Studio hours · FAQ
Design Questions
Most questions that land in the studio inbox are really questions about order: what to do first, and what can wait. Here are the ones we answer most, each pointing back to the step where it belongs.
What should I buy first for an empty room?
A tape measure and a roll of painter's tape. Draw the plan, trace the routes and test the furniture outlines on the floor first. Lighting comes next, because it shapes every colour and material decision. The sofa — usually the most expensive piece — should be ordered only once the plan is proven. See Layout.
How big should a living room rug be?
Large enough that at least the front legs of every seat rest on it. In most living rooms that means 200 × 300 cm or larger. A small rug floating in the middle of the floor makes the furniture — and the room — look smaller.
Can I paint a small or dark room a dark colour?
Often, yes. A dim room painted pale can look grey and tired; a deep green or ink-brown can make it feel cocooning and deliberate. The condition is layered lighting at several heights, warm bulbs and a little reflective material such as brass or glass. See Light.
Can I mix different wood tones?
Yes. Match undertones (warm, cool or neutral) rather than exact colours, repeat each wood at least twice so it looks intended, and separate strongly contrasting woods with a rug or a textile. See Materials.
What colour temperature should my bulbs be?
Around 2700K for living rooms and bedrooms, 3000K for kitchens and bathrooms, and up to 4000K at a desk. Keep one temperature per room and look for a CRI of 90 or above.
How high should I hang art?
Centre artwork about 145–152 cm from the floor. Above a sofa or sideboard, leave 15–25 cm between the furniture and the bottom of the frame, and aim for art roughly two-thirds the width of the piece below. See Styling.
How do I make a small room feel bigger?
Keep routes clear, choose furniture raised on legs so the floor reads continuously, use one large rug rather than several small ones, hang curtains close to the ceiling and consider colour drenching walls, trim and ceiling in a single shade.
Where should I spend and where should I save?
Spend on touch points and things that are hard to replace: the sofa, the mattress, flooring and the lighting plan. Save on cushions, accessories and trend pieces, which are easy to change as your taste evolves.
Do you sell products or take commissions?
No. AstroBreezyTranst is independent. We do not sell products, use affiliate links or receive payment from any brand or designer mentioned on this site. Read more inside the studio.