These sevenHGTVrenovations wereso bizarre, unsafe, or poorly executed, it’s hard to believe they actually aired on national TV.HGTV, orHome & Garden Television, is a popular cable network known for home renovation shows, DIY design tips, and real estate reality TV.
It built a strong niche in lifestyle entertainment by featuring house flipping, interior makeovers, and budget-friendly remodeling ideas that appeal to homeowners, design lovers, and casual viewers alike.
WhileHGTVis famous for stunning home transformations, not every design success story makes sense in real life. Some of the worstHGTVrenovations include questionable DIY hacks, hazardous construction, and odd home makeover ideas. In this article, some of the mostunhingedHGTVrenovation failsare revisited. They probablyshould’ve never made it to air.
7Decorating Cents
Tree Branches As Curtain Rods
One ofDecorating Cents’most mocked DIY projects (viaWCCOCBSMinnesota) involvedusing tree branches as curtain rods. The goal was to bring in a rustic, natural look without spending money. Instead, the branches appeared clunky, uneven, and unfinished, more like foraged debris than design. The practicality and safety of hanging window treatments this way seemed questionable.
The branches were either nailed directly to the wall or mounted on brackets that didn’t offer long-term support. Curtains bunched awkwardly, andthe installation lacked stability.The setup not only looked fragile but was also likely difficult to open and close, defeating the purpose of functional window coverings entirely.
Though intendedas a creative budget hack, the look just didn’t work. Clips have resurfaced decades later as part of viral montages mocking questionable HGTV designs. Rather than a stylish nature-inspired element, the branch rods have become a lasting symbol of the show’s famously odd renovation choices.
6Decorating Cents
The Decoupage Disaster
In another notorious episode ofDecorating Cents, the team attempted to decoupage pages from a book onto a TV consoleas a budget-friendly upgrade. Midway through the craft, they realized the pages contained sacred religious texts.
The project was abruptly halted, leaving the piece half-finished and visibly distressed, creating an awkward and uncomfortable moment on air. ComedianRob Andersoncommented on the “craft” in one of his videos.
“I’m speechless.”
Fans have criticized the segment for being careless and disrespectful. Instead of redoing the piece or correcting the mistake, the team left the console in its half-peeled state. The unfinished result was widely seenas unprofessional and poorly planned, turning what should’ve been a simple DIY into a memorable design disaster.
5Rock The Block
Outdoor Shower Misfire
InRock the Blockseason 5, one team installed a second-floor outdoor shower off the primary suite. Page Turnertook inspiration from herlife-changing experience during a vacation.
Though the aim was a luxurious feel, many questioned its practicality. Concerns included privacy, weather exposure, and drainage. The design was viewed more as a novelty than a usable feature, raising doubts about how it would hold up long-term.
“I was at this resort, and they had an outdoor shower.”
The shower was called excessive by fans, who also pointed out thatit would be difficult to maintain. Plumbing on an upper balcony and exposure to outdoor elements made it seem more like a design stunt than a functional upgrade.
The feature couldnegatively impact resale value.This disastrous DIY project was proof that innovation must balance aesthetics with livability and common sense.
4Rock the Block
Dangerous Platform Bed
InHGTV’sRock the Block, Page and Mitch Glew created a platform bed as part of their primary suite makeover. The design team installed a higher-than-normal platform bed without any railing. The result looked visually interesting yet posed real safety concerns, especially for children or older adults.
Audience backlash was immediate, with designers accused of prioritizing beauty over practical concerns. Critics argued that the elevated design was a needless hazard, and many believed the show should have acknowledged the risk.
This misstep highlightedhow ambitious designs can backfireif livability isn’t carefully considered. As viewerjarv1s1pointed out, “The elevated bed is only a trip and fall hazard.”
3Love It or List It
Couple’s HGTV Dream Home Turned Into A Nightmare
In 2016, according toABCNews, Deena Murphy and Tim Sullivan filed a lawsuit againstLove It or List Itproducers and contractors, claimingtheir $140,000 renovation budget was misused. They alleged that substandard materials were used, and many of the updates were cosmetic fixes that covered up larger structural and safety issues.
The couple claimed that the show’s team acted as an unlicensed general contractor in North Carolina.They also said workers caused damage, including holes in ducts, windows that were painted shut, and improperly installed flooring. According to them, the renovations were done quickly for TV but lacked lasting quality and integrity.
The lawsuit alleged breach of contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment. It accused the production company ofprioritizing filming schedules over proper renovation practices.The case was settled in April 2017 with undisclosed terms, but it raised broader concerns about how reality renovation shows balance storytelling with construction accountability.
2Flip Or Flop Vegas
Bristol Marunde’s Credibility Was Questioned
As reported byLasVegasReviewJournal, in 2019, homeowners in Henderson, Nevada, sued Bristol and Aubrey Marunde ofFlip Or Flop Vegas. The suit alleged fraud, faulty renovation work, and a lack of proper permits. The plaintiffs claimed serious problems with ventilation, plumbing, and electrical work shortly after purchasing a home featured on the show.
The complaint statedBristol was not a licensed contractor,yet performed and oversaw much of the remodel. The couple also claimed that the home’s stove had no functioning vent and that the bathroom had inadequate drainage. The lawsuit argued that the issues stemmed from poor workmanship and improper oversight.
Ultimately,the Marundes settled the case out of court. Though the terms were not publicly disclosed, the lawsuit brought attention to the legal and safety risks homeowners can face after televised home makeovers. It also spotlighted the growing number of lawsuits involving fast-track home flipping shows on HGTV.
1Windy City Rehab
The Lawsuit Was Eventually Resolved
InWindy City Rehabseason 1, Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt tackled a troubled Chicago fixer-upper later in the episode called “House of Horrors.”
Homeowners Shane Jones and Samantha Mostaccio claimed the renovationcaused over $100,000 in structural defectswith cracked columns, water damage, and faulty casing (viaPeople.) The episode culminated in a lawsuit shortly after completion, tarnishing the show’s credibility.
The legal fallout continued into 2020 as additional homeowners filed fraud and negligence suits. City authoritiesissued stop-work orders for work performed without the necessary permits.Donovan had his contractor license suspended amid allegations of code violations.
TheseHGTVcontroversies turned what was meant to be a high-end rehab into a cautionary tale about speed-over-quality renovation culture.
