30 Hilariously Confusing Examples of Bad Design That Had Us Scratching Our Head

John Summers • Contributor

Jun 26, 2025 7:00 PM EDT

Design might look easy, but it's anything but. Creating something that's both visually appealing and fully functional is a balancing act that takes real skill. A logo, for example, needs to be eye-catching and unique, but also instantly readable - otherwise, you end up with disasters like naming your eye doctor clinic "myeyedr" and leaving everyone squinting at the sign.

And then there are the design ideas that go beyond confusing and straight into dangerous territory. Who thought it was a good idea to have the traffic lights alternate red and green to "celebrate Christmas"? Spoiler: it's not festive if it causes accidents.

But sometimes, bad design is just hilariously impractical. Like carpeting a sauna (because why wouldn't you want your floors to hold moisture forever?) or placing cooking instructions right on the perforated edge of the packaging, so they get torn off the second you open it.

These 30 examples of bad designs are a masterclass in what not to do. Whether they're funny, frustrating, or downright baffling, they'll make you appreciate the good designs out there just a little bit more.

01
Waiter, there is hair on... the wall

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02
Not a great pattern for stairs

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03
I hate whoever designed this

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04
Nothing like a bunch of knives hanging above you as you eat

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05
Don't look up

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06
Who said that?

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07
Cozy

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08
Why?! :(

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09
Something terrible happened here

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10
Great placement for a handle

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11
You need to go up, then down to go straight

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12
A Chandelier Would Really Tie All This Florescent Lighting And Ceiling Tiles Together

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13
It works, ok?!

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14
Nothing like Coffin shaped windows in a hospital

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15
I'm getting mixed messages here

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16
Me being useful

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17
Best seat in the house

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18
Privacy? never heard of it

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19
Great job!

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20
At least it's back to back

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21
Will this be on the test?

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22
These Taco Bell Self-Serve Kiosks

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23
Are you still there?

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24
Sure.. why not

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25
Safety first... or last...

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26
This makes me uncomfortable

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27
So... read the clock... go ahead

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28
There’s Not Enough Room For The Cart To Get By

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29
The Projector Was Placed Under The Screen

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30
Holy...

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