Keith Bynum Biography: Age, Height, Partner, HGTV Bargain Block, Nine Design + Homes, Rock the Block & 2026 Update
Keith Bynum turned a teenage side hustle into a nationally recognized design-build brand — and then into an HGTV hit. With his partner (and fiancé) Evan Thomas, a PhD physicist turned master carpenter, Bynum co-hosted Bargain Block (2021–2025), transforming abandoned Detroit homes into affordable, design-forward starter houses. The show ran five seasons, spawned a New Orleans spinoff, and landed them on Rock the Block Season 3 and Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. After HGTV canceled the series in 2025, the couple pivoted back to their thriving company, NINE Design + Homes, and are teasing a new TV project for 2026. As of 2026, they’re engaged (since 2017), building beyond television, and proving their renovation magic doesn’t need a network greenlight.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keith Bynum |
| Nick Name | Keith |
| Profession | Interior Designer, TV Personality, Real Estate Entrepreneur, Business Owner |
| Birth Date | Not publicly confirmed (various sources cite January 5, 1987 or April 25, 1981) |
| Age | Late 30s (born ~1981–1987) |
| Birth Place | West Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Co-host, Bargain Block (HGTV, 2021–2025); Rock the Block Season 3; Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge; NINE Design + Homes founder |
| Ethnicity | White / European ancestry |
| Zodiac | Capricorn (if Jan 5) or Taurus (if Apr 25) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | ~71 kg (156 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | BBA & MBA, Texas Tech University (MBA 2013) |
| Religion | Private |
| Marital Status | Engaged (since 2017) |
| Spouse | Not married |
| Partner | Evan Thomas (together since 2013, engaged 2017) |
| Relationships | Evan Thomas only publicly known partner |
| Children | None together (some unverified sources claim children from prior relationship — unconfirmed) |
| Family Tree | Father: Howard Bynum; Mother: Jolene Bynum (deceased); Sister: Joni Bynum; Grandfather: Gerald Kenneth Bynum (d. Feb 2020) |
| Hobbies | Kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, mural painting, design collecting |
| Current Work | NINE Design + Homes (full-service design/build); client renovations; new TV project in development (2026) |
| Years Active | 2001–present (first company at 14); TV 2021–present |
| Net Worth | ~$2–5 million (2025 estimate, combined with Evan Thomas) |
| Business | NINE Design + Homes (21616 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219) |
| Social Media | Instagram (@keithbynum_), NINE Design + Homes (@ninedesignhomes) |
Related names: Evan Thomas, Shea Hicks-Whitfield, Mina Starsiak Hawk, Karen E Laine, Jasmine Roth, Page Turner, Christina Hall — HGTV renovation stars blending design, construction, and entrepreneurship.
Early Life & Education
Keith Bynum was born and raised in West Texas. Entrepreneurship ran early: at 14, he launched his first company, a retail and manufacturing venture that earned national recognition before he’d graduated high school. He has a younger sister, Joni Bynum, with whom he later co-founded JoniKeith Co. (2011), a home decor business. His parents are Howard and Jolene Bynum; his grandfather, Gerald Kenneth Bynum, passed away in February 2020.
After high school, Bynum attended Texas Tech University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and, in 2013, a Master of Business Administration in entrepreneurship. The formal business education complemented his hands-on experience; by his mid-20s he was running multiple ventures. In Colorado (where he met Evan Thomas on Match.com in 2013), he served as President of Omnia, Inc. (2017) while developing the renovation skills that would later define Bargain Block.
Career Journey
2001–2016: Teen Entrepreneur & Early Ventures
Bynum’s first company at 14 (retail/manufacturing) taught him product development, supply chain, and branding. In 2011, he and sister Joni launched JoniKeith Co., selling home decor. By 2017, as President of Omnia, Inc., he was managing national distribution. Throughout, he maintained a passion for design — self-taught, honed through personal renovation projects.
2013–2020: Meeting Evan, Colorado, Tiny Paradise & The Detroit Pivot
Bynum met Evan Thomas on Match.com in 2013 while both lived in Colorado. Thomas, a Midwest native with a PhD in Physics from University of Colorado Boulder (2017), brought rigorous engineering precision to Bynum’s creative vision. They dated long-distance, then moved to Detroit together in April 2017 — sight unseen — to pursue affordable housing renovation. A tiny house they built for HGTV’s Tiny Paradise (filmed in Colorado) caught producers’ attention. They self-produced a sizzle reel in 2018; HGTV ordered Bargain Block in 2019.
2021–2025: Bargain Block — 5 Seasons, 38 Episodes, Detroit & New Orleans
Bargain Block premiered April 14, 2021. The formula: Bynum (design) + Thomas (build) + realtor Shea Hicks-Whitfield (acquisition/sales) = multiple houses per block, stripped to studs, renovated into stylish, furnished homes priced for first-time buyers. Over four full seasons + 4 final episodes (aired as Season 5, ending Sept 10, 2025), they renovated 50+ homes across Detroit’s Corktown, West Village, and other neighborhoods. A 2024 spinoff, Bargain Block: New Orleans, applied the model to the River City. The show drew 14M+ viewers and ranked top 3 non-news/sports cable series.
2024–2025: Rock the Block Season 3 & Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge
The duo competed in HGTV’s all-star renovation competition Rock the Block Season 3 (2024, Charleston, SC) and the special event Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge (2024), showcasing their signature bold color, custom murals, and space-maximizing design on a national stage.
2025: Cancellation & Pivot
In February 2025, HGTV informed Bynum and Thomas that Bargain Block would not be renewed — a shock mid-production. They went public June 22, 2025, sharing their anger and grief. The cancellation was part of a broader HGTV purge (Christina on the Coast, Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, Izzy Does It, The Flipping El Moussas). Bynum called it “the hands of a giant corporation”; Thomas noted “a home reno show is a highly inefficient type of show to make.” They immediately pivoted NINE Design + Homes to full-time client work, which “turned out to be really magical” and expanded rapidly.
2026: New TV Project Teased
In April 2026, both Bynum and Thomas posted behind-the-scenes Instagram Stories showing camera crews, boom mics, and clapper boards — confirming a new show in production. Bynum commented on a fan’s plea for a new series: “Yall might just get your wish.” Details (network, format, premiere) remain unannounced. Thomas’s January 2026 Instagram confirmed NINE Design + Homes is “full steam ahead” accepting 2026 project inquiries, including out-of-state.
Career Stats
- Bargain Block: 5 seasons, 38 episodes (2021–2025)
- Spinoff: Bargain Block: New Orleans (2024)
- Competition Shows: Rock the Block S3, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge (2024)
- Homes Renovated (TV): 50+
- Business Founded: NINE Design + Homes (2017), JoniKeith Co. (2011), first company (2001)
- Brand Partnerships: American Standard (150th anniversary, 2025), Gardner White (sofas, S4)
Personal Life
- Father: Howard Bynum
- Mother: Jolene Bynum (deceased)
- Sister: Joni Bynum (former JoniKeith Co. co-founder)
- Grandfather: Gerald Kenneth Bynum (d. February 2020)
- Partner: Evan Thomas — met 2013 (Match.com, Colorado), engaged 2017, together 13+ years as of 2026
- Relationship Status: Engaged, not married (as of 2026; “too damn busy to actually get married” — Bynum, 2022)
- Children: None together (unverified claims of prior children unconfirmed)
- Residence: Detroit, Michigan
- Sexuality: Openly gay; vocal LGBTQ+ advocates in home renovation space
Dating History & Affairs
Evan Thomas is Bynum’s only publicly known partner. They met in 2013, dated long-distance, moved to Detroit together in 2017, got engaged in 2017, and have built a life and business together since. No other relationships have been publicly documented.
Controversies
None through 2026. The Bargain Block cancellation sparked fan outcry and industry discussion about HGTV’s programming strategy, but Bynum and Thomas handled it with transparency and grace — earning widespread peer support from fellow canceled HGTV stars. No personal or professional scandals.
Awards & Achievements
- Bargain Block Viewership: 14M+ viewers; top 3 non-news/sports cable series
- American Standard Partnership: 150th anniversary brand ambassador (2025)
- Gardner White Partnership: Official sofa provider for Bargain Block Season 4
- Community Impact: Credited with revitalizing Detroit blocks at affordable price points; “Detroit embraced us immediately”
- LGBTQ+ Representation: One of HGTV’s few openly gay male couples leading a renovation series
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
- Weight: ~71 kg (156 lbs)
- Build: Average, active
- Hair: Brown, typically short
- Eyes: Brown
- Style: Creative casual — often in paint-splattered workwear, statement glasses
Quotes
“Five years ago today we got engaged but we’ve been too damn busy to actually get married.”
— Keith Bynum, Instagram, 2022 (on 5-year engagement anniversary)
“We love taking on the absolute worst of the worst. The house that no one wants or believes in, that’s our jam.”
— Keith Bynum, Pride Source interview, 2021
“Announcing it helped release a lot of the anger that we had felt for months… I’m glad I did because what it did is it helped me get my anger out of me.”
— Keith Bynum, People, September 2025 (on going public with Bargain Block cancellation)
Favorites
- Design Element: Custom wall murals (signature Bynum touch)
- Brand: American Standard (fixtures, long-time user turned partner)
- Outdoor Activity: Kayaking, hiking, snowboarding (with Evan)
- Project Type: “The worst house on the block” — total gut renovations
- Business Tool: Instagram (primary client funnel & portfolio)
Earnings & Net Worth
Estimated Combined Net Worth (2025): $2–5 million. Sources: Bargain Block talent fees (5 seasons + spinoff), Rock the Block / Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge appearance fees, NINE Design + Homes revenue (design/build contracts, furniture sales, e-commerce via nine.homes), brand partnerships (American Standard, Gardner White), and speaking engagements (home shows, Evansville Home Show 2024). The cancellation shifted revenue mix toward client work, which Thomas says is “expanding a lot.”
Interesting Facts
- Started first business at 14 (retail/manufacturing); nationally recognized before high school graduation.
- Met Evan Thomas on Match.com in 2013; moved to Detroit sight-unseen in 2017.
- Evan has a PhD in Physics (University of Colorado Boulder, 2017) — “Dr. Evan Thomas” per Bynum’s proud 2017 Instagram.
- Their Tiny Paradise tiny house build (Colorado) was the HGTV audition that led to Bargain Block.
- They often lived in the houses they renovated during filming — “gritty, nasty, dirty real-life stuff” per Thomas.
- Bynum paints custom murals in nearly every project; it’s become a brand signature.
- NINE Design + Homes storefront at 21616 Grand River Ave, Detroit (currently appointment-only).
- Engaged since 2017; no wedding date set as of 2026 (“too damn busy”).
Did You Know Already?
- Bargain Block was one of 6+ HGTV shows canceled in summer 2025 — a network-wide “purge” of renovation programming.
- The show’s final episode (“Crumbling in Corktown,” aired Sept 10, 2025) was not filmed as a finale; they had more houses in progress.
- Bynum’s MBA (Texas Tech, 2013) focused on entrepreneurship — directly applied to scaling NINE Design + Homes.
- They competed on Rock the Block Season 3 in Charleston, SC — a rare all-star crossover for a freshman-series team.
- Evan’s physics PhD informs their build process: structural calculations, material science, energy efficiency.
Social Media Links
- Keith Instagram: @keithbynum_
- Evan Instagram: @evthomas_
- NINE Design + Homes: nine.homes (design inquiry form, shop, portfolio)
- HGTV Profile: Keith Bynum / Evan Thomas
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Keith Bynum in 2026?
His exact birthdate is not publicly confirmed. Sources vary: January 5, 1987 (age 38–39) or April 25, 1981 (age 44–45). He is in his late 30s to mid-40s.
How tall is Keith Bynum?
Approximately 5’7″ (170 cm).
Is Keith Bynum married?
No. He has been engaged to Evan Thomas since 2017 but they have not married as of 2026, citing being “too damn busy.”
Who is Keith Bynum’s partner?
Evan Thomas — builder, carpenter, PhD physicist (University of Colorado Boulder, 2017). Together since 2013, engaged 2017, business partners in NINE Design + Homes.
What happened to Bargain Block?
HGTV canceled it in February 2025 (announced publicly June 2025) after 5 seasons. It was part of a network-wide cancellation wave. Bynum and Thomas have pivoted to full-time client work at NINE Design + Homes and are filming a new, unannounced TV project as of April 2026.
Where is Keith Bynum based?
Detroit, Michigan. NINE Design + Homes operates at 21616 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219. They also take projects nationwide “for the right project.”
What is Keith Bynum’s net worth?
Estimated $2–5 million combined with Evan Thomas (2025), from TV fees, NINE Design + Homes revenue, brand deals, and e-commerce.
Conclusion
Keith Bynum’s story is pure American entrepreneurship: a West Texas kid who built a company at 14, earned an MBA, found a brilliant partner in a physics PhD, and together they revived Detroit blocks one affordable home at a time — first on TV, now on their own terms. The Bargain Block cancellation was a blow, but it revealed what fans always knew: their magic isn’t network-dependent. With NINE Design + Homes thriving, a new show brewing, and a 13-year partnership stronger than ever, Bynum and Thomas are just getting started.
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