HGTV Stars Share the Best Home Renovation Projects for Beginners

Joe and Meg Piercy know that renovating can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned of DIYers. After years of working in renovation and home design, the duo are bringing their expertise to HGTV in their new show, “Renovation Goldmine.” In each episode, they help people renovate specific rooms in their homes, with a focus on upcycling older items.

“We really hope our show kind of sparks people to have the guts,” Meg said during a recent interview with Apartment Therapy. In addition to inspiring people to renovate their homes, the pair also hope that the series will show viewers some of the easier and more affordable at-home projects that can help make a space stand out.

“A lot of the time, when you’re doing work, some of the big things to redo [in] a home would be kitchens and bathrooms, but those cost a lot of money,” Joe said. Instead, people can focus on areas like the living room and dining room, which often only need a fresh coat of paint. The couple cited their own recent renovation, in a home that they moved into a year-and-a-half ago, where they added wainscoting to the dining room for a fresh look.

“There’s a lot of appeal toward a home reno, but that is so expensive,” Joe said. “And what we’ve started showing is that the barrier to entry on redoing a piece of furniture or painting a wall is extremely low.” 

“And it has a big impact,” Meg added.

So, little paint jobs and restoration projects might be the key to kickstarting a renovation, even if it doesn’t seem like a major deal in the moment. A fresh coat of paint or some simple reupholstery can make a world of difference in a home, all while staying within a budget. According to Joe: “All you need is a brush and paint, and you can transform the space or a piece.”

“Renovation Goldmine” airs Saturdays at 8/7 central on HGTV.