People Who Participated In Home Renovation Shows Share Their Post-TV Experiences

"The redesign looked great on camera. In reality, it was literally things stuck together with staples and tape."

Some people call it "trash" TV, but we call it reality TV gold. From keeping up with celebrities and rich housewives to survival competitions and extreme home makeovers — we truly are in the golden age of reality television.

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It's mind-numbing entertainment with a sprinkle of drama that concludes in an hour or less. The popularity of "unscripted" (wink, wink) reality shows skyrocketed in the early 2000s, thanks to shows like Survivor, Big Brother, and American Idol.

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One of the products of this semi-new genre is home renovation shows. Although they have different premises, the format of these shows is basically the same.

The shows look for a family or person in need of help improving their home after attempting it themselves, losing all their money, or simply because they deserve it. Then, the show's hosts, who happen to be interior designers or contractors, step in to assist those in need.

After a few days of work, et voilà! The new and improved home is unveiled for the whole world to see and scrutinize.

We'd be lying if we said that we didn't shed a few tears along with the homeowners when their new room or house was gifted to them. We also secretly wished that our own homes were renovated by surprise, free of charge (mostly).

That is the magic of reality TV. However, our curiosity doesn't end there; we now wonder, after so many years, what happened to the people whose homes were renovated?

One inquisitive Redditor asked the same question and was not disappointed with the answers

One inquisitive Redditor asked the same question and was not disappointed with the answersakumamatata8080
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1. Sign the NDAs promising you won't tell anyone our decision not to grout the tile for aesthetic reasons caused a major headache after filming

1. Sign the NDAs promising you won't tell anyone our decision not to grout the tile for aesthetic reasons caused a major headache after filmingAwdra
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2. The 'Arabian Nights' inspired room does NOT spark joy

2. The 'Arabian Nights' inspired room does NOT spark joyRealLivePersonInNC

3. The locals love and recognize the old name; why change it? Because TV, that's why.

3. The locals love and recognize the old name; why change it? Because TV, that's why.beaunerjams16

4. From fairy woodland turned into the Forbidden Forest real quick

4. From fairy woodland turned into the Forbidden Forest real quick14RainbowFish

5. The show stapled curtains to the wall. They also stapled cardboard boxes together, shaped them into a box-sit thing, and covered it in fabric just in time for the big reveal.

5. The show stapled curtains to the wall. They also stapled cardboard boxes together, shaped them into a box-sit thing, and covered it in fabric just in time for the big reveal.12fingertips

6. "We already got the ratings we needed from you. Now shoo!"

6. shelbyrobinson shelbyrobinson

7. In the UK, it's a different and happier story. The term rogue trader or cowboy builder refers to a con man who does a subpar job and runs away with your money.

7. In the UK, it's a different and happier story. The term rogue trader or cowboy builder refers to a con man who does a subpar job and runs away with your money.Undrcovrcloakndaggr Undrcovrcloakndaggr Undrcovrcloakndaggr Undrcovrcloakndaggr Undrcovrcloakndaggr

8. There were a few mentions of Extreme Makeover where homeowners couldn't afford to keep the house due to the increase in property taxes.

8. There were a few mentions of Extreme Makeover where homeowners couldn't afford to keep the house due to the increase in property taxes.DryProperty DryProperty

9. They only show the pretty areas they renovated, and even that area doesn't stay pretty for long because of shoddy construction.

9. They only show the pretty areas they renovated, and even that area doesn't stay pretty for long because of shoddy construction.I_am_pyxidis

10. If people have money already, then the house is properly maintained for a long while.

10. If people have money already, then the house is properly maintained for a long while.largeiced_milk

11. Great job on the renovation itself, but all the drama was fabricated for entertainment.

11. Great job on the renovation itself, but all the drama was fabricated for entertainment.unknown

12. The TV people took out the personality of a restaurant and turned it bland.

12. The TV people took out the personality of a restaurant and turned it bland.ALivingDeadGirl

13. Reality TV home turned into a passive income.

13. Reality TV home turned into a passive income.jhaislip

14. In Brazil, the newly improved home was robbed of all the electronics.

14. In Brazil, the newly improved home was robbed of all the electronics.Call_me_Charlotte

15. Creating an accessible home for a person with a disability and it's still awesome years later? Where are the goddamn tissues?

15. Creating an accessible home for a person with a disability and it's still awesome years later? Where are the goddamn tissues?MycologistWitty4213

Of course, who can forget these memeable moments in apartment/house-hunting shows?

Of course, who can forget these memeable moments in apartment/house-hunting shows?Snnide_Remark

We love to make fun of these "trash" reality shows, but they are an undeniable source of entertainment. At least some of these home renovation shows do actual good for the people they help.

Whether you're a TV snob who hates these types of shows, there's an undeniable charm to them. So grab your tissues and ready your Pinterest board before the next episode comes out.

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