I don't understand why Extreme Makeover does kids rooms the way they do

[_queenie_]

I was just watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition and was bit confused by the kid's rooms. I don't get why they wouldn't design a room they can grow on, most of themes they use are destine to be outgrown. For the twin girls who looked about 1.5, they designed an Elmo room. It was cute, but I'm sorry, that room is going to embarass those by girls by kindergarten, never mind middle school. I was also skeptical of the volleyball room for the 10yo because who knows, in two more years she may no longer even play volleyball. I don't think slight touches would have been a big deal, but this was overkill. I liked the 7yo's room though, it was just very pink and girly; it seemed liked she'd like it just as much in 10 years. I felt that they did do a good job with the 13yo's Paris room and the boy's sports room as well. There are countless examples of rooms from the past that seem illogical though.

Anyone else confused by why they do these rooms that the kids probably won't love for long?

 

[JARNJ3]

I think they do it because of the sponsorship.

They are advertising each room and the stuff in it.

At least that's my take on it.

 

[Amlee]

EHM is one of my favorite shows to watch. But the decorations they do on those bedrooms drive me NUTS!! Each eppy I'm thinking, now those kids are going to out grow that. Or their "favorite" things are going to change.

An almost every eppy I find Ty's secert bedrooms ugly as sin!

 

[emer95]

I totally agree! Especially since the designs are so over-the-top, you know? It's not like they'd have to take down a firetruck border and get a new bedspread when the kids outgrow it- they'll have to do major renovations.

I've asked my kids what they would choose if we would ever get an Extreme Home Makeover. They had a hard time coming up with one thing they'd want their entire room to be turned into. It would have to be something really general, like flowers!

 

[RUDisney]

My DS had an Elmo room until he was 7. I had hand painted Elmo's all over the room. When I painted over them, I left one behind the door that is of Elmo with a towel around his waist, carrying a scrub brush and wearing flip flops. His friends think it's the coolest thing in his room because it's unexpected. He's 13 now.

I agree with what you're saying about their rooms being over the top. I was able to paint over Elmo and remove the comforter and sheets. That was an easy makeover for his room. Having to undo or buy new furniture is something that perhaps some of these families will not be able to do.

 

[Serena]

I don't get it either, I'm much too practical.

 

[Imzadi]

It's all about fantasy & TV. It's not about practicality & reality. This show is about exploiting people's circumstances so the show can come off looking good.

There was a recent thread about EM where the house had to be sold because the people couldn't pay the taxes and increased expenses after the makeover. In fact, it happens to many of the owners.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1816323&referrerid=93883

 

[Papa Deuce]

We did one of my daughter's room in butterflies, thinking it would last until age 10.... she is 7 and asking for something new. The other daughter has her room all Disney Princessed up and she likes it just fine.... These rooms were don e before they were born.

 

[Aimeedyan]

That's always been my major complaint, too. Such a waste of money and resources for a theme that works for 2 years or so in most cases.

 

[mpls_mm]

People don't tune in for practical. Plus I think it is about the moment. I go all out on my kids rooms, it's not like a bucket of paint and new bedding will stop the presses, I was an interior designer though. I don't do much halfway. My daughters favorite was when I painted the walls pink with white clouds and covered an entire wall in yards and yards of sheer gathered pink fabric that I glued rosebuds to. We're getting ready to build and I am going to do amazing bedrooms and bathrooms this time. Why not? Practical is boring, they are only little once.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I don't get it either, I'm much too practical.

Me too.

 

[ilovecountry]

I think they go overboard because these people usually all share the fact that they don't have much money to give their kids luxury items-so when their rooms are redone, they like to give them something that'll make them go nuts & something that'll make them feel special (which to be frank is perfect for the camera)

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

EHM is one of my favorite shows to watch. But the decorations they do on those bedrooms drive me NUTS!! Each eppy I'm thinking, now those kids are going to out grow that. Or their "favorite" things are going to change.

An almost every eppy I find Ty's secert bedrooms ugly as sin!

PLUS I think, they talk to the kid for like 20 seconds and the kid says in passing, oh I don't know he/she likes ice cream. Next thing you know they turn it into, little Janie has a passion for ice cream. She wants to own an ice cream store when she grows up amd they build her an ice cream store bedroom whem the kid just said it in passing b/c half the time they are speaking to a strange adult and have nothing to say.

Just an aside Michael's teeth have been whitened so much now that when he smiles I think he looks like the Cheshire CAt! And seriously, how is it they are always able to cry on cue? Some of the stories do not call for tears but Paige , Paul and Michael are fantastic at this they should hire themselves out as mourners at funerals.

I remember when the show as first on. It was much more real. The designers were fighting and the challenge was to bulid the house in a week. NOT like now.

 

[Huggles]

It's the ones where the kids bed is up high and made to look like a tree house or or is over a bridge up high etc. Great for the kid 'cause it has just enough headroom for them but how is an adult supposed to get up there and change the bed linen? The ones with circular beds....can you get a lot of circular bed linen? There was one where the bed was up SO high it would have given me a nosebleed just getting up there, never mind clinging on by my toenails trying to change the bed. Or maybe everyone just uses sleeping bags like the Roloff kids seem to do!

 

[suzimar57]

we've stopped watching EM long time ago - those kids' rooms are totally impractical ("sandbox" room comes to mind....) - we always used to say "but what happens in a couple of years when the kid hates it?"

 

[Sleepy]

I think they go overboard because these people usually all share the fact that they don't have much money to give their kids luxury items-so when their rooms are redone, they like to give them something that'll make them go nuts & something that'll make them feel special (which to be frank is perfect for the camera)

This is the part where I think they go overboard. It's true, these families don't have the resources to give their kids luxury items, but many better off families can't either. Where I think the show can "give them something special that will make them go nuts" is for them to have their own room with new furniture. How many of those kids in the before footage actually have their own room? Not having to share is enough to put a smile on a child's face and make them go bonkers. I can't help but think of all the families this show COULD be helping with all the money they waste on a select few. I mean, the money they pour into a go kart track in a backyard could give another child somewhere else a mini makeover in their bedroom. Maybe a new mattress . I suppose they just look for the WOW factor. I refuse to watch the show for the simple fact they waste where they could be helping others.

 

[Disney Ella]

And seriously, how is it they are always able to cry on cue? Some of the stories do not call for tears but Paige , Paul and Michael are fantastic at this they should hire themselves out as mourners at funerals.

The crying is too much for me. My kids still like to watch the show sometimes but I can't stand how dramatic they have to make it. Being able to manufacture tears at a moment's notice must be a requirement for working on the show.

I would be more impressed if the show could give the people better houses than what they have now, but that are still affordable, instead of these mini-mansions that will have to have elaborate security systems and will probably result in a higher tax payment than their mortgage payment on the original house was.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I said that last night!!! Me to Dh, "Okay, so what happens when in 6 months the kid thinks Elmo is too babyish???" My 2 and a half year old already calls Elmo a "baby thing".

I also agree with another poster taking away some of the impractical "luxury items" (like a putt-putt course or indoor basketball court) and use that money for others who need help in a much smaller way.... Spread the love/wealth around people!!!!

 

[shortbun]

I don't get it either, I'm much too practical.

Yeah, me too! I WOULD however love to have a real TY decorating my room - him, as the decoration. lol! Glad my husband does't post here.

OP the kids rooms are over the top, too wild and impractical but they make great TV!!!

 

[Pikester]

One of the rooms from the earlier seasons I remember thinking "What are they going to do when she doesn't like it anymore?" was for a young girl who was really into doing hair. Half of her bedroom was a normal room and the other half was a hair salon. Lanolium(?) floor, sink, spinny chair. No just changing the paint and buying a new comforter for that room!

It's so funny when they have a family that has kids whos ages are so different. Like 5 and 17. The older kids room is so boring compared to the younger kids room but in reality it's perfect for the teen. It's simple and easy to change.