7 Upgrades That Channel Dream Home Makeover

Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover with Shea and Syd McGee has become a guidebook for timeless interiors. Their look blends clean lines, natural textures, and thoughtful design choices that feel both high-end and approachable.

You don’t need a McGee & Co. budget to borrow the same aesthetic. With a few intentional upgrades, you can make your home feel like it belongs in one of their reveals.

Layer Neutral Palettes With Texture

The McGee style isn’t about stark white rooms—it’s about layering textures to make neutrals interesting.

Think linen sofas, jute rugs, and woven baskets paired with stone, wood, and metals. Even if you stick with whites, creams, and grays, you avoid flatness by mixing in different textures. This keeps your space looking styled instead of sterile.

Go Big on Lighting

Dream Home Makeover homes always feature statement light fixtures.

Swap out builder-grade flush mounts for lantern pendants, oversized drum shades, or sculptural sconces. A single upgrade to lighting makes the room feel intentionally designed, and it doesn’t require a full remodel.

Use Built-In Storage

Shea McGee often incorporates built-ins that make rooms feel custom.

If you don’t have the budget for carpentry, fake the look with IKEA bookcases or modular shelving, then add trim or paint them to match your walls. This creates a polished, intentional feel without the cost.

Incorporate Warm Wood

Mixing wood tones is a key part of their designs.

Bring in warm oak through side tables, chairs, or flooring. Even a wood-framed mirror can ground a room and add warmth against a neutral backdrop.

Style With Layers, Not Clutter

Styling is where the McGees shine—they layer without overcrowding.

Instead of filling every surface, stick to groups of three: a stack of books, a vase, and a candle, for example. This keeps things simple but still styled, a trick straight from their playbook.

Choose Classic Over Trendy

Their homes feel timeless because they don’t rely on fast-changing trends.

Opt for subway tile, shaker cabinets, and brass or matte black fixtures. These choices hold up year after year, giving your house that McGee-level longevity.

Keep Spaces Family-Friendly

Even their most polished designs work for kids and pets.

Choose performance fabrics, washable rugs, and durable finishes. That way, your home doesn’t just look like Dream Home Makeover—it works like one too.

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