If you are serious about fixing your space and want to receive suggestions that will work for you and that are specific to your space, considering including the following information:

1. Be clear about what you want ideas on.
2. Provide as many photos as houzzers will need to give you the information you need. One from each side of the room. If it’s a specific space then a photo of that space showing the entire area around it and if possible from the centre of that space and include measurements.
3.De-clutter before you take your photos and indicate any items you don’t plan to keep.
4.Provide measurements. The size of the room, windows, doors, furniture to be used in the room etc. The more information you provide the better the suggestions will be.
5.Provide a budget or indicate whether your budget is small, medium or large. No one wants to talk about budgets but they are very important when making recommendations. Anyone who wants to help you resolve your issue needs to know what price range they should be recommending merchandise from.
6.Provide information about you and your lifestyle. Your preference for colour and style, the type of prints you like, if you have children or pets etc. The more information you provide the better houzzers will be able to zero in on the suggestions that they make for you specifically. You don’t have to write a novel, but try to include as much information specific to you and your dilemma as possible.
7.Remember that photos posted translate differently from screen to screen and computer to computer. Suggestions on colour etc. should be considered carefully in your space. It’s a good idea to confirm the recommendations with a local pro before you invest a lot of money on a project. If that’s not possible, for some reason, obtain colour chips, measure space with tape etc. to ensure that the suggestions will work in your space.
8.Remember that people are taking time out of their life to try to help you and it’s always nice to be respectful of that time and effort and acknowledge their input.

Scope of work requires talking to a local contractor and an architect do discusss design options.

No doubt you will receive a good amount of information from the houzz community but the scope of your work requires a master plan that ties together your total living environment. This is impossible to do from our vantage point. Suggest you interview a couple of designers or design/build firms in your area after you have had a chance to browse the houzz photos. Make idea books showing what you like or dislike. This will be very helpful when talking to them. The design fees you pay now will help you avoid costly mistakes and stress later.