50 best HGTV shows of all time

Release year: 2014

IMDb rating: 6.2

This show is one of a few on HGTV that's taking downsizing to the next level. The criteria: each home must be less than 600 square feet, and it has to be able to move with them. The tiny house movement can be hard to adjust to, and not every house hunter is up for the challenge.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 6.2

While many HGTV stars aren’t considered A-list celebrities, “Flip or Flop” hosts Christina and Tarek El Moussa have landed in tabloid headlines quite frequently. From their very public divorce to their new dating lives, every detail surrounding this couple has been scrutinized. Nevertheless, they continued to flip houses on TV together. Christina will be starting a show by herself soon, called “Christina on the Coast.”

Release year: 2011

IMDb rating: 6.3

Here’s the viewer’s chance to get an inside look at the real estate business. While there are at least 15 shows from the homebuyer’s point of view, “Selling L.A.” shows just how tough it is for real estate brokers to close a deal, and land and retain clients.

Release year: 2015

IMDb rating: 6.3

In a crossover with the DIY channel, these Texans quite literally pick up and move entire homes to the property of their choice. The memorable duo known as the “Snow Sisters,” as well as a few rotating characters, make the premise into an exhilarating competition.

Release year: 2008

IMDb rating: 6.3

It's an age-old rivalry—interior designer versus real estate agent. Hilary Farr wants the homeowners of each episode to remodel and fall back in love with their space, but David Visentin wants them to sell and move into a new home. They're quite competitive, but by the end of the episode, the homeowners eventually make the choice themselves. The spinoff, "Love It or List It, Too," also made it onto the list.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 6.4

In possibly the most eccentric of the “House Hunters” spinoffs, real estate agent Chris Krolow isn’t just showing buyers their dream homes—he’s helping them buy an entire island. And yes, there are multiple options for sale all over the world. Depending on the location, the budgets may be surprising.

Release year: 2003

IMDb rating: 6.4

Before HGTV was all home-buying and house-flipping, its 2000s programming was filled with interior design shows. “Design on a Dime” has hosted multiple stars—the latest being “Design Star” contestant Casey Noble—who spill industry secrets on how to make a room look expensive on a budget.

Release year: 2010

IMDb rating: 6.4

This show is just like “Selling L.A.,” but with the unique challenges of homes in New York City. The area is already known for being expensive, but the average sale price of these homes is more than $2 million. Get ready for a series of unbelievable properties, and the eccentric people who buy them.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 6.4

Also known as “Love It or List It, Too” in the U.S., the designer versus real estate agent trope makes its way to Canada in this spinoff. The younger pair, Jillian Harris and Todd Talbot, had their success recently stunted by a shocking lawsuit.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 6.5

Another year, another "House Hunters" spinoff. While there are already a couple of shows where homebuyers specifically pick out fixer-uppers, this one just has the famous "House Hunters" name. Watch as they choose between three potential homes, then work to renovate it to their liking.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 6.6

Instead of flipping homes, teams compete to flip items they find at flea markets. The teams in every episode get $500 each, and by the end, should be able to earn more than their original budget.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 6.6

“HGTV Design Star" has a similar premise to “Food Network Star” or even “America’s Next Top Model.” In a series of competitions and weekly eliminations, aspiring designers try to win a spot on the HGTV roster with their own show. The series ended in 2012, with season one contestant David Bromstad as the final host.

Release year: 2009

IMDb rating: 6.7

Speaking of “Design Star” winners, Antonio Ballatore won season four and launched his show, “The Antonio Treatment.” Known for his bold design style and bolder tattoos, Ballatore took boring homes and made them extraordinary using his signature touch.  

Release year: 1999

IMDb rating: 6.7

One of the only popular shows in the gardening section of Home & Garden Television, “Curb Appeal” focuses on the outside of the home, including the home itself and the front lawn. The show ended in 2003, with John Gidding as the last host.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 6.7

This show centers around one realty firm in Hawaii that helps people move to Hawaii—no matter their budget. Viewers who can't just up and leave their 9 to 5 may watch this and live vicariously through homebuyers living the island lifestyle.

Release year: 2011

IMDb rating: 6.7

If just the room is a million dollars, imagine the cost of the house. This show explores luxury spaces in homes, hotels, and even nightclubs.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 6.7

In the real estate world, bargains aren’t usually found near the water—but this show follows families who are trying to find their dream beachfront property on a budget. The prices of these homes surprise the homebuyers and the viewers as well.

Release year: 2015

IMDb rating: 6.8

Similar to the “Love It or List It” premise, “Listed Sisters” features twins Lex and Alana, a designer and real estate agent, respectively. In this show, the homeowners definitely want to move, but are renovating their current space so that it’ll sell for more. This makes the perfect recipe for buying a new dream home.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 6.9

It’s difficult to believe some of the strange properties out there—it’s even harder to try and figure out why or how they were built in the first place. “Extreme Homes” features anything from extravagant castles to homes made entirely out of refrigerator doors.

Release year: 2014

IMDb rating: 6.9

Each house is an average of only 180 square feet. The only thing harder than finding a tiny house is building one from scratch, and that's what the couples in this show are attempting to do.

Release year: 2017

IMDb rating: 6.9

Another spinoff, another couple and another location. Ken and Anita Corsini head the newest version of “Flip or Flop,” where they flip more than 100 houses each year.

Release year: 2014

IMDb rating: 6.9

The Property Brothers have had tons of clients in their time on HGTV. In this season-long special, Jonathan and Drew Scott become their own clients. They take on the challenge of renovating their own property in Las Vegas, just six months before they host a family reunion.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 7

Homeowners prepare to sell in a number of different ways in “My House Is Worth What?” The show takes a professional look at how to up the value just before selling a house. The show was criticized for possibly hazardous and biased advice provided to viewers.

Release year: 2009

IMDb rating: 7

Named “one of America’s favorite interior designers” by HGTV, Genevieve Gorder has had her own shows and been a judge on others. “Dear Genevieve” resembles an advice column for homeowners, where Gorder gives in-person advice to fix the design issues in their homes.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 7

The first time buying a home is a big deal for a lot of people. Host Egypt Sherrod helps property "virgins" make realistic choices about one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

Release year: 1999

IMDb rating: 7

It’s the original, but not the most highly rated of the 15 “House Hunters” shows. Buyers look at three homes, and by the end of the episode, they’ve finally chosen where to move—or so viewers would like to think. Skeptics have uncovered that some of the show may be scripted or edited in a dishonest way.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 7.1

Think of this one as the precursor or inspiration for the “Property Brothers” premiere. “Hidden Potential,” which lasted from 2006 to 2009, shows a designer’s vision for a home that doesn’t look so great in order to convince buyers to commit.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 7.1

Get ready for another couple, another realtor, another set of three homes—but all overseas.

Release year: 2016

IMDb rating: 7.2

In one of many house-flipping shows on the channel, this mother-daughter duo turns unappealing homes in Indianapolis into awesome places to live.

Release year: 1997

IMDb rating: 7.3

Home decor can get seriously expensive. Joan Steffend, the host on this early HGTV show, showed viewers how a limited budget didn't have to limit their home style.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 7.3

In this very popular spinoff of the original “Property Brothers,” Jonathan and Drew Scott not only renovate a couple’s existing house; they also help them find and buy an entirely new one. This takes the “Property Brothers” premise, and doubles it.

Release year: 2011

IMDb rating: 7.3

The famously attractive and talented brothers started their HGTV stint in 2011. They use their talents and charm to convince homebuyers that they can turn a fixer-upper into a liveable space. Many people don’t know about the duo’s additional hidden talent: singing.

Release year: 2006

IMDb rating: 7.4

One man’s trash is another man’s furniture. This HGTV Canada show, brought to the U.S. in 2006, stars brothers who take what people see as garbage and return the items, good as new.

Release year: 2007

IMDb rating: 7.4

In the house flipping, fixer-upper type shows on this network, all of the difficulty is frequently edited out. That’s what “Renovation Realities” aims to do. This DIY-to-HGTV show is known for uncovering the truth about renovating a home.

Release year: 2016

IMDb rating: 7.4

In a small Mississippi town full of old houses, Erin and Ben Napier take a historical area and modernize it. The key is keeping the charm the town has always had.

Release year: 2008

IMDb rating: 7.4

“Income Property” host Scott McGillivray wants to help homebuyers make money off their new property. He takes them through each step: buying the house, renovating it, and renting it out.

Release year: 2007

IMDb rating: 7.5

Host and designer David Bromstad sets out to paint Miami in every color imaginable in “Color Splash.” The winner of season one of “HGTV Design Star” in 2006, Bromstad got to create and host this popular show, which ran for seven seasons.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 7.6

This show is similar to “Extreme Homes,” but with a twist: homes are made out of what one would least expect, such as a water tower, or are located in surprising places.

Release year: 2017

IMDb rating: 7.7

In the most recent spinoff of “Flip or Flop,” Andy and Ashley Williams place a special emphasis on helping veterans in the Fort Worth area; as they both met when they were in the military.

Release year: 2008

IMDb rating: 7.7

Brought over to HGTV from DIY Network, this show stars Roger Craig Smith, Ahmed Hassan, and Matt Blashaw. The experts seek out homeowners in home improvement stores to offer them brand-new backyards.

Release year: 2004

IMDb rating: 7.9

Selling a home that’s been lived in for so long is not an easy task. That’s why this team of designers is here to help. They do whatever they can to make the house in each episode more attractive to buyers before it hits the market.

Release year: 2010

IMDb rating: 8

It’s a corny play on words, but it totally works—Nicole Curtis is addicted to rehabilitating old homes on the brink of demolition. She goes against all odds to restore homes in the Minneapolis and Detroit areas.

Release year: 2011

IMDb rating: 8.1

These cousins are part of a family construction company, and took their talents to the small screen to give homeowners the kitchens of their dreams. Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri also have a spinoff called “Cousins Undercover,” which did not make this list.

Release year: 2016

IMDb rating: 8.2

Welcome to the desert of Palm Springs, Calif., where houses might have scorpions or snakes lurking behind the walls. It’s not the best situation for renovators Eric and Lindsey Bennett, but they’re definitely up for the challenge.

Release year: 1999

IMDb rating: 8.3

Candice Olson, one of the first ladies of HGTV, uses her brilliant design skills on all types of rooms, changing homes into something beyond her clients' wildest dreams.

Release year: 2013

IMDb rating: 8.4

One of the most famous couples of HGTV had their last episode air this past April. While Chip and Joanna Gaines have faced several scandals over the years, their success is quite noticeable and they don’t seem to be leaving the public eye any time soon.

Release year: 2001

IMDb rating: 8.6

Many homes might have some serious problems only Mike Holmes can truly fix. As the highest-rated show on HGTV Canada, “Holmes on Homes” exposes some of the shoddy jobs that contractors do, and how they should have done it right the first time.

Release year: 2004

IMDb rating: 8.7

While viewers can’t count on seeing many gardening shows on HGTV, this show does the trick. Topics include plant care, yard work, gardening tools, and even small ponds.

Release year: 1998

IMDb rating: 8.7

Every home has a story, and the homeowners in each episode set out to find theirs. Not only does this show thoughtfully tell the history of each home, it also reveals untold value to the homeowners.

Release year: 2012

IMDb rating: 8.8

It's a simple plot: These homes are beautiful and viewers want to see them. The show "Beautiful Homes" features some of the most opulent and elegant neighborhoods in addictive 30-minute episodes.