Top Design Shows on Netflix to Watch for Inspiration

Are you just starting out on your home renovation journey and in search of some real inspiration? You could scroll endlessly on the internet or flip through countless home and garden magazines. But what if there were an easier way. Maybe one that involved some popcorn, a cozy blanket, and a nice comfy couch. Well, there is. Fire up the popcorn machine and snuggle into the couch. It is Netflix and chill night – home design edition. Here is a list of our favourite design shows to watch on Netflix for a little bit of inspiration.

Dream Home Makeover

First up in Dream Home Makeover. Through the two seasons currently on Netflix Sid and Shea, founders of Studio McGee, work with all kinds of clients throughout Utah to help renovate, remodel, and bring their spaces to life. Each episode walks you through a project from the initial conceptualization through to the final reveal. The projects featured cover all sort of incredible spaces, from a cozy basement movie theatre room all the way up to a full home with a built-in basketball court.

You’ll learn all sorts of little design tricks and tips including some ideas on how to blend two seemingly contradictory styles or ways to make a space feel bigger than it really is.  

Interior Design Masters

Interior Design Masters is a competition-based design show. In each episode the contestants work either independently or in teams to complete interior design challenges. Judges critique each design and decide on which contestant will have to pack their bags at the end of each episode. As each competitor is trying to stand out from the others to avoid elimination, many of the finished rooms could be described as a little bit outside of the box. But hey, if your looking to get some ideas that really showcase your own unique style, this eclectic conglomeration of styles might just provide the inspiration that you have been after.

Instant Hotel

Instant Hotel is an Australian competition style design show, but this one is a little bit different. The contestants are all owners of short-term rental properties (think AirBnBs). They have been provided with a small budget to redesign their properties. Once that is done, the other contestants come by for a stay and provide a score out of ten based on the house, location and nearby attractions, value for money, and quality of a good night's sleep.

The show’s two seasons bring you to some pretty incredible homes in some pretty unique locations. Would you stay in an AirBnB that is a cave? What if it was a freshly renovated cave?   

Amazing Interiors

Amazing Interiors shows you just what it says: some pretty amazing interiors. Each episode follows three homeowners: one that works through the process of renovating their spaces throughout the whole episode, and two others who take you on a tour of their already completed masterpieces. What I really love about this show is that it includes designs with a large price tag, but also ones that are relevant to those who are a bit more budget conscious. It also show all the hard work and challenges that arise on the journey to finished interior – because as anyone who has ever renovated a space themselves knows, nothing is ever as easy as the finished product makes it seem! 

Queer Eye

No design show list would be complete without Queer Eye! (even though it is so much more than just a design show). In each episode the Fab Five visit a new person who has been nominated for an entire, well, life makeover. Tan helps them with fashion. Jonathan with grooming. Antoni helps them cook up a delicious dish. Karamo is the culture expert. And Bobby redesigns their living space. By the end of the episode you could say that their entire life has been overhauled.

If you’re up for some general lifestyle tips intermingled with a few good laughs plus a few interior design ideas mixed in, then this is the show for you.

The Worlds Most Extraordinary Homes

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes is a bit of bonus show on this list. Piers and Caroline, the show’s hosts, visit some of, you guessed it, the world’s most extraordinary homes. They discuss the design and architectural features that earn each property a place on this coveted list. Admittedly, most of their conversations revolve around features and accessories that are well beyond the price range of most of us mere mortals. I for one have no need for inspiration on how to decorate a massive underground garage that will house my Ferrari collection, but that doesn’t make these homes any less extraordinary or exciting to see.

Each episode is centred around a country or a theme, meaning you can pick and choose exactly which homes you want to explore.

There you have it! Six great design shows on Netflix that you can watch for inspiration on your next home renovation project. It’s up to you whether you sit down to watch these shows with a notebook, bucket of popcorn or bottle of wine, but whatever it is, you are bound to walk away with some amazing ideas and inspiration for your next project. Happy Netflixing!  

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