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McMansionHell
While everyone has their own opinion on what makes a true McMansion, there are several defining features or attributes that should be looked for to determine if a home fits the McMansion criteria. This post will serve as a guide to help users determine if they should use the "Certified McMansion" TAG THE TITLE on their submission and to learn more about what a McMansion is. This guide will be edited as needed to make sure it fully explains the accepted properties of a McMansion. **Basic Principles of a McMansion:** -**Large**: Generally above 2500 square feet and two story or more, sometimes way too big for the lot it sits on. -**Built Cheap**: They are built by cutting corners and using less than quality materials because they focus on getting as much size and appearance of wealth as possible from their money. It's the illusion of class that might fool the average person who doesn't have a sense of architectural integrity. McMansions will often use materials such as stucco, manufactured stone veneer, Styrofoam crown molding, or vinyl siding. -**Fit Several Styles**: They fit multiple styles of architecture by mashing together different elements from the individual styles in a distasteful manner. They also might poorly imitate a popular style. -**Exterior After-Thought**: They are designed with a focus on the interior first and the exterior is done as an after-thought which often results in features such as jutting masses and haphazardly placed windows. -**Lacks Architectural Integrity**: The house makes you confident that there was no licensed architect involved in its creation who cares about what they design **Specific Features To Look For:** -An attached 2 or 3 car garage -A garage that takes up way too much of what is considered the house -Tall 1.5-2 story arched entry or "lawyer foyer" -Haphazardly applied dormers or windows -Windows of varying shapes/sizes/styles -Windows not aligned with those below them -Second story windows that are larger than the windows below them -Window shutters that if closed would not cover the actual window -Jutting masses or heavily asymmetrical -Multiple wall materials -Roof that contains varying slopes, roof types, or more than two roof shapes for the front facade -Roof nub -Roof with excessive roof lines and is in general just too complex -Dormers that are way too short, way too tall, don't match the rest of the house materials or style, or are placed terribly/spaced unevenly -Columns that don't support anything or are too thin/weak looking to support what they are appearing to support aka columns with inappropriate scaling -Columns with spacing that is over complicated or messy -Columns that are the incorrect architectural style for the house **Some Links To Check Out:** [The Original McMansionHell Web Blog by Kate Wagner](https://mcmansionhell.com/) [Kate Wagners Guide to McMansions](https://mcmansionhell.com/101) [History of the McMansion by Kate Wagner](https://archive.curbed.com/2017/6/30/15893836/what-is-mcmansion-hell-modern-suburbs-history) I copied this from the original subreddit, haha. But, still, I'll make edits to this in the coming weeks until we reach a near final guide post on McMansions. If you have any suggestions for what we could add to this guide, comment below or send me a message. Side note: the first "Appreciation Thursday" is coming up! Don't forget to prepare a suburban home that you think deserves recognition as the opposite of a McMansion and post it on 7/16 with the "Thursday Design Appreciation" tag.
This one caught my eye. Definitely somewhere i would want to live. [Zillow Link](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/604-E-High-Point-Rd-Peoria-IL-61614/5119217_zpid) [Reddit link](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/1axgnnu/beautiful_midcentury_home_built_in_1960/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
God I want this house so bad. It's near Town Hill, ME, but I'm not sure. [Pictures!](https://architizer.com/projects/august-moon-main-house/)
Ash for grass??? Blinding white??? Also the neighborhood roads are a nightmare. [Listing](https://www.zoocasa.com/edmonton-ab-real-estate/heritage-valley-area/1305-adamson-dr-sw) [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/18rstpr/guys_i_think_i_found_one/)
I love the way this house looks. The designer has some hits and misses, but this one is definitely a smash hit for me! [Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz1c0hBOFs1/?img_index=1)
This is one of those that could have been good if they just thought about it a bit deeper, and used the space more intelligently. If you play the Sims, you aren't suddenly adequate to design and build a house. [Reddit link](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/1883f3n/did_somebody_sayskip/) [Zillow listing](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/75-Chateaux-Du-Lac-Fenton-MI-48430/94774781_zpid/)
Reviewing an even blend of McMansions, recent insurance write-offs, and incomprehensible follies.
I hate when homes are built with tall ceilings but don't fill out the space right. It feels so empty and garbage on the inside, let alone the shitty paneling on the outside with basically 0 landscaping. Yuck! [Zillow link](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1237-Springtree-Ln-Westerville-OH-43081/71225394_zpid/) [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/180n5pv/the_more_you_look_the_worse_it_gets/)
I really don't like the interior on this one. XD It looked like naked plywood at first. [Zillow posting!](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/54-Sekiu-Airport-Rd-Sekiu-WA-98381/115848693_zpid/?utm_campaign=androidappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare) [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/zillowgonewild/comments/181c3ag/seems_like_they_couldnt_decide_on_a_theme/)
If you like a huge parkinglot in front of your house, and really shitty facade and fake balcony(s), well, this is the house for you! And... a mosquito farm during the summer! [Here's the listing!](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/39388-Sable-Ln-Ponchatoula-LA-70454/77742394_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare) [here's the reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/17oc7s4/louisiana_bayou_gem/)
I don't like this. >:( They could have improved what was already there, but they just made it sterile and boring [From zillowgonewild](https://www.reddit.com/r/zillowgonewild/comments/17flt14/sold_in_may_for_500k_flipped_and_relisted_in_sept/) [Listing link](https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4408-Queenstown-Ct_Raleigh_NC_27612_M53642-78874)
Edwardian house in San Francisco! Very pretty! [Redfin link!](https://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Francisco/4214-18th-St-94114/home/1905271)
It's starting to show its age, and it's... umm, not good. I dont like it. [redfin post](https://www.redfin.com/IL/Addison/1315-W-Sable-Dr-60101/home/18165217)
Slam dunk McMansion. About as McMansion as it gets without just having an entire grass outside and zero other plants. Ugh, these kinds of houses cause me pain. So much wasted space and resources and water... [Zillow link!](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/403-Silver-Leaf-Dr-Medina-TN-38355/90064164_zpid/?utm_campaign=androidappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare)
Guh!!!! PAIN PAIN PAIN!!!! [reddit post!](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/16r6vh2/my_eyes_are_actually_bleeding/) [Zillow!](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10-Cutters-Run-South-Barrington-IL-60010/3246407_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare)
This one is feeling like it'll whither away in the storms and water updraft. That's just me, though. Pain. Also the inside is waaaaay too ostentatious. [reddit post!](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/16rtxs6/mcmansion_on_the_ocean_of_gaudy_for_15m_canuks/)
It's some kind of retreat, hotel, spa, museum... with FOUR kitchens???? [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/16juuat/5_bedroom_12_bathroom_89_million_monstrosity/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) [Zillow post](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3355-Midland-Rd-Victoria-BC-V8R-6G3/314069186_zpid/)
I'm not sure if this is a McMansion per se, but I think it's very....ostentatious. Lmao. I don't like it!! [It's from ZillowGoneWild](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw8hoMKxpZw/)!
They liked one thing, and one thing only! It looks like it's full of mold in its castings... [zillow post!](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/383-Fleur-De-Lis-Ln-Rayne-LA-70578/124705599_zpid/) [reddit post!](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/16a586x/a_mediterranean_stunner/)
I don't think I would call this a McMansion fully, but it's very very close. If you don't agree, I can change the title!!! It's mostly the roofing and needless columns. Edit: thank you [mihnt](https://sh.itjust.works/u/mihnt@kbin.social) for the [listing link](https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/8607-Hocutt-Rd_Sims_NC_27880_M57826-05157) and location info! [reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/1622rll/this_poor_roof/)
I love this home too! I wish it said where it's from though. (unless I'm blind.)  [here's the link, it's the Ethereal Camelot house](https://www.mcalpinehouse.com/curative-homes/)
Oh yes, a double A-frame, lovely!!! If anyone can find the zillow link/realtor link, please let me know! post in the comments!!! [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/16068f4/drove_by_this_house_the_other_day_and_fell_in_love/)
This one has a [whole story!!](https://www.reddit.com/r/newfoundland/comments/wzbxut/anybody_know_the_backstory_on_the_random_mansion/) "The guy who owns all the construction equipment next door built it for his daughter. The town gave a stop work order on it because he didn't follow the building code or bylaws. For example he cleared all the trees right to the edge of the pond which is against the rules. That's the story/rumor that I heard. " Basically it's just sitting there now because the guy wont get rid of it and the city won't let him finish it. I hate that he ruined a lot of natural wetland, that pisses me off.
No landscaping, can't find the front door, open sprawl... yeah not great. [here's the listing](https://www.property.ie/property-for-sale/Belarmine-House-Killonan-Castletroy-Limerick-Monaleen-Co-Limerick/14988146/) [reddit crosspost](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/15ufc3c/is_this_a_mcmansion/)
Something something expecto pratrona [Zillow link](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10035-Vista-Ridge-Dr-Alden-MI-49612/222007711_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare)
You like bricks? You like pillars strangely placed for a view of your driveway? You'll love this... thing. [here's the zillow listing](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12508-Colewood-St-Herndon-VA-20171/51764703_zpid/)
This is... not good. Jesus christ. [Article here](https://www.pressreader.com/canada/edmonton-journal/20101023/285950333736136) [They call it a "sand castle."](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/15lkhcx/when_you_want_a_castle_and_your_partner_wants_a/)
Yikes! Very yikes!!! [Here's the zillow link](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23523-N-79th-Ave-Peoria-AZ-85383/55262940_zpid/)
Help. [Listing here](https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/il/barrington-hills/3-saville-row/pid_54854949/)
Disney Castle, but worse! It even has a mullet just accentuating how fake and stupid it looks. Texas, give me a break. [Here's the listing](https://www.trulia.com/p/tx/southlake/3716-n-white-chapel-blvd-southlake-tx-76092--1126660100)
This just isn't good. At all. All of that wasted space makes me upset. Those trees that could still be here, too. [Listing here](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/37016-Longmoor-Farm-Ln-Purcellville-VA-20132/82560668_zpid/)
Looks good to me! [Zillow listing](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/42-Masterton-Rd-Bronxville-NY-10708/66526590_zpid/)
This house is just a mcmansion all around, and it's quite ugly. I dunno who built it but it makes me upset just how much wasted space and lack of design there is. Also, the horses? Jesus. [It's 2.5 mil btw](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/24575-N-State-Route-59-Barrington-IL-60010/4860574_zpid/)
It's quite... cheap looking, despite how big it is. The essence of a mcmansion really. Here's the [listing](https://www.redfin.com/CO/Loveland/4812-Monroe-Ave-80538/home/35000865)
A nice craftsman home from ~1900. Very tasteful, very comfy, very nice. [Reddit link](https://www.reddit.com/r/McMansionHell/comments/154v5e8/beautiful_craftsman_home_built_in_1900_mercer/) [Listing link](https://www.trulia.com/p/wa/mercer-island/8240-se-26th-st-mercer-island-wa-98040--2118511632)
It's the interior that really kills this home for me, but the outside is way too garish I think. [Zillow gone wild!](https://twitter.com/zillowgonewild/status/1681101649962582021?s=20) 
Such a nice colonial type home! [Redfin listing](https://www.redfin.com/VA/McLean/1150-Chain-Bridge-Rd-22101/home/109702638)