite identical fixtures appearing in suburban colonials.
11. Waterfall Countertop Wasteland
Countertop material dramatically cascades down cabinet sides, consuming additional expensive stone for purely aesthetic purposes. Budget-conscious viewers calculate wasted thousands during each installation.
Island corners become display pieces rather than functional surfaces. Renovation hosts declare each waterfall “statement-making” despite identical appearances across countless kitchens.
12. Popcorn Ceiling Panic
Hosts gasp dramatically upon spotting textured ceilings as though discovering toxic waste rather than dated finishing technique. Immediate removal becomes non-negotiable regardless of condition or budget constraints.
Shows dedicate entire segments to scraping while overlooking more pressing issues. Viewers question priorities when functioning bathrooms rank below smooth ceilings. Meanwhile, homeowners face unexpected asbestos testing costs never mentioned during dramatic ceiling reveals.
13. Mason Jar Madness
Canning vessels escape kitchens to become light fixtures, bathroom organizers, and centerpieces throughout renovated homes. Designers arrange flowers in blue glass jars, creating instant “farmhouse vibes” regardless of location.
Viewers wonder how practical glass containers became mandatory decor elements. Lighting fixtures fashioned from preservation tools hang above islands while actual storage solutions remain insufficient. Renovation hosts present each jar moment as unique despite identical styling across episodes.
14. Vessel Sink Vexation
Bowl-shaped basins perch atop counters in renovated bathrooms nationwide. Water splashes beyond shallow confines while users struggle adjusting temperature with awkwardly positioned faucets.
Children cannot reach elevated basins. Tooth-brushing becomes splash zone activity. Counter space disappears beneath decorative bowls. Yet designers declare each new installation “spa-like luxury” despite mounting viewer complaints about impracticality and cleaning difficulties.
15. Pallet Wood Proliferation
Shipping materials transform into headboards, accent walls, and coffee tables across renovation shows. Hosts present each installation as eco-friendly upcycling rather than splinter-prone design choice.
Viewers question whether rough-textured walls belong near pillows and bedding. Safety concerns about chemical treatments go unaddressed. Meanwhile, perfectly good furniture gets replaced by rickety constructions celebrated as “rustic charm” despite questionable durability.
16. Faux Distressing Fatigue
New furniture receives aggressive sanding, paint chipping, and artificial aging to achieve “vintage character” without actual history. Perfectly functional items get deliberately damaged for aesthetic purposes.
Hosts demonstrate distressing techniques with alarming enthusiasm, attacking new cabinets with chains and hammers. Viewers watch in horror as expensive materials receive immediate destruction. Meanwhile, actual antiques with genuine patina get replaced by mass-produced imitations.
17. Sliding Glass Shower Suffering
Massive glass panels create illusion of spaciousness while creating cleaning nightmares. Renovation hosts never mention maintenance requirements for streak-free transparency.
Track systems collect soap scum in unreachable crevices. Doors eventually slide less smoothly despite expensive hardware. Homeowners discover daily squeegee sessions necessary for maintaining showcase appearance. Meanwhile, renovation reveals focus exclusively on initial sparkle rather than long-term practicality.