One of Ireland’s most influential television programmes is approaching a milestone few shows ever reach. Room to Improve is turning 20.

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show, architect Dermot Bannon reflected on two decades of designing, debating and documenting how Irish people live, and how their expectations of home have changed.

 Age, he admits, brings perspective.

“Because, look, I've got older, and with that, you soften, don’t you?”

When Room to Improve began, Irish housing ambitions were far simpler.

“When I started Room to Improve, you’re on a mission.”

“All the people really wanted back then was a conservatory added onto the side of their house. That was it. That was the ultimate dream in Ireland.”

Since then, tastes have shifted, from conservatories to light-filled spaces, then walk-in wardrobes, and now a new must-have.

“Pantries? Oh, the walk-in pantry is big, big, big.”

But beyond trends, Bannon said the most significant change has been how people think about space itself.

“I think people are looking for quality of space now than quantity.”

He added that attention has moved toward materials, colour and craft.

“So what I’m seeing is it’s materials are really coming in colour. It’s as opposed to just things being big and expensive.”

Over 20 years, Room to Improve has not only chronicled these changes but helped shape them, influencing how Irish homeowners renovate, extend and imagine their homes.

Looking back, Bannon suggested the longevity of the programme lies in its ability to evolve without losing its identity.

“I don’t think I have changed much, I hope I’ve just evolved.”