Expert reveals the celebrities who have devalued their homes with questionable renovations - from Demi Moore's 'cluttered' bathroom to Paris Hilton's incredibly 'niche' pet mansion
Celebrities are often not afraid to splash out on customised features in their million dollar homes – from savvy kitchens to home gyms and experimental designs.However, some of these pricey renovations can actually have a negative impact – and devalue these luxurious properties when they later hit the market.Indeed, some A-listers have faced trouble trying to sell their mansions due to the vast overly personalised features.Retired US basketball player Michael Jordan's 56,000sq ft home in Chicago was on the market for more than a decade. It was difficult to sell because of a number of factors, including the number 23 (his jersey number) on the front gate – and fans visiting to take pictures at the gates will be an issue for years to come – and a full-size indoor basketball court. Meanwhile, Kanye West had to lower the price of his Malibu beach house by $30million (£22million) in order to entice a buyer, as he had it stripped down to its concrete and steel in an attempt to turn it into a retro '1910s air raid shelter'. From Demi Moore's very unusual bathroom layout to Kim Kardashian's flat sinks and Paris Hilton's pet mansion, unusual home features are becoming increasingly prominent in A-listers' luxury mansions. According to Deirdre Mc Gettrick – interiors and furniture expert, and CEO of the UK's leading furniture finder website, uFurnish.com, 'niche' home design choices can cause long-term dilemmas for celebrities looking to sell in the future.She told The Daily Mail: 'When it comes to interiors, the key thing to remember is that rooms should feel multifunctional, especially when they are currently used for more bespoke functionality today.'Choices that are too niche or too personalised can actually devalue your home, because prospective buyers will immediately start looking at the cost of removing or replacing those features.'What you're really looking to do is show that rooms can be multifunctional, and add touches that maximise value rather than detract from it.'Paris Hilton's pet mansion In 2009, Paris Hilton purchased a sprawling two-storey Spanish colonial-style building specifically for her beloved dogs to enjoy With a balcony, chandeliers and even air conditioning, this outbuilding is certainly something of a luxury that the average homeowner is unlikely to relate toIn 2009, Paris Hilton purchased a sprawling two-storey Spanish colonial-style building specifically for her beloved dogs to enjoy. With a balcony, chandeliers and even air conditioning, this outbuilding is certainly something of a luxury that the average homeowner is unlikely to relate to. While Paris's pet mansion may be a wholesome feature fit for an A-list celebrity, for Deirdre it is equally bound to devalue the home as it is 'just too niche'. 'Most buyers won’t be looking for a home with a pet mansion,' she explained. 'The problem is that when you come to selling your home, you'll need to factor in either the cost of removing it yourself, or being aware that the buyer is going to want to remove it – or you'll need to find someone who's as pet mad as you are.'So from a staging point of view, what you need to do is show that the space can be more multifunctional, rather than leaving it as a one-trick feature that only appeals to a fellow animal lover.' She added that when it comes to selling, the most sensible way of marketing the pet mansion would be to convert it into the likes of a 'kids play house' as this makes it 'instantly feel more useful'. Kim Kardashian's flat sinks In 2019, Kim Kardashian installed 'basin-less' sinks in the $60million home she and her then-husband Kanye West shared, with the unique design reported to have cost an eye-watering $32,000 In 2019, Kim Kardashian caused quite the stir online when she revealed her 'basin-less' sinks in the $60million home she and her then-husband Kanye West shared, with the unique design reported to have cost an eye-watering $32,000 to install. Showcasing her mansion for Vogue 73 Questions, Kim told fans: 'There's a slit for the water. And it goes in…no back-splash will come up.' 'Kanye came up with this design,' she said, crediting her rapper then-husband for the provocative fixtures. 'Eight versions of this prototype sink were made.'As she zoomed in on the sink, Kardashian explained how the sloping design allows the water emanating from the faucets to pool slightly and then drain.According to Deirdre, these 'basinless sinks' are 'completely impractical'. 'What happens when you need a basin to actually wash things in, rather than just giving them all a shower or leaving something to soak?,' she asked. She further explained: 'This is exactly where it devalues the home, because the moment a buyer sees something this impractical, they're immediately thinking about the cost of ripping it out and replacing it with a sink they can actually use. And as these are fully custom-made fixtures, that's a real expense.'The Ferdinand's home gym Wealthy celebrities such as WAG Kate Ferdinand, pictured in her luxury home gym, are keen to work out at home While a home gym may seem like a practical luxury for fitness-loving fanatics, like former profession footballer Rio Ferdinand (pictured), Deirdre warns that they can run the risk of devaluing a homeIt's no secret that home gyms are soaring in popularity, with wealthy celebrities keen to work out at home instead of the inconvenience of gym membership elsewhere. Yet, while they may seem like a practical luxury for fitness-loving fanatics, Deirdre warns that they can run the risk of devaluing a home. While she recognises is is 'understandable that some celebrities 'would change the usage to potentially a bedroom or a living space', not every prospective buyer may feel the same way. She explained: 'The way something like this could devalue a home is by showing the room has a very specific purpose, rather than letting the buyer see that it has the potential to be something else. 'For home gyms, perhaps adding something like a Murphy folding bed would be a good addition.'Demi Moore's unusual bathroom layout While some A-listers opt for a modern bathroom, Demi Moore's unique design is bound to raise eyebrows from prospective buyers Warning that 'everything is a big no', Deirdre explains that the layout of the toilet and sofa is not one that serves a practical useMost A-listers will opt for a modern bathroom, but Demi Moore's unique design is bound to raise eyebrows from prospective buyers. Warning that 'everything is a big no', Deirdre explains that the layout of the toilet and sofa is not one that serves a practical use.She noted: 'The carpet would need to go (a definite avoid for a bathroom), and it also needs a lot more storage or a good declutter, as there are too many things out on the wash basin. 'It also looks like Demi is using this space more for make-up and demonstrations for videos, but that's too niche for most buyers, unless they’re an influencer.'Suggesting how she could improve this otherwise impractical design, Deirdre says that staging a dressing table with a 'lovely mirror and lights around it would give her enough focus for any of the work that she's doing'.'I’d advise swapping the sofa for a nice chair, which will save space and make the room look bigger,' she added. Michael Jordan's personalised gate Michael Jordan's former $29million Chicago mansion is perhaps most famously known for its unique gate imprinted with his jersey number, 23. This unusual feature made the sale of the luxury property rather challengingMichael Jordan's former $29million Chicago mansion is perhaps most famously known for its unique gate, imprinted with his jersey number, 23. However, while he may have been inclined to make a real stamp on the place – the unusual gate choice made the sale of the luxury property rather challenging – with it taking 12 years for the basketball player to find a buyer, eventually selling it for $9.5million (£7million, about 67 per cent off the original asking price)Deidre says the gate may well have been a leading factor, explaining that the new buyer might have had to 'factor in the cost of replacing a really expensive looking fence'. She added: 'For sellers, before putting your home on the market, change or camouflage anything that’s too personal that might put off buyers, as it’ll help you get the price you want'.For those hoping to sell a home with a niche driveway, she suggests purchasing plants or full foliage in a desperate bid to disguise it. The new owner had been renting the property out via Airbnb, but has now pitched a new concept to city officials to transform the former NBA legend's estate into a ticketed museum. Tyson Fury's personalised driveway When it comes to selling a home, these flashy driveways are far from a sensible choice as any new homeowner will be forced to consider the eye-watering cost of its immediate removalFor those wanting to really make their mark, there is even the option to imprint your family's initials or, even worse, a family symbol on your driveway – as seen by professional boxer Tyson Fury with his 'Gypsy King' resin makeover.Yet when it comes to selling a home, these flashy driveways are far from a sensible choice as any new homeowner will be forced to consider the eye-watering cost of its immediate removal. 'I doubt many sellers would want ‘The Gypsy King’ sprawled across their driveway,' said Deidre. 'It’s fine when you have money to splash, but a buyer wants to see a blank canvas so they can picture their own life there. 'You’d have to factor in the cost of removing it – or at least covering it with an outdoor rug, stylish seating area, and perhaps a pergola to style it.'Frankie Bridge's double bench kitchen island Loose Women star Frankie Bridge has gone for a unique twist on the traditional kitchen island in her grand Surrey mansion. According to Deirdre, a two-island design is 'something people wouldn't have a purpose for'Frankie Bridge, Loose Women star and formerly a member of girl group, has gone for a unique twist on the traditional kitchen island in her grand Surrey mansion, which she shares with her husband, former footballer Wayne Bridge and their two children.The island, which features a small bench area and additional table which doubles as a second island, is certainly not common and, sadly, could be reducing the value of her home.Describing the two-island kitchen layout as one which is 'really bad', Deirdre notes that it can often become 'something people wouldn't have a purpose for'.'So they are probably going to look at removing it – and that's going to mean additional cost for them, which they’ll take off their asking price,' she added.She further explained that to help maximise the value of this kitchen, those looking to sell should help explain to prospective buyers the real function of using both of these islands in a separate manner. Stacey Solomon's floral home Influencer Stacey Solomon's nursery for her daughter Rose featured a flower wall, while the former X Factor star's £1.3million Essex mansion also included pink floral features as a finishing touch Though they are certainly pretty and can add a sweet touch to a room, Deirdre notes that artificial flowers 'collect a lot of dust'They're the ultimate Instagram staple that are seen across shops and restaurants throughout the UK, but now the fake flower trend is taking over our homes, too. Influencer Stacey Solomon's nursery for her daughter Rose, now four, featured a flower wall, while the former X Factor star's £1.3million Essex mansion also included pink floral features as a finishing touch. However, though they are certainly pretty and can add a sweet touch to a room, Deirdre notes that artificial flowers 'collect a lot of dust'.She added: 'Unless they are super amazing up close, they are probably going to look fake too'. Instead, prospective buyers should consider looking for options that 'can bring in colour and make a nice impact, without being so dramatic about it'.
