Design fails that will make you wonder what the designers were thinking

From bewildering bathrooms to staircases that look like Picasso’s handiwork, everyday life is packed with quirky oddities that leave us puzzled. Prepare for a double-take as we dive into 30 funny, confusing, and occasionally clever design choices you didn’t know were out there—each one guaranteed to entertain.

“This globe refuses to believe Syria and Cameroon exists”

If you’re from Syria or Cameroon, tough luck—this globe has different ideas. It seems cartography took a break, leaving a few countries missing in action. Geography teachers, avert your eyes—precision definitely wasn’t a priority when this souvenir was made.

“I give you the Tale of the Crooked Banister”

Even the banister has surrendered its straightness here. Life may throw curves, but this staircase takes it to a whole new level. Honestly, kudos for creativity—climbing these stairs feels like tackling a new puzzle with every step. Hang on tight!

“So many questions!! These candles would burn 2 minutes maybe? Why is blueberry yellow? And what scent is “poison” ?! Lol!!”

There’s nothing quite like a candle scented like ‘poison’ to add some excitement to your home. And a blueberry candle that looks totally yellow? These fragrances are a real adventure on their own. I’m curious how long they burn—probably about as long as my interest lasts!

“Duplicate lift buttons (one set is for emergency use)”

Double the elevator buttons, double the confusion! I guess I’ll press both and hope for the best. One set for emergencies, the other for everyday rides? If I get trapped, at least I’ve got twice the chances to get out!

“Fridge has buttons that you rarely use but requires you to hit same button 3 times to switch between ice and water. ”

My fridge: turning staying hydrated into a scavenger hunt since day one. Why does it take three button presses just to switch from ice to water? Sometimes, the coldest thing isn’t the ice—it’s the logic behind these controls.

“Toilet door signs in a bar in Girona, Spain. There’s no real way of knowing what gender each rock signifies – I chose wrong”

So, is it the round rock or the long rock? Rock, paper, confusion. I had a 50/50 chance and, naturally, I lost. I bet even the locals just cross their fingers and pick a door. Sometimes you need a flowchart just to use the toilet.

“Putting this on arthritis cream is such a cruel joke”

Of all the lids to make tough to open, arthritis cream really shouldn’t top the list. The packaging is mocking us with every twist. Sometimes it feels like manufacturers are playing practical jokes. ‘Lift ‘n Peel’—sure, just not with these hands.

“God Bless America, Comrade”

The words say liberty, the colors say ‘comrade’. I’ve never seen a more confused patriotic napkin in my life. Is this the American Dream or a lesson in typography gone wild? Either way, it’s good for a laugh at any picnic.

“This signs design makes it almost indecipherable”

I’m trying my best, but what does that sign even say? These letters are playing hide-and-seek in the most unhelpful way. Maybe it’s a code I’m supposed to crack, but right now I’d get lost just looking for the front door.

“Which Way to the Men’s Room?”

First, a left; then a right; or maybe straight ahead? This restroom sign feels like a choose-your-own-adventure I didn’t ask for. Honestly, at this point, I’m just hoping to end up in the right bathroom without being too embarrassed.

“What a bathroom”

I don’t know whether to marvel at the creativity or just stand there in pure confusion. Bathrooms with open views are for the bold only! A touch of spa or a dash of awkward? Either way, privacy definitely took a long vacation here.

“Guess I’m paying for the upstairs neighbors heating”

When your living room literally doubles as your neighbor’s heating system, you know you’re in a unique apartment. Ceiling radiators are an unexpected twist! Guess this is one way to perfect ‘cozy vibes’ for everyone in the building, whether you like it or not.

“A pedestrian friendly feature in india to give them more leg strength & workout ”

Is this a crosswalk or the ultimate leg day challenge? Getting to the other side might require a personal trainer. Some cities just want you to feel the burn before you even get to work. Watch out—extreme curb alert ahead!

“In this bus I can’t rest my arm without hitting the stop button. (3 hours bus ride)”

Every bus ride is a gamble—will I accidentally press the stop button before my stop again? Armrests shouldn’t come with consequences! I’ll just awkwardly hover my elbow for the next three hours. Who needs comfort anyway?

“Football field tablecloth that does not look like a football field”

Field goals? Touchdowns? This tablecloth says ‘just try to keep score!’ Instead of yards, I see a puzzle. Game night just got a quirky twist—good luck explaining to guests where the end zone actually is.

“Coeeee corner”

Nothing beats an extra E or two in your morning coffee. This café’s sign is just brimming with enthusiasm—too much enthusiasm, maybe? I’ll never spell coffee the same way again. Extra E means extra energy, right?

“I still can’t figure out what this place is called or what it is”

The sign is bold, the name… completely lost on me. I could stare at it all day and still not know what’s going on here. Mystery is part of the branding, apparently. I’m just hoping they serve food and not riddles.

“I thought it was one piece.. guess not guess the plastic was structural. ”

That moment when your BBQ tongs reveal they’re actually just two pieces pretending to be one. Plastic: 1, expectation: 0. I guess durability was just wishful thinking. At least now I have barbecue chopsticks?

“The bathroom in our hotel in Hvar where my husband and I got shellfish poisoning in Croatia. At one point the room service guy totally saw me pooping”

That’s one hotel experience I’ll never forget. Privacy? Let’s just say the cleaning staff knows more than they ever wanted to. Shellfish poisoning was nobody’s plan, but bonus points for sharing the bathroom drama with strangers.

“Ah yes, the triangular cylinder”

Next up on Geometry Gone Wild: behold the triangular cylinder—which is, apparently, a square. Math teachers everywhere are quietly weeping. Who knew shapes could have an existential crisis? At least the build-your-own kit is keeping things interesting.

“Here is a national parks calendar my grandma got me. There are no penguins in the Northern Hemisphere, especially not in Alaska. ”

Nothing says ‘Alaskan wildlife’ like a penguin colony that’s never been north of the equator. At least they picked a cute photo! Someone really needs to have a word with the calendar printer. It’s educational—just not on geography.

“What happened to Ryan?”

I’m not sure what happened to this kid, but this packaging got wild. Was the photo supposed to look like a funhouse mirror?

“This is a building where I have to deliver mail, and it always messes me up”

Mail delivery shouldn’t require advanced puzzle skills. Every trip to this building is like deciphering a secret code just to find the right door. I get lost every time, but maybe that’s just part of the challenge. If you live here, please send maps!