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Good design is about finding the delicate yet pleasing balance between form and function. Though a lot depends on what you want to get done, a good rule of thumb is to keep your designs simple, so that they’re easily understood, practical, and aesthetic. But some people throw the rulebook out the window into the dumpster. And then they wing it.

Even though bad home interior designs are something you should practice social distancing from, you can’t deny that they can be hilarious… as long as it’s not your home we’re talking about! Bored Panda wanted to make you laugh and feel better about having to stay in your lovely home during the lockdown, so we’re bringing you the funniest, most facepalm-worthy interior design fails that prove common sense is actually quite rare.

Are you in the mood for some more horrendous examples of design? Well, once you’re done scrolling through this list and upvoting your fave horrible design pics, we invite you to check out earlier posts about design fails here, here, and here.

#1

Steps That You Can't See

Steps That You Can't See

Paarnahkrin Report

#2

Up The Drain It Goes

Up The Drain It Goes

Winsthorne Report

#3

My Uncle's House Got A Bathroom Without A Door, Literally The First Thing You See When You Enter The House

My Uncle's House Got A Bathroom Without A Door, Literally The First Thing You See When You Enter The House

muurilin Report

Designer Dieter Rams is one of the world’s brightest experts when it comes to design that’s done well. Back in the 1970s, he said that the world was full of “an impenetrable confusion of forms, colors, and noises” and then went on to create his 10 principles for good design. In our opinion, he expressed timeless rules that are as important now as they were back then.

For Rams, good design has to be innovative but also useful. It can’t sacrifice form or function for one or the other: it has to be a blend of both. If a product is self-explanatory, even better! That goes for designs everywhere—if something is over-designed, it can create confusion.

#4

My Friend's Under-The-Stairs "Bathroom" Where The Toilet Is Diagonal And Partially Installed Into The Carpeted Wall

My Friend's Under-The-Stairs "Bathroom" Where The Toilet Is Diagonal And Partially Installed Into The Carpeted Wall

dbqbbq Report

#5

Can't Stop Thinking About This Sink

Can't Stop Thinking About This Sink

aprilcotz Report

#6

Kitchen Made By A Sofa Maker

Kitchen Made By A Sofa Maker

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Similarly, Rams argues that good design is honest, long-lasting, friendly to the environment, has a shelf life longer than current trends, and does away with non-essentials. In short, aim for purity. Show the essence of the design. Do away with what’s unnecessary. More is less.

However, we’re not the only ones who think that bad designs can be a lot of fun (and not just a warning about what to avoid doing). The founders of the Ugly Design Instagram page, Jonas Nyffenegger and Sébastien Mathys, told Bored Panda in an earlier interview that bad designs jump out at people from the screen and grab their attention.

#7

At Least You Don't Have To Reach For It

At Least You Don't Have To Reach For It

Henry Franks Report

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#9

All It Needs Is A Jukebox And A Soda Fountain

All It Needs Is A Jukebox And A Soda Fountain

Czechs_out Report

What’s more, atrocious designs also keep on surprising people. Just when you think you’ve reached the bottom of the (Un)Aesthetic Abyss, you realize that it was just the tip of the Iceberg of Bad Taste. What’s more, the founders pointed out that the world would be a very boring place if everything looked tasteful and nice.

#10

Imagine Having To Scrub Or Clean It

Imagine Having To Scrub Or Clean It

IdahoePotatoe Report

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Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so if you filled in the gaps with an epoxy resin, it might be cool, but this looks impossible to keep clean as it is.

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#11

I Almost Fell Down And Rolled My Ankle On This

I Almost Fell Down And Rolled My Ankle On This

I_am_lazy_15 Report

#12

New Kitchen Style

New Kitchen Style

DrFetusRN Report

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troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate this, but not as much as I hate how much I like this.

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#13

Why Is There Wood Separating The Hallway In Half

Why Is There Wood Separating The Hallway In Half

a-random-pasta Report

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Slinkman
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something was not thought through here. Guess they thought they could ditch the bearing beam.

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#14

Yup, The Fridge Fit Boss

Yup, The Fridge Fit Boss

waconcept Report

#15

My Parents Have A Bathroom With Carpet That Goes Up The Bathtub Walls. Bonus Points For The Terrible Wallpaper

My Parents Have A Bathroom With Carpet That Goes Up The Bathtub Walls. Bonus Points For The Terrible Wallpaper

jbird2525 Report

#16

Who Says Crown Molding Is Overdone?

Who Says Crown Molding Is Overdone?

buckleybuilds Report

#18

Middle Class Fridge. Lower Class Aesthetic

Middle Class Fridge. Lower Class Aesthetic

AcousticHigh Report

#19

It's Not A Mirror, It's A Doorway

It's Not A Mirror, It's A Doorway

daekaz Report

#20

A Shower Designed To Be As Hard To Stand In As Possible

A Shower Designed To Be As Hard To Stand In As Possible

Djuna Ivereigh Report

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Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lemme just cling to this rock like a derpmaid while water runs over my body

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#21

This Bathroom Covered In Carpet

This Bathroom Covered In Carpet

whyangelinawhy Report

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Chris B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not plain ugly. Somehow it's appealing in a very strange 70s softcore adult movie master bedroom druglord nightmare.

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#22

This Single Square Inch Of Raised Carpet Complete With Lining

This Single Square Inch Of Raised Carpet Complete With Lining

fourskincheeze Report

#23

I Can Just Imagine The Whole House Shaking Like Crazy

I Can Just Imagine The Whole House Shaking Like Crazy

Pashunder Report

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Slinkman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, the air refreshner and toilet paper where placed there with a lot of optimism.

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#25

Imagine Trying To Piss While Drunk

Imagine Trying To Piss While Drunk

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#26

These Stairs Leading To A Bedroom Loft

These Stairs Leading To A Bedroom Loft

zillow.com Report

#27

My Friend Just Finished A Kitchen Remodel

My Friend Just Finished A Kitchen Remodel

SirCadwaladr Report

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Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they made do with the existing cabinets, so.. it was like this before

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#28

Prayers For The Contractor Who Had To Call These Homeowners And Explain They Needed A Second Set Of Front Doors Because. Math

Prayers For The Contractor Who Had To Call These Homeowners And Explain They Needed A Second Set Of Front Doors Because. Math

F. C. Tucker Company Report

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Dave P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why not remove the bad door and either brick it up or put a nice frosted decorative window. I mean that isnt hard to do.

stanleyyen avatar
Robert Catte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could get a sign that says "Use other door," with an arrow pointing right. Then put the same sign on the other door, except with an arrow pointing left.

kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why couldn’t it have just been a window instead? I mean really?

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markthomasc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like the door behind the stairs was supposed to be a full length window but they put a door in instead. Probably because the bottom of the window can't be that close to the ground (code, flooding). I can't image spending that much then having someone take a shortcut like that in construction.

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Wyndmere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just replace the fake doors with - never mind - nothing works here.

robi_posta avatar
Robert Robi Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that were a window, it would look rather cool, especially if they put a tree there in the corner

kim_lorton avatar
Kim Lorton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha! That’s why you have architects design your blueprints, as they will tell you what you want is just wrong or stupid. If they are smart ones!

christiewagner avatar
CHRISTIE WAGNER
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the homeowner had put the doormat in front of the fake door it could confuse very stupid burglars.

aayushimuthye avatar
Aayushi Muthye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are the Covid batch architects 😂😂😂 Damn you! Online lectures

paradise384 avatar
Jessica Macklemoore
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea but whose fault is this nonsense? Like was the house built that way 2 start with and the homeowners had 2 replace all the doors or something? I'm not understanding what happened here and why they thought they only needed 1 set of doors. Couldn't the homeowners close up that big hole where the 2nd set of doors was gonna end up? Or turn it into a window? Who made the decision that the stair case was gonna block the 1 set of doors rendering them useless? Did the do the stairs 1st or after the doors were already there? Very curious...

thomaslacroix avatar
Thomas Lacroix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine you ring the doorbell and wait. In the meantime the home owner trips from the top of the stairs, cascades down at a speed and crashes through the left door, next to you facing the right one in the outside!

abigailhiller avatar
Dino Nuggies 🦕🦖
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

👏PEOPLE👏NEED👏A👏BRAIN👏AND👏A👏LIFE👏PLEASE👏HELP👏THEM👏

lizzr avatar
Lizz R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had grown up in this house, I would've totally waited outside to knock my brother out at the bottom of the staircase with the door🤣

annabellewood avatar
Ur local weirdo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Choose the right one, and you will be spared, but choose the wrong one, and you will break your ankles.

faithsovyrda avatar
Faith Nicole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least the homeowners put down a floor mat so people know which door is the correct door

don503765 avatar
Donald Holder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not a flor to roof window rather than a second pair of doors?

micaela_morrigan avatar
Micaela Morrigan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You see, solicitors won't know which door to go to. Then you sic the dog on 'em. Or it's one of those "find the difference picture puzzles".

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Leslie Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do not get it at all that is a door that you cannot open and is non-functional. It's a beautiful staircase and beautiful doors but it is completely ruined by the fact that for one the second door is completely unfunctional and two there were so many other options they could have gone with. I just do not understand this one.

raiderloera avatar
RaiderDave Loera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cheaper than enclosing it in a matching wall. i mean look how pretentious this house is. It is PERFECTLY too much just like everything else

amberco avatar
Amber Twigg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

door not the issue its the stairs not a competed angle. rebuild is needed and the door easy fix close off.

morganolson avatar
RandomHumanBean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my neighbors have 3 sets of doors and i looks WIERD! ive never seen the inside tho idk y ud want that

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Sharon Donald
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All you need are "in" and "out" signs. Done! Makes sense then.

chipmcbride avatar
Chip Mcbride
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. take out the staircase. Put in a rope ladder. Problem solved.

haleyruthannsterne avatar
Haley Sterne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the bright side, they can always put a wall between the the doors to divide the house in half, add a few adjustments and viola two houses!

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Rejoice Makiwa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is the other door for burglars so can they sneak in at the back of the stairs without being seen,

denisebodey avatar
Denise B.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even the second set of doors is in poorly, with those stairs preventing full opening. Basically, the problem is the ridiculous staircase without support.

mayday avatar
May Day
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you build that doorway and think it's okay? Or were they hoping it would work anyway?

heynsdesigns avatar
Shirley Heyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just need to remove the door handles from the non-working doors.

rayjen0402 avatar
Jennifer Crompton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why didn't they just brick it up? Or put in a big pretty window? No way this is acceptable in a house this nice

ryandeschanel avatar
Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT THE F...?! Oh, yeah... McMansions... Terrifying...

baxitabaxi avatar
Baxi Tabaxi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wholly crap its that thing I do in the sims when I mis judge the wall size applyed to real life.

druadams81 avatar
Andrew Adams
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like someone converted a duplex into a single family home

bhollyhock avatar
Bonny Saxon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't suppose an architectural brick archway was in the budget?

bron_8 avatar
Bron
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why on earth wouldn’t you just move the first set and fill in the space???

davidmuench avatar
David Muench
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you run really fast at the doors in front of the stairs it takes you to the Hogwarts train.

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With the money put into the stairs it was deliberate, or it would’ve been fixed. My opinion.

cdmarch4 avatar
Khrystja
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This wins the Homer Simpson, "D'oh!!" award of a lifetime

denisemclean avatar
Denise Mclean
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the messed up doors were free of charge, you could just hang a curtain so that no one thought you were the one who did it.

jawpoo avatar
Jane W.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I owned a house that had 2 fake doors that had been amateurishly filled in as windows or completely covered by wallboard. Still visible on the outside, though.

invisibledoctor avatar
Invisible Doctor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why they just don't build a wall or maybe a window where the fake door is.

jazzcat avatar
jazz cat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is when the DIY shop doing buy one get one free promotion

ritaggph avatar
Panda-riffic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The question is, do you pay the contractor after such a botched job? They clearly did not make it right!

5533f8496c18a avatar
Peter Ledoux
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could they just order some more plywood and made more wall? Nah I think they wanted to see the guy's face.

elijahshaulis avatar
random guy375
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no no we don't need the other set of doors sorry boss we already ordered them but cant you just refund them boss we cant refund them. Were gonna put a set of stairs there instead this is why i'm leaving this job next week.

dchapman avatar
Dave Chapman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also can only open the right side door less then halfway! I can picture some teen flying thru the door coming in and smacking someone coming down the stairs!

sherryhart avatar
Sherry Hart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooooo is one for entering and the other one for exiting then?? The owners should add signs on the outside like Walmart 🤣🤣🤣

annettagrace avatar
BananaAnna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Were both doors put up to be "putting on the dog" as was opined.

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#29

Today My Mom Hit Her Toe With This And Was Bleeding. I Hate This Kitchen So Much

Today My Mom Hit Her Toe With This And Was Bleeding. I Hate This Kitchen So Much

reemathenerd2 Report

#30

Why Is The Big Face Bleeding, Why The Monkey, Just Why

Why Is The Big Face Bleeding, Why The Monkey, Just Why

pleasehatethesethings Report

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#31

This Shower Has Blinds Instead Of Curtains

This Shower Has Blinds Instead Of Curtains

TrixoftheTrade Report

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Luuta
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Psycho would have been a completely different movie with these in place.

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#32

This "Form Over Function" Kitchen In My Apartment

This "Form Over Function" Kitchen In My Apartment

chefmacari Report

#33

Social Distancing Looking A Lot Like Being Married For 10+ Years

Social Distancing Looking A Lot Like Being Married For 10+ Years

trautwein-gmbh.com Report

#36

This Staircase Bathroom

This Staircase Bathroom

bagniorrendi Report

#37

Why: 1. They Put In A Sliding Door To A Bedroom. 2. They Placed Curtains On The Outside Of It. 3. They Also Placed The Lock On The Outside

Why: 1. They Put In A Sliding Door To A Bedroom. 2. They Placed Curtains On The Outside Of It. 3. They Also Placed The Lock On The Outside

Eeve3_Lord Report

#38

This Entire Kitchen’s Counters And Backsplash Are Covered With This “Faux Mold” Tile

This Entire Kitchen’s Counters And Backsplash Are Covered With This “Faux Mold” Tile

iheartcatsandcoffee Report

#39

Imagine Being A Firefighter And Entering A Dark Smoke-Filled House From The Outside Through This Window

Imagine Being A Firefighter And Entering A Dark Smoke-Filled House From The Outside Through This Window

thenewyorkgod Report

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#42

Neck Pain And A Head Injury Anyone?

Neck Pain And A Head Injury Anyone?

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#43

My Grandma’s Bathroom

My Grandma’s Bathroom

Maxxerzz Report

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought a used mobile home with the garden tub carpeted exactly like this. They attached the carpet with a staple gun and 49,000 staples. Took me forever to get them all out and toss the nasty carpet.

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#44

The Bathroom Door Of The New Place My Girlfriend And I Just Moved Into. I Was Sat At The Dining Table When I Took This

The Bathroom Door Of The New Place My Girlfriend And I Just Moved Into. I Was Sat At The Dining Table When I Took This

Humphiee Report

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's clearly an exterior door on that bathroom, it even has a deadbolt lock!

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#45

The Queen’s Seat

The Queen’s Seat

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#46

Clean Entrance

Clean Entrance

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Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks practical for farmhouses and the like for a back door, walk in, wash off all the mud, keep moving. It is like next level mud room.

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#47

The Raised Cutout Of This Ceiling Doesn’t Allow The Fan To Suck In Any Air

The Raised Cutout Of This Ceiling Doesn’t Allow The Fan To Suck In Any Air

Rexmatt Report

#48

These Tiles That Are Designed Pre-Worn And Dirty

These Tiles That Are Designed Pre-Worn And Dirty

toppstiles.co.uk Report

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MrsPossum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, they don't even look like they've been put in properly straight. Why do this, when the rest of the kitchen looks clean and lovely?! 😟

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#49

How Would Any Of This Work

How Would Any Of This Work

DogWhistlersMother Report

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wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a horrible design, but it will work. steam doesn't care if something is perpendicular or what

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#50

Creativity

Creativity

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Note: this post originally had 143 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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