Fixer Upper’s best-ever renovations
Joanna and Chip's most dramatic home makeovers

Chip and Joanna Gaines are well-versed at transforming diamonds in the rough, having renovated countless forlorn homes on their TV show Fixer Upper. While they called an end to the hit programme in 2018, a brand new series is due to air in 2021 to coincide with the launch of their TV channel Magnolia Network, formally known as Discovery’s DIY Network. To celebrate the show's return, we've rounded up the DIY duo's most incredible projects to date. Click or scroll on to take a trip down memory lane...
The Ramsey House: before

At over 100 years old, the Ramsey House is a charming home with an amazing history. Chip and Joanna took on this heritage gem in the fifth series of the show, elevating the dated dwelling into a remarkable, modern residence fit for Charlie, Brooke and their five children, who were moving from overseas to the United States.
The Ramsey House: after

The Ramsey House: before

The Ramsey House: after

The Ramsey House: before

The Ramsey House: after

The new revised layout features a square kitchen island in the centre, creating a more fluid workflow and increasing the usable worktop space to accommodate the family's budding sous chefs. Stunning dark wood tones across the units and flooring impart plenty of texture to this stylish scheme, while sleek white metro tiles and an oversized metal cooker hood add a modern, industrial feel.
La Pequeña Colina: before

Another beauty from season five, this dilapidated home in Waco, Texas, was packed with untapped potential. Picked up for a bargain price by the Aguilar family, they called in Joanna and Chip to transform the languishing property into the Mediterranean farmhouse of their dreams, and the result was nothing short of miraculous...
La Pequeña Colina: after

La Pequeña Colina: before

La Pequeña Colina: after

La Pequeña Colina: before

La Pequeña Colina: after

You'd never know this luxurious space was once home to the family car – the tactile stone feature wall helps the room feel like a long-established part of the property. Behind the bed, the upcycled headboard oozes historic charm and the folding doors open the stylish garage conversion up to the great outdoors.
The downtown loft apartment: before

The downtown loft apartment: after

The downtown loft apartment: before

The downtown loft apartment: after

The downtown loft apartment: before

The downtown loft apartment: after

The redesign has made a phenomenal difference. White units combined with higher ceilings completely transformed the feel of the open-plan room. The star of the show is the new metal kitchen island, which offers an additional countertop and a breakfast bar. Built on castor wheels, it can also be easily relocated if more floor space is required.
The all-American farmhouse: before

Before Chip and Joanna got their hands on this property in season five, it was a simple converted metal farm building in the Texas countryside. But in the right hands, it would go on to become one of Fixer Upper's happiest transformation stories yet. Former US Marine TJ and his girlfriend Stephanie had a small budget but a long wish list, including a welcoming kitchen, a master bathroom with a large walk-in shower and outdoor entertaining areas.
The all-American farmhouse: after

The all-American farmhouse: before

The all-American farmhouse: after

The all-American farmhouse: before

The original home conversion was poorly put together, with thin walls separating a collection of cramped rooms. The tiny kitchen occupied a very limited space and featured small impractical cupboards and dated fittings.
The all-American farmhouse: after

The floating Fixer Upper: before

This floating home was quite a niche project for Chip and Joanna back in season four of the show. The owner, Brett Swartz, a friend of Chip's from Waco, had found an old run-down houseboat that was in need of some TLC. Brett wanted to downsize and create a home on the water where he and his four children could reconnect with nature. It was the Gaines' first waterborne renovation, but the pair were more than up to the challenge.
The floating Fixer Upper: after

The floating Fixer Upper: before

Clad in dark, oppressive wood, the main living area of the budget houseboat had to be completely reconfigured and the stairs relocated. In its original state, the available square footage wasn't being properly utilised, so Chip and Joanna undertook a serious interior overhaul.
The floating Fixer Upper: after

The floating Fixer Upper: before

The floating Fixer Upper: after

The suburban ranch house: before

Built in 1958, this average-looking ranch house from season four had seen better days. Its new owners, the Yeilding family, wanted to turn it into a light, colourful and airy first home. Chip and Joanna reconfigured the mid-century property to create an open, free-flowing space with a combined kitchen, dining and living room.
The suburban ranch house: after

Located in Woodway, Texas, the home's asking price was $135,000 (£101k), leaving around $60,000 (£45k) for renovations and improvements, and boy did Chip and Joanna deliver. Outside, the exterior of the renovated dwelling now features a new coat of soft cream paint, which contrasts with the quaint window shutters and natural wood window boxes.
The suburban ranch house: before

Still stuck in the 50s, the old-fashioned kitchen was dated and drab. The Yieldings love to entertain friends and family, so a large reception space with a dining area was top of the list, which meant that this vintage room had to go.
The suburban ranch house: after

The suburban ranch house: before

The suburban ranch house: after

The charming shotgun house: before

This dilapidated shotgun home in Waco, Texas is one of the smallest properties that the Fixer Upper duo have tackled. "What's fun about smaller spaces is that it really challenges your creativity and makes you maximise the space that you've got," says Joanna.
The charming shotgun house: after

The charming shotgun house: before

The abandoned tiny house was originally in a state of disrepair, but due to its small size, load-bearing walls and other structural necessities had to be retained. Instead, Joanna planned to remove the wall between the lounge and bedroom to create a large living space and kitchen.
The charming shotgun house: after

The charming shotgun house: before

The run-down area behind the kitchen needed some serious attention to become a liveable space for the family. In their redesign, Chip and Joanna decided to partition the area and locate the master bedroom, bathroom and mudroom here.
The charming shotgun house: after

The rural barndominium: before

Originally built in 1980 and later converted from an agricultural building into a home, the iconic barndominium makeover from season three is one of Chip and Joanna's most famous renovation projects to date. Owned by the Meek family, the industrial structure was bursting with possibilities.
The rural barndominium: after

The former horse barn was almost unrecognisable after it received the Fixer Upper treatment. A new metal roof was added to the building, along with new siding and windows. With a whitewashed exterior and a charming fenced garden established at the side of the home, it now looks pretty as a picture.
The rural barndominium: before

The rural barndominium: after

The team transformed the awkward void into an elongated dining space with a massive farm table that can accommodate up to 16 guests. Traditional wooden chairs, lantern pendant lights and rustic country accents help impart a welcoming, relaxed vibe to this incredible entertaining area.
The rural barndominium: before

Given the forlorn state of the barn conversion, a large portion of the project's budget went on infrastructure and utility upgrades, such as adding heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and upgrading plumbing and wiring downstairs. Meanwhile upstairs, this tiny kitchenette looks like it's been untouched for decades!
The rural barndominium: after

Now knocked through, the first-floor living space has been completely overhauled. Characterful white shiplap lines the walls, and the modern farmhouse kitchen features patterned wall tiles, a rustic wooden island and plenty of cabinetry. The smaller dining table is ideal for casual family meals in the homey country-inspired space.
The Mountain House: before

The Mountain House: after

When the Fixer Upper team were finished, the transformation was remarkable. The exterior was modernised with a grey and white facelift, while new windows and fresh landscaping make the most of the front yard and create a memorable first impression.
The Mountain House: before

The Mountain House: after

Chip and Joanna ripped out those built-in shelves and replaced them with new windows to bring in more natural light, while a marble fireplace surround was added, which contrasts beautifully against the darker new hardwood floors.
The Mountain House: before

The Mountain House: after

The modern country cabin: before

This property was a project for Fixer Upper regular Jimmy Don Holmes, Joanna and Chip's go-to metalworker. He called the pair in to help remodel this cosy cabin in Crawford, Texas for his 21-year-old son, Jake, in series five. Originally more of a barn structure, the 1980s building had stood empty on Jimmy Don’s land for years and measured just 750 square feet.
The modern country cabin: after

The modern country cabin: before

The modern country cabin: after

The modern country cabin: before

The modern country cabin: after

A huge glazed gable window now illuminates the previously dingy bedroom, while the new roofline allowed for lofty vaulted ceilings. For the interior finishes, the team kept it simple and classic with muted colours and soft wooden furniture befitting of a modern cabin in the woods.
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