The Definitive Ranking of Television’s Interior Design Stars

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”

Television, especially home makeover shows, has had a huge impact on the interior design industry—from establishing popular trends, to putting little-known towns on the map, to changing the way viewers understand the renovation process. For more than two decades, many design stars have graced the small screen. So we’re zeroing in on the biggest ones who have undeniably made their mark.

Joanna and Chip Gaines

When HGTV’s Fixer Upper premiered in 2013, the series launched design duo and power couple Chip and Joanna Gaines. In the original show, which ran for five seasons, the Gaineses turned once dilapidated structures throughout Waco, Texas, into rustic-chic farmhouses. Not only did they popularize that style, but they practically launched a shiplap frenzy. Now, with their own network, shopping destination, hotel, and more, they’ve turned their hometown into a desirable tourist attraction.

Leanne Ford

When you think of white paint, you likely think of Leanne Ford (who swears by these four shades). The interior designer is known for her modern yet lived-in style dominated by white walls and furnishings—an aesthetic she showcased on HGTV’s Restored by the Fords and Home Again with the Fords, both of which she cohosted with her brother Steve. She first rose to fame when she restored and redesigned a schoolhouse in her hometown, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. But beyond her design projects, Ford has collaborated with brands like Crate & Barrel and Target to create products, from neutral furniture to decor, that’ll live in people’s homes for years to come.

Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo’s home organizing philosophy proved its undeniable grip on pop culture with her two Netflix shows: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (2019) and Sparking Joy (2021). Kondo’s process of questioning whether every item in your life “sparks joy” became a common expression among the masses—even Harry Styles seemed to be a fan. Of course, while many embraced the KonMari method, others weren’t so into it. Since releasing her breakout book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, many years prior to her TV shows, Kondo has gone on to write a handful of other books, including the 2023 release Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home. And let’s not forget the exclusive collections she’s brought us over the years, like a very on-brand one with The Container Store.

Christina Haack

Christina Haack climbed to HGTV fame as a cohost of Flip or Flop with her now ex-husband Tarek El Moussa. After the show’s 10-season-run, Haack built her own empire as the star of Christina on the Coast and Christina in the Country, with guest spots on competition shows like The Flip Off and Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. Fans love to love and criticize her, especially when it comes to her romantic relationships. But through all the mess, Haack continues to specialize in coastal-cool, luxury renovations. The kitchen makeovers often steal the show!

Hilary Farr

Love It or List It star Hilary Farr is known for making people fall in love with their homes all over again, and the proof is literally in the data: The designer won far more often on Love It or List It than her cohost David Visentin did. Farr has even used design to help mend her clients’ strained relationships with each other and their homes on Tough Love with Hilary Farr. Part designer, part life coach, Farr’s stamp on the industry will never fade.

Ty Pennington

Expert craftsman and designer Ty Pennington is one of the original home improvement show stars thanks to his work on TLC’s Trading Spaces and ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. On HGTV, he’s hosted a number of competition shows including Rock the Block, Battle on the Beach, and Ty Breaker. For more than two decades, the household name has led feel-good projects, infusing homes with casual comfort across the country.

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent

Spouses Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent have done many TV projects together, including Nate & Jeremiah by Design, Nate and Jeremiah: Save My House, and The Nate & Jeremiah Home Project. With fairly similar tastes—an affinity for rich neutrals and high-quality materials—the duo is known for their elevated, timeless designs. It’s easy to understand why they’re often seen as a package deal since they also work on collaborations together, like furniture and decor for Living Spaces. But the designers have paved their own paths separately. They each maintain their own design firms and have appeared on other TV shows solo. Berkus hosted NBC’s American Dream Builders and had his own talk show, while Brent continues to take on the design lead role for Netflix’s Queer Eye.

Ben and Erin Napier

Ben and Erin Napier practically put Laurel, Mississippi, on the map. With Ben’s woodworking skills and Erin’s design and artistic instincts, the Home Town stars have spent years revitalizing their beloved hometown. They’ve renovated countless crumbling homes and opened must-visit shops like Laurel Mercantile Co., the Scent Library, and Scotsman General Store & Woodshop. The pair tackle every project with ceaseless passion, proving it’s actually more rebellious to return home than it is to leave.

Drew and Jonathan Scott

Twin brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott skyrocketed to fame on HGTV’s Property Brothers. That 14-season-run, in which the duo helped couples find and transform fixer uppers into their dream homes, led to widespread fame, SNL spoofs, and hilarious mentions in scripted TV shows (like Shrinking). Following their breakout home reno show, the Scott brothers have hosted many others—namely, the fan-favorite Celebrity IOU, Don’t Hate Your House With the Property Brothers, and Backed by the Bros. They’ve also appeared as guest stars on multiple competition shows.

Bobby Berk

Fans around the world fell in love with Bobby Berk when he became the longtime Queer Eye design lead—arguably the toughest role on the life makeover show. Throughout eight seasons of the Emmy-winning Netflix series, Berk proved just how much of an impact interior design has on people’s lives. He completely transformed spaces for the “hero” of every episode, often resulting in an outpour of gratitude and many happy tears shed.

Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson

Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson’s HGTV series Married to Real Estate is currently in its fourth season, so it’s fairly young compared with some of the more historic design TV shows out there. But we imagine the Atlanta-based couple won’t be slowing down anytime soon. With Sherrod’s real estate and interior design knowledge and Jackson’s builder expertise, the couple is known for their dedication to making their clients’ dream homes a reality. They’re clearly very serious about their business, but they always make sure to prioritize their family life in the process—proving you can find ways to have it all.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

You Might Also Like