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There are many ways to renew your room. A trip to Ikea or a call to your mom are the most popular options. Other times, a new furry carpet will do the job. Rarely will you need some assistance from the outside world, and in that case, dad and Home Depot may be the only option.

But you never, ever entrust your room’s makeover to your neighbor. Below, we’ve got a fair amount of evidence to back up this claim. If you've ever heard of the BBC show Changing Rooms from the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, and its American variation Trading Spaces, you’d know what it’s all about.

‘Cause swapping houses to redesign the room of the person next-door sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. From covering the floor in strips of silver tape to casually hanging birch trees from the ceiling, these are just a few examples of letting your neighbor think outside the box. And your room is the one getting the hit.

#1

Room Where They Painted It All White

Room Where They Painted It All White

Designer's explanation: "We thought it would be interesting to see what an all-white and an all-black room would be like."
Owner's review: "I hate it. Get this mic off me."

tlc Report

#2

"Touch Of Art" Bedroom

"Touch Of Art" Bedroom

Designer's review: "It's quite a statement."
Owner's review: "Good grief."

BBC Report

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kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The after picture is Tacky. Tacky. Tacky. Looks like the Caligula room in a brothel.

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#3

Room Decorated With The Designer's Actual Face

Room Decorated With The Designer's Actual Face

Designer's explanation: "I wanted to throw in an element of fun."
Owner's review: "How................random."

tlc Report

The cult makeover show Changing Rooms is remembered for some of the most disastrous transformations ever seen onscreen. It ran from 1996 to 2004, and it surely gave viewers a lot of material to chuckle at throughout those years.

One of the participants, Caroline Hicks, who opened the door to her newly renewed living room twenty years ago, had only one thing on her mind: “I mustn’t swear, I mustn’t swear, I mustn’t swear.” These scandalous revelations were made after a speedy renovation process that took only two days.

The show’s presenter, Carol Smillie, recalled that when runners went from house to house, she would roll white paint over their jeans so that contestants wouldn’t get any clues as to what color their room was being painted. “There were a whole lot of us, 20 or more, that you didn’t see on screen,” she told The Guardian.

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#4

Bathroom Decorated With More Than 6,000 Flowers

Bathroom Decorated With More Than 6,000 Flowers

Designer's explanation: "All rooms look great with flowers."
Owner's review: "There's so many."

tlc Report

#5

The Designer Mentioned An "All-Black" Room. Here Is The "All-Black" Office In The Other Couple's House

The Designer Mentioned An "All-Black" Room. Here Is The "All-Black" Office In The Other Couple's House

Presenter's explanation: "I knew they would be up for a dramatic change. I'm very, very proud of this room."
Owner's reaction: "It's [friggin] amazing."

tlc Report

#6

"Very Strong Black And White Themed" Room

"Very Strong Black And White Themed" Room

Designer's review: "I think it is very classy."
Owner's review: "Bloody hell."

BBC Report

With so many “unhappy” room owners, it may come as a surprise that there were many members of the public who wanted to take part in the show. “Most people’s rooms that they asked us to change were in such dire straits, even a bit of paint was a vast improvement,” the producer Smillie said.

In reality, only the very first participants wouldn’t suspect what the makeovers were all about, but since the program ran almost 10 years, most of the entrants really knew what they were getting themselves into.

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On rare occasions, the participants were genuinely happy with their room makeovers. Aidan Ruff from Northumberland, in fact, loved his renovated bedroom since the family were looking “to get a room done on the cheap.” The Changing Rooms redesign got Aidan so excited that he even described the result as a “Mediterranean love nest.”

#7

This Room, Apparently Inspired By Safari Adventures

This Room, Apparently Inspired By Safari Adventures

Designer's explanation: "It just all fits together."
Owner's reaction: [screams] (clarification: in excitement)

tlc Report

#8

This Room That Was Decorated With 1,800 Cds. That's Cds On Every Single Part Of The Walls

This Room That Was Decorated With 1,800 Cds. That's Cds On Every Single Part Of The Walls

Owner's reaction: "Oh cool" [the child]. "Ohhhhhh my god" [the parent].

tlc Report

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#9

"Funky Family" Room

"Funky Family" Room

Designer's review: "We have to see how it looks at the end."
Owner's review: "Oh no, it's horrible."

BBC Report

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mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could have been dope as f**k if they just painted that plywood. And got drapes that didn’t look cheap.

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But one disastrous incident has surely stuck with us to this day. In 2000, Clodagh, a woman from London, appeared on show and asked the producers to be super careful with her precious teapot collection worth £6,000. But the hosts hung a suspended shelf to house her pots and the construction collapsed.

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The Guardian stated that the insurers reimbursed Clodagh, but she never risked having another collection since she “couldn’t bear it to happen all over again.”

#10

"Out Of This World" Sexy Room

"Out Of This World" Sexy Room

Designer's review: "This is a sensual, sexy room."
Owner's review: "I don't like the bed." "The colour is horrible."

BBC Report

#11

Playroom For A Baby, Decorated With Hay

Playroom For A Baby, Decorated With Hay

Designer's explanation: "I really wanted to bring out the straw colour of the sofa as the whole room has been designed around the sofa."
Owner's reaction: "It smells great in here." [opens their eyes] "Oh god... oh [crap]."

tlc Report

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linusnilsson_1 avatar
Linus Nilsson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember reading about this one. It's the same designer that decorated a wall with her own face. If I remember correctly, the owners hated it and it costed the production company a fortune to get the straw of the walls

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#12

"Romanto Panto"

"Romanto Panto"

Designer's review: "They needed somewhere to escape from their three children."
Owner's review: "What a change. Crikey."

BBC Report

#13

"Hot Purple Passion"

"Hot Purple Passion"

Designer's review: "It's very passionate."
Owner's review: "This is absolutely brilliant."

BBC Report

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popapach avatar
bagladyele avatar
EA
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though I’ve never seen one I still agree this is what it would look like!

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mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cabinet is cool but the satin looks cheap and the candles on the wall are stupid. There’s no tables anymore either.

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like it's straight out of the famous Madonna Inn in Southern California. I couldn't pick one room to show you so you'll have to go to their website: https://www.madonnainn.com/viewrooms

gcausey396 avatar
Gabrielle Causey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a little dark but I like the bed and the little canopy thing over it...

laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this episode!!! I recognise that awful wardrobe on the left I remember them proudly painting it XD I had the impression the owners weren't that thrilled but it's a long time since I saw it

lisa_71 avatar
Lisa Willmott
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Arabian nights springs to mind more a kids theme room than adults palace

kathleengraceart avatar
Lily
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, okay, it feels kind of Moroccan, like from the 50s.

bunnysfacebook avatar
Berlinda Dunbar-Nye
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh Ish. Maybe it's because we've been together nearly 40 years. I'm not a prude. Came of age during the 70's. I'd be embarrassed to go into this room. :-)

baconycakes1337 avatar
Bacony Cakes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*Elephant* *Unicycling Juggler* *Fire Eater* *Indian Runner Ducks* *Mario's Plates* *Clown Car* *Magician* *Lion* *Sword Swallower*

lesburleson avatar
Leslie Burleson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The concept is great, the odd 80's looking Show Biz animatronic animal's back drop it came out as is not

gabyk421 avatar
b l a n c
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i kind of like the armoire thing but i wouldn't want the pattern on any furniture, just as a picture maybe.

lunarangel avatar
Chocoholic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would this be decent if the walls were toned down... This could be salvaged, in my opinion.

asazevedogm avatar
Alessandra Trabalho
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is actually not bad. It is the only one so far that I wouldn't swap the before and after pics.

danielmasonx avatar
DanieLegz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is where Aladdin really flew jasmine too on the magic "carpet" ride.. Magic really meant 'room where the magic happens

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaaaraibian niggghhhhts and arabian Daaaayyyys..... It's hotter than hot, more often than not.....

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#14

"Tribute To All Things Circular" In Doncaster

"Tribute To All Things Circular" In Doncaster

Designer's review: "I absolutely love it. I like circles."
Owner's review: "Am I in the same room? This is amazing."

BBC Report

#15

Room That Was Decorated With Hanging Lamps

Room That Was Decorated With Hanging Lamps

Designer's explanation: "I love the way that they are suspended because it brings the ceiling to the level of the bed and the floor."
Owner's reaction: "Look at it. It hangs."

tlc Report

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d_h_maryott avatar
2BX
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well at least it's easy to vacuum under the night stands

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#16

Room Where Metal Was Not The Answer

Room Where Metal Was Not The Answer

Owner's reaction: "..."

tlc Report

#17

The "Tenthouse Penthouse"

The "Tenthouse Penthouse"

Designer's review: "They love being outside...so I went along with that."
Owner's review: "Not what I expected."

BBC Report

#18

"New York Gallery Sitting Room"

"New York Gallery Sitting Room"

Designer's reaction: "It's very serene, isn't it?"
Owner's reaction: "There is nothing I would change. This is fabulous."

BBC Report

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ruthmayfly avatar
Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The materials look a bit basic, but the way the space is laid out is much improved.

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#19

"Love Nest" Bedroom

"Love Nest" Bedroom

Designer's review: "They like spending a lot of time in the bedroom."
Owner's review: "It is red, isn't it?"

BBC Report

#20

Room That Was Decorated With A Paintball Gun

Room That Was Decorated With A Paintball Gun

Designer's explanation: "I wish the paintballs would have stayed, but in this heat."
Owner's review: "I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it."

BBC Report

#21

"Prisoners Of Love" Solitary Confinement Bedroom

"Prisoners Of Love" Solitary Confinement Bedroom

Designer's explanation: "I wanted to do something really interesting."
Owner's reaction: "Hahahahahahaha... This is WILD."

tlc Report

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ruthmayfly avatar
Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Owner: "Welp, I thought we'd kept our bedroom activities discreet, but looks like I was wrong."

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#22

"Art Gallery–inspired" Living Room

"Art Gallery–inspired" Living Room

Designer's review: "It's Tate Modern mixed with '70s chic."
Owner's review: "Barbara, it's gorgeous." "Look at the wall."

BBC Report

#23

Tumbleweed

Tumbleweed

This western themed room is certainly not the best. The room appears to have shrunk down from its former size.

BBC Report

#24

Red Or Dead

Red Or Dead

At least the floor could double as a chessboard.

BBC Report

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laurencaswell4 avatar
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has "where the backstreet boys phantom of the opera feast was filmed" vibes

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#25

Kimono-Inspired Room Decorated With Actual Rust.

Kimono-Inspired Room Decorated With Actual Rust.

Designer's explanation: "These people needed some change."
Owner's reaction: "Look at the wall! Look at the WALL!"

BBC Report

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dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmmm..... Don't understand the connection between kimonos and rust. Also, this look doesn't evoke Japanese traditional clothing to me.

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