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Article created by: Akvile Petraityte 🇺🇦

Ever looked at something – or someone – and thought “What’s the actual point?” It turns out there are lots of useless things in the world but surely stairs should never make the list.

To prove a point, to no-one but myself, I did a quick Google search. “What’s the point of stairs?” The results yielded no surprises: “The primary purpose of stairs is to provide a simple and easy means of moving between levels.” “Provide access from one floor to another.” “Provide a suitable means of escape in case of fire.” And so on and so forth.

Yet there are stairs aplenty that could have you scratching your head - and possibly even breaking your neck. They are, for lack of a better word, pointless. So my next question for Google had to be “Why do some stairs look like they were designed and built by a blindfolded ostrich with its head in the sand?” Google was confused but did inform me, as a side note, that an ostrich’s brain is smaller than its eyeballs.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of some of the most epic and bizarre stair design fails that might leave you thinking your eyeballs are deceiving you. And in case you ever encounter any of them, we spoke to two experts. One about the hidden purpose of strange stairs and another about how to remain firmly on your feet.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

I Don't Think The Owner Of This Hotel Thought This Through

Carpet design on stairs creating an optical illusion, making it difficult to distinguish individual steps and a worst stairs design.

pookiemon Report

Final score:
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    #2

    This Gave Me An Aneurysm

    Stairs covered in a striped carpet pattern that creates confusion, an example of the worst stairs design by designers.

    disabledopossum Report

    Final score:
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    #3

    This Staircase. I've Almost Fell Down Several Times, And It's A Pain To Go Up 

    Wooden stairs with poorly designed triangular steps creating a confusing and unsafe stairway in a home interior.

    Mr-Emil Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #4

    The Staircase At My Hotel Room Just Drops Off

    Narrow and awkward marble stairs with uneven steps and sharp turn, showing poor designer staircase e*******n.

    Opposite_Strategy_43 Report

    Final score:
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    #5

    Wheelchair Ramps In Pakistan

    Collage of poorly designed stairs and ramps with unsafe railings and awkward accessibility features.

    pahaare Report

    Final score:
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    #6

    A Little Nauseating Looking Down

    Metal stairs with narrow, unsafe steps and unusual design, an example of worst stairs by designers.

    thisoldhoustonhouse Report

    Final score:
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    #7

    This Staircase In My Home. Architects Told My Parents This Was The Best Solution To Fit The Small Space. After 20 Years, I Still Sometimes Save Myself From Falling Down

    Unusual stairs design with irregular wooden steps and two cats sitting on them in a narrow indoor space.

    thoxo Report

    Final score:
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    #8

    These Stairs In An Airbnb That We Are Wiring

    Narrow wooden stairs under construction with uneven steps, showcasing one of the worst stairs design mistakes by designers.

    PerceivedDeath Report

    Final score:
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    #9

    The Stairs Leading To This Bedroom

    Uneven and awkward stairs with a sharp triangular step design posing safety hazards in interior design.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
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    #10

    Handicapped-Accessible Ramp In Germany

    Concrete ramp abruptly ending in stairs, an example of the worst stairs design nobody asked for in public space.

    iLuffy99 Report

    Final score:
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    #11

    Alternating Tread Staircase. I've Fallen Down It Before When I Was Going Too Quick And My Life Flashed Before My Eyes, Especially With It Being Easy Enough To Fall Over The Railings

    Narrow wooden and metal stairs with uneven steps inside a home, an example of worst stairs designers created.

    mywhisperedsighs Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #12

    This Space-Saving Staircase Has Alternating Half-Steps

    Asymmetrical wooden stairs with uneven cutouts, showcasing one of the worst stairs design mistakes by designers.

    TheDon298 Report

    Final score:
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    #13

    Please Step On Your Kitchen Counter To Go Up

    Modern living space featuring a staircase with uneven steps, showcasing one of the worst stairs design fails.

    Bosmonster Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #14

    Imagine Being Late To Catch The Train And Realizing Where This Leads Halfway Down

    Narrow, steep stairs with multiple sharp turns and metal handrails in a modern, minimalistic indoor setting.

    Cherry_Caliban Report

    Final score:
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    #15

    Useless Access Ramp In A Dubai Shopping Mall

    Indoor stairs with unusually low risers and a ramp alongside, illustrating worst stairs design in a public space.

    Viper-S15 Report

    Final score:
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    #16

    Brand New Handicapped Ramp At My Local Public Park

    Poorly designed stairs and ramp at a gate, showcasing one of the worst stairs nobody asked for in public spaces at night.

    bonez656 Report

    Final score:
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    #17

    Odd Staircase Design

    Carpeted stairs with poorly designed uneven steps creating a hazardous and awkward staircase for users.

    lufc_atw Report

    Final score:
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    #18

    They Don't Like Visitors I Suppose

    Concrete stairs with an awkward zigzag design on a grassy slope leading up to a house entrance.

    Zebeyana Report

    Final score:
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    #19

    Arbitrary Stairs In The Middle Of A Hallway

    Narrow stairs with steep risers and no landing, showcasing the worst stairs design nobody asked for in an indoor hallway.

    Barbary_Corsairs_ Report

    Final score:
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    #20

    Ramp Followed By Stairs, Outside My Clinic

    Poorly designed stairs with difficult accessibility, illustrating one of the worst stairs nobody asked for in urban design.

    baldcape_sensei Report

    Final score:
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    #21

    This Staircase At My University Has No Perceivable Purpose

    Stairs with awkward railing placement blocking part of the walkway, showcasing poor stair design and safety issues indoors.

    zenithpns Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #22

    This Double-Spiral Staircase

    Top view of worst stairs with irregular design and uneven steps, showcasing flawed designer choices and safety risks.

    hawaiiinsomniac Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #23

    My Mate Moved Into A New Apartment And This Is His Staircase

    Wooden stairs with an unusual stepped design featuring uneven steps and minimal railing in a modern home interior.

    Soulja-Hummus Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #24

    Garden Stairs Of Death

    Floating stone stairs awkwardly attached to a brick wall, making an unsafe and impractical stair design by the designer.

    KaleidoscopicColours Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #25

    Discovery Park, Seattle. The Top Half Is A Ramp

    Misaligned and uneven outdoor concrete stairs with wooden railings blending into dense green foliage, showcasing poor stair design.

    Mountainpilot Report

    Final score:
    1point
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    #26

    What's The Purpose Of These Stairs?

    Small poorly designed stairs leading into a hot tub with unsafe step heights and awkward handrails.

    beespartan Report

    Final score:
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    #27

    The Stairs In My Airbnb

    Steep and narrow wooden stairs with uneven spacing, showcasing worst stairs design and unsafe stair construction.

    SirZanee Report

    Final score:
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    #28

    Good Luck Getting Furniture And Drunk People Up These Things

    Floating wooden stairs with a confusing design and no visible support, illustrating some of the worst stairs by designers.

    Helpful-Substance685 Report

    Final score:
    0points
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    #29

    Can You Guess Where Does The Step Start And End In The Stairway Of My University?

    Stairs with confusing alternating gray and white stripes making them hard to distinguish, an example of worst stairs design.

    RhadaMarine Report

    Final score:
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    #30

    Stairs In Front Of A Local Beer Stand At A Festival

    Worn wooden stairs with uneven boards and visible gaps, showcasing one of the worst stairs design fails.

    HotterThenMyDaughter Report

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    #31

    In Mexico, We Have Handicap Stairs

    Poorly designed blue steps with a damaged handicap symbol, illustrating one of the worst stairs mistakes by designers.

    jalcarazb Report

    Final score:
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    #32

    This Restaurant Had Wheelchair-Accessible Washrooms… Down The Stairs

    Stairs with unclear directional signs leading to restrooms, showcasing one of the worst stair design mistakes by designers.

    baabaaredsheep Report

    Final score:
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    #33

    Me On My Girlfriend's Stairs

    Person standing on narrow stairs with low ceiling, showcasing one of the worst stairs design fails by designers.

    Gunny-Guy Report

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    #34

    This Was A Wheelchair Ramp To A Mall, But When People Started Using It For Shopping Carts The Mall Decided To "Fix" The Issue Like That

    Confusing stairs design with metal railings blocking the pathway, an example of worst stairs nobody asked for.

    Asem_ibrahim Report

    Final score:
    0points
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    #35

    These Stairs Where You Have To Hug The Wall Or You'll Sprain Your Ankle

    Concrete stairs with a zigzag pattern and irregular metal railings, an example of the worst stairs design.

    purukumihoro Report

    Final score:
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    #36

    Left Leg Goes Straight, Right Leg Carries On Down. Plus, It's On Marble At A Swimming Pool

    Stairs with an awkward and unsafe design featuring a steep drop and unusual railing placement inside a modern building.

    Dragonogard549 Report

    Final score:
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    #37

    What Kind Of Disabled Ramp Is This?

    Curved ramp leading from a balcony to the ground, showcasing one of the worst stairs nobody asked for in design fails.

    berko23 Report

    Final score:
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    #38

    I Saw This House For Rent. Original Hardwood And Bonus Death Trap Stairwell

    Wooden stairs with a dangerous design blend into the floor, showcasing one of the worst stairs nobody asked for.

    missrutabaga Report

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    #39

    These Weird Stairs I Found On A Hiking Trail

    Unusual and poorly designed wooden stairs in an outdoor setting surrounded by vegetation, showcasing worst stairs design.

    Tememeemitius Report

    Final score:
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    #40

    This Ridiculous Wrist-Breaker Handrail. This Was A Real Handrail That I Saw At A Real House

    Wooden stairs with an awkward, zigzag handrail design showing one of the worst stairs nobody asked for.

    sernamealreadytaco Report

    Final score:
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    #41

    Carpeted Stairs, Except That Last One

    Carpeted stairs with uneven step height and narrow landing, showcasing a design flaw in worst stairs nobody asked for.

    RagamuffinTim Report

    Final score:
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    #42

    These Stairs At An Art Museum Are Horrible. I Have Difficulties In Depth Perception Even If My Eyesight Is Perfect And I Had To Keep My Hands On The Ramp At All Time

    Modern stairs with glass railings and uneven step patterns showcasing some of the worst stairs design flaws.

    oiseaufeux Report

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    #43

    This Tiny Stair Handrail

    Short stair landing with no continuation, showing worst stairs design mistake and poor handrail placement.

    ceowin Report

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    #44

    Stairs That Lead To My Unit. Always Need To Warn People Who Come Over For The First Time

    Carpeted stairs with an unusual design featuring uneven step heights and an awkward layout causing safety concerns.

    jst4qs Report

    Final score:
    0points
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    #45

    This Flight Of Stairs Is So Narrow It's Designed To Be Used Only Left Foot First (Skopje, Macedonia)

    Worn wooden stairs with awkward, uneven steps and a black railing, showcasing poor designer choices.

    BluthCompanyBanana Report

    Final score:
    0points
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    #46

    Got The Wheelchair Ramps Installed, Boss

    Poorly designed stairs with small, unusable steps placed on a roadside curb, illustrating bad staircase design.

    3rror-4o4 Report

    Final score:
    0points
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    #47

    These Wheelchair-Accessible Stairs In Switzerland

    Concrete stairs with awkward zigzag design and uneven steps as a worst stairs example in poor architectural design.

    babius321 Report

    Final score:
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    #48

    Useless Stairs, Freshly Installed

    Concrete stairs leading to a building entrance with metal railings, an example of poorly designed stairs nobody asked for.

    Zykium Report

    Final score:
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    #49

    Staircase To Nowhere

    Small concrete stairs with a wall handrail that leads nowhere, showcasing the worst stairs design fails by designers.




    fujojoshi Report

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