ADVERTISEMENT

We are surrounded by items, buildings, and even software that was designed one way or another. It tends to stick out when something is so poorly considered that we have to stop and wonder “what were they thinking?” Fortunately, most of the things around us conform to our expectations. A table is a table and a street sign is a street sign. 

However, every once and a while, creative people make a novel take on a conventional object. So scroll down and enjoy this list of innovative and cool ideas people have made into reality. And if this article doesn’t scratch your awesome design itch, check out Bored Panda’s other collections here, here, and here. And if you want something a bit different, check out our list of terrible designs here.  

RELATED:
    #2

    Park Bench With Built In Shelter For The Homeless

    Park Bench With Built In Shelter For The Homeless

    rockhavenrick Report

    #3

    Convenient Simple Storage

    Convenient Simple Storage

    Orla Reynolds Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seth
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just wait til a piece of macaroni or a marble gets wedged in one of the furniture slots.

    Jane W.
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Impressive! Makes me want one even though I have no place for it.

    Krystal Gregory
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My God! That is my OCD wet dream right there with my three kids at home.my house would look so clean 😂

    Jerry's Mom
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like it could have come from Ikea! I love Ikea! 💝💝

    PrettyJoyBird
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wowww nooo my mind is blown. Had to do a double take looksie to figure it out. Good idea.

    Ruth Harper
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that may be really handy, but those chairs look really uncomfortable.

    Cuppa tea?
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a great idea, however IMHO kinda emergency/temporary solution.

    AJJ
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would LOVE this for my kids play area in our living room.

    Little L
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a feeling that you wouldn't have the energy to put everything away everyday

    liam newton-harding
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A great idea, but it fits together so tightly that I see it getting scuffed, and chipped very quickly.

    Kathy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's clearly meant for kids - it'll wear out fairly quickly anyway!

    Load More Replies...
    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my God this is brilliant! Dang, now I want to be a woodworker again.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    If this list leaves you particularly inspired, maybe to make some changes around your own home, it can be helpful to approach an area holistically. Or, to put it another way, to have a comprehensive, unified plan. Keeping to the design tenants of a specific style can really help bring a space together and make it look more cohesive. Let’s take a look at Scandinavian design as an example. 

    First and foremost, think about local, natural materials. We associate Scandinavian furniture and houses with wood, no doubt harvested in some primeval pine forests. But the core idea is to use local materials to establish a sense of place and style. This extends to building techniques as well, as most traditional architecture is firstly functional. French doors do not help insulate a house while thatched roofs are probably too warm for southern climates.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    The Jacket I Just Got Has Tiny Skulls As The Zipper

    The Jacket I Just Got Has Tiny Skulls As The Zipper

    LeSexyMemer Report

    Scandinavian design also prioritizes functionality, which is often, subtly, emphasized by the use of neutral colors. Small wonder that the creators of Lego would approach furniture with an eye for practicality. Sometimes this does express itself as a sort of minimalism as one might see in an Ikea catalog. But there are myriad examples of more decorative or flashy items made by acclaimed Scandinavian designers that are also in keeping with the style's core tenants.

    #7

    Paint Sample Cubes, Instead Of Flat Swatches, So You Can See The Colors With Shadows

    Paint Sample Cubes, Instead Of Flat Swatches, So You Can See The Colors With Shadows

    KevlarYarmulke Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Design has also changed over the last century, with new styles coming and going. For example, the iconic Empire State building still stands out today as an Art Deco skyscraper among a forest of glass buildings. This style itself was a reaction to Art Nouveau which had been so popular at the turn of the century. While less ornate, Art Deco tended to use expensive materials like gold, and furniture in the style would feature exotic leathers like sharkskin.

    #12

    Shark Fin "Wet Floor" Caution Sign

    Shark Fin "Wet Floor" Caution Sign

    Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

    Modern design principles are less constrained by form and materials, so the guiding philosophy focuses more on the user. Sometimes this is referred to as literally user-centric design, though some will also call it human-scale design. The core idea is to make everything intuitive at a glance, even if you have never seen an object before. Maybe you are familiar with the design principles of Don Norman or at least the Norman door. Imagine a door with no handle, just a metal plate. Naturally, since you know it’s a door, it must move to let a person pass through. So with no handle, your only option left is to push.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Any Love For Packaging Here? Very Thoughtful Hardware Package Design

    Any Love For Packaging Here? Very Thoughtful Hardware Package Design

    effinwhitey Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Shyla Bouche
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to work in a home for the developmentally disabled. They went to "work" on weekdays, to a rehab type program that taught life skills. Some of the more intelligent clients had actual jobs, where they packed hardware for appliances and furniture. They each had a paper with life-size drawings of each item. The client would cover each picture with the matching part (like a toddler's jigsaw puzzle). Once each picture had its part, the client bagged the pieces.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    Anti-Pollution Sign By A Lake In Evergreen, Colorado

    Anti-Pollution Sign By A Lake In Evergreen, Colorado

    lalala850 Report

    #17

    Book Benches, Bulgaria

    Book Benches, Bulgaria

    Pumuckl4Life Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Laugh or not
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be the best if they had readable poems or extracts from books to tempt you to read the entire books.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #19

    Was Told This Would Be Appreciated Here. Sooo Here Ya Go!

    Was Told This Would Be Appreciated Here. Sooo Here Ya Go!

    sgabe1010 Report

    #20

    "Piece By Piece Alzheimer's Takes Away The Memory". Campaign For Alzheimer Forschung Initiative

    "Piece By Piece Alzheimer's Takes Away The Memory". Campaign For Alzheimer Forschung Initiative

    BlkShpp Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ziggyc
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Watched my MIL suffer from this,it's a horrible disease,this poster really.speaks volumes

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Colorful Glass Canopy In Sonoma, California. By: Olafur Eliasson And Architect Sebastian Behmann

    Colorful Glass Canopy In Sonoma, California. By: Olafur Eliasson And Architect Sebastian Behmann

    Arkitek_Yorkshire Report

    #23

    Newly Constructed 'Danish Prison Cells' Are Designed Better Than My Apartment

    Newly Constructed 'Danish Prison Cells' Are Designed Better Than My Apartment

    Dr_Zol_Epstein_III Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seth
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know you live in a prison state when accomodations that are beyond the means of a minimum wage laborer are considered a punishment elsewhere in the world.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #24

    Forget Abs Of Steel And Buns Of Steel. Get Abs Of Buns

    Forget Abs Of Steel And Buns Of Steel. Get Abs Of Buns

    unbuggy Report

    #25

    This Bar Has A Chilled Strip To Keep Your Drink Cold

    This Bar Has A Chilled Strip To Keep Your Drink Cold

    MMZane8 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Katie Lutesinger
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course you just know some idiot is going to get their tongue stuck to it after a particularly ill-advised bar bet.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Translation: (Their) Love Slipped A Little Bit? No, This Is Violence (Anti Domestic Violence Poster)

    Translation: (Their) Love Slipped A Little Bit? No, This Is Violence (Anti Domestic Violence Poster)

    Stock_Quality_5523 Report

    #27

    Clever Little Airline Logo From A Recent Flight

    Clever Little Airline Logo From A Recent Flight

    petefromwetwang Report

    #28

    My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It's Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It's Fully Dry

    My Vacuum Cleaner Filter Displays Taps When It's Wet After Cleaning, So You Know When It's Fully Dry

    MichaelCG8 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    A Bar Of Soap That Gets Sad As It Approaches Its Demise

    A Bar Of Soap That Gets Sad As It Approaches Its Demise

    wallflowerface Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lurking Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So the more you use the soap, the sadder it gets? Not sure if that's particularly great design, might discourage people from using it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #33

    Samsung’s Galaxy Flip Phone Advertisement At A Bus Stop In Belgium

    Samsung’s Galaxy Flip Phone Advertisement At A Bus Stop In Belgium

    UnwantedJason Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kim Fielding
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honest question for people in countries where English isn't the primary language: Do you get annoyed at all the English in advertisements in your country? As an English-speaker, I've appreciated the ubiquity of the language when I've traveled, but I'm wondering if it's irritating for the people who live there. (Where I live in California, all the ads are in English or Spanish; I don't mind the Spanish because it helps me practice my very basic language skills.)

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Jeep's European Marketing

    Jeep's European Marketing

    EDIT_ID Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #37

    The Logo For A Band Called The Makepeace Brothers. I Always Thought It Was So Clever

    The Logo For A Band Called The Makepeace Brothers. I Always Thought It Was So Clever

    pertnear Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kristine Johnson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The letters are supposed to also be a hand giving a peace sign. Took me ages to see it.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #39

    Cd Package Design For Chinese Folk Rock Band 五条人

    Cd Package Design For Chinese Folk Rock Band 五条人

    UMEBA Report

    #40

    IKEA Advertisement

    IKEA Advertisement

    Brone9 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    SabbeRubbish
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They can laugh with themselves, or is it the customers they are making fun of? 🤣

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #42

    House Of The Dragon Street Promotion

    House Of The Dragon Street Promotion

    EDIT_ID Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #45

    Logo For Lune Croissanterie - A Pâtisserie Specialising In Croissants

    Logo For Lune Croissanterie - A Pâtisserie Specialising In Croissants

    whocanduncan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Frank
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "croissant" stands for "lune croissante" in French, meaning waxing moon (because of the form). So the name of the shop is quite nice too. And then the moon rocket... Some visual jokes translate badly ;-) Just like English word plays (sound plays?) with K9 (canine, dog) or French ones with K7 (cassette).

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #50

    KV Bjørnøya, The Newest Vessel Being Built For The Norwegian Coast Guard

    KV Bjørnøya, The Newest Vessel Being Built For The Norwegian Coast Guard

    iltifaat_yousuf Report

    Note: this post originally had 54 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.