Parents' Guide to

How Not to Decorate

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Snide UK designers turn garish into gorgeous.

TV BBC America Reality TV 2005
How Not to Decorate Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

In HOW NOT TO DECORATE, British designers Justin Ryan and Colin McAllister transform décor-challenged homes throughout the United Kingdom into aesthetic and functional masterpieces they hope the homeowners will love. As each episode begins, cameras follow Ryan and McAllister through the homes as they comment on what they see. Often the outdated and otherwise questionable décor they find (homemade, margarine-hued textured walls or a garish fireplace carved out of concrete, for example) leaves them dismayed. Once they've taken it all in, the duo tours the home again, this time with owners, who attempt to explain the reasoning behind the \"offensive\" design aspects. Then Ryan and McAllister head to the drawing board to devise a game plan for bringing some style to the house. Once the work is done, the duo waits a month before sending in a camera crew to see how the owners have adjusted to their revamped space.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This fast-paced series is full of fun design ideas that might motivate viewers to make changes in their own homes. But the hosts' overly judgmental attitudes toward the homeowners' decorating tastes ("That's fake bad taste -- it's not even good enough to be real bad taste," for example) is hardly inspiring.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why shows about houses and design makeovers are so popular. Who's the target audience for these shows? Do you think viewers learn anything useful from these programs, or is it mostly just vicarious living? What kinds of reality shows do you like? Why? Families can also discuss the subjectivity of art and design. Is there a "right" and "wrong" way to express yourself through art? How do people's personalities affect what they like when it comes to art and design? What else can influence those opinions?

TV Details

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