Examples

Famous Liminal Spaces from Around the World

Published: 2026-08-15

The liminal space trend grew largely through people sharing photos from all over the world on social media. Here's a look at the categories of examples that come up again and again, and what ties them together.

Places Social Media Made Visible

Places like these existed all over the world long before "liminal space" was a recognized genre. What changed was social media: once accounts and communities formed around sharing that same specific unease, the common thread running through individually unnoticed places suddenly became visible, and it crystallized into a recognized style.

Airport and Hotel Lounges

Airport lounges late at night or early in the morning, and hotel lobbies after closing, are a classic example cited worldwide. Because these spaces tend to look similar no matter which country you're in, they produce a distinctly placeless feeling — a sense of not being sure which country you're even in.

Dead Malls

A frequently cited example, especially in the U.S., is the "dead mall" — a suburban shopping mall built in the 1980s or 90s that later lost its customer base and shut down. A cavernous atrium or fountain court that once buzzed with shoppers, now dark and empty of both tenants and people — that dramatic contrast makes dead malls one of the most iconic liminal space examples.

Schools and Offices at Night or on Holidays

School hallways and office floors that are normally full of students or staff empty out completely at night or on holidays. Desks, bulletin boards, and class schedules are all still exactly where they should be — it's only the people who are missing, and that combination is cited worldwide as producing a strangely familiar, deja-vu-like feeling.

Abandoned Amusement Parks

Overseas, amusement parks that shut down due to financial trouble and were simply left standing are another frequently cited example. Faded paint on the rides and a Ferris wheel frozen in place create an especially stark contrast with the crowds that once filled the same space, making these some of the most memorable examples out there.

What They All Have in Common

Regardless of country or culture, the liminal spaces that go viral tend to share a few traits: even, uniform lighting; a roughly symmetrical layout; a purpose that normally involves a lot of people; and the simple fact of nobody being there. Comparing examples across the world makes it clear that once these conditions line up, people react with a strikingly similar feeling, regardless of where they're from.

FAQ

Is the liminal space phenomenon unique to the U.S.?

The U.S. does have iconic examples like dead malls, but the phenomenon itself is universal. Japan has its own distinctive liminal spaces too, from empty train stations to underground shopping streets.

What is a "dead mall"?

A term, mostly used in the U.S., for a large suburban shopping mall that shut down after losing its customer base. It's frequently cited as one of the most iconic liminal space examples.

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