I hear you! I've always had an interest in design and learn a lot here. It's also fun to see what other people do.

Well for me it is getting another perspective on decisions I am making for our new build.

I'm a colorist so design has always been somewhat of a passion for me. This forum is a wealth of knowledge from pros and non-pros alike. It is better to learn from someone else's mistakes. Besides you can lurk and No One is the wiser.

Houzz is so addictive for me, I would never sign up for a notification button! It's is my major go-to procrastination distraction. I even downloaded an app to restrict my time on here. I mainly spend time as a Commentor--which is nervy since I don't have a design background--and have created multiple Ideabooks just for other people. In the process, I've adapted many of the pros' suggestions in my own home.

I'm not a designer but care a lot about good design. I like to encourage people to value qualities that make a room or home inviting and liveable: airiness, function, flow, harmony, comfort, hospitality. (I'm not so good on picking furniture or suggesting specific colors.) Since I feel so strongly about these qualities, I'm kind of a missionary about them.

IMO, arranging furniture in good layouts and adding great lighting can often do more for a room than gutting it. I make an effort to help people see the basics of their space--Wood cabinets? Keep them (if they're in good shape). Red brick fireplace? Don't whitewash it, work with it. And don't paint that wood trim! I feel an unstoppable urge to step in when someone buys one kind of house then tries to make it some farmhouse thing they saw on HGTV. I especially want to rescue midcentury modern houses from going farmhouse-y. (I do like the farmhouse style quite a bit in the right houses--simple lines, very light and clean looking. But you can get that without shiplapping the heck out of a house.) Even if I have to pay bills or get back to real work, I will lose an awful lot of time on Houzz advising someone embrace and enhance what they have rather than try to force their house to be something else.

I usually choose Dilemmas that won't be costly to solve, i.e. don't add an entryway, float the sofa to make a hallway--that kind of thing. Along with some of the pros, I hate, hate, hate big black or brown leather "manatee" sofas, most especially sectionals, so I do my best to discourage the purchase of them. If it's too late, I try to help the Dilemma poster to lighten up other furniture in a room. I can't resist telling someone not to buy a humongous TV either, which is often why a room doesn't feel comfortable. So add it all up, I'm a design bossypants with no background in it who wastes a ridiculous amount of time on Houzz. Let me know if there's a 12-step program for it. (I don't do this in my real life--wouldn't dream of telling anyone I know how to fix up their place unless they asked. And they do!)

lol, wondering the same thing!

housegal200 - I wonder if we share some DNA.

Me too!

I enjoyed these forums way back in 2009-10 etc I think. I had to stop because of moving countries and getting married, being busier than before. I got tired of being too involved.

I check now and then. I wish I could help people hands on. It’s so much easier to just explain by tongue for me than type all of it down. Satisfaction basically. But I could work on that skill (through this exercise) and help people out this way.. I love designing.

I get up really early and this is my way of keeping quiet until my hubby gets up so i have my coffee and check out Houzz. I do not have the notifications .

I posted a dilemma Friday morning then got caught up in seeing if I could help anyone solve their dilemma. (I felt the need to "give back" to the community.) Next thing I knew, it was hours later! Usually I'm reluctant to give advice unless I've been through the same situation and learned something from the process. In a way I appreciate knowing I'm not the only one who stresses over design decisions. The addictive part for me is starting to care about another person's project and looking for all the updates. Truly it is quite the distraction--and why I don't have a FB account--too dangerous for me. Even right now, I'm not supposed to be on here! I also have to say it makes me feel good when someone Likes my comment. (Hint, hint--just kidding.) Thanks for posting the question, hu1967910.

I'm not addicted to reading and posting comments, but look for projects I can work on to keep my skills upto date. Design Dilemmas are real issues, if I'm able to offer a solution I do that, otherwise I observe other people's solutions. I am fairly new here and I know I can leave anytime without missing it, but I have to be here because it's work related.