HGTV's Great Rooms

HGTV's Great Rooms is a home improvement and design show that aired in 2011 on Home & Garden Television (HGTV). The series is hosted by one of the most talented designers in the field, Meg Caswell, who is also known for being the winner of the sixth season of HGTV's Design Star. The program provides a unique experience blending Meg’s knack for smart and affordable designs with her vibrant personality and eclectic styles.

The show, as the name implies, is all about room transformations, specifically focusing on what is often the centerpiece and heart of a home, the great room, also known as the living or family room. Meg embarks on an exciting mission in each episode to transform dull, dusty, and outdated living spaces into vibrant, distinctive, and functional great rooms.

Every episode of HGTV's Great Rooms is a capsule of creative process and dramatic transformation. At the start, viewers get to meet the homeowners whose room is set to be revamped by Meg. No two rooms or projects are the same; from Victorian-style living rooms to modern minimalist spaces, Meg and her team are presented with different challenges and opportunities in every home.

The show is not only about aesthetics as it deeply emphasizes function and personalization. Meg engages the homeowners in intriguing discussions about how they use their room, how it fits into the broader home, and most crucially, how they want their great room to look, feel, and function after the complete makeover. This helps Meg understand their lifestyle, taste, and aspirations, enabling her to develop the perfect design plan that epitomizes their personality and preferences.

Meg’s creative prowess is robustly displayed in her design plans. The plans reflect innovative makeovers through smart space planning, multifunctional design elements, customized furniture, and a brilliant mix of colors, patterns, and textures. These elements are then brought together to create the ‘great’ room promised in the show’s title.

One of the highlights of the series is Meg’s hands-on approach. She does not just design the room on paper but becomes a hands-on project manager, guiding her team through the actual refurbishment of the room. She is seen bargaining in local flea markets for unique decor pieces, assisting in re-upholstering furniture, and even painting walls. This commitment to the process adds a layer of authenticity to the show and creates a bond between Meg, the homeowners, and the audience.

A critical segment on HGTV's Great Rooms involves Meg presenting 'Meg's Great Find'. In this segment, she showcases a particular piece of furniture or accessory she chanced upon during her shopping, that she believes is the perfect fit for the room’s new look. This segment is not only entertaining but also educational as it provides viewers tangible ideas on what to look for while shopping for their homes.

In the climactic moments of each episode, Meg unveils the transformed room to the homeowners. The big reveal is always emotional and gratifying, showcasing a room that’s not just aesthetically pleasing, but also brims with the homeowner's personality and serves their needs perfectly.

HGTV's Great Rooms stands out for its clever pacing, engaging content, and useful takeaways. It goes beyond being just a makeover show by adding layers of personality, functionality, and a unique sense of style. At the same time, it provides viewers with an almost endless supply of inspiration, smart solutions, and priceless tips and tricks for designing their homes. Whether you’re a fan of home improvement shows or someone seeking design inspiration and practical insights for your personal spaces, HGTV's Great Rooms is a perfect choice to entertain and educate in just about all things related to creating great living spaces.