Essential Design Tips from Dream Home Makeover

We love a good highlight reel.

Whether you’re all caught up on the latest season of Dream Home Makeover, or have yet to watch it through, we’ve already reflected back on some stand-out tips that are not to be missed. Season 3 saw a handful of unique home remodels, each catered to a family’s style and story. But the design concepts from every episode can apply to so many scenarios — including your own home.

Coastal California Kitchen Remodel

“If you buy boxed cabinets, do a custom hood and some shelving that’s unique, and that will take it to the next level.”

– Shea McGee

One way to make a tract-style layout and finishes feel designer is to create a focal wall with counter-to-ceiling wall tile and a custom range hood. Budget for the extra materials to stretch your backsplash tile all the way up, and dress up the stove with a distinct hood, which can serve as a grounding element for the entire kitchen.

Light, Cozy Cottage Remodel

“In Mary’s bedroom, we decided to dress the bed with layered linens, a little bit of pattern mixing on the textiles, and adding that quilt into the space…it made all of the difference.”

- Shea McGee

Mary loved the idea of a white and bright space, which gave us a narrower palette to work within. But in such tonal color schemes, there’s even more room to play with texture and pattern for added interest. Between Persian-style rugs, window pane print, and woven throw blankets, this cozy space ended up displaying plenty of visual dimension.

Modern, Moody Basement Remodel

“It feels counterintuitive to go dark in a basement, but if you have a small area that’s a little bit more isolated, it can create an intimate and cool vibe.”

– Shea McGee

This basement theater ensures that the big screen is the star of the show. Saturated with grayish and deep blue hues, the room’s dark palette appears across the built-in, molding, tapestries, and even the ceiling. Then, wispy wallpaper ties it all together — a bold choice that gives the room some edge and interest.

All-in-One Primary Suite Remodel

"When we’re picking finishes for a bathroom, we want to keep them classic so they don’t date really quickly.”

– Shea McGee

Limestone and glazed terracotta tile materials seem to transcend time, and they fit well in various settings. Semi-permanent surfaces, like floors and walls, serve as your decor’s foundation, so going with versatile options gives you flexibility to make updates down the line.

Statement-Making Living Room Remodel

“We tied in a lot of antiques to give character and history to this space.”

– Shea McGee

It can be tricky in bright, open-concept layouts to add depth to individual areas. Throughout this space, we ended up keeping the dark wood floor and beams to contrast with the updated lighter wall color. Then, incorporating unique textiles and furniture pieces brought it together by injecting some personality.