Fan of lifestyle and home improvement shows? It’s time for something a little racier than usual! Taking the stage is Netflix’s new show How to Build a Sex Room which just premiered on the streaming platform. In each episode, host and designer Melanie Rose gets couples to open up about their intimate life. She then conceptualizes the ideal sex room according to their preferences.

Netflix is expanding its home and design content lineup with shows like Interior Design Masters, Dream Home Makeover, and even Queer Eye. With this kinky new show, the streamer attempts to tap into the unexplored world of playrooms built with carnal desires. A lot of credit goes to Melanie Rose, though. Sex rooms could be a tricky market to pave your way through.

Who is Melanie Rose and what is her origin story?

The Mary Poppins of Sex Rooms, as she is so affectionately monikered, Rose, did not start her journey with intimate spaces. An interior designer from Surrey, England, she initially specialized in luxury bathrooms and kitchen designs. She stumbled into designing sex rooms about a decade ago at the request of a client.

At a Netflix press event, Rose narrates the story to Today. “Actually, I was approached by a client of mine and they asked if I had ever designed a sex room before. It was a bit shocking.” While hesitant at first, she changed her mind after some research. “And I thought, Why not? Why wouldn’t I go and design a sex room?”. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Faucets, fixtures, cabinets, and more are the archetypal elements that make up any kitchen or bathroom. Apart from the various brands and finishes, there isn’t much scope for creativity. Conversely, creating a sex room gave Rose several opportunities to utilize ‘out of the box’ ideas. She has found her niche and has been shining in it for 10 years now.

Melanie confided she had to sign a few NDAs when working with high-profile clients. These clients obviously don’t appear on Netflix’s How to Build a Sex Room. While she can’t discuss specifics, Rose did describe one of her favorite creations. Ideal for role-playing, the room is adorned with padded walls. According to Rose, any room can transform into a sex room. It’s any space, “that is almost like a fantasy room or a room that will give you an experience.”

What is Netflix’s How to Build a Sex Room?

The first season of How to build a Sex Room is out and comprises 8 episodes. It brings in several couples that either already have set fetishes or are attempting to elevate their sex lives. A typical episode begins with an inspection wherein Rose evaluates the desired space for the room. She then converses with the clients about their likes, kinks, and desires, as well as ways to enhance their connection and sexual rapport.

Melanie even brings out her Mary Poppins bag of tricks full of sex toys. She displays it to her clients to gauge their comfort levels, boundaries, and preferences. It helps her design better. Her bag of toys even breaks the ice with the couples, who then easily open up about their fantasies. Apart from that, Rose also believes that her ‘pish-posh’ British accent makes the clients think, “Phew, I don’t have to hold anything back. I can talk to her obviously about everything.”

The final looks on the show range from full-fledged sex dungeons to elegant hotel suites with a twist. Whether one fancies harnesses, a spanking bench, a St. Andrews cross, or just a bed to tie your partner spread-eagled. Melanie rises to the challenge. To spark a conversation, Rose suggests that the skeptical audience watches the show with their partners. She hopes they will learn that it’s okay to discuss sex without feeling judged, just like her clients.

If the naughty, yet possibly sex-positive vibe of the show inspires you to build your own sex room, remember Melanie’s tips. “Lighting is key and installing carpet is a major ‘no no’.” Perhaps you could even be a guest on the show if it renews for a second season. What are your thoughts?