'Dream Home Makeover': Syd and Shea McGee's tips will help you get the dream decor you've always wanted

Inspired by Studio McGee to give your own home a makeover? These tips are just what you've been looking for
PUBLISHED JAN 1, 2021
Shea and Syd McGee (Netflix)
Shea and Syd McGee (Netflix)

If you feel like redecorating your own home every time you watch an episode of 'Dream Home Makeover', we understand completely, the urge is real. Shea McGee really has a knack for creating stunningly beautiful spaces that spark a sense of both awe and envy. While there are some Shea classic go-tos, such as white paint on everything, accounting for a ton of natural light, wood accents and flooring and mix and matching, there's a lot more that does into creating spaces the way she does. The first step is often being able to break it down visually before you get all creative. If Shea has taught us anything over the past two seasons is that design is a combination of creativity and system. You need to understand the space first. If you're seriously considering a home makeover (it's a great quarantine activity) or just want to shake things up a bit, here are a few tips, tricks, ideas and hacks from ' Dream Home Makeover' and the experts over at Studio McGee themselves.

Make things interesting by using texture



 

Interestingly enough, we see Episode 3 of Season 2 start with Shea and Syd unboxing a statement lamp fixture that's similar to a wicker basket. Instantly you can tell that it would add a lot of character to any room, especially one minimally designed like the way Shea does.

Shea often lets organic pieces like wood and stone keep their natural texture too as it helps create the perfect contrast when seen alongside modern designs.
Studio McGee claims that they often use baskets to style rooms. Elements like these help break the monotony, thanks to its fun texture. While it's functional for storage, accents like baskets help add depth to a place. Which leads to the next tip which is :

Decor should be a combination of functional and pretty



 

Studio McGee prides itself on being anything BUT boring, so the amount of care that goes into picking out interesting elements to spruce up a space is endless. Shea lives by this rule, we see it in both Episode 2 and 4. In Episode 2, Shea adds a fun, industrial-esque tap while in Episode 4, she uses a lovely oaky brown cabinet to display the family's chinaware.

We also often see her place a fruit bowl in the center of an island, adding a pop of color to the room.

Family photos make for lovely decor elements



 

Shea often uses photos while decorating a space, regardless of the space. Photos in general add a warm, homey touch to it all. Studio McGee advice here is pretty clear - photos help make spaces intimate. And while we're often drawn to larger photos, consider smaller pieces instead - it lets you get creative with frames.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Med’ is back after its midseason hiatus, and the latest Season 11 episode wastes no time diving into the hospital-wide blackout
6 hours ago
‘Chicago Fire’ returns from its winter break with a look at the apartment fire that was set
7 hours ago
Jamie Campbell Bower’s 'Tonight Show' appearance has fans convinced 'Stranger Things' isn’t over, despite claims there’s no Episode 9.
7 hours ago
Oliver Platt's Dr. Charles went through an emotional rollercoaster in the latest episode, leaving fans concerned about his future in the show
8 hours ago
In a heartbreaking twist, ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 bids farewell to Captain Bobby Nash, whose death in a lab explosion stunned fans and cast alike
8 hours ago
The wait is almost over as Netflix's ambitious sci-fi saga has finally locked in its return window, setting the stage for a much bigger chapter
9 hours ago
After closing the door on 'Stranger Things', Finn Wolfhard is gearing up for a major live TV moment that hints at his post-Hawkins future
9 hours ago
Netflix recently unveiled its lineup of anticipated shows and movies for 2026, and 'Wednesday' Season 3 is notably missing from the list
10 hours ago
Millie Bobby Brown also weighed in on Finn Wolfhard's character Mike Wheeler's theory about Eleven still being alive
21 hours ago
As Lucy and The Ghoul finally reach the New Vegas Strip, it appears to be a shadow of its former self
1 day ago