31 Ridiculous Design Fails That Are So Bad, They're Actually Hilarious

John Summers • Contributor

Dec 13, 2024 8:00 PM EST

I've got to admit, I love a good disaster—as long as it's not happening to me. And when it comes to design, some of these fails are simply magnificent. I mean, who in their right mind would design a staircase that leads to… nowhere? Or make a playground with a giant high-voltage power sign on it? Apparently, quite a few people. These design choices are so ridiculous, they almost seem intentional—like an elaborate prank we're all in on.

But here's the thing: as much as I laugh at these trainwrecks, I also feel a tiny bit of sympathy for the folks who have to live with them. Some poor soul has to read the impossible-to-decipher sign, try to open that door that leads into a brick wall, or explain why their product's name sounds oddly like a tongue-twister. So, whether you're in it for the cringe or just want to feel better about your own mistakes, here are 31 examples of design gone hilariously, terribly wrong.

01
Go ahead... Do it

via u/Sad-Vacation4614
02
Nothing like a fully carpeted sauna

via u/flopsychops
03
Of course lower heat should have longer bars!

via u/usernamechecksout67
04
Why do that? why?!

via u/alltheusermanes
05
Look, the design is cute but why have 2 roller knives?!

via u/EngelNUL

And who cuts a pizza into 5 slices?!
06
"Remodeled bathroom at work. I guess there wasn't a better place to put the full size mirror"

via u/Cool_Atmosphere_9038
07
Butt- Erfly nail clipper

via u/Pride_Tramp
08
What happened here?

via u/maybesaydie
09
Fresh green pen (only it's yellow)

via u/EchoDoesStuff
10
The lighting makes it pretty much unreadable

via u/LucChak
11
Stairs & Elevators & Terminal & Stairs & Elevators & Terminal & Stairs

via u/stopeats
12
A touchscreen toilet.

via u/mrscript_lt

But why?
13
I bet they were real excited to be on the side of a bus

via u/Max-Ax
14
Burn or freeze, your choice

via u/The_Gebbeth666
15
The design on the bag the turkey came in looks like mold

via u/MothersMiIk
16
Try to guess how to activate the water (answer below)

via u/cherrydicked

You have to spin the golden tip
17
Plumbing is uncool!

via u/trashmillxd
18
I love sparking extension cords made in China

via u/Wild-Policy9287
19
Who's Onoe and why should I trust them?

via u/Exact-Extreme2618
20
Worst place to put a kensington lock

via u/pedrobuffon
21
Maybe not best design for end table at hotel where you place items in the dark before bed

via u/Crazy_Love_6265
22
Of course green is "off", what other color could it be?

via u/williamkenlon
23
Stairs for no reason

via u/Barbary_Corsairs_
24
I have so many questions

via u/KelVelBurgerGoon
25
This deviled egg dish has an odd number of egg slots

via u/No_Oil763
26
The most awkward handle for an umbrella ever

via u/lixiemoon
27
"Insert USB here" JK! it's actually a reset button!

via u/serterazi
28
This is really bad

via u/mossi18

But it could have been worse
29
Guess what? This is actually just a plastic toy and not candy.

via u/cylemmulo
30
We finally stopped the cyclists! (And the wheelchair access, and the stroller access...)

via u/MalloryLovedYouOnce
31
Thank you, Very inspiring

via u/Dianuo