ADVERTISEMENT

Some product designs have been around so long that we often take their convenience for granted. We all know that everyday items like keys or forks are designed with specific characteristics so that they can actually be practical in our day-to-day lives. But have you ever wondered how these same objects would look if they were intentionally created to make your life miserable?

If you're curious about such absurd design choices, look no further than the subreddit r/AwesomelyUseless. There, you'll find the finest collection of the most bizarre "upgrades" made by designers. While these creations may overall look great, they serve absolutely no practical purpose and might infuriate you instead. Reflecting on these useless items might lead us to consider how people with special needs might feel when faced with everyday objects that are difficult or even impossible to use.

So, next time you reach for a regular old fork or key, take a moment to appreciate the thought that some professional has put into designing it to make your life somewhat better.

#1

I’m Sure You’ve All Seen This Before, But I’m Posting It Anyway

I’m Sure You’ve All Seen This Before, But I’m Posting It Anyway

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
gilesmcardell avatar
Giles McArdell
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I bought some dehydrated water, but didn't know what to add" (Steven Wright)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Just Incase You Didn't Have Enough Trouble Finding Normal Golfballs

Just Incase You Didn't Have Enough Trouble Finding Normal Golfballs

Noxova Report

#3

This Is Some Platform 9¾ Level Cycle Path

This Is Some Platform 9¾ Level Cycle Path

Noxova Report

#4

You Need A Trolley And An Owl To Get Off Of This Escalator

You Need A Trolley And An Owl To Get Off Of This Escalator

Noxova Report

#5

Make Your Baby Do The Cleaning

Make Your Baby Do The Cleaning

reddit.com Report

#6

I've Been Wondering How I Should Rewind Dvd's All This Time

I've Been Wondering How I Should Rewind Dvd's All This Time

Noxova Report

#8

I Actually Really Want One Of These

I Actually Really Want One Of These

Noxova Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Not Only Is This Useless, It Looks Like Even More Work

Not Only Is This Useless, It Looks Like Even More Work

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
erikah_ avatar
Averysleepypanda
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh but I love the feel and sound of a typewriter so although useless I still want lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

This Has To Be A Joke Right?

This Has To Be A Joke Right?

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
mattdu avatar
Matt Du
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If Goop's peak revenue was $18M in 2022. I can also believe slapping the word diet on water will sell millions of bottles

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

What's The Point?

What's The Point?

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
chris_hooley avatar
Spannermonkey
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a 2-way mirror and the inside coating peeled off where they've put the sign.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Well Crap, There Goes My Dinner Plan!

Well Crap, There Goes My Dinner Plan!

Noxova Report

#13

This Picture Really Brings Light To One Of The Most Useless Gadgets Ever

This Picture Really Brings Light To One Of The Most Useless Gadgets Ever

Noxova Report

#14

The Sole Reason For These $425 Gold Pills Is To Make Your Excrement Glittery

The Sole Reason For These $425 Gold Pills Is To Make Your Excrement Glittery

Noxova Report

#15

I Thought I’d Seen It All... But Nope, USB Pet Rock

I Thought I’d Seen It All... But Nope, USB Pet Rock

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
nytronytemare97 avatar
TonyTee
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If somebody showed me this as their new “pet” I’d show em my new pet too, a piece of paper

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

There’s One Key Flaw In This Design

There’s One Key Flaw In This Design

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
mattdu avatar
Matt Du
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because finding the keyhole isn't enough of a challange when it's 1am and your drunk

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Stylish Diving Is The New Trend

Stylish Diving Is The New Trend

Noxova Report

#19

I'm Sure It Has A Great View, But Good Luck Getting There!

I'm Sure It Has A Great View, But Good Luck Getting There!

Noxova Report

#20

I Bet They Made Some Serious Dough Selling These

I Bet They Made Some Serious Dough Selling These

Noxova Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#21

Because Your Guinea Pigs Can't Go Around Looking Cute And Adorable!

Because Your Guinea Pigs Can't Go Around Looking Cute And Adorable!

Noxova Report

#22

No More Losing Remotes Down The Side Of The Couch

No More Losing Remotes Down The Side Of The Couch

Noxova Report

#23

Perfect For On The Go Viewing When You're Out Of Data!

Perfect For On The Go Viewing When You're Out Of Data!

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
reyesleeky08 avatar
Reyes
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YouTube is introducing new product, offline YouTube. Only £5 a month, get it now!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Take The Goldfish For A Walk

Take The Goldfish For A Walk

reddit.com Report

#26

It’s A Dog Eat Dog World

It’s A Dog Eat Dog World

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
kstaffleitner avatar
CorgiBuns
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own one of these, my kid loves it and feels like a big boy for cutting his own hotdogs. Not useless at all

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Does This Offend Eastern Cultures Less?

Does This Offend Eastern Cultures Less?

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
jackholt avatar
Greenmantle
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that's actually really clever. Want to use chopsticks? Fine, use the ends. Need a spoon? Use the other end.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

This Looks Like Something Only Lady Gaga Would Wear

This Looks Like Something Only Lady Gaga Would Wear

Noxova Report

#30

Peel The Potato And Your Skin, 2 For 1!

Peel The Potato And Your Skin, 2 For 1!

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
donnapeluda_1 avatar
Donna Peluda
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had one of these. There was a cover you put over the blade you weren't using that double as a handle. Very practical. I lost it in a move and still keep an eye out to see if I can find one.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Because Cracking An Egg Is So Difficult

Because Cracking An Egg Is So Difficult

waxer2672 Report

Add photo comments
POST
lismarie avatar
Undercover
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No wonder the oceans are full of plastic waste... Who produces this bullshitt? And is there anyone of sane mind buying things like these?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

What Could Be Cooler Than A Watermelon Coo... Oh Never Mind

What Could Be Cooler Than A Watermelon Coo... Oh Never Mind

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
mattdu avatar
Matt Du
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yubari King Melons cost up to $45,000. I'd have an armed escort from the supermarket as well

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

This Door Doesn’t Even Lock

This Door Doesn’t Even Lock

okok321 Report

#36

I Would Pay Good Money To Watch Someone Try And Water Their Garden With This

I Would Pay Good Money To Watch Someone Try And Water Their Garden With This

Noxova , Katerina Kamprani Report

Add photo comments
POST
reyesleeky08 avatar
Reyes
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Environmentally friendly watering can. Reuse your water instead of pouring it away.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Lip-Stick This Thing In The Bin

Lip-Stick This Thing In The Bin

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
mattdu avatar
Matt Du
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why am I suddenly craving, liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

You’d Wine A Lot About It If Someone Bought You This

You’d Wine A Lot About It If Someone Bought You This

Noxova , katerina.kamprani Report

Add photo comments
POST
zeljkoklaric78_1 avatar
Bernd Herbert
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah, we need to redesign glasses, because apparently people have been doing it wrong for millenias.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

You Can't Even Eat The Cone After

You Can't Even Eat The Cone After

Noxova Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#41

Health And Safety Has Gone Mad

Health And Safety Has Gone Mad

Noxova Report

#42

I'm Sure These Are Extremely Effective

I'm Sure These Are Extremely Effective

Noxova Report

#43

Bingo But Every Card Is The Same !merry Christmas

Bingo But Every Card Is The Same !merry Christmas

Irishrocklobste Report

#45

Inflatable Neck Brace?

Inflatable Neck Brace?

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
chris_hooley avatar
Spannermonkey
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, some mornings I reckon I'd happily wear one of them and stick about 45psi in it to straighten-out the kinks.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

A Tool That Can Slice Hot Dogs Into Little Hot Dog People, That Kids Can Then Devour Without Mercy

A Tool That Can Slice Hot Dogs Into Little Hot Dog People, That Kids Can Then Devour Without Mercy

waxer2672 Report

Add photo comments
POST
anonymous_26 avatar
Anon Ymous
Community Member
9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we call the majority of this list what it really is? Dystopian level mindless consumerism.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

Let Me Introduce You To The Cuecat, The Early 2000 Home Barcode Scanner

Let Me Introduce You To The Cuecat, The Early 2000 Home Barcode Scanner

Starbucks-Hammer Report

#49

But You Couldn't Just Use A Bag?

But You Couldn't Just Use A Bag?

waxer2672 Report

#50

Is This The Most Spoilt Goldfish There Has Ever Been?

Is This The Most Spoilt Goldfish There Has Ever Been?

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
orders_4 avatar
Liam Walsh
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. This would be a very unlucky goldfish: "moving the tank or the fish can cause great upheaval. It can even lead to injuries and stress-related sicknesses among your fish."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#52

Absolutely Pointless, And Yet I Want One

Absolutely Pointless, And Yet I Want One

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
gilesmcardell avatar
Giles McArdell
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Useful for parties when you have a plate of food in one hand and a fork in the other.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

It's Probably More Effort Getting This Thing Out To Use Than It Is To Just Press The Buttons

It's Probably More Effort Getting This Thing Out To Use Than It Is To Just Press The Buttons

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
mikedelancey avatar
Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not everyone has two functional hands. This is an old picture of an occupational therapy device for stroke victims.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#54

The Whole Thing Is A Ramp

The Whole Thing Is A Ramp

Dominicmeoward Report

Add photo comments
POST
gilesmcardell avatar
Giles McArdell
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perhaps having the handrails there is useful - any wheelchair users care to enlighten us?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#55

More Like Bay Leaf This One On The Shelf And Don’t Buy It

More Like Bay Leaf This One On The Shelf And Don’t Buy It

Noxova Report

Add photo comments
POST
jessicasarmiento avatar
Jess S.
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is how they mostly package bay leaves. Cheaper for them to use the containers that they use for their spices than to make special ones just for bay leaves. I buy these all the time and I have never seen them in a bottle without holes. Except at Asian markets, some come in plastic bags.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu