From furniture flops to baking blunders, people are sharing their most epic DIY fails, and trust us, you won’t be able to look away. Get ready to laugh, cringe, and maybe even feel a little better about your own DIY disasters. After all, it’s all part of the fun, right?

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Driveway Disaster

DIY driveway poured around trees
r/DIYfail

Ever had a DIY project that seemed simple, but turned into a total head-scratcher? This driveway redo seems to be a prime example of that phenomenon, and then some.

Sure, the new concrete looks great—until you notice the trees and stump awkwardly embedded in the middle. It’s like they wanted a driveway and a garden but couldn’t decide on one.

If you’re planning a project, remember to visualize the end result and consider all the details! A clear plan (or, let’s be real, any plan) could save you.

Sink Shenanigans

Bad countertop DIY
r/DIYfail

This sink installation takes DIY creativity to a new level, and not in a good way. Did they cut the countertop to fit the sink or the sink to fit the countertop?

We wish we could sit down with whoever did this and ask. Either way, it’s a masterpiece of misalignment. Just imagine trying to do the dishes here.

If you’re thinking of tackling a home project, double-check those measurements. Or, you might end up with a sink that looks like it’s trying to escape.

Support Beam Jenga

Bad DIY floor beams for electrical wiring
r/DIYfail

Here’s another DIY disaster we really wish we had some additional context for. Why was this even necessary? You could have just raised the pipe up a couple inches.

Believe it or not, there’s a reason support beams don’t usually look like they’ve each had a bite taken out of them. Those beams are actually important.

So, next time you’re tempted to grab a saw and go to town, maybe reconsider. Your ceiling – and your personal safety – will thank you.

More DIY Renovation Jenga

DIY support pillar in a basement with numerous shims holding it up
r/DiWHY

Just jostle one of these precariously placed shims, and the whole structure could come crumbling down. It’s always astonishing when people DIY something this vital.

Some context on this situation: the concrete foot of the post appears to be sinking into the ground, and each time it shifted, the homeowner placed another wooden shim.

This might be hard to believe, but this is not actually the proper way to fix a shifting foundation. Let’s leave the wobbly towers to the board games.

Outlet of Confusion

A bad DIY-painted outlet with the holes covered with paint
r/DIYfail

This one can’t decide if it’s functional or just a piece of abstract art. And either way, it’s not doing a very good job.

It looks like someone tried to paint over it and forgot it was meant to be used. In fact, we’re confident that that’s exactly what happened.

If you’ve ever rented a home, you might know that this is, unfortunately, not all that uncommon. Landlords truly are DIY pros — at least they think so.

Time to Check Your Insurance Policy

Crumbling, cracking foundation with spray foam covering the cracks
r/DiyWHY

If you asked us, “What’s the one part of your home you shouldn’t try to DIY?” We would probably say, “The foundation, of course.”

The foundation of your home is literally what’s keeping you and everything you love above-ground. It’s not time to whip out the spray-foam.

If your basement walls start resembling geological fault lines, maybe it’s time to call in a pro. Foam might fill gaps, but that’s not really the issue here.

Countertop Canyon

DIY fail of a kitchen counter placed above a staircase by placing it on the stair barrier
r/DiWHY

Ever wanted to combine your kitchen and living room with a Grand Canyon in the middle? This DIYer nailed it with a countertop that doubles as a balcony.

It’s a bold move, turning the kitchen into an indoor cliffside. Imagine dropping an egg – it’s a freefall to the floor below!

While it’s innovative, this split-level kitchen is more “daredevil” than “design genius.” Remember, functionality is key – and it usually involves keeping the cooking on one level.

Stairway to Nowhere

Commercial interior staircase badly DIYed with inaccessible area
r/RidiculousRealEstate

Meet the stairway to confusion! This architectural wonder is a masterpiece of misdirection. Why have one handrail when you can have a random assortment?

Perfect for those who like their walks upstairs to come with a side of guessing game. Did they want to confuse or just have a surplus of railing?

If you’re ever tempted to get creative with your stairs, remember that handrails are meant to guide, not bewilder. Safety first, design quirks second.

Throne of Awkwardness

A raised toilet with a red seat cover sits atop a platform covered in striped carpet, next to a small, wall-mounted sink with visible plumbing beneath. The setup appears unconventional and possibly a DIY project, with a wooden-paneled wall background and a lamp visible in an adjacent room.
r/RidiculousRealEstate

This DIY bathroom elevates your experience—literally. Perched on a platform of patterned carpet, this toilet sits like a throne in a tiny castle.

Just be careful not to miss a step in the middle of the night! And let’s not forget the sink that’s practically at eye level.

Try to keep your fixtures grounded, or you might find yourself needing a step stool for your morning routine. Going to the bathroom should never be this precarious.

Doorway to Danger

A door that opens directly over a staircase, with the bottom edge of the door cut to fit above the steps. The setup appears hazardous, as it does not provide safe passage from the carpeted room to the wooden stairs below.
r/RidiculousRealEstate

Who needs a warning sign when you have a door that opens to instant peril? This DIY masterpiece welcomes you to a staircase surprise the moment you step through.

It’s like someone decided, “Let’s add a touch of adventure to every room exit.” Perfect for those days when you just need an extra jolt of adrenaline.

If you’re planning your home layout, maybe think twice before placing a door directly over a staircase. After all, nobody wants their home to be a constant test of reflexes.

Zigzag Floor Frenzy

A transition between two types of flooring, where the wooden laminate floor meets the tile floor in an uneven, zigzag pattern. The jagged edge creates a stark and unconventional contrast between the two materials.
r/RidiculousRealEstate

Who needs straight lines when you can have a zigzag masterpiece? This flooring transition is a DIY dream turned geometric nightmare.

It’s like someone couldn’t decide between tile and wood and thought, “Why not both, but with a twist?” Perfect for keeping your guests on their toes—literally.

If you’re mixing flooring styles, maybe aim for a smoother blend. Unless you enjoy the daily thrill of navigating jagged edges in your own home.

Drawer of Deception

A kitchen drawer designed to fit into a corner, resulting in a triangular shape that pulls out at an angle. The drawer has two handles, but its awkward shape and placement make it impractical for regular use.
r/RidiculousRealEstate

Sometimes, a drawer just isn’t meant to be. When it comes to tight corners, that’s usually the case. You just don’t need a drawer there.

Amazingly, this might not have been a DIY disaster at all. You can actually buy drawers like this in some cursed corners of the internet and home improvement stores.

Whatever happened to a good, old-fashioned lazy Susan in the corner? It’s simple, and you don’t have to worry about things getting stuck in the triangle of doom.

Here Kitty Kitty

Two photos showing a failed DIY kitty door installation. The first photo displays a circular cutout in a door labeled "kitty door install," with the removed piece on the floor. The second photo shows the door re-hung with the cutout at the top, captioned "LOL i hate myself," highlighting the mistake.
r/DiWHY

Installing one of these nifty cat doors should be a piece of cake. Just saw out a hole in the door, and apply the border decal.

Just one small thing to keep in mind: make sure your door is the right way round before you dive into this project!

While we guess some cats might enjoy the challenge, most would prefer a doorway that’s on their level. It’s an honest mistake, but we can’t help but laugh.

Midnight Madness

A door handle incorrectly installed upside down on a door. Overlaid text reads, "This is what happens when you have ADHD and you do DIY in the middle of the night... @adhdbutterfly," humorously highlighting the mishap.
@adhdbutterfly on Instagram

Here’s what happens when inspiration strikes at 3 AM, ADHD or not! This door handle installation is a perfect example of why sleep is essential before tackling home improvement.

It’s like the handle couldn’t decide which way it wanted to go. If you find yourself itching to fix things in the middle of the night, maybe sleep on it first—literally.

A fresh pair of eyes (and a rested brain) can save you from these quirky DIY misadventures. Next time, let’s leave the hardware to daytime hours.

A Perplexing Plug

An electrical outlet installed haphazardly on an exterior brick wall, with visible gaps and an uneven mounting. The image is overlaid with text saying, "There is so much wrong with this one outlet," emphasizing the poor installation job.
@texas.edge.inspect on Instagram

There is definitely a lot going wrong here. First of all, why is there even an outlet there? Let bricks be bricks, and don’t try to hang your TV where it doesn’t belong.

Secondly, even someone completely unfamiliar with electrical systems could tell you that this is not up to code. Is it even grounded?

Let’s keep our walls practical and our creativity where it belongs—far away from the electrical wiring. Your devices and your decor will appreciate the thoughtfulness.

Fan-tastic Fail

A ceiling fan with its blades obstructed by a wooden support column, making the fan unusable. The setup suggests a significant design flaw, as the fan's functionality is compromised by the poorly placed column.
@diyprojectsdotcom on Instagram

Can’t remove a structural beam but really need some airflow in the room? No problem! Just hack a chunk out of that beam, and you’re ready to roll.

At least, that’s what this DIYer apparently thought. But if you listen closely, you can almost hear that little strip of wood creaking from the pressure.

That’s a lot of weight to trust to a beam that’s 75% missing in action. We very much doubt that this support beam is doing much supporting at all.

Crooked Roof Riddle

A red metal roof with uneven and poorly aligned panels, creating an irregular and unsightly appearance. The mismatched seams and varying panel lengths indicate a lack of precision and craftsmanship in the installation.
@roofershelper on Instagram

Check out this DIY roof that’s more puzzling than protective. It’s like someone tried to play Tetris with roofing panels and forgot how the pieces fit together.

The mismatched angles and awkward seams make it look like the roof is in the middle of a dance-off. If you’re thinking of tackling your own roof, maybe leave it to the pros.

A proper roof should keep the rain out, not make you question geometry. Remember, a well-done roof brings peace of mind, not a head-scratching mystery.

Tile Tragedy

A bathtub faucet installed with mismatched tiles awkwardly cut and placed around it. The tiles are not aligned and appear to have been hastily added to accommodate the faucet, resulting in a visually unappealing and unprofessional look.
@make_it_right on Instagram

Here’s a DIY shower fix that’s more artistic expression than functional upgrade. We can only imagine there was a gap between the hardware and the shower wall.

But this? Definitely isn’t the way to go about fixing it. It’s like someone played a game of “let’s see what fits” and called it a day.

If you’re thinking about a bathroom remodel, maybe keep the creativity for the decor, not the plumbing. Trust us, your future self will thank you.

Doorway Dilemma

A bathroom door with a portion cut out to fit around the toilet, allowing the door to close despite the tight space. This unconventional solution highlights the cramped nature of the bathroom and the impracticality of the door's placement relative to the toilet.
@jamesfestini on Instagram

This bathroom design is the ultimate showdown between door and toilet. Who knew privacy could come with a side of acrobatics? It’s creative problem-solving at its worst.

Opening the door must feel like unlocking a puzzle every time. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, let this be a lesson to consider door placement carefully.

Proper spacing can save you from this daily struggle. Let’s aim for a layout where doors swing freely and toilets sit peacefully.

Stairway Surprise

A wooden staircase with wavy, irregular steps that create an uneven surface, making it difficult and potentially unsafe to walk on. The design is visually striking but impractical for regular use.
@deseocreativointerior on Instagram

Introducing: the stairway that doubles as an amusement park ride! These wavy steps are perfect for those who love a near-death experience with every climb.

It’s like walking on a roller coaster—every step is an adventure. If you’re planning to design your own staircase, maybe stick to the traditional flat steps.

While this wavy wonder is visually unique, it’s a tripping hazard waiting to happen. Let’s aim for safe and straightforward when it comes to stairs.