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When you walk into someone’s home for the first time, it’s hard not to be a little curious about what you’ll find. Maybe you’ll spot a quirky piece of art or a collection of vintage records that makes you smile. But every now and then, you might come across something so unexpected, that it stops you in your tracks.
From taxidermy collections to rooms filled with porcelain dolls, people online are spilling the beans on the most bizarre things they’ve stumbled upon in other people’s houses. Pandas, get ready as we’ve compiled the strangest and most unexpected home décor choices that might have you questioning reality.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Family had like Styrofoam bricks next to the couch in the living room for the explicit purpose of throwing at the TV if they didn't like the show, or if a character said something stupid.
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#2
Years ago my friend’s girlfriend’s family lived in an enormous old farm house. They pretty much just lived on the ground floor and it was nice, but the rest was Grapes of Wrath. We were in the basement a lot because there was all kinds of old neat stuff down there.
We moved a set of old stadium lights and found a door behind it that nobody knew about. We opened it, and behind it was a 1923 Rickenbacker automobile. Covered in dust, but it appeared to be in fine shape.
We told her parents and they didn’t believe us until we showed them. They called a local expert who came out and appraised it. Apparently it was one of fifty of that particular model made. He made a deal with them to fix it up and sell it and split the sale down the middle, and they agreed.
It went at auction for $225k, which was good money in the late 90s. They used the money to pay for their daughter’s college and fix up the rest of the house, and in doing so found tons of other weird stuff to sell, like OG pachinko machines, scrimshaw, and Japanese WWII army supplies.
Michael Largey 3 days ago
Never mind how much it was worth. How did someone get the car into - and out of - the basement?!?!?
#3
I will never understand the urge to fully carpet a bathroom.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 days ago
Who does this?!? That's like breeding mold and mildew just to breed it.
We all have our own ways of showing the world who we are—whether it’s through our fashion choices, the playlists we obsess over, or the little projects we pour our hearts into. So, it’s no surprise that the places we call home often become a canvas for our creativity.
Some people can’t resist adding quirky touches to their space. Whether it’s a daring design choice or just a reflection of their unique taste, these little details make their homes truly one-of-a-kind.
#4
A life-sized, quite realistic-looking Grim Reaper statue. Scythe included.
It was my parents’ house. At first it stood in the corner of the living room. Later it was moved to the hallway where it moonlighted as coat rack during birthdays and holidays.
They gave him a Santa hat during Christmas.
It was crazy. But also adorably eccentric. They were so fond of it they even gave him a name.
After a couple of years they sold it to someone who ran a haunted house.
I hated it so much. I was a teenager at the time and was so embarrassed. Eventually I kind of began to appreciate how my parents were unapologetically themselves and vowed to grow up to do just that. Still working on it, though.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 days ago
I'm reminded of Hogfather by Terry Pratchett. Death, the Grim Reaper, has to take over for the Hogfather on Hogswatch Night. That universe's version of Santa and x-mas.
#5
Bank vault door. Except it was on the outside of his house attached to his garage/shop. It was massive. My husband and I had driven like 3 hours to buy some fancy pheasants from the guy. Seemed like a normal farmhouse otherwise. He also had a huge pond in his backyard with turtles and carp that he was absolutely delighted to show off by throwing feed pellets in the pond and the fish and turtles frenzied. It was a fun afternoon.
#6
A tame cougar standing on the kitchen counter lapping milk out of a cereal bowl. (And no, I don't approve of keeping them as pets.).
Then there are others who take it to the next level, turning places into spaces that reflect their quirks and passions in the most unexpected ways. Imagine living in a place that’s as much a piece of history as it is a home.
In Belgium, there’s a water tower known as Château d’Eau that has been transformed into an extraordinary living space.
#7
Bought something on Facebook Marketplace and went to pick it up. Typical house in a suburban development, 2 story with a big entry foyer, and when the guy opened the door, the 2 story foyer was filled with a giant jungle gym/play structure. The kind that belong outdoors or in a McDonald’s. Literally all I could see in that room was this enormous play structure.
Littlemiss 3 days ago
Sounds like my dream home. I worked at a preschool that had an entire Macdonalds playground set up
#8
My old friends dad had a life size armor set of Boba Fett in his gaming room real metal and everything I’m a huge Star Wars fan and seeing that in my childhood was amazing
My uncle also works at Disney and has a full custom armor set of a storm trooper and blaster and I got to wear it it was soooo cool.
#9
Did home staging for a min and there was this one house in a really nice area we had to stage. There was bright green carpet wall-to-wall in the finished basement level. Even in the bathroom. We were trying to figure out a way to minimize the impact of potential buyers seeing wall to wall kelly green carpet. But the owners who were an older, retired couple kept bragging about it like it was a selling point. "it's brand new!" There was also nude women and nude men statues all over the property that were NOT Roman or Greek copies. They were clearly made by the people selling the house. We asked if they could be removed for the viewings and again very proud "these are our original artwork, I posed for my wife and she posed for me, aren't they lovely!"
Ugg.
Once a utilitarian structure towering over the landscape, this old water tower is now transformed into chic and unique residence by architect Mauro Brigham. The artist and his team converted the water tower into a luxury home that is equipped with a sound system, temperature regulation, among other things.
#10
I don't know where to begin. I know someone whose profession is a mortuary cosmetologist, and their hobbies include taxidermy.
Dead raccoons playing poker? Yep.
Anthropomorphic dolls that use real animal parts like paws, tails, and heads. Uh-huh.
Dead seagull that had more heads than usual that I think were... installed... during the taxidermy process.
"Art" of one taxidermy bird with its beak open way, way too wide, like, down the neck wide, and its body looking partially deflated because its skeleton was trying to escape from the joker beak.
#11
I saw an enormous pig in someone's living room when I was delivering pizza once. It was as big as a couch, just laying there.
Helen Rohrlach 3 days ago
Domestic pigs, the commercial variety, can weigh up to 500kg when they are fully grown but are only about half a kilo when they are born. People get a "runt" thinking it will stay small but they keep growing the more you feed them. It doesn't end well.
#12
A black velvet painting of the trinity--John Wayne, Jesus, and Elvis. (Gotta admit, I almost want one because it was so garishly awful.).
Der Kommissar 3 days ago
Paul Rodriguez did a show at a state prison. He approaches a 30-ish caucasian with beard and long hair and says to him " I have a velvet painting of you at home "
We all knew that one person in college who thought a wall of empty beer cans was the ultimate dorm décor. But a person named John Milkovisch actually turned the idea into a reality. tInstead of just lining his shelves, he covered his entire house in Houston, Texas, with beer cans and bottles.
What started as a quirky project turned into an iconic masterpiece. However, it's safe to say the neighbors probably had mixed feelings about living next to a house that literally shines with recycled brew.
#13
A “garden of evil” with giant statues of fallen dictators from Eastern Europe and Asia.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 days ago
There was a place in Russia called The Park of the Fallen Heroes. After the USSR collapsed, all those old communist monuments had to go somewhere. It was a location in the movie Goldeneye. Wish I had a chance to see it before they tore it down. I love abandoned places.
#14
Taxidermy squirrel nativity scene. It was not Christmas. There was also a baseball team and a jazz band. Also squirrels—although the jazz pianist might have been a more mangled chipmunk. All with hand crocheted outfits made by the father. It was the one time my mother forced me to go to a kid’s house to play to be nice. After Squirreltopia she let me trust my gut.
BookFanatic 3 days ago
I'm oddly disappointed BP didn't find a picture of squirrel Jesus to go with this entry.
#15
I made friends with a kid in eighth grade. We hung out a bunch but it was a year before I was ever invited into his house. Their basement had a dog s**t corner. They had two large breed dogs that would just s**t in the basement by design and they would scoop the s**t and toss it into the corner with a snow shovel. This kid slept in that basement!
In Suwon, South Korea, about 46 km south of Seoul, there's a house that's literally shaped like a giant toilet, called Haewoojae, which translates to "a place of relief."
This unique home was unveiled on November 9, 2007, by South Korean sanitation activists to celebrate the launch of a global toilet association. With its quirky design, Haewoojae offers more than just a conversation piece—it symbolizes the importance of sanitation in a very literal way.
#16
I went to an estate sale where the person had clearly been very into doll-making, so there were dolls and doll clothes and doll *heads*, but all the heads on (and off) all the dolls were the same, and they all looked vaguely like the Olsen twins. I’m not really one to be spooked by dolls, but. It was time to go.
Yayheterogeneity 3 days ago
Okay, I'd have spooked, too. I'll never get why people collect those old, moldy looking dolls that stare down your soul. Just creepy.
#17
My friend has a human skull, which I'm guessing is illegal. He is a retired surgeon and got it years ago in medical school. I'm guessing he wasn't supposed to take it.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 days ago
Surprisingly I just googled it and it's perfectly legal to own a human skull in most of the USA.
#18
A kind of altar/prayer spot with candles, old pictures, offering, random objects and a circle around in a airb&b
Its NOT the fact they had this that was weird.
It's the fact it was hidden behind a hole in a wall leading to a kind of cave in the rock (the house was built against a cliff), they were a few steps going down and .. this. Big enough to fit a child standing up.
I only found it because my son's toy got under a piece of furniture and I had to remove it to find it. Behind that furniture was a panel and the entry was behind the panel.
In 2008, African artist Moussa Kalo completed a truly one-of-a-kind creation: the world’s first crocodile-shaped house in the Cocody district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This unique structure, made entirely of concrete, was Kalo’s masterpiece before he passed away later that year.
Today, the house is home to Kalo's apprentice, Thierry Atta, who helped bring the design to life. The house features a massive smiling mouth at the front, while the body serves as a living space with a bedroom. Raised on four legs, the "crocodile" rests on a giant concrete lily pad. And for those daring enough, there’s even a chance to crawl under this reptilian marvel.
#19
Horse...just standing in one locked room... Alive i mean.
#20
A poop ladle. I wish I was joking. Their septic tank wasn't the best and to put less stress on it, they scooped their solid poops out of the toilet, put it into a plastic bag and took it to the outside bin. Toilet paper also went into the trashcan and pee was only to be flushed after it had been peed in multiple times.
I learned this after asking why there was a takeout soup container next to the toilet with a ladle inside.
#21
A taxidermy cougar in the corner of my uncle's best friend's lounge room wearing a sombrero and aviator glasses.
On May 25, 2006, a Japanese television presenter introduced a disaster-resistant home designed by Kimidori Housing in Gifu, Japan. This soccer-ball-shaped, 32-sided geodesic sphere stands out not only for its quirky design but also for its practicality.
Priced at under $15,000, the home is built to float and withstand earthquakes, making it a perfect fit for Japan’s challenging environment.
#22
When I was house shopping, I saw some interesting stuff.
One house had what felt like a maze in the basement, like a labyrinth of tiny rooms. In one of the rooms was an old school phone booth with a working phone. It looked more like the room had been built around the phone booth, than the other way around.
I ended up buying a different house down the street, and that home has since sold and been remodeled. I still wonder sometimes what they did with that weird a*s basement.
#23
A collection of carousel horses surrounded (protected??) by neon orange traffic barricades.
Brian Droste 3 days ago
They collected carousel horses sounds like to me. They put up neon orange traffic barricade to prevent people especially children from climbing on or sitting on the horses.
#24
I was looking to buy a home and we were at a house being sold by an Amish Family.
They had a dozen large bricks of Velveeta!
No bathrooms in the house but a ton of Cheese!
The "China House" in Tianjin is a mesmerizing sight, showcasing a unique design that incorporates hundreds of millions of ancient porcelain flakes along with antique bowls, dishes, and vases.
This architectural marvel is adorned with these historical pieces, turning every surface into a tribute to China’s rich cultural heritage.
#25
A boar’s head. It was stuffed and hanging in the hall. Someone stuffed a cigar into its mouth, and a put a Boston Bruins hat on its head.
It was my house as a kid. The boar came from a museum. They were tossing it out.
Yayheterogeneity 3 days ago
I grew up with a very old taxidermied crocodile attached to the ceiling. I was never afraid of itself just afraid it would eventually fall on my head because it was so old and fragile looking.
#26
Giant naked portrait of the homeowner's wife on the living room mantel.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 days ago
I mean I have a friend who has a giant needlepoint of herself naked in her living room. Artists shrug.
#27
At every meal, my ex's parents would set a plate on the table for the Dog. The dog would sit in a chair and eat at the table with the people.
Whether it’s bizarre decor, quirky interiors, or surprising house designs, there’s something undeniably intriguing about the creativity people bring to their homes.
From houses shaped like crocodiles to rooms adorned with ancient porcelain, the variety is endless. Which of these unique posts caught your eye? Share with us one of the most unusual things you’ve included in your own home!
#28
A toilet in the lounge - with a potted plant growing in it.
#29
Slept in my buddy’s sister’s bed as a guest. Turned off the lights and she had stars on the ceiling. The name “Rachael” was clearly spelled out in the stars but mirrored like “leahcaR” as if you were looking through the back of the word. Her name was Katie.
#30
The rabbit room but that wasn't the strangest thing though as these people had multiple animals, including a squirrel. Friend had rescued it from the outdoors after it was either rejected or fell from the nest with its sibling. Friend cared for it. I still remember how it felt on me. Squirrel is definitely up. Of course, it wasn't the strange thing. It was the weirdest living thing. Their living room was like walking into a folk art museum that exploded.
What do you think ?
WindySwede 3 days ago
Also bizarre how BP only let premium users see the whole post nowadays... 😵💫
AK 2 days ago
I know, especially because their sources are free. I would just spend my time directly on reddit, but it's even more of a time suck.
Load More Replies...
BookFanatic 3 days ago
I visited my great aunt & uncle's house when I was pretty young and encountered my first chair lift. I mean, there was a CHAIR and you pushed the button and it took you up the stairs! I had to ride it every time I came over. Blew my mind. Of course now I know this was not at all weird and made total sense. Still. Lol
Chich 3 days ago
Bought a house that had this small room off to the side of the living area. Too small for a bedroom, thought maybe a pantry?. Asked some locals and was told the house had been built by old school mennonites (IIRC) and the room was for children and women to sit quietly and wait until the men ate meals. Another story from years ago. I had a friend in HS (late 60s) who came to school one day a little shook up. He had been poking around his house and found his father's old SS uniform in a closet.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 3 days ago
I have two framed portraits of myself: one by a former student and one by a well-known local artist. I struggled at first about putting them up because it seemed narcissistic. But somebody painting a portrait of you is a special gift, and it seemed wrong to hide them. Funny thing is, people dont think the portraits look like me so IF they notice, they just think its random art I like. I was worried for nothing!
Lene 2 days ago (edited)
Not to worry about seeming narcissistic. I used to study with a guy who had a life-sized picture (not a painting) of himself. Nude. In the living room. And he was so proud of it! He often talked about it, but not in the looking to score-way. More in the I'm more awesome than you-way. 😬
Load More Replies...
Matt Du 3 days ago
I had a part time job in college collecting milk delivery payments on a Saturday evening. I was trustworthy and good with money and it was a free lift to the city and some extra spending money for the night. Met a lot of rich eccentric people. I collect from a mansion every few weeks when his Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari Testarossa(both brand new at that time) were in the drive. Giant double doors into a massive hallway with double winding staircase and through into the enormous ballroom type room. Unmade bed half way down, one chair with a table by the side of it and a tv projector playing against an empty wall. And that was it. Completely empty for the 2 year I was going there.
Brian Droste 3 days ago (edited)
That was why the house was empty. He was paying for the two very expenses cars he own, plus for the house itself. He had to keep up appearances.
Load More Replies...
Alex Martin 2 days ago (edited)
For years, every time my wife and I would drive by this one house she would comment on how beautiful it was and how much she'd love to live there. It finally went up for sale and we looked into buying it. Turns out the owner of the house was some type of hunter/taxidermist and had a second building on the property that looked like a morgue. They had the steel tables with the tubes and drains for preparing the carcasses. The rest of the property was FILLED with stuffed animal carcasses. My wife was horrified and practically ran out of that house.
Brian Droste 2 days ago
I think I would have love to see that. But I would also been partly disgusted with it all the animals being killed just for the pleasure of it.
Load More Replies...
WindySwede 3 days ago
Also bizarre how BP only let premium users see the whole post nowadays... 😵💫
AK 2 days ago
I know, especially because their sources are free. I would just spend my time directly on reddit, but it's even more of a time suck.
Load More Replies... BookFanatic 3 days ago
I visited my great aunt & uncle's house when I was pretty young and encountered my first chair lift. I mean, there was a CHAIR and you pushed the button and it took you up the stairs! I had to ride it every time I came over. Blew my mind. Of course now I know this was not at all weird and made total sense. Still. Lol
Chich 3 days ago
Bought a house that had this small room off to the side of the living area. Too small for a bedroom, thought maybe a pantry?. Asked some locals and was told the house had been built by old school mennonites (IIRC) and the room was for children and women to sit quietly and wait until the men ate meals. Another story from years ago. I had a friend in HS (late 60s) who came to school one day a little shook up. He had been poking around his house and found his father's old SS uniform in a closet.
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 3 days ago
I have two framed portraits of myself: one by a former student and one by a well-known local artist. I struggled at first about putting them up because it seemed narcissistic. But somebody painting a portrait of you is a special gift, and it seemed wrong to hide them. Funny thing is, people dont think the portraits look like me so IF they notice, they just think its random art I like. I was worried for nothing!
Lene 2 days ago (edited)
Not to worry about seeming narcissistic. I used to study with a guy who had a life-sized picture (not a painting) of himself. Nude. In the living room. And he was so proud of it! He often talked about it, but not in the looking to score-way. More in the I'm more awesome than you-way. 😬
Load More Replies... Matt Du 3 days ago
I had a part time job in college collecting milk delivery payments on a Saturday evening. I was trustworthy and good with money and it was a free lift to the city and some extra spending money for the night. Met a lot of rich eccentric people. I collect from a mansion every few weeks when his Lamborghini Countach or Ferrari Testarossa(both brand new at that time) were in the drive. Giant double doors into a massive hallway with double winding staircase and through into the enormous ballroom type room. Unmade bed half way down, one chair with a table by the side of it and a tv projector playing against an empty wall. And that was it. Completely empty for the 2 year I was going there.
Brian Droste 3 days ago (edited)
That was why the house was empty. He was paying for the two very expenses cars he own, plus for the house itself. He had to keep up appearances.
Load More Replies... Alex Martin 2 days ago (edited)
For years, every time my wife and I would drive by this one house she would comment on how beautiful it was and how much she'd love to live there. It finally went up for sale and we looked into buying it. Turns out the owner of the house was some type of hunter/taxidermist and had a second building on the property that looked like a morgue. They had the steel tables with the tubes and drains for preparing the carcasses. The rest of the property was FILLED with stuffed animal carcasses. My wife was horrified and practically ran out of that house.
Brian Droste 2 days ago
I think I would have love to see that. But I would also been partly disgusted with it all the animals being killed just for the pleasure of it.
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