1. The “Furniture Fiasco”
Fixer Upper homes always look magazine-worthy, but what you see isn’t always what you get. One couple fell in love with their staged home, only to realize the furniture wasn’t included in the final sale. Replacing the designer pieces with affordable options left their home feeling less polished than expected.
2. The “Barn Door Blunder”
Sliding barn doors are a Joanna Gaines staple, but in this case, it slid right into disaster—literally. The custom door was installed with cheap hardware, causing it to wobble and come off the track. To make matters worse, it didn’t fully close, leaving a gap that compromised bathroom privacy. Imagine trying to enjoy a relaxing bath while someone else is brushing their teeth!
3. The “Wallpaper That Fought Back”
Joanna’s bold wallpaper choices can add charm, but this particular project went sour fast. The homeowners loved their floral accent wall—until the wallpaper started peeling within weeks due to poor installation. The hot Texas humidity didn’t help, turning what was supposed to be a statement piece into a sticky, wrinkled mess.
4. The “Open Concept Overload”
Knocking down walls to open up space is a Fixer Upper signature, but sometimes too much of a good thing is, well, too much. One home ended up with a massive, undefined room that felt more like an airport terminal than a cozy living area. Without proper dividers or furniture placement, the homeowners struggled to make the space functional.
5. The “Countertop Catastrophe”
Marble countertops are undeniably gorgeous, but they’re not exactly low-maintenance. In one Fixer Upper home, the countertops began staining almost immediately, with coffee rings and oil spills creating permanent marks. The homeowners loved the look but were left regretting the high-maintenance choice when their kitchen became a no-spill zone.
6. The “Rushed Paint Job”
In one episode, Chip and Joanna gave a house a fresh coat of crisp, neutral paint—but they didn’t account for proper curing time. Shortly after moving in, the homeowners noticed bubbling, cracking, and even some peeling. The result? They had to redo the walls themselves, cutting into their budget and their patience.
7. The “Half-Done Landscaping”
Chip’s demolition work often leaves a yard in shambles, but in this case, the landscaping seemed to be an afterthought. Plants were barely rooted, sod wasn’t properly laid, and the homeowners found themselves facing a dried-up lawn within weeks. Instead of a lush oasis, they got a dusty backyard requiring major repairs.
8. The “Shower That Didn’t Shower”
Rainfall showers are a luxury item Joanna often incorporates into her designs, but one unlucky family discovered their stunning shower didn’t work properly. The water pressure was so low that it dribbled instead of flowed, and fixing the plumbing ended up costing thousands. A spa-like retreat turned into a plumbing nightmare.
9. The “Nonfunctional Fireplace”
Fireplaces are Joanna’s go-to for creating a warm and inviting space. However, one home featured a stunning but nonfunctional centerpiece. The homeowners assumed they could light it up on a chilly night, only to discover it was purely decorative. They were left with a design feature that looked great but couldn’t do the job it was supposed to.
10. The “Lighting Letdown”
A stunning chandelier added drama to a dining room, but there was one big problem: it barely emitted any light. The homeowners found themselves eating in the dark or relying on floor lamps to brighten the space. Sometimes, style over function isn’t worth the trade-off.
11. The “Cabinet Chaos”
Joanna’s custom cabinets are usually a highlight, but in this case, they became a headache. The doors were misaligned, drawers stuck, and some cabinets didn’t close all the way. The homeowners loved the aesthetic but had to spend extra money fixing the faulty craftsmanship.
12. The “Tile Trouble”
Patterned tiles can make a bold statement, but one Fixer Upper project had tiles that were so poorly aligned, they created a chaotic, dizzying look. The homeowners ended up ripping out the tiles entirely and starting from scratch, losing both time and money.
13. The “Patio Panic”
Chip and Joanna created a gorgeous outdoor patio with stamped concrete, but they skipped an essential step: sealing it. Within a year, the concrete cracked, stained, and began to chip. The homeowners were left with a backyard that looked more like a construction site than an entertainment space.
14. The “Staircase Stumble”
Minimalist design can look sleek, but it doesn’t always prioritize safety. Joanna’s decision to ditch the staircase railing for an ultra-modern vibe left the homeowners feeling uneasy—especially with kids in the house. They had to hire a contractor to reinstall a railing, which wasn’t cheap.
15. The “Garage Gone Wrong”
Transforming a garage into a bonus room is a brilliant idea—if it’s done right. In this case, the space looked incredible but wasn’t insulated properly. The homeowners soon found the room unbearable in extreme temperatures, turning their dream space into an unused storage area.
