HGTV Couples Who Have Great On-Screen Chemistry
HGTV is a network known for its home improvement shows, but what really makes the shows special are the people in them. Viewers appreciate the journey of home renovations, but what they become attached to are the people doing the renovations. And while not all HGTV series are hosted by a couple — "Good Bones" focuses on a mom-and-daughter duo, and "Unsellable Houses" stars twin sisters, for example — we'd argue that some of the best HGTV shows involve a lovable couple at the center of the series.
Thinking about the most iconic HGTV couples, the pair that most likely comes to mind is Joanna and Chip Gaines. And it's easy to understand why: their playful banter, Joanna's confidence and design skills, and Chip's endless dad jokes make these two a joy to watch on "Fixer Upper." But they're certainly not the only couple on HGTV who are fun to watch. Here are other HGTV couples who rival Chip and Joanna with their great on-screen chemistry.
Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas
Opposites attract with this "Bargain Block" couple, but they complement each other so well. Part of what makes "Bargain Block" such a fun show to watch is the dynamic between Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas: Keith is the creative, somewhat impulsive design mastermind, and Evan is the more level-headed and practical backbone needed for a successful renovation. When Keith has the sudden idea to paint a bathroom neon purple, Evan's the one that gently asks him "Are you sure?" And though Keith usually does end up following his design instincts, it's clear that he values Evan's perspective, and their collaboration is likely what makes their renos so successful.
The two have been successful business partners and romantic partners long before "Bargain Block." After meeting on Match.com, the two moved from Colorado to Detroit together in 2017. They were flipping houses sans-TV crew for years before HGTV got involved; in fact, they were hesitant to take their talents to the big screen. "Initially," Evan said (per Pride Source), "We weren't if sure we wanted to go the TV route."
But the couple cast their doubts aside and took the leap, and it resulted in nothing but good things for their career — and relationship. According to Keith, working with Evan has deepened their relationship. "This has been one of the best experiences, because you really get to know somebody in this type of environment. It's about finding a respectful balance."
Erin and Ben Napier
"Home Town" hosts Erin and Ben Napier bring a playful southern charm to their relationship that provides the perfect contrast to their sometimes intense renovations in Laurel, Mississippi. Erin and Ben are actually college sweethearts who have possibly the cutest origin story of all time: Erin interviewed Ben for the school yearbook in 2004, and six days later, they decided they were going to get married, according to Erin's Instagram. Looks like their quick decision to get married was a good one, since the two have been going strong ever since.
From their interactions on the show, it's clear these two have a fun and loving relationship, but the fact that they secretly admired each other from afar makes their love story that much sweeter. Before they got to know each other, Erin saw Ben as a "celebrity," according to People, and Ben couldn't help but notice Erin when they passed each other on campus. "She was walking across the student union, and she had a pixie haircut. I didn't know what a pixie cut was at the time, but I knew I liked it," he told People. What's their secret to keeping their relationship full of love after nearly 20 years? "... We will never let ourselves forget how it felt when we were brand new," Erin wrote in a 2017 blog post.
Linda Phan and Drew Scott
Drew Scott and Linda Phan balance playfulness and hard work on "Property Brothers at Home: Drew's Honeymoon House." These two lovebirds have been together since 2010 when they met at a Toronto Fashion Week event. According to Drew, Linda was dressed as the "fashion police" at the event and was "giving out tickets for 'bad' fashion" (via People). Drew, who was looking for food and water, tried a super smooth pickup line on Linda: "Hey, where'd you get that water?" Despite the lacking pick-up line, the couple ended up hitting it off. Now, thirteen years later, they're happily married and recently had a son, Parker, in 2022.
And while the love between this couple shines through on the show, their ability to work well professionally is equally compelling. According to Drew (via Entertainment Tonight), "[Linda]'s great. That's why she's the creative director with our company. She has an architectural design background as well, and she has brilliant ideas and has [a] great aesthetic and she's really our property sister, we can say."
Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson
"Married to Real Estate" stars Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson are known for being a power couple. This is partially due to their professions: Egypt is a successful real estate broker, while Mike is a master builder and renovator. But the other part of the equation that makes this couple shine is their relationship. Mike's laidback attitude paired with Egypt's outspoken confidence certainly makes for lively and entertaining TV.
Mike and Egypt's love story isn't quite a fairytale, but it does seem meant to be. Evidently, it was love at first sight for Mike — when he saw Egypt in a club, with a light shining directly on her, he knew he was going to marry her, according to HGTV. Egypt's first impression wasn't quite so romantic: "He said, 'There was a light shining on you like I was supposed to meet you.' And I'm like, 'Guy, can you just move out of my way?'"
Despite Mike being convinced the two were meant for each other, they parted ways and didn't start dating until a year later, when Egypt hired a contractor and was surprised to see Mike on her doorstep. "I come outside and I'm annoyed. I'm like, 'What are you doing here? I need a contractor, and they sent me a DJ.' He's like, 'No, I'm a contractor, too,'" Egypt recalled. Clearly, fate wanted these two together, and since then, they have been.
Bryan and Sarah Baeumler
Renovating a resort in the Bahamas sounds like our kind of gig, and luckily for Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, that's exactly what they do. One would think that working in the Bahamas is a dream job, but the Baeumlers had to weather some (literal) storms during their renovations. When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019, the Baeumler's resort was safe — but surrounding areas were devastated. In a similar vein, the pandemic hit around the same time that the Baeumler's opened the doors to their resort, bringing unforeseen challenges.
But the obstacles they faced didn't prevent this couple from sticking together, and the charming "Renovation Island" couple has an adorable meet-cute story that explains their on-screen chemistry. The two were friends in high school, but didn't date — it wasn't until they were both copied on the same email from a mutual friend in 2001, which led to them reconnecting, according to Streets of Toronto. Three years later, the two were married and have been going strong since then.
According to Erin, keeping their priorities in line is what keeps them close. "Bryan and I are both very hard workers, but we always make sure that nothing takes priority over our relationship and our family. I think that is the key. Family first and everything else second," she said.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent
The undeniably cool stars of "The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project" clearly have a strong romantic and professional connection — anyone who has seen their show knows that the two work together seamlessly, with plenty of sarcasm and banter thrown in the mix. But before they were HGTV stars, they were just two designers who happened to meet at Rachel Zoe's birthday party. The two told HGTV they remember Rachel Zoe claiming that they would be "absolutely in love with each other" once they met. Turns out she was right.
The love and connection you see between Nate and Jeremiah on their show is not just for the cameras -– the couple, who share two children, wants the world to see the love between them. "Nate and I feel a deep obligation to be seen," Jeremiah told HGTV. "In the end, our show is about love. It's beautifully cloaked as a heartwarming, sometimes silly design show, but it's always been about the human connection. We are all the same." BRB, sobbing.
Chelsea and Cole DeBoer
These "Teen Mom 2" stars took their talents onto "Down Home Fab," providing eclectic renovations while also showcasing their fun and playful relationship. While they may not have had the most romantic first meeting — the two caught one another's eye at a gas station in 2014 –- it's clear they've built a solid relationship. Watching the DeBoers is like watching two best friends who just so happen to be in love, which is part of what makes "Down Home Fab" such a fun and binge-worthy show.
And while some may worry that working with your spouse may lead to a little too much time together, the opposite is true for this pair. "It's been so, so fun to work with Cole and do projects together," Chelsea told HGTV. When asked what the secrets are to a happy marriage, Chelsea said, "Always have fun together. We don't take anything too seriously. Anything we do we make the most of it."
Brian and Mika Kleinshmidt
Watching Brian and Mika on "100 Day Dream Home," you can just tell the two have a lot of love and respect for one another. When the two met for the first time when they were in high school, Brian was immediately head over heels. In an exclusive interview with The List, he said, "It was love at first sight for me, but it took a little bit longer to convince her. ... Gosh, yeah. I was gaga over her, I could not even talk around her in high school. I was crazy for her."
Mika wasn't so sure initially. "The thing with Brian and you'll notice it in the show, everything is a joke. And so I kind of just didn't really take it seriously," she says, referring to his high school flirtation attempts. The couple went their separate ways after high school and didn't reconnect for years, but once they did, sparks were flying. According to Brian's Instagram, the two got married in 2015 in Sedona, Arizona.
Dave and Jenny Marrs
The "Fixers to Fabulous" stars have been married for eighteen years, and their strong relationship is evident onscreen. This sweet couple focuses on helping clients in Arkansas renovate their homes, and while the show is undoubtedly entertaining, the couple themselves are equally fun to watch.
The pair first began talking after college; they worked for the same company but lived in different states, per HGTV. They formed a long-distance friendship for several years before they began dating, and it didn't take long for the couple to realize that they had something special. Dave planned a surprise proposal in Paris, and the two eventually married in 2005. In a recent Instagram post, Jenny shared a photo from their wedding and captioned it: "If I could rewind to this very day eighteen years ago, I would whisper in that young bride's ear: "this is the first day of the most incredible adventure you could ever imagine." Safe to say, these two are #CoupleGoals.
Tarek and Heather El Moussa
Tarek El Moussa is a bit of an HGTV vet, best known for hosting "Flip or Flop" with his now ex-wife Christina Hall. Tarek and Christina split in 2018, and about a year later, Heather Rae Young (known for "Selling Sunset") and Tarek crossed paths. From that point on, the pair was pretty much inseparable, and their relationship moved quickly. According to Us Weekly, the couple moved in together after knowing each other just four days, and said "I love you" on the fifth day!
Though whirlwind romances don't always last, it appears that the El Moussas are going strong. The two were married in October 2021 and have recently welcomed their first child together, a baby boy who was born in January. On top of that, they're starring in a new HGTV show together, "The Flipping El Moussas," where viewers get to see them transform homes — and continue to fall head over heels for one another.
Christina and Josh Hall
Christina Hall (formerly Haack), who was previously married to Tarek El Moussa and known for hosting "Flip or Flop" with her former husband, found love with Josh Hall. The two lovebirds star in their own show "Christina in the Country" where they renovate homes in Tennessee, and viewers can see the sweet dynamic between the couple: while Christina tends to take charge and dive headfirst into renovations, Josh acts as the sounding board and support system. It's clear to see that these two complement each other perfectly.
As for the backstory of this couple's romance, not much is known about the beginning of their relationship. Though they didn't begin dating officially until 2021, it appears the two had met years before when they both attended a real estate conference (per Us Weekly). On Instagram, Christina shared a post from their dreamy Maui wedding in September 2022, captioning the photo, "Shared vows in front of family and our close friends. Everything in life has led me to where I am right now, which is exactly where I want to be. My dream man on the dreamiest island."