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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
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

#17

I Think My Stairs Fit Here

I Think My Stairs Fit Here

IsItKandar Report

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

See, with stairs like these I wouldn't even risk trying to walk down them, I'd just lie down at the top and ragdoll my way down to minimise injury risk.

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

Looks a lot like the stairs in castles, just with added carpet and without the huge worn out part in the middle of each step.

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

Doctor: "how in the world did you break you leg, ankle, shoulder, and need stiches??" Me: Shows picture of stairs. Him: "Ok, yep im suprised you didnt break more.

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

Mean is building stairs like this, evil is omitting the handrail.

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

bruh just join the two platforms at either side together and have one set of stairs

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

There were stairs like this in the old, old house I grew up in. I fell down those stairs a lot when I was a little kid, until my parents had them remodelled to include a landing.

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

Is this a two up two down terrace that has had an extra part added on? The stairs in those often seem to have no landings.

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

I had a friend in high school whose house had a similar stairway, it curved and then split off to his room and then the other two bedrooms!

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

Love the loose carpet at the top they want you to get a good start.

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

On time when I was a kid I ran down one of these kind of stairs;slipped and slid all the way down the stairs.

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

Lmao, we just bought a house and the stairs are 100% exactly the same

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

I wouldn’t make it down those stairs without rolling an ankle

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

Looks like a building I lived in way back in the early '80s, in Winnipeg, MB. I don't remember it much, but it was anxiety producing on a completely different level!

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Beverley M Brazelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fell down bare wood steps this past weekend, at least these carpeted, uugh.

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

*goes downstairs in the middle of the night to get a drink of milk* *brakes ankle*

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

I have had dreams of houses with weird stairs like this...

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

I don’t mind this if it’s all they had to work with. The carpet color is awful, though. If these were finished wood, it would look a lot better.

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

Sure. Two staircases merging into one. What’s wrong with that?

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

I don't think your stairs fit anywhere, especially not with eachother...

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

Reminds me stairs in the old stone castles. Even turns the same way (that defender, going from top, would have a right hand free to hold the sword, and the enemy climbing from the bottom would be inundated)

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

it looks like they added an extention on. often those are really badly done in old houses

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

My foot, arm, toe, head, and every other part of my body is screaming in pain just looking at it!

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

I'm guessing this is somewhere where they don't have inspectors making sure the builders are meeting code.

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

That is certainly different. I’m wondering why the top step going right is a different colour?

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

Very common in old home in Ohio where I am from. Horrible things once you get past the age of about 10

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

I've very little sense of balance, so you know where to find me when I've traversed these stairs.

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

Old time stairs, we had this kind when I was growing up only wooden and at first it is hard to get use to, but later, you can really zip down the stairs and too not even have to carry anything down, just let it slide down.

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

Imagine the poor bastard called in to lay the carpet: "You've gotta be kidding me"

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

Been in a Victorian home with stairs like this before. I don't like them

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

I've seen this one, too. The owners told me they didn't get an official approval for these strairs. I wonder why?

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#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

#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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