I'm glad someone else posted this. I just responded to someone saying they hated the ceramic tile in their bathroom, but nothing else so I told them to remove it. What else do they want people to say to a 3 word dilemma. I think people are posting from their phones, and typing two words is as difficult as it is for me to type a paragragh using a regular keyboard.

Make it as easy as possible for the reader. Break out all the questions into their own paragraphs. In reality, the best understood posts are very close to outline form. You'll not only get better framed answers, you'll get MORE of them.

When I see a post where I might be able to help but it's a bunch of stuff all in a 500 word rambling one paragraph format, my eyes glaze over and it's on to another more easily understood dilemma.

I think it is also important to look at who is giving the advise. Is it a professional or not? Often I see bad advice from those who are not in the trade. In addition where the project is located vs where the professional lives is another issues I see at times. Codes are different from city to city yet alone state to state.

Yep, welcome to Houzz, Amy.

I agree Kevin. I too have had the decorating classes and decorated 7 apartments, condos, & homes, 2 story & ranches. When I comment it is based on that experience of what works & what does not. The pros give very good advice & I continue to learn from them. But sometimes I shake my head & no comment. :)

Specify the budget range. It's one thing to plan for paint and new curtains, it's another to tear down a house to the studs.

First, think the question through. Be brief and itemize don't likes as well as likes.

To the Pros above, I've seen plenty of rooms on Houzz, executed by Pros, that are hot messes. This site is for enthusiasts of all ilks, and, professionals have the option of listing themselves as such.

Not every dilemma requires a Pro, and not every OP wants their advice. There are lots of threads where someone just wants some reassurance that the room looks fine without having to throw out everything they have. A lot of the homes people post about are 'normal' as in not wanting ultra modern furnishings and the like.

The great thing about a situation like the "design dilemma" section of Houzz is that people can get another person's opinion about their specific design project. I think that it's important to some people to get as many ideas as possible, and then figure out what works for them. Other people just get confused by too many options. (just like with clients in the design center)

My intent for the original post, was to help people post their dilemmas in a way that would give them the best information.

if it helps keep people from...

Asking what color of (paint, carpet, floor, upholstery, drapery, tile, blinds, etc) to change to, without any sort of context as to style, color preference, lifestyle, etc...

Asking questions about specific spaces without photos and measurements...

Asking questions about furniture possibilities without any context of adjacent spaces...

... That would make the design dilemmas a place where people can get better responses, without having to do 20 questions first.

I just thought of another one - posting a photo of something very close up, without any context. - if you are looking for a specific tile, fabric, or other material, knowing the size, and scale can make a difference in the responses you get.

Excellent post, Michelle. I'm all for making Houzz function better for everyone. And it must be really discouraging to get no replies and not understand why.

There is a balance between providing too much or not enough information, but nevertheless photos and/or a floor plan would help readers understand the dilemma better.

One more thing: it's helpful to those giving advice if the poster has ideabooks, preferably organized by area rather than a single one with a bazillion photos, and with notes that specify what they do and don't like about each space.

I am bumping this!

I cant stand it when they post pictures of the previous owners decor and then expect us to know what their furniture and style is.........."how should i decorate this space" "this isnt my furniture, and we will be painting" ......hmmm, or they dont even say it, and you give them ideas based on the pictures, then they come back with "ohh this is the previous owners furniture......." geez

Another thing to keep in mind, is that design minded people tend to think in the "whole picture" - if you show just one piece of the puzzle - or ask a question about just one product, the answer may or may not be what you are looking for.

If I add a photo to an idea book and leave a comment like "flooring" for my idea book, does the idea book comment show up in the general discussion?

no, you need to add photos, or specifically send people to your idea book

Excellent topic and suggestions, Michelle. A few more for posters:
* Make the question clear in the subject line, or if that's too difficult, at least in the text below.
* Offer a clue as to where you are, if relevant.
* Avoid asking a question if you already know the answer.
* Avoid asking a question for which there IS no answer.
* As apple_pie_order mentioned, give at least a clue about the budget.
* If you don't get responses, don't keep posting the same dilemma over and over.
* If there's a before and after, specify which is which. (No, it's not always obvious!)

For responders:
* Look at the date and read at least some of the dilemma before responding, so that you don't blurt out ideas that the OP rejected two years ago.
* Be patient with people whose native language is obviously not English.
* Avoid bossing the OP.
* Don't assume that everybody follows trends (or cares about them).
* Be aware when you're responding to a design dilemma vs adding a comment on a photo in your ideabook.

if questions are about landscaping or plant material, the plant zone or geographic area is needed.

Another thing people need to realize is that there's no way someone responding on a forum [even a Pro] can tell you if you can do whatever within a certain budget. I just responded to a thread wanting to know if a major remodel could be done for $XXX,000 when all they gave was a 250 word explanation of what they wanted to do. How on earth can anyone know the answer to that? And do people honestly think they can rely on an answer to such a generic question? It's like going on a health forum and posting that you are having chest pain, and wanting to know if everyone thinks is GERD or something more serious. I've actually seen stuff like tht on health forums!

Not to be petty, but this idea that you'll get more response if you have a poll when you aren't asking people which they prefer adds confusion to the thread. In the last few weeks I've seen numerous such 'polls' where the options were a sentence from the narrative!

Remember, that unless you are specific - terms like "large", "small", "short" "tall" are too generic for people to help make recommendations. Try to include measurements and a picture or two.

If you have inspiration photos on your houzz profile, that can help people get an idea of your style, as well.

Photographs from different angles which show adjacent spaces, and windows and doors are invaluable.

This is an old post but one I still wonder about. I have posted a diagram with room dimensions, looking for advice on furniture layout for a family room. I’ve had few responses. It seems people are more keen to offer advice after mistakes have been made. I’m trying to avoid this scenario before purchasing new furniture.

blackj24, I went to your profile to find your dilemma and the most recent one I see from you is 2 1/2 years old. Didn't see anything about furniture layout for a family room.

I recently posted and got very little response. Tried to provide all the info up front - layout, furniture options, what the space is used for, even a design board. I also asked some very concrete questions. I think my post was just way too long. So now what should I do - try again with a shorter post? The advise above said not to try posting again! Does that mean I blew my one shot at help? I really need help :-(

Susan - I saw your post from a few days ago. I love blue velvet sofas! Didnt respond because it is much too long, at least for me. A post that long with links is like homework. I also think you would have gotten a better response had you included photos in the original post instead of the next one down. But maybe you had problems attaching photos, not sure. I think you should try again. That being said, I will go back and offer an answer.

Maybe a bit long Susan L but at least you made ample use of the paragraph. As I said above (four years ago LOL!) since all participation here is voluntary, the ONE paragraph 1500 word rambling posts are the ones I skip over and move one to better formatted questions. Don't expect me to work hard to understand the issue.

Thanks ilikefridayand Architectrunnerguy!

I knew as soon as I posted it was too long! Honestly, I tried to pre-answer all the questions that everyone always asks... what style are you going for, what do you need the room for, what's the layout, etc. But it was just too much all at once. And then the editor added in all these extra paragraph breaks, and wouldn't let me add photos, making it even worse. I'll try again.

I’m looking for a few suggestions on what color wall paint I could try with these grey cabinet?

You need to start a new dilemma of your own to get answers to your question, bomax2.

Bomax2's dilemma is here - https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5885359/looking-for-wall-paint-colors-that-go-with-grey-cabinets

@Suzann Drakeford, what is your question on this 4 year old post?

I’m new here. If I want an opinion on furniture arrangement and if there is too much/too little, will a picture suffice?