10 HGTV-inspired trends that only work on camera

What looks stunning on an HGTV reveal doesn’t always hold up in real life. Those shows are designed for instant visual impact—bright lights, clean angles, and homes that only need to stay perfect for a single day of filming. In the real world, you have humidity, kids, pets, and daily mess to contend with.

Some of the biggest TV design trends end up being impractical, expensive to maintain, or flat-out annoying once the cameras stop rolling. If you’ve ever wondered why your house doesn’t “feel” like the ones on TV, this is why.

Open shelving in kitchens

It looks airy and beautiful on screen, but real-life kitchens aren’t styled once and left alone. Dust, grease, and clutter build up fast when everything’s exposed.

Unless you have time to wipe shelves weekly and keep your dishes photo-ready, open shelving becomes a maintenance headache. Glass-front cabinets or a mix of closed storage and display space is far more livable.

All-white everything

White walls, white counters, white floors—it’s an HGTV favorite for making spaces look bright and spacious. But at home, it highlights every fingerprint, spill, and scratch.

What looks pristine on camera quickly becomes stressful to keep clean. A mix of soft neutrals and textures gives you the same light, airy feel without demanding constant upkeep.

Full marble bathrooms

Those glossy marble bathrooms photograph beautifully, but marble is porous and stains easily. Water spots, makeup, and soap scum all leave marks that need frequent polishing to remove.

If you want that high-end look, try porcelain or quartz with a marble pattern. You’ll get the same visual effect without worrying about constant sealing and maintenance.

Giant statement walls

Shiplap, bold wallpaper, or geometric paint patterns make great TV moments—but in real life, they can dominate a space. After the novelty wears off, they’re tough to match with furniture or seasonal décor.

A single accent color or subtle texture goes further long-term. It gives personality without boxing you into one trend that might feel dated next year.

Floating vanities

They look sleek and spacious on camera, but floating vanities don’t hide plumbing easily and require strong wall supports. In older homes, that installation can be a real headache.

They’re also harder to clean underneath—dust and hair collect fast. A standard vanity on legs or a closed base often looks just as modern with far less hassle.

Exposed brick walls

Raw brick looks warm on TV, but it’s rough, crumbly, and sheds dust constantly. It also makes hanging anything difficult, and sealing it changes the color and texture you liked in the first place.

If you love the look, brick veneer or faux panels give you control without committing to the mess. Real brick walls rarely stay “picture-perfect” for long.

Huge sliding barn doors

Barn doors photograph beautifully and give that rustic-farmhouse feel producers love. But they’re noisy, offer little privacy, and don’t seal tightly enough for bedrooms or bathrooms.

They also take up a lot of wall space when open, which limits where you can put furniture. Pocket doors or traditional hinged doors usually function better in daily life.

Massive kitchen islands

HGTV kitchens love oversized islands—they look impressive and give camera crews plenty of space to film around. But in smaller homes, they overwhelm the layout and restrict movement.

A more compact island or movable butcher block gives you prep space without crowding your kitchen. It’s easier to clean and still provides that “centerpiece” feeling.

Designer lighting in every room

Statement chandeliers and oversized pendants look amazing under production lighting, but in normal use they can throw awkward shadows or glare. Some are also impossible to clean or change bulbs in without a ladder.

Focus on good placement and warm light instead of dramatic fixtures. Proper lighting design always looks better than trendy lighting choices.

Open-concept everything

On camera, open layouts feel airy and social. But in daily life, they amplify noise, limit storage options, and make it hard to keep things tidy. You lose the ability to close off spaces when you need quiet or privacy.

Partial walls, glass dividers, or defined zones create flow without sacrificing comfort. What works for a one-day reveal rarely works for everyday living.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.