The very point of hiring a professional designer is to get the job done right. Or so we’d like to think. But it seems sometimes the best laid plans can go down the drain, along with your vision of the perfect execution. Fortunately, shaming bad designs has become a favorite pastime of the internet. From the crazy, to the confusing, the downright dangerous or just plain stupid, there’s no shortage of pics on the proverbial "Design Fails Wall of Shame".
If you’re looking for inspiration on what you probably don’t want around you, you should check out the Design Fails Insta account. It has hundreds of posts of epic interior design and architecture fails. Some might make you laugh, others could make you want to cry. Then there are those that just hurt your eyes. Bored Panda has put together our personal favorites. Keep scrolling for a feast of fabulous fails, and don't forget to upvote the ones that leave you stunned.
#1
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#2
The amount of skill it took to do this is insane
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#3
Mom finally cashed in her Marlboro Miles
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The brains behind the Insta page is actually a qualified interior designer. Eric Dillman has a few social media accounts, and a podcast. Dillman got his Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. And started his first design account in 2018. “I was at the start of my career and wasn’t really getting any good leads from my first job and wanted to market myself and get my own customers,” Dillman told Canvas Rebel.
“Within the first month I had my own customer and ever since then I have just grown my online presence. I went from an inspirational home renovation page to my business design page... my networking events, and my podcast.” Dillman's podcast “Pro Series with Eric Dillman” sees him interview professionals from the design, construction, and real estate industries, as well as stars from home design television shows.
#4
When you open like 8 tabs by mistake
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#5
Imagine forgetting that Gramma's on the porch
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#6
This is why I have trust issues
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Dillman said when he started out, he posted products that he loved or materials that he had designed. Eventually, he got to the point where he was able to post work he’d done for clients. Dillman wasn’t expecting the events of 2020, much like many of the rest of us. On top of the disaster that was Covid, the content creator had to deal with his Instagram account being hacked. It was a turning point in his journey.
#7
In this bathroom I would not know whether to wash my hands or open the chamber of secrets
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#8
Everyone kept hitting their heads as they walked down my stairs, so I hung a sign as a warning
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#9
Home remodeling is my passion
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“In June of 2020 I was working from home and got an email saying my account (at the time I was around 15k followers) was hacked and I had to pay a payment to get it back. At first I thought it was a joke, so I checked my Instagram app and I no longer had access,” said Dillman. After an uphill battle to get his account back, he eventually hired someone to help him.
#10
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#11
What a great way to break a neck
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#12
Gonna turn this Pizza Hut into a Pizza Home
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“I knew this brand meant something to me, but I didn’t know how much until I lost it. When I lost it I wasn’t going to take no for an answer or give up. I am forever grateful for the help I received,” said a relieved Dillman, adding that he realized immediately that he needed to "up his game" on social media.
#13
A hotel in Germany uses 3D carpets to keep guests from running in the hallway.
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#14
I need an explanation to why this was a thing
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#15
Oh my God
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Up until then, he hadn’t really featured on his own podcast. It was merely professionals answering the questions he put to them. Dillman discussed his turning point during an interview with Bold Journey. “Once 2020 came, I knew I needed to put myself more on my content,” he revealed. He decided to turn his podcast into an IGTV show, and released a new episode every few weeks.
“I was lucky enough to have a lot of HGTV stars, and some very high up people in the design industry on in the very early days of this show. At the end of 2021 I had some requests to make this into a podcast given its already in that format,” he said.
#16
Some personal news: We're replacing our countertops tomorrow and I'm so excited, mainly because we get to remove this abomination of a kitchen sink
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#17
If you're feeling stressed, remember to IN EX HAHA LE LE
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#18
That’s what I call a “throne”
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Dillman has continued to push himself and branch out. In 2023, he added a second episode of the week called “Off Topic”. As the name suggests, the host talks tackles topics that aren't related to design. In his words, "I talk about any think I want from country music, to shows, to social media." In June this year, Dillman hit 100,000 "listens".
#19
Imagine being drunk walking into this bathroom
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#20
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#21
I have so many questions
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The interior designer and content creator describes himself as an introvert. He says social media has helped him come out of his shell. And has given him a much-needed confidence boost. "Confidence has been a tough one but the one I am most proud of," he revealed. "Putting yourself out there on social media for your brand can be very intimidating."
#22
I know this gonna bother someone
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#23
Her: "babe, I want a castle in the sky"
Me: "say no more"
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#24
My shower broke so my landlord came over... look wtf he done put tf up
Image credits: designfailsofficial
Dillman credits 2020 with teaching him to not worry too much about what other people think. "I have realized my opinion is the only one that matters in my brand. I think for so long I worried about what others would think when I post something or would second guess everything I said until a flip switch in me."
And thanks to that switch being flipped, we get to enjoy the epic and hilarious design fails featured here.
#25
Great way to have your guest break their leg
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#26
Why hire a professional when you can do……. Nvm
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#27
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#28
Some might think this is the beauty of this type of tile but the unevenness bothers the sh*t out of me
Image credits: designfailsofficial
#29
If you thought you did something dumb today…….. at least you’re not the person who did this
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#30
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#31
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#32
So does someone actually hang out there?
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#33
Ummmmm what?! How is this staying up?
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#34
Pretty sure that shouldn’t happen
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#35
When Boomers wana talk about how stupid millennials are... Just remember what generation covered real hardwood floors with linoleum
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#36
Love the craftsmanship
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#37
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#38
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#39
This reads a very frugal person who collects tiles from all the shops in town and installs it to save some money
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#40
My neighbor recently had some work done to his house. Definitely not gonna use his contractor
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#41
That’s a lot of cuts
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#42
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#43
Better hope the tree doesn’t fall
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#44
So much HOW/WHY on the left
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#45
You do know there is a cover for that dude?!
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#46
Nice open kitchen, with a perfect working triangle
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#47
The contractor said he knew what he was doing
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#48
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#49
Top tier tile work
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#50
I think they forgot something
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