10 things from celebrity homes that fall flat on normal budgets

Celebrities hire full-time designers, maintenance crews, and landscapers—so when their homes look flawless, it’s because a small army keeps them that way. What seems glamorous on TV or Instagram often turns out to be wildly impractical for anyone without that kind of money or staff.

The finishes, layouts, and “wow” features that make a house magazine-worthy tend to create headaches, high bills, or constant upkeep in real life. Here are the design splurges that rarely translate outside the celebrity world.

Marble everything

Celebrities love the look of floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms and kitchens, but the upkeep is constant. Marble scratches, etches, and stains faster than you’d expect, especially if you cook or use skincare products with acids.

If you don’t have a cleaner on payroll, you’ll end up babying every surface to avoid damage. Porcelain or quartz that mimics marble gives you the same look with far less stress and cost.

Expensive glass walls

Glass walls and massive windows make a home look open and cinematic—but they’re energy nightmares. Heating and cooling bills skyrocket, and privacy becomes a full-time concern unless you spend thousands more on automated shades.

They also show every smudge and handprint, meaning you’ll constantly be cleaning or paying someone else to do it. For most homes, strategically placed windows and good lighting achieve the same feeling without the cost.

Indoor water features

An indoor fountain or reflecting pool might look serene, but it brings humidity, maintenance, and mold risk into your living space. Those systems require constant filtration and specialized cleaning products to stay clear and safe.

Even with the best upkeep, leaks can damage floors or drywall fast. If you like the peaceful vibe, a tabletop water fountain or small outdoor feature is a far smarter—and dryer—alternative.

White upholstery everywhere

White linen sofas and chairs look high-end in celebrity homes, but they don’t stand a chance against coffee, kids, or pets. Even stain-resistant fabrics wear down with repeated cleanings, and reupholstering can cost more than buying new furniture.

Opting for warm neutrals or performance fabrics gives you longevity without losing that fresh, airy look. Celebrities can afford to replace or re-cover their furniture every season—you probably don’t want to.

Custom closets the size of bedrooms

A walk-in closet with glass doors, lighting, and display shelves looks like luxury—but the cost per square foot is huge. Those setups also require constant organization and dusting to keep them camera-ready.

Unless you have a wardrobe like a red carpet regular, that space is better used for something practical. Built-in drawers and adjustable shelving achieve the same organization without the upkeep or footprint.

Statement chandeliers in every room

Oversized crystal chandeliers might make a dramatic impression, but they’re high-maintenance and expensive to clean. Each piece of glass attracts dust, and replacing bulbs requires specialized ladders or pros.

Layered lighting—pendants, sconces, and recessed fixtures—creates the same elegant feel without the recurring hassle or service fees. Glam lighting looks great in photos, but most of it doesn’t fit real-life ceilings or budgets.

Outdoor kitchens that rival restaurants

Full outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens, stainless steel ranges, and wine fridges sound amazing—but they’re costly to install and harder to maintain than you’d think. Outdoor appliances corrode quickly without routine cleaning and weatherproof covers.

For most people, a grill, prep table, and shade canopy do the job just as well. You’ll cook outside more often if it’s easy to maintain—not if you’re worrying about your outdoor ice maker breaking again.

Massive soaking tubs

Celebrities love a giant freestanding tub, but they take forever to fill and often lose heat before you’re halfway done relaxing. Most standard water heaters can’t even handle them.

They also eat up floor space and collect dust when not in use. A deep alcove tub with good insulation is far more functional for daily life—and a lot easier to clean.

Show-stopping landscaping

Those sprawling celebrity lawns and manicured hedges look effortless, but they take full-time crews, irrigation systems, and chemicals to maintain. Without that level of care, they brown out fast.

Native plants, stonework, and low-maintenance perennials give you the same sense of luxury with a fraction of the upkeep. A “lived-in” landscape is more sustainable and realistic for anyone not running an estate.

Hidden rooms and secret doors

They make great TV moments, but in real homes, hidden rooms add major cost and often reduce usable space. The custom millwork, hidden hinges, and engineering make them one of the priciest novelty features you can add.

Unless you’re building new or have a specific purpose, the payoff isn’t worth it. Storage and soundproofing can achieve the same effect without the James Bond-level maintenance and repairs.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.