If you’ve been scrolling through the first interior sneak peeks of the HGTV Smart Home 2026, you’ve likely seen the stunning mid-century modern influences and curated decor hand-picked by Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt. It looks move-in ready, right down to the throw pillows and the high-end LG appliances.
But for the lucky winner, a common question arises: Do I actually get to keep all of this? The answer is a resounding yes—but in the world of sweepstakes, every sofa, lamp, and rug comes with a price tag that has nothing to do with the retail store.
The "Fully Furnished" Reality
Unlike a typical home purchase, where the furniture stays with the seller, the HGTV Smart Home is awarded as a complete "Grand Prize Package." This means the winner receives:
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The Structure: The Hartizen-built Orlando retreat itself.
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The Interior: Every piece of furniture, artwork, window treatment, and decorative accessory.
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The "Smart" Package: The integrated home automation, high-end kitchen appliances, and outdoor tech.
On the surface, this is the ultimate dream. You don't have to hire a mover or shop for a single chair. You simply walk in, sit down, and start living.
The Furniture Tax: More "Stuff" Means More Debt
Here is the catch that many entrants overlook: Furniture is not "free." In the eyes of the IRS, the "Grand Prize" is one single value, known as the Approximate Retail Value (ARV). When HGTV calculates this number, they don't just look at the real estate; they add up the retail cost of every single item inside.
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The Math: If the house is worth $1M and the high-end designer furnishings and tech add another $150,000 to the package, your taxable income just jumped by $150,000.
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The Bill: At a 37% federal tax rate, those beautiful "free" sofas and designer rugs just cost you an extra $55,500 in taxes.
The more "bold, curated design" Brian and Mika pack into the home, the higher your tax bill climbs. This is why many winners are forced to sell the very furniture they love just to try and pay off the government.
The Furniture Question: Does the 2026 Smart Home Come "As-Is"?
Keep The Sweep: Protecting Your "Move-In Ready" Dream
We believe that if you win a fully furnished, resort-inspired retreat, you should be able to keep the sofas you're sitting on. Keep The Sweep is designed to handle the "Furniture Tax" so you don't have to.
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Total Package Coverage: We don't just cover the house. Our community-funded model handles the federal and state income taxes on the entire prize value—including the furniture, the car, and the cash.
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Debt-Free Decor: Because KTS settles the IRS bill directly, you don't have to sell the artwork or the outdoor lounge set to make ends meet.
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The $25 Solution: For the price of a single decorative candle, a KTS membership ensures that "Fully Furnished" doesn't mean "Financially Overwhelmed."
Don't Let the Decor Drown You
The HGTV Smart Home 2026 is a masterpiece of "sunshine and style." Make sure you can afford the lifestyle that comes with it. The entry period opens April 21, 2026.
Join the Keep The Sweep community today, register your entry, and rest easy knowing that when we say you get the house "as-is," we mean you get to keep it—taxes and all.
[Become a Keep The Sweep Member – Protect Your Furnished Win]
FAQ
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Q: Can I decline the furniture to lower my taxes? A: Historically, HGTV prizes are awarded as a package. While you can always sell or donate items after winning, the 1099 form issued to the IRS will reflect the full ARV of the package at the time of the win.
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Q: Who are the furniture brands for 2026? A: While the official list is released in April, HGTV typically partners with major brands like Wayfair, Ashley, and LL Flooring. The value of these items is included in the total prize calculation.
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Q: Does the $100,000 cash prize cover the furniture taxes? A: No. In most cases, the $100k cash is meant to help with the win, but for a $1.2M+ package, the total tax bill is often closer to $400k. KTS bridges that massive gap.
