Three Michigan homes land on HGTV’s Ugliest House in America 

On HGTV’s Ugliest House in America in this season’s “Great Lakes, Great Ugly” episode, three Michigan houses were featured—earning both notoriety and a shot at rehabilitation. These homes in the Detroit area, ranging from an odd “UFO house” to a carpeted fortress, show just how imaginatively chaotic—or pleasantly monstrous—a home can be.

One particularly noteworthy example was a house in Jenison, Michigan, known as the “Carpet Castle.” It’s no surprise that this house topped the ugliness rankings with its shagged ceilings, floor-to-wall carpeting, and mismatched wallpaper. With its egg-carton ceilings and plastic-brick accents, it’s a veritable time capsule of dubious interior design.

Meanwhile, just down the road lurks another contender—a concrete-heavy structure locals call the “UFO house,” which took center stage in Midland’s episode due to its unusual shape and alien-like appearance.

These unusual homes are more than aesthetic oddities; their owners nominated them hoping to turn their homes’ fame into a fresh start. This Great Lakes edition, hosted by Retta and her team of HGTV experts, explores the peculiarities, clashing hues, and bold statements that define “ugly” while evaluating whether these Midwestern creatures can be saved with a $150K makeover.

Michigan’s most outrageously ugly homes on Ugliest House in America

In the Great Lakes edition of Ugliest House in America, Michigan showcased three highly unusual homes, each advancing to the semifinals of a $150,000 makeover competition. These homes redefine “ugly” with their carpet-covered interiors, UFO-like architecture, and boat-shaped cabins. Here’s a look at why they made the cut—and why their owners are betting on a transformation.

The Carpet Castle — Jenison’s time capsule

This 1920s riverfront house in Jenison, dubbed the “Carpet Castle,” features shaggy 1960s-style carpet on walls, ceilings, and stairs.

A sensory overload of egg-carton ceilings, clashing wallpaper, and faux-stone accents completes the look. Despite its bizarre décor, producers picked it as the top “ugly” contender from the Great Lakes region, banking on its quirky layout and scenic views for a creative $150,000 redesign.

The Spaceship Home — Lansing’s alien landmark

This Lansing-area property, known as the “UFO house,” resembles something out of 1970s science fiction. Its rubber roof, rounded alien-like structure, and carpeted bathroom—built by an artist in 1944—sparked equal parts wonder and confusion.

Inside, it was undeniably iconic but largely unworkable, with low ceilings, curved floors, and an absence of doors. HGTV detectives dubbed it Close Encounters of the Worst Kind in the episode’s cosmic critique.

The Broken Boat — Au Gres’s nautical nightmare

On the banks of Saginaw Bay sits the “Broken Boat” home, fashioned like a steamship with real portholes, a smokestack, and sloping, curved floors. It was a semi-finalist on Ugliest House in America thanks to its novelty, even though cramped quarters and quirky design details made it practically nonfunctional.

These three Michigan entries prove that “ugly” can take wildly creative forms. HGTV remains more intrigued by a home’s transformation potential than its curb appeal. With Retta and designer Alison Victoria at the helm, fans are left wondering which of these outrageous homes could become the region’s most stunning comeback—or remain its biggest eyesore.

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Head to HGTV to watch all the episodes of Ugliest House in America.

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