5 Surprising Reasons Why Hilary Farr Left 'Love It Or List It' After 19 Seasons

The departure of Hilary Farr from the beloved HGTV series Love It or List It sent shockwaves through the design and reality TV world. As of this writing in late 2025, fans are still reeling from the news, which officially broke in late 2023 after a remarkable 19-season run. The decision was not a sudden one, but rather a reflective, personal choice driven by a desire for a different pace of life and a pursuit of "new challenges" beyond the constant renovation and playful rivalry with co-host David Visentin.

The rigorous production schedule, which demanded a significant portion of her time over a dozen years, ultimately became unsustainable for the celebrated designer. Farr has been candid about her need to prioritize her personal well-being and embrace a life where she can "take joy out of every day," a sentiment that resonated deeply with her audience and provided the clearest answer to the burning question of why she walked away from one of television's most successful home shows.

Hilary Farr: A Quick Biography and Design Legacy

Hilary Farr is more than just the witty, brilliant designer from Love It or List It; she has a long and varied career that spans acting, producing, and, of course, interior design. Her path to becoming an HGTV star was anything but conventional, giving her a unique perspective that she brought to every project.

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• Full Name: Hilary Elizabeth Farr
• Date of Birth: August 31, 1951
• Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (though she spent much of her childhood in England)
• Nationality: British-Canadian
• Education: Studied interior design in London.
• Early Career: Before design, Farr had a brief acting career, appearing in films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and City on Fire (1979).
• Design Career Start: She began her design and renovation career in Los Angeles, California, focusing on restoring homes.
• Company: She is the president of Hilary Farr Design, a highly successful design firm.
• HGTV Debut: Co-host of Love It or List It (2008–2023) alongside David Visentin.
• Other HGTV Shows: She also starred in her own solo series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr.
• Key Design Style: Known for her ability to create luxurious, functional, and personalized spaces, often incorporating bold colors and patterns.

The Real Reasons Hilary Farr Said 'List It' to HGTV's Love It or List It

After nearly two decades on air, the decision to leave a show as popular and influential as Love It or List It is complex. Hilary Farr provided several clear and deeply personal reasons, moving beyond simple contract disputes or creative differences to explain her exit.

1. The Need for New Challenges and Creative Freedom

The primary reason cited by Farr was a desire to seek "new challenges" and a change of pace. While the show provided a consistent platform, the repetitive nature of the "love it or list it" format—renovating a home and then having the clients decide—began to feel limiting. Farr, a woman who looks for inspiration and new ideas, realized that she needed to step away to pursue other creative avenues. She expressed a feeling that the show was simply "taking up too much of my life."

2. Prioritizing Health and Personal Well-being

A significant, more personal factor in her decision was a past battle with cancer. Farr revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and has been through multiple treatments, including three lumpectomies and radiation. This health journey prompted a profound re-evaluation of her priorities. She stated that she is now "very aware of really wanting to take joy out of every day," recognizing that the demanding schedule of filming over 250 episodes was incompatible with this new focus on personal happiness and health.

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3. The Rigorous and Exhausting Production Schedule

Filming a long-running reality show is intensely demanding, especially one that involves complex home renovations. The production of Love It or List It required extensive travel and long, often unpredictable hours on renovation sites. Farr openly admitted that the show was simply consuming too much of her time. After 19 seasons, the sheer exhaustion and commitment required for the series led her to conclude that it was simply "time to leave."

4. A Desire to Focus on Solo Projects

Farr has already successfully branched out with her own series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr, which allows her to tackle more challenging and deeply personal home transformations without the constraint of the "love it or list it" ultimatum. This solo venture provides a platform for her to explore design and family dynamics in a more meaningful way, offering a creative outlet that the original show could no longer provide.

5. Ending the Partnership on a High Note

Despite the constant on-screen bickering and rivalry, Farr and co-host David Visentin share a deep, genuine friendship. Leaving the show on her own terms, after a successful run, allowed her to close the chapter gracefully. She expressed immense love for Visentin and the crew, ensuring that her departure was a professional and personal decision, rather than a conflict-driven one. Visentin himself has acknowledged that the show will be different without her, a testament to their enduring chemistry.

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What's Next for Hilary Farr and the Future of Love It or List It

While her time on Love It or List It is over, Hilary Farr is definitely not retiring from television or design. Her future is focused on projects that align with her renewed sense of purpose and creative drive.

Hilary Farr's Current Focus

Farr remains an active force in the design world. She continues to run Hilary Farr Design, and fans can still see her on HGTV in her solo series, Tough Love with Hilary Farr. Moreover, she has been documenting the renovation of her own long-time Toronto home, a personal project that allows her to be the client and the designer, giving fans an intimate look at her process outside of the constraints of a client-driven show.

The Future of Love It or List It

HGTV has confirmed that the franchise will continue, albeit with a major change. For Season 20, the network announced that designer and host Page Turner will be stepping into the role alongside David Visentin. Turner is well-known to HGTV viewers from her show Fix My Flip. Her debut marks a new era for the show, one that promises a fresh dynamic to the beloved competition. Fans have already begun to compare the new partnership to the iconic banter between Farr and Visentin, proving that the show's topical authority remains high even with the cast change.

Hilary Farr’s departure signifies a powerful message to her fans: that prioritizing health, joy, and personal fulfillment is paramount, even when it means walking away from a successful, high-profile career. Her legacy on Love It or List It is secure, and her decision to move on has paved the way for a new chapter in both her life and the show’s history.