Karen Hiers, a 77-year-old retired high school substitute teacher, was named the lucky winner of HGTV’s 2026 Smart Home.
Hiers of Jacksonville, Florida, won this year’s giveaway sweepstakes, which includes a newly built, resort-style home in Orlando and all of its furnishings valued at over $1.3 million, plus a $100,000 cash prize, HGTV announced.
After years of routinely entering HGTV giveaways twice a day, Hiers, a dedicated viewer of the network, was finally randomly selected from more than 75 million entries. When she received the email notifying her that she won, she told HGTV that she “didn’t believe it at first.”
She said that she turned to her son to ensure it wasn’t a scam. She added to People that she is looking forward to sharing the place with her husband of 55 years, Bill, their two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Designed by Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt, the two-story beach bungalow features a game room with a multi-sport simulator, a spacious pool and backyard grill area, skylights, and open-concept living spaces.
“This home captures the vibrant energy of Orlando while embracing the relaxed, sunny lifestyle of Florida,” Brian said in a video tour of the more than 3,000-square-foot space. Mika added, “We wanted every detail to be designed for fun, comfort and effortless living.”
The exterior of the abode is painted light blue and is surrounded by planted palm trees, greenery and open land. The interior design “embraces a softer, more traditional feel,” according to HGTV.
Upon entry, the cozy living room features a brick fireplace flanked by built-in shelves. An olive-green sleeper sofa serves as the room’s focal point. The other half of the room is occupied by the kitchen, which features a marble island with a farm-style sink, white upper cabinets and warm wooden lower cabinets. A four-seat circular dining table takes up the remaining space.
Just off the entryway is another living room with a giant lounge sofa and a leather ottoman. The room has a more sophisticated feel, with darker blue-grey walls and skylights to draw in natural light.
Beyond the living room, sliding glass doors offer views of the wood deck and pool. To the left of the pool is a covered outdoor kitchen, outfitted with a full-range stove and grill. Underneath the covered patio is a rectangular dining table, and behind the pool is a miniature putting green and additional lawn seating.
Back inside, the primary bedroom, located on the first floor, is cottage-inspired, with light green accents and wooden furniture. Attached is a walk-in closet and the master bathroom, which includes a soaking tub and a separate shower.
Upstairs is the game room with a wall-sized sports simulator, and the remaining two rooms: a child’s bedroom and a guest room. The guest room is decorated in light pink, while the children’s room is accented in light blue. The latter has an elevated bed above a plush sunroom couch.
The two rooms are connected by a Jack-and-Jill bathroom suite, with a subtle coastal flair in blues and a woven mirror above a double vanity.
Karen previously told People that her favorite part of the house is the spacious, fun-filled backyard.
The HGTV 2026 Smart Home sweepstakes giveaway was open for entry between April 21 and June 19.
