If theres one thing we love in the good ol U.S. of A. its watching strangers go through the trials, triumphs, and contractor-induced headaches involved with spending loads of cash to renovate their homes. We have whole networks devoted to shows about such pursuits, but if youve tired of watching the open-plan kitchen/living room combos and spacious, luxury home offices come to fruition, there might be a recently released show on the 2022 Netflix TV schedule thats made for you: How To Build A Sex Room. Never let it be said that this years TV premieres were incapable of surprising us.
How To Build A Sex Room (which has gotten a lot of attention from the internet) follows interior designer Melanie Rose as she helps eight couples and one singleton create the pleasure palaces of their dreams. Well, when I say palace I really mean bedroom/master suite/lounging area/dungeon, but whos quibbling over semantics when we can dig into all the intriguing thoughts I had while watching How To Build A Sex Room? Lets go!
I know, I know! This is a show about sexy stuff and here I am thinking about shoes. But, I can honestly say that from the first time sex room doyenne Melanie Rose appeared on screen I wanted to know where she got those shoes! Im a woman who believes comfort and style can go together, and our friend Melanie has a wonderful collection of completely practical tennis shoes (or sneakers, whichever you prefer) that are also perfectly gorgeous and coordinate well with her many Im a fancy lady outfits. Whats not to love?
One thing that baffled me is how several of the people having sex rooms made seemed to think that those private spaces would be secret, which would lead to them being even more titillated prior to sex room usage.
Ive got news for everyone. While we arent told anyones last name, and the show makes an effort to hide addresses/details that will give locations away, we do know first names, what the outside and inside of the homes look like, what everyone does for a living and, most importantly, what everyone looks like. Sorry to be a boner killer, yall, but your friends, family, and neighbors are going to know that you have a sex room and exactly where its located if they watch How To Build A Sex Room. I mean, youre on TV.
If youre someone who has watched a lot of Netflix reality shows, whether they be of the Im pulling your wig off in this fight or the hey, lets get your home organized variety, you will recognize a lot of the ingredients that make How To Build A Sex Room what it is. And, I was surprised to find that it wasnt nearly as wild as I thought it was going to be, especially considering that one of the reasons its rated as being for mature audiences is because of nudity.
And, we are now off to the races, my friends! Kudos to the producers for easing us into this sex room thing, because it takes a full 24 minutes into the first episode for us to get to the nakedness referred to in the shows rating. Truthfully, its not what I expected. I was about 80% sure that we were going to end up watching the couplesenjoy their new sex rooms after they were completed, but that turns out not to be the case. Our first hit of butt and boob (With pasties!) action comes courtesy of kink coach Iszi, whom we watch be flogged. (Take a flogging? I dont know guys, and Im reluctant to Google it.)
You know what you dont get to see on HGTV or Magnolia Network? Someone finding out that $20,000 of their design budget is going to be eaten up by an unforeseen issue (which happens all the time), and them dropping to their knees to yell at the sky, Why, you mutha fuckas?! Whhhyyyyy?!?! But, we really should, because that would be most peoples response, and How To Build A Sex Room can give us that, as well as all the random, recreational cursing we could ever want.
Most of the couples on the show seem very happy and well-suited for one another, and like folks who simply want a beautiful, private place to explore their sexuality. However, there is at least one couple that seems to have become really disconnected, likely because of the difficulties of everyday life (based on what I heard from them in the show, anyway). Im hoping that having a brand new master suite so that they can get busy in style will do the trick for them, but my money is on them needing a bit of couples therapy to seal the deal on getting their mojo back.
The sexytimes/nakedness on How To Build A Sex room is few and far between, and nothing that we were shown -- from expert demonstrations to a sex room couple Ill get to next -- bugged me at all. But, something that did make me uncomfortable is how Melanie Rose and her contractor, Mike, simulated sex acts or sorta flirted with each other.
The first time this happens, Melanie lays down on a spanking bench so that Mike can flog her with his adult son, Jeremiah, right there watching. Aside from feeling second-hand embarrassment from Jeremiah having to watch the scene play out, he notes that his mom might not like what just happened, so, yeah CRINGE.
See those two bespectacled people up there? Because we have so many preconceived notions about what kinky folks might look like, one could easily put their faces beside the phrase dont judge a book by its cover and then direct people to their episodes of How To Build A Sex Room.
Not only do frisky farmers Tricia and Gary disrobe for some dominatrix lessons, but we also see Tricia riding an ATV topless, and the couple really going for it when Melanie sets up an erotic photo shoot for them, with their activities coming close-ish to sexually explicit movies on Netflix-territory. I truly hope theyre loving their new bondage bed. They were so excited by it!
By and large, Id say the best part about How To Build A Sex Room (besides Melanies shoes) is the fact that she does design some amazing spaces that would appeal to pretty much anyone who enjoys watching home renovation shows.
Even the rooms filled with the most serious kink/BDSM gear are lovingly crafted and beautifully appointed, meaning that if you take away the kinky stuff, you just have cool rooms that many of us would be pleased to call our own and also show off to guests. Of course, my bet is on several of the people we saw here doing just that with all of their sex equipment on full display, and more power to em!
If you havent checked out How To Build A Sex Room yet, all of Season 1 is now available to stream on Netflix (opens in new tab).
See more here:
How To Build A Sex Room: 9 Thoughts I Had While Watching The Netflix Design Show - CinemaBlend
- Explore how Smita Thomas of Multitude of Sins created an award-winning interior design firm in India - Tatler Asia - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- How Thoughtful Interior Design Is Transforming Medical OfficesStarting With This Beverly Hills Sanctuary - Forbes - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Time to Paint the Home Office? Try One of These Colors - ELLE Decor - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Interior Design Masters series 6 meet the contestants vying for a homeware collection with John Lewis - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Rita Konig on the Pleasure and Pain of Designing for Yourself - ELLE Decor - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 27 Bedroom Lighting Ideas That Add Style and Ambience - marthastewart.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr - meet the ten talented designers battling it out for one life changing contract - BBC - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 11 Legendary Interior Design Stars Who Have Tragically Passed Away - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- A designer has made hidden storage stylish in this kitchen - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Stefano Vafiadis: How the design of 52m Baglietto Daybreak started with a side table - BOAT International - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Apparently, this is the interior design style that will add the most value to your home right now - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Ditch the toxins: Here's how to make your home healthier with sustainable interior design - Hindustan Times - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 8 Home Trends That Are Tragically DEAD to the Design World - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Desk chairs, butter and a striking 'fifth wall': the unexpected interiors must-haves you need right now - London Evening Standard - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- How to Design a Durable Home That Will Stand the Test of Time, According to Experts - marthastewart.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- The impact of interior design on mental health - The Irish News - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 5 kitchen styles going out of fashion in 2025, according to interior designers who've seen it all - Homes and Gardens - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Joanna Gaines Reveals the Song She's Listening to on RepeatSays Its So Good - House Beautiful - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Why wellness brands are leading the way in interior design - MSN - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- The hidden hacks interior design experts use for colour filled homes - The Sydney Morning Herald - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 15 Paint Colors That Interior Designers Are Buzzing AboutSee the Gorgeous Hues Here - Martha Stewart - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Styling Your Coffee Table With An Expert - WWLTV.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Louisiana interior designer makes magic with Luke Macfarlane on new show Home is Where The Heart Is - WGNO New Orleans - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- HOK Crafts A Breathtaking Nature-Inspired Headquarters In Ontario - Interior Design - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Take a peek inside: How an interior designer pulled off a massive makeover in her own home - Yahoo Life - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Nate Berkus has persuaded me that black leather is back - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- An interior designer critiqued my bare-bones outdoor space. She gave me simple tricks to make it cool and functional. - Business Insider - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Before & After: Interior designer turns dilapidated loft into a dreamy dressing room and home office - House Beautiful - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- An interior designer critiqued my bare-bones outdoor space. She gave me simple tricks to make it cool and functional. - Yahoo Life - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Take A Break From Murderous Revenge With Some Interior Design In Assassin's Creed Shadows - Kotaku - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 4 British Interior Design Trends Americans Are Going to Be Obsessed with in 2025 - House Beautiful - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- This NYC apartment showcases a simplified traditional style that's surprisingly perfect for a modern lifestyle - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 18 Atlanta Interior Designers, Architects, and Builders on the AD PRO Directory You Need to Know - Architectural Digest - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 8 Things Designers Say Are A Waste Of Money - Southern Living - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Prints, soft colors and a 'sense of whimsy' gave this Florida lakeside home a charming new look that's perfect for spring - Homes & Gardens - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 5 Playful, Pinterest-approved interior design trends to know for 2025 - HELLO! - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Inside the Mysteries of The Residence - Netflix Tudum - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- "Home is Where the Heart Is" Co-Hosts Luke Macfarlane & Olivia Westbrooks - KATU - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- A Keeping Room Will Transform Your Kitchen (and Your Home)Here's What to Know - AOL - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 6 Common Mistakes When Choosing Interior Paint Colors and How to Avoid Them - Mansion Global - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- 7 Decorating Secrets That Will Instantly Elevate Your Home, According to Interior Designers - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Interior designers reveal their biggest decorating icks and pet peeves - The Independent - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 5 Trends Interior Designers Say They Would Never Use in Their Own Homes And Their Opinions Are Controversial - LivingEtc - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- "A Balance of Restraint and Irreverence" How This Home Masters the Art of 'Playfully Mature' Style - LivingEtc - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Emily Henderson shares the best salvaged pieces in her home - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Tile Trends That Will Be Dominating In 2025 - House Digest - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 10 Interior Design Mistakes Experts Avoid In Their Own Homes - Forbes - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Are Dutch doors the best front door design? 7 reasons why designers love this charming on trend architectural feature - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Interior Designer Shares Current Trend That Will Be Outdated the Quickest - Newsweek - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Fisherman Core Is Trending in Interior DesignHere's How to Get the Timeless Aesthetic - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Elegant colors that will elevate any room 6 go-to shades among designers for a timeless space - Homes & Gardens - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- AD Small Spaces: This Bengaluru apartment is a soulful escape where the light never leaves - Architectural Digest India - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Design Experts Recommend Avoiding These Trends - Evrim Aac - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Making a comeback: Design choices from the past can work well today - Daily Herald - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- 9 Items Interior Designers Urge Their Clients Not to Buyand What to Get Instead - Martha Stewart - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- This Family of 5's Kitchen Transformation Makes IKEA Cabinets Look Designer - Apartment Therapy - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- We bought a derelict bedsit and turned it into a 3m family home - The Times - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- The Best Small-Space Furniture and Decor Finds at Wayfair, According to an Interior Designer - PEOPLE - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Meet The Czech Designer With A Distinctive Artistic Touch - Interior Design - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Owner of Pittsburgh interior design business charged with scamming clients out of over $400K - CBS News - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Why the Perfect Time to Work with an Interior Designer Is Now - ELLE Decor - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- My small kitchen feels cold and impersonal but interior designers say these things will instantly make it feel cozier - Homes & Gardens - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Hudson Home: A creative hub of design, inspiration and connections - Times Union - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Local interior designer accused of scamming 8 clients out of over $440,000 - WPXI Pittsburgh - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The 14 Very Best Bed Frames - New York Magazine - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- 12 Neutral Paint Colors That Will Look Beautiful in Every Room - AOL - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The 15 Most Popular Interior Design Themes for Every Style - MSN - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- No stylish living room is complete without this key piece designers explain why the humble ottoman could be just what your space is missing - Homes... - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- 15 Unexpected Spring Home Trends That Will Define the Season - Good Housekeeping - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Im an interior designer - avoid these 5 renovating mistakes to save money' - Express - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Five simple ways to refresh your home for spring, according to the experts - The Independent - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- Family Style in Johns Island - NewsBreak - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- The Very Best Throw Blankets - New York Magazine - March 9th, 2025 [March 9th, 2025]
- These Are the 27 Movies Designers Watch Over and Over Again for Inspiration - Veranda - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The Best Of Houzz 2025 Awards Reveal The Hottest Interior Design Trends - Forbes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Meet the celebrity interior designer that is giving back to wildfire victims. - NBC Los Angeles - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- NAVFAC MIDLANT awards its Architect, Landscape Architect & Interior Designer of the Year and Project Manager of the Year for 2025 - DVIDS - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Midcentury Modern Is OutHeres What High-End Designers Say Is In - House Beautiful - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 11 ways to inject effortless luxury into your bedroom - HELLO! - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 9 Space-Saving Furniture Picks That Interior Designers Loveand They're All on Amazon - Real Simple - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]