Fans Miss “Old HGTV”—and These Are the Nostalgic Shows They Want Back Most

4 min read

There’s a unique kind of nostalgia tied to the HGTV shows we grew up watching—especially the ones that inspired us to take design risks or tackle new DIY projects. But for many longtime viewers, that nostalgia is now mixed with frustration over how much the network has changed in recent years.

Fans say today’s programming on HGTV no longer feels accessible or relatable. Instead of the practical, down-to-earth renovation shows that defined the network in the ’90s and early 2000s, viewers feel they’re now only getting polished real estate tours and extravagant remodels that are way out of reach for the average homeowner.

Many viewers believe the network would benefit from returning to its roots with more affordable renovations, DIY-focused content, and realistic home projects. When we brought up this issue on our Facebook recently, we were overwhelmed by the responses—here are some of the biggest complaints fans have shared with us.

Where's the Affordable Design Advice?

The fan-favorite show Design on a Dime aired from 2003-2013. Experts showcased design solutions on a budget of only $1,000, and viewers loved its easy-to-implement advice.

Though it can be fun to look at mansion-size home designs, nostalgic HGTV fans are seeking more affordable advice. Shows like Design on a Dime focused on making the most of a limited budget, giving more actionable advice that you could go out and complete in a weekend, rather than in five years.

"While enjoyable to watch an $800,000 home become a $1,000,000 home, it's not relatable to the middle class or those who originally watched this channel to learn how to rehab our house ourselves!" one commenter says. There's a general yearning for a return to content about thrifting and saving money on renovations, rather than going all out with every update.

"Bring back [Candice Olson], Vern Yip, and all the Yard Crasher, Kitchen Crasher-type programs," another commenter wrote. "Done with the lottery winners and what $300,000 can buy you in Europe. We want something we can put together/ideas to use in our lives."

Flipping Show Fatigue

Another beloved HGTV personality was Candice Olson. Her show Divine Design tackled tough design dilemmas through a more approachable lens.

From Rock the Block to The Flip Off, there seems to be an HGTV renovation competition show airing every night of the week. Yes, it can be fun to root for your favorite designer, but flipping shows are starting to feel a bit stale for some of the OG watchers.

"So many shows with basically the same format, just different personalities," one commenter wrote. "Couldn’t stand listening to the reveal cries of 'oh my God' one more time."

Some fans feel like the channel is now more real estate-focused than anything else. Though shows like Love It or List It and House Hunters have been around for decades, many want a return to exciting content about gardening and decorating. "Yes, I am flippin' tired of flippin' shows," one commenter wrote. "Wish they would get back to their roots! Gardening and decorating."

Less Renovation, More Decoration

Matt Fox and Shari Hiller hosted Room by Room, which focused on inexpensive decorating ideas. Viewers loved the way they emphasized personal style.

In a similar vein to affordable design advice, HGTV fans want more about decorating. What kinds of changes can you make in your home without needing to knock down a wall and hire a contractor? With a recession and federal import tariffs looming, it makes sense that people are feeling uneasy about renovations. Simple, but effective decor fixes can be easier to put into place than building an annex.

"Room by Room usually featured a project the viewer could complete," another commenter wrote. "So tired of [taking] the whole house down to the studs and relocating rooms. Why can't there be a couple of redecorating rather than remodeling shows?"

Don't Forget the ‘G’ in HGTV

Fan-favorite gardening show Yard Crashers ran from 2008–2017. Landscaping pros approached people at home improvement stores and helped them revamp their backyards.

Though HGTV stands for Home and Garden Television, some fans feel that the network has lost sight of its gardening roots. Shows like Gardening by the Yard and Curb Appealfocused on landscaping and making the exterior of the home feel as cared for as the interior. Even A Gardener's Diary, where Erica Glasener would tour beautiful gardens and chat with professionals and hobbyists alike, is greatly missed.

"They might as well take the garden out of their name," one fan wrote. "Truly disappointed in the direction they went. Too many home renovation and way too many house hunting shows."

There could be hope on the horizon here, though! While Jonathan Knight's Farmhouse Fixer was recently canceled, the HGTV alum is hopeful that fans might be interested in a garden-centric show. In a July interview with Country Living, he said, “I’ve always urged the people at HGTV to bring the garden aspect back to HGTV...They say the garden shows don’t do well, but I think if there was a really good one, it would do well.”

He went on to share an idea he's been wanting to develop for the network: "Just a reality show tagging along with me while I do my daily chores and hopefully teach people things along the way.”

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