In this episode we chat about life as a family of four sharing a single bathroom and outline our plans for adding another bathroom in the future. As usual, the conversation drifts toward bathrooms—why Americans have become so obsessed with them and how, over the last fifty years, the number of bathrooms per person has dramatically increased. On a happier note, we finally have real beds after weeks of sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and it’s such a relief. We describe how each bed serves a different practical purpose in our compact home. We also reveal which décor styles are trending in each state and bring conversations from Instagram about supporting Black makers and voices into the podcast.
You can also find this episode on your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Stitcher, and Spotify.
What’s New
- We finally put our mattress on a simple wood platform bed in our room so we don’t sleep on the floor anymore. The platform gives us storage underneath (currently holding framed art and prints for a future guest shed) and offers the option to add a headboard later—either built or upholstered. The bed is real wood, so we can stain it if we want to adjust the color; ours reads a touch warmer than the online photos.
- We ordered two beds for the kids’ rooms. Our daughter’s bed provides three sides of under-bed storage that’s perfect for books and games. Our son’s bed features two large drawers that neatly corral toys and extra clothes. Both beds have functional storage that works well in smaller bedrooms.
Top Trending Design Styles By State
- We look at findings from a study that analyzed Instagram posts to identify the most popular interior design styles in each state. The results show interesting regional preferences and highlight how trends vary across the country. One note: some state labels in the original analysis appear inconsistent, so take specific state assignments with a grain of salt.
- The study also found that a small number of states account for a large share of interior design posts on Instagram—nearly 40% of posts come from just three states—though it’s unclear whether those totals were adjusted for population size or density.
America’s Bathroom Obsession
- We discuss an in-depth piece that traces how the bathroom evolved from an overlooked, utilitarian space to one of the most important rooms homebuyers consider. The analysis explores social changes, home design trends, and the cultural reasons bathrooms now carry so much weight in American homes.
- As for our house, we plan to add an ensuite off our bedroom where the kids’ current room sits. We love the kitchen window behind that room, so we’re considering using only half of the adjacent porch area to preserve one of the double windows while creating space for a modest bathroom addition.
- We also referenced two of our past bathroom projects that may be helpful if you’re planning your own updates: a complete master-bath overhaul we did in our previous house, and a smaller, demo-free refresh of a hall bathroom. Both projects share practical lessons and creative ideas for improving function and style on different budgets.
We’re Digging
- Visit our Instagram profile to view the “Make Change” highlight circles, which showcase dozens of Black-owned businesses and makers worth supporting. The highlights are curated to make it easy to discover small shops with thoughtful, design-forward products.
- We’re compiling an ever-growing catalog of more than 300 Black-owned businesses and will continue to add to it. We’ll spotlight shops for seasonal gift guides and special occasions so this effort remains active long-term rather than a one-off list.
- If you’re looking for a moving and funny read about identity and resilience, we recommend Trevor Noah’s memoir Born a Crime. It blends sharp storytelling with humor and powerful moments.
- We also shared podcast recommendations hosted by Black creators or centered on Black stories. A few worthy listens include NPR’s Code Switch, Best Friends with Nicole Byer & Sasheer Zamata, the investigative series 74 Seconds, Journeys in Greenery with Hilton Carter, The Read, The Nicole Walters Podcast, Still Processing from The New York Times, Design Perspectives with Gail M. Davis, Black, Married & Debt Free, and Slow Burn (Season 3).
If you want to revisit topics from past episodes, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve covered in our “We’re Digging” posts. That list makes it easy to find previous recommendations, projects, and the books we’ve discussed in our Book Club.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you when you purchase through links on our site.