Design Guides

Everything you need to know about measuring spaces, planning renovations, and using RoomyLab to its full potential.

How to Measure Your Room for Flooring
Tutorial
December 18, 20257 min read

How to Measure Your Room for Flooring

Learn the trick to getting accurate square footage for hardwood or carpet installation without wasting money.

How to Trace an Existing Floor Plan
Tutorial
December 21, 20256 min read

How to Trace an Existing Floor Plan

Stop drawing from scratch. Learn how to upload a photo of your blueprint and turn it into a digital model in minutes.

The Kitchen Work Triangle Explained
Design Tips
December 22, 20255 min read

The Kitchen Work Triangle Explained

Why your stove, sink, and fridge placement matters more than you think when planning a renovation.

Is Open Concept Right for Your Home?
Architecture
December 24, 20256 min read

Is Open Concept Right for Your Home?

Breaking down walls isn't always the best answer. Here is why you might want to keep some boundaries.

How to Layout Your Room Like a Pro: The Ultimate Dimensions & Clearance Guide
Design Resources
December 25, 20256 min read

How to Layout Your Room Like a Pro: The Ultimate Dimensions & Clearance Guide

Stop guessing if the sofa fits. Here is the architect's guide to standard dimensions, clearance zones, and how to use RoomyLab to visualize the perfect layout before you buy.

How to Spot a Bad Floor Plan: 7 Expensive Mistakes to Fix Before You Build
Design Tips
December 26, 20258 min read

How to Spot a Bad Floor Plan: 7 Expensive Mistakes to Fix Before You Build

Moving walls is cheap on a screen but expensive in real life. Here is the architect's guide to the layout traps that ruin renovations and how to solve them.

How to Choose the Right Rug Size: The Architect's Guide to Layouts
Design Resources
December 28, 20257 min read

How to Choose the Right Rug Size: The Architect's Guide to Layouts

A rug that is too small makes your room look cheap. Here are the exact rules for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms to ensure you stop wasting money on return shipping.

How to Avoid the 'Hospital Effect': The Ultimate Guide to Light Bulb Temperature
Tutorial
January 2, 20267 min read

How to Avoid the 'Hospital Effect': The Ultimate Guide to Light Bulb Temperature

Why does your expensive renovation look like a sterile clinic? You likely chose the wrong Kelvin temperature. Here is the architectural standard for choosing the right bulb.

Mastering the Small Bathroom Layout: Dimensions & Clearances
Design Guides
January 3, 20267 min read

Mastering the Small Bathroom Layout: Dimensions & Clearances

Bathrooms are the most expensive room per square foot to renovate. Here is how to squeeze a tub, toilet, and vanity into a tight space without breaking code.

The 60-30-10 Rule: How to Choose Colors Like a Designer
Design Tips
January 5, 20266 min read

The 60-30-10 Rule: How to Choose Colors Like a Designer

Why do some rooms look professionally styled while others look chaotic? The secret isn't the furniture—it's the color math.

Floors First or Paint First? The Correct Order of Renovation
Tutorial
January 6, 20268 min read

Floors First or Paint First? The Correct Order of Renovation

Doing things in the wrong order leads to damaged floors and repainted walls. Follow this roadmap to save time and money.

Designing the Ultimate WFH Setup: Layouts for Productivity
Architecture
January 7, 20267 min read

Designing the Ultimate WFH Setup: Layouts for Productivity

Stop working from the kitchen table. Here is how to position your desk, manage lighting, and create a Zoom-ready background.

Small Bedroom Layout Ideas: How to Fit a Queen Bed and Desk in 10x10
Design Guides
January 8, 20266 min read

Small Bedroom Layout Ideas: How to Fit a Queen Bed and Desk in 10x10

100 square feet doesn't feel like enough, but with the right layout, you can fit a workspace and a queen bed without sacrificing style.

Walk-In Closet Dimensions: The Ultimate Layout Guide
Design Guides
January 9, 20267 min read

Walk-In Closet Dimensions: The Ultimate Layout Guide

Planning a dream closet? Here are the exact measurements for hanging rods, shelving depths, and island clearances to maximize your storage.

Designing a Functional Laundry Room: Dimensions & Clearances
Design Guides
January 11, 20266 min read

Designing a Functional Laundry Room: Dimensions & Clearances

Will those new front-loaders actually fit? Here are the critical measurements for washer/dryer clearance, counter depths, and utility sinks.

Entryway & Mudroom Standards: Bench Heights, Hooks, and Flow
Design Guides
January 12, 20266 min read

Entryway & Mudroom Standards: Bench Heights, Hooks, and Flow

Stop tripping over shoes. Here are the critical dimensions for building a functional mudroom bench, hanging hooks, and maximizing shoe storage.

Designing the Perfect Nursery: Layouts for Safety & Sleep
Design Guides
January 13, 20267 min read

Designing the Perfect Nursery: Layouts for Safety & Sleep

It is not just about the cute wallpaper. Learn the strict safety rules for crib placement and how to arrange a room for 3 AM diaper changes.

How High Should You Mount Your TV? (The Exact Math)
Tutorial
January 14, 20266 min read

How High Should You Mount Your TV? (The Exact Math)

Stop guessing and putting extra holes in your drywall. Here is the exact formula for mounting 55, 65, and 75-inch TVs for the perfect viewing angle.

The High & Wide Rule: How to Hang Curtains Correctly
Design Tips
January 15, 20265 min read

The High & Wide Rule: How to Hang Curtains Correctly

Stop hanging your rods on the window trim. Here is the math to make your windows look twice as big and your ceilings look taller.

The Ultimate Paint Sheen Guide: Satin vs. Eggshell vs. Flat
Design Guides
January 15, 20266 min read

The Ultimate Paint Sheen Guide: Satin vs. Eggshell vs. Flat

Picking the color is only half the battle. Choosing the wrong sheen can highlight every dent in your drywall. Here is the rulebook for every room.

Recessed Lighting 101: How to Calculate Spacing and Placement
Tutorial
January 16, 20267 min read

Recessed Lighting 101: How to Calculate Spacing and Placement

Stop living in shadows or glares. Learn the 'ceiling height rule' for perfectly even recessed lighting without the 'Swiss cheese' look.

The Ultimate Walk-In Pantry: Dimensions for Maximum Storage
Design Guides
January 16, 20266 min read

The Ultimate Walk-In Pantry: Dimensions for Maximum Storage

Don't build a pantry that feels like a cramped closet. Learn the 'elbow room' rule and the ideal shelf depths for cereal boxes vs. canned goods.

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