In a cooling real estate market, buyers are scrutinizing every dollar. While some luxury features can elevate a home’s appeal, others are starting to feel more like overpriced gimmicks than worthwhile upgrades. Many of today’s “premium” features, like expansive wine rooms and enormous bathtubs, are merely raising the listing price rather than adding value. Before you fall in love with a flashy add-on, it’s worth asking: Does this really improve my lifestyle, or just the seller’s markup?
Wine Cellars That Go Mostly Unused
Wine cellars once signaled sophistication and taste. Now, unless you’re a serious collector or entertainer, they often turn into expensive storage rooms for dusty bottles and glassware. The cost to install one can run into the tens of thousands, yet few buyers today prioritize them unless they’re fully climate-controlled and thoughtfully designed. Most people would rather use that square footage for a home office, gym, or walk-in pantry. Unless you’re living in wine country or hosting tastings weekly, it’s usually not worth the extra price tag.
Sunken Tubs That Take Up Too Much Space
Large jetted or sunken bathtubs were once the epitome of spa-like luxury. But in practice, they take up massive bathroom space and are rarely used more than a few times a year. Homeowners increasingly prefer spacious showers with good water pressure and seating to navigate daily life comfortably. Sunken tubs are not only impractical but can also be difficult for older homeowners or those with mobility issues. They are costly to install and maintain, and although they appear stunning in pictures, they are frequently left unnoticed.
Overdesigned Outdoor Kitchens
A built-in grill and some counter space can definitely enhance outdoor living. But many listings now feature fully outfitted outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens, sinks, mini fridges, and dishwashers that come with a hefty price premium. The problem is that unless you live in a climate where outdoor cooking is year-round, much of this setup goes unused for half the year or more. Worse, it requires maintenance, and weather exposure can lead to costly repairs. It’s a lot of flash for what amounts to seasonal convenience.
Two-Story Foyers That Waste Energy
Grand two-story entryways are meant to wow, but they also come with drawbacks. They’re hard to heat and cool efficiently, and they often result in lost usable square footage that could be put to better use upstairs. With energy costs rising, many buyers are beginning to see them as impractical rather than elegant. While they may still appeal visually, their cost in both space and long-term utility bills is making them less of a selling point and more of a liability.
Media Rooms That Are Rarely Used
Dedicated home theaters with built-in sound systems, blackout shades, and projector setups were once a dream feature. But with more people streaming from laptops or TVs in multifunctional spaces, these rooms are becoming dated fast. They tend to be windowless, awkwardly shaped, and difficult to repurpose once tastes change. Unless you’re a serious cinephile or gamer, a media room can end up being the least-used part of the house, while still costing you a premium at purchase.