20 Times BBC Show ‘Changing Rooms’ Redesigned People’s Rooms And The Results Turned Out Terrible
If you’re not really familiar with British television, BBC ran a show called Changing Rooms from 1996 to 2004. During the show, people would swap homes with their friends or neighbors and would redecorate a single room in the house with the help of interior decorators. And even though the concept might sound pretty weird now, back in the early ’00s the show was all the rage.
Now, you’d think that with the help of talented interior decorators you can’t really go wrong – well, not really. Turns out that people’s tastes often varied greatly and what seemed like a great idea to the decorators, ended up looking like a complete disaster to the homeowners. Needless to say, the show produced some pretty questionable designs that provoked all sorts of reactions – which is probably why it was so popular. There was even an instance where a room had to be completely redecorated because the owner missed her fireplace!
Check out the most hilarious room redesigns seen on Changing Rooms in the gallery below!
#1 Room Where They Painted It All White
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “We thought it would be interesting to see what an all-white and an all-black room would be like.”
Owner’s review: “I hate it. Get this mic off me.”
#2 Room Decorated With The Designer’s Actual Face
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “I wanted to throw in an element of fun.”
Owner’s review: “How…………….random.”
#3 “Touch Of Art” Bedroom
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “It’s quite a statement.”
Owner’s review: “Good grief.”
#4 The Designer Mentioned An “All-Black” Room. Here Is The “All-Black” Office In The Other Couple’s House
Image source: tlc
Presenter’s explanation: “I knew they would be up for a dramatic change. I’m very, very proud of this room.”
Owner’s reaction: “It’s [friggin] amazing.”
#5 Bathroom Decorated With More Than 6,000 Flowers
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “All rooms look great with flowers.”
Owner’s review: “There’s so many.”
#6 “Very Strong Black And White Themed” Room
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “I think it is very classy.”
Owner’s review: “Bloody hell.”
#7 This Room, Apparently Inspired By Safari Adventures
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “It just all fits together.”
Owner’s reaction: [screams] (clarification: in excitement)
#8 This Room That Was Decorated With 1,800 Cds. That’s Cds On Every Single Part Of The Walls
Image source: tlc
Owner’s reaction: “Oh cool” [the child]. “Ohhhhhh my god” [the parent].
#9 “Out Of This World” Sexy Room
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “This is a sensual, sexy room.”
Owner’s review: “I don’t like the bed.” “The colour is horrible.”
#10 Playroom For A Baby, Decorated With Hay
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “I really wanted to bring out the straw colour of the sofa as the whole room has been designed around the sofa.”
Owner’s reaction: “It smells great in here.” [opens their eyes] “Oh god… oh [crap].”
#11 “Funky Family” Room
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “We have to see how it looks at the end.”
Owner’s review: “Oh no, it’s horrible.”
#12 “Hot Purple Passion”
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “It’s very passionate.”
Owner’s review: “This is absolutely brilliant.”
#13 “Tribute To All Things Circular” In Doncaster
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “I absolutely love it. I like circles.”
Owner’s review: “Am I in the same room? This is amazing.”
#14 “New York Gallery Sitting Room”
Image source: BBC
Designer’s reaction: “It’s very serene, isn’t it?”
Owner’s reaction: “There is nothing I would change. This is fabulous.”
#15 “Romanto Panto”
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “They needed somewhere to escape from their three children.”
Owner’s review: “What a change. Crikey.”
#16 Room Where Metal Was Not The Answer
Image source: tlc
Owner’s reaction: “…”
#17 The “Tenthouse Penthouse”
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “They love being outside…so I went along with that.”
Owner’s review: “Not what I expected.”
#18 Room That Was Decorated With A Paintball Gun
Image source: BBC
Designer’s explanation: “I wish the paintballs would have stayed, but in this heat.”
Owner’s review: “I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it.”
#19 Room That Was Decorated With Hanging Lamps
Image source: tlc
Designer’s explanation: “I love the way that they are suspended because it brings the ceiling to the level of the bed and the floor.”
Owner’s reaction: “Look at it. It hangs.”
#20 “Love Nest” Bedroom
Image source: BBC
Designer’s review: “They like spending a lot of time in the bedroom.”
Owner’s review: “It is red, isn’t it?”
Got wisdom to pour?
Some of the rooms have a lot of potential, needing just a few tweaks here and there. These are mostly just a bad mix of scale & proportion, non-complimentary furniture and over-design or lack thereof. Most likely they intended it this way to make people cringe and keep the show exciting / entertaining.