The Scariest House in America Just Got a Major Makeover—See Inside

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An eerie property in Rhode Island is no longer a terrifying eyesore after being bestowed the title of scariest house in America by HGTV. During the finale of the network’s aptly named new series Scariest House in America, host Retta revealed the winning house and its impressive makeover crafted by Windy City Rehab star Alison Victoria. For a closer look at the home’s unfavorable features (including a salmon-colored, heart-shaped bathtub) and its overhauled interiors, House Beautiful can exclusively reveal before and after photos of the transformation.

As a refresher, Parks and Rec alum Retta toured nine terrifying houses throughout the series. They ranged from a former bat-invested jail to an alleged mobster hideout across the country. The house that was deemed the scariest then received a $150,000 renovation led by Victoria. In the end, "Hansel and Gretel's Frightening Fixer Upper" prevailed as the most appalling residence inside and out.

Located in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, the house came with plenty of unpleasant elements. Built by its former owner, the home’s exterior featured orange gingerbread trim and barely any landscaping. Inside, the entry was overwhelmingly heavy thanks to wood beams sourced from an old ship and various dust-collecting, textured walls. The kitchen was super cramped because of the 7-foot ceiling due to an unnecessarily raised floor. And those are the least scary parts.

The death traps throughout the house included a catwalk over the entryway with a 15-foot drop below, a handmade elevator (the only way to access the third level), and a TV installed into the ceiling directly above the bed. To top it off, when current homeowner moved in, he discovered not only a heart-shaped tub in the bathroom but that it was full of mouse skeletons. "They would get stuck, and they couldn't come out," the homeowner said in the finale. "It still scares me."

Victoria and her team had six weeks to turn the home from a nightmare into a fairytale. “Although the previous owner’s design choices are frightening, a structural engineer has assured us that the home’s bones are solid, so we have the green light to tear every last bit of scary away,” the designer said in the episode.

Throughout the main level, Victoria installed luxury vinyl flooring for cohesion. Fresh coats of white in the entry and bedroom made the previously dark areas feel airy. In the small kitchen, the designer brought in all new cabinetry, updated appliances, and a custom island for maximum function. Perhaps the most impressive makeover is the primary bathroom, which was outfitted with a freestanding tub, two showers, and calming green tiles. Other details, like interior stained glass windows and custom ironwork on the railings, maintain the charming spirit of the home. Outside, the home is just as appealing. A newly set grass lawn and plants leading to the front door pop against the home's all-black exterior.

Now, the homeowner is no longer terrified to sleep in his house. "Alison really just saw my vision and ran with it," he said. "It feels more like home today than I could've ever imagined."

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