5 TV shows design lovers should watch right now

Ah, August, the last full month of summer, the perfect time to hit the beach a couple more times—or stay cool inside and binge TV like there’s no tomorrow. If the latter is what’s speaking to you right now, we have some good news.

Throughout this month, Curbed will covering all things TV. We’ve already critiqued the massive kitchen island in the HBO series Big Little Lies and investigated how the television has transformed our homes, but stay tuned for much, much more.

For now, in the spirit of actually watching TV, we’ve rounded up five design-minded shows worth checking out right now.

Grand Designs

This year marks the 20th anniversary of this iconic British home design show. In each episode, host Kevin McCloud takes you through the design and construction of an ambitious custom home project in the U.K., such as an underground home, converted water tower, and the shipping container house below.

Stream on Amazon

Blown Away

One of the most buzzed-about shows this summer, Blown Away is a Canadian glassblowing competition series in which 10 contestants complete for a cash prize and an artist residency at the Corning Museum of Glass. Each episode has a different challenge, such as creating a piece inspired by food, botanics, or dance.

Stream on Netflix

Unspouse My House

In this new HGTV series, interior designer and self-proclaimed “breakup expert” Orlando Soria mends the hearts of newly single clients through thoughtful home refreshes. The often heartwarming episodes tackle various parts of a home, from kitchens and bedrooms to laundry rooms, including the colorful makeover below.

Stream on HGTV or watch on TV with cable subscription, also available for purchase on Youtube and Amazon

Instant Hotel

This Australian show offers your usual guilty pleasure reality TV complete with drama and villains—but with a decorating twist. Indeed, the contestants are competing to create the best vacation rental as judged by each other.

Stream on Netflix

Dream Home

For a dose of true reality, this Chinese home renovation series focuses on solving the housing quandaries of ordinary families around the country. The projects, which include an 150-square-foot space housing a family of four and a 90-year-old woman’s dilapidated traditional courtyard house, result in impressive aesthetic transformations that also raise clients’ standard of living.

Stream with English subtitles on Amazon