Low maintained planting can look super as you can get all kinds of grasses from your local garden centre in many different colours and heights, ferns are great near water features in shady areas. Hardy palms are a must. If you are intending to have the works created by an outside company I advise you to have three different estimates done so you get the best deal. Unfortunately only a tiny percentage can be selected for a free make-over treatment. The main criteria for a T.V show is that the project can be achieved in 1-2 days maximum and will look strikingly different from the existing garden.
Location is also important so the site is often local to the film crew.
We are always on the look out for derelict or empty small gardens to be transformed. My crab apple tree is looking decidedly sick at present. Make sure it is not under stress. If it's under 8' high, nourish with a foliar feed. Adding granular feed to the earth may also help.