The Parts of Our Home We Never Show You

Episode 32 of Young House Love Has A Podcast is here, and these are the official show notes. In this episode, a listener asked us to reveal the odd habits and quirky items we keep around our home, so we opened the doors and called each other out. From the unusual stash John keeps in his office to the inexplicable items that end up on our couch and inside kitchen drawers, we share a few of the things that make our house uniquely ours. We also react to a local realtor’s take on Sherry’s dream bathroom remodel and talk about a popular robot vacuum that didn’t quite meet our expectations.

If you prefer to download the episode, it’s available from major podcast platforms. Listen to the episode and then use these notes to check the links, images, and references we mentioned during the show. If you’re reading this in a feed, you may need to visit the post on the website to access the episode player.

What’s New

Current bathroom view with separate shower/toilet area and vanity

  • Above are reference photos of our current bathroom layout. On the right is the shower and toilet area; on the left is the main vanity. It looks like two bathrooms side-by-side because, in a way, it is—two separate zones divided by a wall.
  • The floor plan (not shown here) explains how those two areas are awkwardly separated. Our plan is to reunite them into a single, larger vanity with two sinks so the space feels logical and cohesive instead of split in half.
  • If you’re curious about the wardrobes we installed in our previous house’s primary bedroom, we included a link to an older blog post that documents that project; it’s an archival post with small photos but lots of memories and lessons learned.

Bathroom alternative view or layout reference

  • John also shared a few running-related recommendations and reflections this episode: a quick history of why he runs plus several pieces of gear he reaches for during the season. He included suggestions spanning footwear, apparel, and accessories that have worked well for him over the years.

What’s Not

  • We discussed an article that lists commonly regretted DIY projects and renovation choices homeowners wish they hadn’t made. It’s a useful read if you’re planning major home work and want to avoid common pitfalls.
  • John also recounted a few of his personal “never again” projects: building a large deck at our previous home (far more exhausting than it appeared) and refinishing and installing hardwood floors across an entire upper level. Both taught valuable lessons, and he’s happy he completed them but not eager to repeat the experience.

Listener Question

John's running clothes drawer

  • We encouraged listeners to call in with their own home quirks by leaving a voicemail; a few of the best stories are both charming and oddly specific to each household.
  • The photo above shows John’s running clothes drawer in the office. We also shared a picture of two stuffed buddies—“Bearger” and his pal, Burger—who sometimes show up in surprising spots around the house.

Bearger and Burger plush toys

  • And let’s not forget Rice Sock: an improvised heat pack (a sock filled with uncooked rice) that lives somewhere in the house. Imagine a plump sock full of dry rice—handy for soothing sore muscles or providing a quick bit of warmth on chilly evenings.

We’re Digging

  • We talked about owning an older Roomba model. Although that specific model is no longer sold, we reflected on our experience with robot vacuums in general: how convenient they can be, and where they fall short. If you’ve tried a robot vacuum, sharing your take helps other listeners decide if one is right for their home.
  • We also recommended following a few organizing accounts on social media if you love beautifully arranged spaces. Some feeds are endlessly inspiring for anyone who enjoys tidying, storage ideas, and clever organizing solutions.

Looking for something we mentioned in earlier episodes? We maintain a master list of items and topics we’ve highlighted in past episodes, which makes it easy to revisit favorite recommendations and finds from previous shows.

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