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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And when it comes to design, people have plenty of different opinions. Perhaps you want to live in a modern home with windows from the floor to the ceiling. Or maybe you’d prefer a house from the 1960s with wood paneling on the walls. But regardless of your preferences, you probably don’t want a toilet in your kitchen or a drain in your carpet.

Bored Panda has compiled a list down below of some of the most epic design fails the world has ever seen. From questionable choices to downright dangerous designs, these buildings have it all. Enjoy scrolling through these homes and offices that you’d never want to visit, and be sure to upvote the jobs that you can’t believe people actually paid for!

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#1

The Hotel I'm Staying At Features A Glass-Ceilinged Men's Toilet Right Below The Main Entrance

Glass floor above water fountain in a building showing a design flaw mess shamed online by designers and engineers.

teeso Report

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    #2

    Guess Who Set The Alarm Off At The Movie Theatre Today. Men’s Room Was Around The Corner And Down A Hall

    Two black doors side by side with confusing signage showing a ladies restroom and a fire exit push bar creating designer and engineer mistake.

    Gaijinloco Report

    #3

    Bathroom And Kitchen Combined

    Small bathroom with sink, toilet, and kitchen area separated by a frosted glass partition showing design and engineering flaws.

    JopeliH Report

    Most people don’t ever have the opportunity to design their dream home. It’s expensive, it can take an extremely long time, and often, there’s already a place out there that will do the job just fine. But if you ever have the chance to design a space from scratch, it’s crucial that you make it exactly how you like.

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    Design Builders notes on their site that personalization and comfort are extremely important when crafting your home. Your house should be the one place on the planet where you feel 100% comfortable and relaxed, and that means creating it with your lifestyle in mind. If you love cooking, you might opt for a huge kitchen. And if you work from home, you may need a large office. Consider exactly how you’ll use the space when making design choices.

    #4

    One. Single. Blind

    Narrow window blind design fail in corner with pictures on walls, showing a clear engineering and design mistake.

    ahgueso Report

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    #5

    10 Year Old Me Lighting Up Any Room In The Sims

    Ceiling with numerous misaligned recessed lights and vents illustrating a designer and engineer mess up.

    SilverSkilo Report

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    #6

    Hideaway Bathroom Behind Stairwell

    Toilet placed in a poorly designed space under stairs with a dangerous hidden door, showing designer and engineer mistake shame.

    MrTacocaT12345 Report

    At the same time, functionality and practicality are very important when designing a space. Design Builders points out that your home should be not only beautiful, but it should make your life easier. Before making any design choices, you should consider your family’s routine, size, and future needs.

    Meanwhile, if you can anticipate any changes to your family dynamic in the future, you might want to prepare for those when creating your home. For example, if you plan on moving an elderly parent into the house within the next few years, you might want to create a space for them now.  

    #7

    Wheelchair Ramp Or M.C. Escher?

    Confusing ramp and staircase design with excessive railings creating a challenging and impractical accessibility setup.

    robitstudios Report

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    #8

    My Soul Just Fell Down These Stairs

    Carpeted stairs with a confusing and unsafe design failure, showcasing a design and engineering mess-up.

    NerdyBirdyAZ Report

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    #9

    Knee-Height Microwave Is Extremely Annoying To Use

    Man standing next to a microwave installed inside a kitchen cabinet, a designer and engineer mistake highlighted.

    User Report

    It’s also wise to maximize your property’s potential when designing your dream home. Consider how much natural light your home can get when designing the windows. And if there’s gorgeous nature such as a beach or forest on one side of the property, you may want to ensure that you get a great view of it from your kitchen or bedroom. Think about what makes the location unique, and use that to help make your home special. 

    #10

    Long Invisible Steps

    Sidewalk with uneven bricks and a missing step illustrating design and engineering mistakes shamed online.

    roman_pokora Report

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    #11

    A Combination No One Has Ever Wanted. So Awful I Had To Make My First Post

    Bathroom design fail showing urinals installed inside a shower area with a stained ceiling and dirty floor mat.

    MrMago0 Report

    #12

    Innovative Water Trap Disguised As Public Seating

    Unusable designer bench filled with water in seating areas, showing a clear engineering mess-up shamed online.

    Nohokun Report

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    But design isn’t something that you should only think about when building or moving into a new home. House Beautiful notes that it’s important to consider it all year round, especially now, in this time right after the holidays.

    When it comes to common design mistakes people make in their homes during this time of year, House Beautiful warns that leaving open spaces is a big one. Once you’ve taken down your Christmas tree and holiday decor, don’t leave those empty gaps. Fill them with decorations you’ll want to see all year long that will make your home just as cozy and beautiful as it was during December.

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    #13

    The Place I’m Staying Has Running Water On Top Of A Cabinet That Doesn’t Have A Sink

    Bathroom faucet with tissue box placed under spout, a clear example of a designer and engineer mistake shamed online.

    Carrmann Report

    #14

    Beach House With An Amazing View... Of Their Fireplace. Literally Across The Street From The Ocean

    House with an unusually large toilet visible through a second-floor window, a notable design and engineering fail.

    Old_Competition_6047 Report

    #15

    Do You Like My Kitchen Stage?

    Kitchen design fail with uneven steps leading to the cooking area showcasing designer and engineer mistakes.

    Last_Pay_8447 Report

    At the same time, you shouldn’t pack up all of the softness from your home just because it’s a new year. Warm, fuzzy blankets and throw pillows can work wonders for your space during every season. Plus, they’re not just decorative; they’re functional too. You’ll always be warm and cozy when wrapped up in a great blanket! 

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    #16

    Stairway To Heck

    Brick steps leading awkwardly to a door with no landing, showing a design fail by engineers and designers.

    Catalina_whine_fixer Report

    #17

    Carpet Around The Drain Is Crazy

    Carpeted floor with a drain installed, showing a major design and engineering mistake shamed online.

    reddit user Report

    #18

    A Room I Booked In Belgium

    Man sitting on bunk bed next to a toilet inside a small room, illustrating a designers and engineers mess up.

    bigb123b Report

    House Beautiful also notes that relying on the big light in your home can be a mistake this time of year. It’s tempting to turn it on, as there’s not much natural light during the middle of winter. But it can be harsh and uninviting. So it’s better to use lamps, string lights, and candles to keep your home feeling cozy. And if you have to use the overhead light, make sure you’re using light bulbs with warm tones, rather than cool. 

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    #19

    Somebody's House Down The Block

    Concrete steps leading to a door with no landing, showing a design fail by engineers and designers shamed online.

    No-Car4760 Report

    #20

    Accidentally Locked Myself In A Room With No Doorknob In School

    Yellow metal door with hinges installed upside down, showing a clear design and engineering mess-up to be shamed online.

    SzpakLabz Report

    #21

    This Sink Drips Water Like Rain, It Is All One Pipe With Holes So If One Person Uses It Wastes Enough Water For 5 People And Doesn’t Even Provide A Steady Stream

    Sink with multiple faucets and a long basin, designed poorly causing water to splash outside, a design fail shame online.

    User Report

    Another factor of design that’s easy to forget but can go a long way is scentscaping. We often don’t have to worry about this during the holidays, as the oven is typically full of something tasty, candles are burning, and the Christmas tree has a lovely scent of its own. But even if there are no guests around, you deserve to be in a space that smells amazing. It will relax you and make you feel more at peace when your humble abode looks and smells wonderful.   

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    #22

    My Local Park Benches Made Of Stainless Steel. Too Cold To Sit On In Winter, Too Hot To Sit On In Summer

    Metal bench with curved design and uneven gaps, an example of design and engineering mistakes displayed outdoors.

    TheHyperFlame Report

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    #23

    What Could Go Wrong! (Btw It’s Pitch Black Until You Hit The Light Switch)

    Fire alarm and door release switch combined with a light switch on a textured wall, showing design and engineering fail.

    Potential_Lock_5212 Report

    #24

    User-Friendly Pool Ladder

    Pool ladder installed with steps underwater, showing a designers and engineers construction fail and poor design.

    reddit.com Report

    Are you enjoying your scroll through these tragic design fails, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones that you can’t believe people actually signed off on, and let us know in the comments below what the worst design you’ve ever seen was. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring absolutely awful design, look no further than right here!

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    #25

    I Have So Many Questions

    Shower with poorly designed engineering showing a misaligned and impractical showerhead and handle setup in a tiled bathroom.

    Anirban_Sikder Report

    #26

    Idk How To Feel About This

    Shower with an awkward, narrow black-tiled design and towels hanging in a bathroom with poor design and engineering flaws.

    killianbones Report

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    #27

    Who Doesn’t Love Having Soggy Loo Roll From People Washing Their Hands

    Bathroom with black automatic hand dryer plugged into a power outlet near a toilet paper holder on tiled walls.

    DryChip8763 Report

    #28

    This “Sink” In My Swedish Hotel Room

    Bathroom sink design fail with water tap positioned too high causing poor water flow and bathroom design mess-up.

    elevencharles Report

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    #29

    This Toilet At The Hotel I Went To

    Bathroom design fail with toilet placed directly under sink counter, showing a clear engineering and designer mess-up.

    Independent-Eagle296 Report

    #30

    Sink. And No, There Is No Dishwasher

    Kitchen sink with a modern pull-down faucet installed very close to an electrical outlet, a design fail by designers and engineers.

    Ziiar Report

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    #31

    At A Hotel I Am Staying At In Johannesburg. Cool Idea, But [A Pain] For Anyone In A Wheelchair!

    Concrete walkway with trees awkwardly growing through holes, showcasing a designer and engineer construction fail.

    ManFromPerth Report

    #32

    My Landlords “Carpenter” Hooked Us Up With This Beauty Today

    Kitchen design fail showing awkward placement of microwave and stove, highlighting designers and engineers messing up badly.

    jamesross801 Report

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    #33

    I Was Wondering Why I Kept Ending Up On The 4th Floor After Pressing 2

    Elevator control panel with mismatched floor buttons and lift information chart showing confusing button assignments.

    ChrysisIgnita Report

    #34

    Holy Grail Of Bathroom Doors, No Lock On Outside Door Either

    Public restroom stall with a misaligned door design showing a large awkward gap, a common design fail by engineers.

    Ok_Imagination_6130 Report

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    #35

    This Was Not A Fun Experience

    Bathroom design fail showing a toilet awkwardly positioned next to a shower with limited space, an engineer's mess-up.

    Atkinator1 Report

    #36

    ATM In The Wall And Window Of A 1690 Building

    Old building with black and yellow facade featuring an ATM awkwardly installed next to windows, a design fail example.

    Sagaincolours Report

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    #37

    This „Bench“ That’s As Comfortable As You’d Expect

    Unusable bench with wooden bars positioned incorrectly, showing a design fail by engineers and designers outdoors.

    User Report

    #38

    "Bathroom Window" In Our 12 People Airbnb (Toilet‘s To The Left, Also In Plain Sight)

    White door with a glass panel opening into a bathroom with a showerhead, showcasing a designer and engineer fail.

    anbeli_ Report

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    #39

    Accident Waiting To Happen

    Concrete stairs with uneven steps and graffiti, showcasing a design and engineering fail shamed online.

    poeepo Report

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    #40

    Just... How? How Would You Even Utilize This??

    Poorly designed exterior with unsafe ladder and misplaced supports showing design and engineering mess-up.

    reddit.com Report

    #41

    When A Beam Blocks The Toilet Door

    Bathroom stall door with a poorly planned wooden plank installation, showing a notable designer and engineer mess-up.

    reddit.com Report

    #42

    I Give You The Tale Of The Crooked Banister

    Jagged wooden handrail design on indoor stairs, showcasing a clear example of designers and engineers messing up badly.

    User Report

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    #43

    $1800/Mo 1 Bedroom Apartment In NJ

    Door chain lock placed right in front of a light switch, showcasing a designer and engineer fail.

    User Report

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    #44

    Hotel Bathroom Sink With Barely Enough Room For Your Hands Because The Spouts Are Too Long/Low

    Hand under a wall-mounted faucet where water misses the hand due to poor design, a designers and engineers mess-up example.

    JealousVegemite Report

    #45

    Oh Wow What A Great Table

    Table with a large irregular hole in the middle, demonstrating a designer and engineer mess-up shamed online.

    User Report

    #46

    Nice Spot For Scenery

    Narrow space blocked by multiple open windows, showcasing a design and engineering fail shamed online.

    DifficultAd5175 Report

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    #47

    Benches Designed By Someone Who Hates The Concept Of Sitting Down

    Two oddly designed curved benches on a wooden deck by a river showcasing design and engineering fails.

    Actual_Count_6391 Report

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    #48

    Impossible To Plug Anything Into This Hotel Lamp Outlet

    Hand plugging a USB charger into a lamp socket, showcasing a design fail from designers and engineers shamed online.

    cyberchief Report

    #49

    My School Locker Can’t Even Fit My Backpack Because Of Those Shelves

    Blue metal locker door cannot close due to a backpack stuck, showcasing a design fail by engineers and designers.

    zucclivan Report

    #50

    Water Faucet In Hotel Chain Makes Washing Hands Incredibly Frustrating

    Bathroom sink with a faucet poorly positioned causing water to spill on the countertop, a design fail by designers and engineers.

    DustinKli Report

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    #51

    This Stove In A Premium Airbnb

    Kitchen corner with stovetop blocked by cabinets and range hood, showcasing a major designer and engineer mess-up.

    itsbeachjustice Report

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    #52

    It In Middle Of Your Face And Can't Use The Mirror

    Two gold sinks with tall faucets in a bathroom, showcasing a design and engineering fail shamed online for poor functionality.

    Phenix53 Report

    #53

    These Storage Steps In A Homemade Tiny Home Look Like An Accident Waiting To Happen

    Poorly designed stair shelves lacking safety, showcasing one of the worst designer and engineer mess-ups shamed online.

    ThorWinchester Report

    #54

    I Hope You Appreciate Your Paper Towel Airborne! Someone Installed A High Velocity Hand Dryer Right Above The Garbage Bin

    Hand dryer installed directly above trash bin, a design fail that highlights poor choices by designers and engineers.

    User Report

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    #55

    Found This Beauty At My Local College

    Railings with missing spindles next to a wall showing a clear design and engineering mistake in an indoor stairwell.

    GelatinSkeleton3 Report

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    #56

    Roof Of University Building Intentionally Leaks Water And It Spatters Everywhere

    Interior view of a modern building showcasing design and engineering mistakes with awkward window placements and seating areas.

    DaanA_147 Report

    #57

    This Bathroom Design... Chef Kiss

    Bathroom with a toilet paper holder installed on a cabinet door, showing a designer and engineer mistake shamed online.

    Ashkoshbagosh Report

    #58

    Hand Dryers On Matt Painted Walls

    Two hand dryers installed too high on a wall, causing water to drip down and stain the surface, design fail.

    User Report

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    #59

    German Engineering

    Restroom door opening inward and hitting urinal, showing a designer and engineer mishap shamed online.

    ZeyHD Report

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    #60

    Sidewalk Engineering

    Sidewalk abruptly blocked by a stone pillar, showcasing a designer and engineer mishap shamed online.

    sandiego256 Report

    #61

    Stairway To Plumbing And Coax Cable Management Heaven

    Carpeted stairs with an awkward step design and nearby exposed pipes showing a design and engineering mess up.

    Typ0r8r Report

    #62

    A Client's New Stair Rail That Can't Decide What Style It Is And Where The Handrail Should Have Been. (It's In A Modern Cottage Hamptons Beach House)

    Staircase design fail with wooden handrail misaligned and awkwardly installed in home interior.

    Velvet70 Report

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    #63

    This Restroom Layout At My Local Legion

    Public restroom with urinals awkwardly placed behind a corner wall, illustrating a design and engineering mistake.

    UrAvrgCanadian Report

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    #64

    The Bottom Drawer On Every Dresser Looks Like It Isn’t Fully Pushed In Even Though It Is At This Hotel

    Wooden dresser with multiple drawers misaligned and handles installed unevenly, a design and engineering fail example.

    I can confirm this as this was the third room we were in at this place.

    FrankDonato28 Report

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