Leaving home isn’t always easy. Sure, gaining your independence and officially starting your adult life is exciting, but it’s also a big moment in which you kind of leave your childhood behind. That change can be tough for parents, too, especially when it comes to figuring out what to do with their adult children’s childhood things.
Enter Empty Nest Refresh, the new home design series on Home Network. Whether you’re moving out soon or just love witnessing emotional redesigns, this show brings all the feels. Read on for everything you need to know and tune in every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, also available to stream on STACKTV. Try it free today!
Adult Children Surprise Their Parents
In Empty Nest Refresh, adult children plan to surprise their parents by secretly renovating their old childhood bedrooms. That journey, as you can imagine, can be pretty emotional. After all, packing up everything from when you were a kid can be a lot.
However, these “kids” want to show their parents how much they appreciate them and the sacrifices they made to give them the best upbringing possible. So they transform these spaces into thought-out dream rooms.
It’s All About Fresh Starts
Sometimes a clean break is an easier break, right? That’s sort of the idea behind the show. Rather than keeping sentimental items around for parents to feel nostalgic over, the adult children clear out the space to provide a fresh start.
If we’re being honest, it’s also motivation for those who are worried they might wind up back home. After all, if your bedroom or living quarters no longer exist, it’s a lot harder to return to your childhood home than if everything were still sitting there, inviting you back in.
Related: Ask These Questions Before Moving In With a Roommate
Empty Nest Syndrome is Real
The term “empty nest” is used to describe parents who grieve children after they leave home. It makes sense. These are people who have spent the last 18+ years doing a lot of things for their kids, and now they have to adjust to life without them physically in it every day.
At the same time, adult children leaving home is an opportunity for parents who never had time for themselves to reconnect, pursue dreams and interests, and discover new things. Empty Nest Refresh encourages them to do that, beginning with one very special room.
It Puts Adult Relationships Front and Centre
You may need a box of tissues to dry your eyes when watching this series, because it’s incredibly heartfelt. Watching kids surprise their parents with new spaces is touching, and the reactions are sometimes almost better than the redesigns.
The series shows us the importance of fostering new relationships with our parents as we get older and learning to communicate in different ways. But it’s also a great reminder that we should show our parents how much we appreciate them while we still have the opportunity.
The Host With the Most
Any good renovation show needs a great host to narrate the redesigns and make the participants feel at home. In Empty Nest Refresh, Liza Koshy heads up the action. The YouTuber-turned-actor brings a personal touch to each episode, along with her signature flair and humour.
“I would have never lived this dream life of mine had it not been for my mom and dad,” she says on the show. “And one of the best things about what I do is that I can give back to them for all that they’ve given to me. So that’s why I want to help other young adults.”
A Fab Designer to Boot
A fab designer is another integral part of a successful design series, and Empty Nest Refresh certainly has that with Orlando Soria. The interior designer, bestselling author and TV personality is known for his ability to transform rooms on various budgets. He also uses a good mix of modern and vintage styles. That passion translates on the show, as does his friendship with Liza.
“Liza is the real deal you guys and you’re gonna love how fun, light-hearted, and silly this show is,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m so happy to be a part of it!”
Catch Empty Nest Refresh Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Home Network, also available to stream on STACKTV. Try it free today!
