Homeowners inspired by the dramatic interiors of The Celebrity Traitors have been warned that recreating the look could make their property harder to sell.
Ardross Castle, the Scottish Baronial-style setting for the hit BBC programme, features dark wood panelling, antique furniture, ornate rugs, dramatic lighting and unconventional spaces.
But property expert Cal Graham at We Buy Any Home warns that features which work inside a 19th century castle may have a very different effect in a typical UK property.
Highly themed interiors and alterations to layouts could also reduce the number of potential buyers attracted to a home when it comes onto the market.
CASTLE STYLE
Graham (main picture, inset) says: “Many homeowners are seduced by the decor and want to bring elements of its design into their own home.
“But a property like this is so unusual that copying its style could have a detrimental impact on your home’s value, and will not shield you from a difficult sale if you put it on the market.”
She says the scale of Ardross Castle allows it to accommodate dark panelling, large furniture and unconventional layouts which could overpower smaller properties.
Creating unusual partitions, alcoves and room divisions in an attempt to reproduce the castle atmosphere could also disrupt the flow of a property.
BUYER APPEAL
Graham says sellers should also be wary of dark lighting and heavily themed decoration if they want to appeal to the widest possible pool of buyers.
She says: “This themed decor might be one buyer’s dream but most want to see a blank canvas, a space they can make their own. The more niche your decor is, the smaller your pool of interested buyers.
“The style of Ardross Castle only works in a limited number of properties. Trying to recreate its drama in a typical UK home usually results in spaces that feel darker, smaller and less practical.”
Graham adds that sellers should consider more neutral interiors and ensure rooms feel light and open when preparing a property for viewings.
