A bit of both.

Usually the advice from professionals is identified with the word "PRO" under the name and they often have a company name. ( like mine )
The rest are non professionals who enjoy helping.
However there are a few participants who aren't identified as PRO's who give very professional advice.....and I would guess that they might also be professionals but they are not identifying themselves as such....

That would be me, I am a retired pro and still like to keep my hand in. I moved to a very small town that I love but the need for designers is minimal.

I maybe retired, but I'm a Pro none the less.......like Patricia, I like to keep my hands in too and have never felt the need to label myself as a Pro. I think my responses usually speak to my experience levels, besides........to much exposure leads to work and that might interfere with my down time and art work........:)

Amen, Thomas. I must admit though when I get the odd job I still really enjoy it.

I'm a non-pro. I have learned so much from both the pros and non-pros on Houzz. I enjoy offering suggestions and advice based on my experience in certain situations or with certain products. I read many more Dilemmas than I comment on and I "Like" many more comments than I comment on myself. I hope you were able to use some of the advice you received. :)

I am not a pro. I am just an average person who has seen many poorly designed houses and strangely done rooms in my life. I have a strong interest in art and fabric, together and separately, and what I think is a pretty good eye. I pay little attention to the houzz ideabooks although I do read through a few every once in awhile. Mostly I just rely on what I think looks attractive, comfortable, and liveable which I think are the most important considerations for the average homeowner with not a lot of money or time to devote to their rooms. One of the things I like about this website, beyond the opportunity to give advice to my heart's content, is the mix of pros and joes (non-pros). Most often the mix creates some very good solutions.

I'm not a pro.

The thing people need to understand if they post something on a forum is that it's like going to the mall with a PA system, standing on a platform and asking a question of the crowd. You're going to get a wide variety of people answering your question in a host of different ways. If you ask if such-and-such looks good, you'll have people think it's wonderful and tell you, and at least one other who won't hesitate to tell you it's the ugliest thing they've ever seen. You can't screen who responds or what they say so you have to know how to filter out the helpful comments from the snarky ones. And Houzz isn't very snarky overall in my experience.

*Stands up*.. HI, my name is Margo. I am not a PRO. I have fruit on my head, and like to give design advice. It is just an opinion;))

Not a pro but wish I was :) I am a biologist but decorating/remodeling "stuff" is my hobby and passion. I often wonder if that is really what I should have pursued...and if I ever change careers, interior design field here I come!

I comment mainly because I love to talk about this kind of stuff and most people I know could care less so I need an outlet :) I have received a TON of help and inspiration on here so I try to help too...