Top 90s Decorating Shows You’ll Love to Revisit
The 1990s was a golden era for home decor television shows, with unique styles, unforgettable hosts, and innovative designs that shaped the modern home renovation scene. From whimsical and often tacky designs to the more sophisticated tastes that started to emerge, these shows left a lasting impact on DIY culture. Here, we’ll take you down memory lane to explore the top 90s decorating shows that you’d love to revisit, whether for nostalgia or for some inspiration for your current home decorating projects.
1. Changing Rooms
Leading the pack is Changing Rooms, the UK’s answer to home makeover shows, which inspired countless viewers to swap paintbrushes with neighbors. Hosted by the charismatic Carol Smillie, this show became notorious for its big reveals, often shockingly different from the homeowners’ expectations.
- Premise: Neighbors redecorate a room in each other’s homes.
- Standout Element: The infamous “glitter episode,” where a room was covered in thousands of tiny mirrors and glitter.
- Key Takeaway: The show encouraged viewers to think outside the box, even if the results were sometimes dubious.
💡 Note: Changing Rooms was also adapted in the U.S., with a different host but the same DIY ethos.
2. Trading Spaces
Moving across the pond, Trading Spaces became the American counterpart to Changing Rooms, and it took the DIY home improvement genre by storm with its premise of neighbors decorating a room in each other’s houses.
- Format: Similar to Changing Rooms but with a focus on American design trends and sensibilities.
- Hosts: Initially hosted by Alex McLeod, then Paige Davis, adding an energetic and upbeat vibe to the show.
- Notable Designers: Vern Yip, Genevieve Gorder, and the memorable Ty Pennington.
3. The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price
This quirky Canadian import introduced viewers to Ambrose Price, whose flamboyant personality and eclectic style made for an unforgettable watch.
- Peculiarity: Ambrose’s homes were like walking into a themed wonderland, from ornate Victorian to sleek modern minimalism.
- Lessons Learned: From the show, viewers learned that decor can be an extension of one’s personality, transcending traditional interior design rules.
🌟 Note: Ambrose Price's impact was so profound that it inspired Halloween costumes and parties themed around his unique decorating ideas.
4. Room by Room
Narrated by Linda Dano, Room by Room was all about real-life makeovers for deserving families. It’s one of the more emotionally driven shows on this list, focusing on stories as much as on design.
- Approach: Touched on the emotional aspects of home decor, aiming to improve living spaces while addressing personal stories.
- Legacy: Influenced how design shows began to tell stories of the homeowners, adding a personal touch to the makeover process.
5. Decorating Cents
Before Extreme Makeover: Home Edition hit the airwaves, Decorating Cents was already setting the stage for affordable home makeovers. This show provided practical tips and hacks for budget-conscious homeowners.
- Key Theme: Make the most of what you have with clever design tricks.
- Standout: Featured custom furniture design by a professional designer, keeping costs low but the results high impact.
6. Ultimate Home
Produced by ABC and hosted by Suze Orman, Ultimate Home was less about DIY and more about luxury home makeovers, providing viewers with aspirational content and sometimes extravagant ideas.
- Focus: High-end design with an eye towards luxury living and investment.
- Impact: Set the stage for shows focusing on high-budget, dream home transformations.
7. Home Improvements USA
Yet another show that catered to the American audience’s love for DIY, Home Improvements USA offered solutions for everyday design dilemmas with a focus on simplicity and functionality.
- Style: Approachable, practical, and viewer-centric design solutions.
- Notable Episodes: Renovations for outdoor spaces and addressing common home decor issues like cramped living rooms.
🎨 Note: Many of these shows laid the groundwork for the current wave of home renovation television, influencing shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers.
8. DIY to the Rescue
One of the earliest incarnations of DIY home improvement, DIY to the Rescue, showcased homeowners tackling their own projects with expert guidance, embodying the spirit of self-empowerment.
- Core Message: Home improvement is achievable for everyone, not just the professionals.
- Inspiration: Encouraged viewers to get involved in the work, emphasizing that the process is as rewarding as the result.
In our recap, we’ve journeyed through the top 90s decorating shows that not only entertained but also educated viewers on the art of home design. From the dramatic reveals of Changing Rooms to the aspirational opulence of Ultimate Home, these shows offered a window into different design philosophies and trends. Each program had its unique charm, with some focusing on fun and shock value, others on budget-conscious transformations, and some on the human stories behind the makeovers. While some trends might seem dated today, the principles of creativity, budget management, and personal touch in home decor remain timeless.
The influence of these 90s decorating shows on modern home renovation programming cannot be overstated. They set standards, introduced concepts like before-and-after reveals, neighbor swaps, and DIY challenges that continue to resonate with audiences today. Whether for those reminiscing about the past or for new viewers looking for inspiration, these shows hold up as both a cultural phenomenon and a guide to the evolution of home design television.
What was unique about the design approach in “The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price”?
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The show stood out due to Ambrose Price’s maximalist and theme-centric approach, transforming ordinary rooms into immersive, artful experiences that defied conventional design norms.
How did “Trading Spaces” differ from its UK counterpart, “Changing Rooms”?
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While both shows had neighbors swapping rooms to decorate, “Trading Spaces” adopted a more structured format with defined budget and clear roles for designers, adding an extra layer of drama and competition to the mix.
Why were shows like “Decorating Cents” so popular in the 90s?
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The popularity stemmed from the economic boom and the rise of the DIY culture, making viewers eager to learn practical decorating tips and cost-effective ways to transform their homes without breaking the bank.
Did any of these 90s shows focus on sustainable or eco-friendly design?
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While not explicitly focused on sustainability, shows like “Decorating Cents” often incorporated cost-effective and sometimes eco-friendly solutions like upcycling or repurposing items.
