Of course! Here is a comprehensive collection of online forums and communities where you can find discussions, advice, and inspiration for all aspects of decoration, including walls, floors, and ceilings for both home and commercial spaces.
These forums range from massive, general DIY communities to more niche sites focused on specific styles or professional trades.
Major General DIY & Home Improvement Forums
These are the largest communities with dedicated sections for every part of your project.
Houzz
Best for: Endless inspiration photos (their “Ideabooks” are legendary), direct advice from professionals, and product recommendations.
Key Sections: “Discussion Forums” have sub-forums for “Interior Design,” “Painting & Finishing,” “Flooring,” “Ceilings,” and “Commercial Design.”
Why it’s great: You can post a picture of your space and get specific advice from designers and seasoned homeowners.
Reddit – Home & DIY Subreddits
Best for: Honest, unfiltered opinions, real-time help, and seeing “real” projects (not just magazine spreads).
Key Subreddits:
r/HomeImprovement: The go-to for any DIY question.
r/InteriorDesign: For design-focused discussions.
r/DIY: To see step-by-step project builds.
r/HomeDecorating: More casual decorating tips.
r/CommercialRealEstate: (For commercial aspects, search for “tenant improvement” or “fit-out” topics).
Why it’s great: Huge, active user base. The search function is your best friend.
DoItYourself.com Forums
Best for: Detailed, technical advice from very knowledgeable DIYers.
Key Sections: “Interior Home Improvement,” “Flooring,” “Painting,” “Ceilings.”
Why it’s great: The community is very thorough and helpful with complex problems.
The Home Depot Community
Best for: Practical advice often related to specific products available at big-box stores.
Key Sections: “Decorating & Design,” “Flooring,” “Paint.”
Why it’s great: Great for questions like “What kind of underlayment do I need for this laminate floor?”
Specialized & Niche Forums
These communities dive deep into specific materials or styles.
John Bridge Tile Forum
Best for: All things tile (walls, floors, showers, ceilings). This is the absolute authority.
Key Focus: Professional tilers and serious DIYers share intricate advice on substrate prep, layout, waterproofing, and grouting.
Why it’s great: Unmatched expertise for tile projects. Essential for anyone doing a bathroom, kitchen, or commercial tile installation.
Hardwood Flooring Forum (by The Hardwood Flooring Institute)
Best for: Specific questions on sanding, finishing, repairing, and installing hardwood floors.
Key Focus: Both solid and engineered wood, along with other materials like laminate and LVT.
Why it’s great: Get advice that rivals professional floor installers.
Wallpaper Forums (within sites like Wallpaper Direct or by searching “Wallpaper Installation” on general forums)
Best for: Tips on hanging wallpaper, pattern matching, and dealing with paste.
Why it’s great: Hanging wallpaper is a specific skill, and these communities help you avoid common pitfalls.
AVS Forum (Home Theater & Automation)
Best for: Ceiling and wall considerations for home theaters and smart homes.
Key Focus: In-wall/In-ceiling speaker placement, wire concealment, acoustic treatments, and projector mounting.
Why it’s great: If your decoration project involves technology, this is a must-visit.
Forums with a Strong Commercial/Professional Focus
Contractor Talk
Best for: Professional contractors and serious commercial property managers.
Key Focus: Trade-specific discussions on commercial finishes, building codes, project management, and business advice.
Why it’s great: See the discussion from the other side—the people who do the work for commercial clients.
ArchiNet (AEC Café) & The Architect’s Forum
Best for: Architects, designers, and specifiers.
Key Focus: High-level discussions on commercial building materials, sustainable design, and new products for walls, floors, and ceilings.
Why it’s great: Get into the mindset of how commercial spaces are conceptually designed and specified.
How to Get the Most Out of These Forums:
Search First: Your question has almost certainly been asked before. A thorough search is the fastest way to get an answer.
Be Specific: When you post, include details like:
Room/Space: (e.g., “master bathroom,” “retail store lobby”)
Dimensions/Photos: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Your Skill Level: Are you a beginner or a pro?
Budget: This heavily influences the advice you’ll get.
Your Problem/Goal: Be as clear as possible.
Be Patient: It might take a few hours or a day for the best experts to see your post and respond.
Give Back: If you find a solution, post an update with photos of your finished project. It helps the next person!
Happy decorating!
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