Home and Garden Television, commonly known as HGTV, features various home buying and renovating shows. It used to be solely popular among an older, mostly female audience, but over the years, the network has grown immensely. There are many reasons for this. The shows are clever and the hosts are entertaining. No matter who you are or what you do, there are many reasons why you should love watching HGTV.
1. Chip and Joanna Gaines
These two star in the hit show "Fixer Upper." Since their show took off in 2014, the two have become somewhat of a power couple. They have a loving family, a popular television show, many business ventures, a bed and breakfast, and of course their store, Magnolia Market, which started it all. Joanna's exquisite tastes and Chip's quirky personality draw in millions of viewers per episode. Before this show, many people didn't know what shiplap was or how to effectively display barn doors in a house. Now thanks to this couple, run-down homes around Waco, Texas are becoming beautiful masterpieces.
2. Ideas start flowing left and right
Whether you are already settled down, are expecting to purchase your first home shortly or even if that time is many years down the road, HGTV allows you to imagine and visualize your dream home. It gives you ideas for not only what you want in a house, but also what you can change in your current home. You start planning how you want your kitchen countertops and backsplash to look like. Are you going for a rustic, country look or more of a sleek, modern kind of feel? Having the power to envision and design your dream home is an indescribable feeling.
3. Let's not forget "House Hunters"
Another popular show on the television network is "House Hunters." It seems like this show has been around forever, in fact, many of us still remember when Suzanne Whang was the narrator. The gist of the program is that singles and couples are searching for a home. During the episode, they tour three potential prospects. Then, at the end, they finally decide on one property.
The hope is to get the audience involved in the program and have them guessing which house the owner ultimately will choose. This show has had so much success that there have been spin-offs such as "House Hunters International" and "House Hunters Renovation." Occasionally, the show will catch up with former house hunters in the program "House Hunters: Where Are They Now?" With the popularity still growing, I don't see the show ending anytime soon.
4. Turning something old into something new again
Whether it's an old wooden dresser or a quaint loveseat, many of the hosts on HGTV programs will show you how to transform an older piece of furniture into something new. If that involves changing what the furniture what initially intended for then so be it. For example, that wooden dresser could become a bathroom vanity with just a few easy steps. You will start looking at everything differently. These old items that people throw out may just be a diamond in the rough. With a few coats of paint and changing out the hardware, ancient antiques will appear to be newly purchased pieces.
5. You get a sense of worldly living
Watching HGTV has taught me about how far your money can go in certain parts of the country or even the world. You can pay millions of dollars for a tiny 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath if it is near a popular city. On the contrary, you might pay less than half of that for a large 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath located a little outside of city limits. The price depends entirely upon the city you're in and the condition of the house. Purchasing a home is all about location, location, location.
We also imagine that it costs a fortune to be able to live near a beach or in another country. Shows like "Beachfront Bargain Hunt" or the previously mentioned "House Hunters International" prove this to be false. Another thing HGTV has taught me is that sometimes you are better off buying an older house and fixing it up compared to purchasing a brand new one. Some other shows that display this are "Property Brothers" and "Flip or Flop."
6. It is comfort TV
Although some may not see the desire in HGTV, it is my personal guilty pleasure. I don't always have to pay close attention to the shows, but it is soothing having it on in the background while doing other things. HGTV is a relaxing network that is good for the soul. Just like how macaroni and cheese is a comfort food, this is comfort TV.
