Ah, the allure of home! Home sweet home, where memories are made and dreams take shape. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about open-concept kitchens, dual bathroom vanities, finished basements, and outdoor living spaces. Welcome to HGTV, the relentless channel that convinces you that knocking down a wall is the cure-all for your living woes.
What is it about watching strangers hunt for their dream homes that pulls me in? Am I just a sucker for heartwarming family stories? Or do I secretly wish to become a house flipper, spending my days perusing short sales and hunting for budget-friendly cabinets? I can’t help but feel a swell of emotion when hosts unveil the transformation of an ’80s ranch home, asking, “Are you ready to see your fixer-upper?” Yes, yes, I am!
I’m also curious how that young couple with a beach dream and a bungalow budget will navigate their choices, or if the large family that has outgrown their first home will fall in love again after a total remodel with innovative storage solutions. And what about that endearing retired couple moving to Malta—can they really thrive in just 400 square feet? (Pro tip: watch a few episodes of House Hunters International if you want to feel like your home is a mansion. You’ll find yourself cherishing your dishwasher and dryer.)
I adore all the shows! The demolition days, the budget-friendly flips, the Property Brothers crafting magical spaces from chaos.
But therein lies the rub: my fondness for HGTV can sometimes morph into dissatisfaction with my own living space. After a marathon viewing session, I found myself gazing around my kitchen, feeling a wave of disappointment. Everything looked outdated or flawed. The spot on the wall where a kid ripped off the wallpaper border made me cringe. The missing trim on the island—long on my list of things to fix—was a source of irritation. The chipped floor, loose drawer pulls, and sticky cabinet doors amplified my frustration.
If only I could just renovate that, paint over there, or knock down a wall! Surely, then I would find happiness!
A few days later, during a rare family TV night, we stumbled upon an episode of HGTV’s House Hunters. A charming couple with two young kids was touring a sprawling 5,000-square-foot home, and they were complaining. I sighed, “Just look at that space! A game room, a big laundry room, more rooms to enjoy!”
Then my teenage daughter chimed in, “But if we had that, we wouldn’t all be together like this. Who wants that?”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized my hours of home improvement voyeurism had led me to believe that bigger and newer meant better. Would I love for a team from Fixer Upper to sprinkle their magic on my worn-out home? Absolutely. But is it essential for my happiness? Not at all.
When my family gathers for dinner, they aren’t focused on the chipped tiles or torn wallpaper. They’re looking at each other, sharing moments that matter. And honestly, that’s all I need.
Will I stop indulging in my HGTV habit? Probably not. Who can resist the temptation of a sledgehammer against grimy bathroom tiles? But I definitely need to check my perspective and acknowledge my home’s worth.
For now, I’m going to embrace my imperfect dwelling, as it plays a vital role in nurturing my wonderful, unbroken kids. What more could I ask for? Okay, sure—a mudroom would be nice, but only if it’s adorned with shiplap!