I recently stumbled upon an article which literally said “room planners suck”. The author emphasized that a room planner does not bring business results to the companies employing them. Although I respect the author’s opinion, I see things differently.

So, do room planners really suck? The short answer would be, room planners don’t suck, but what it can suck is the way they are employed.

And now the long answer.

Ten years ago, when the first room planners appeared, they were a hype. It was something new and everybody in the furniture industry had to have one, although few really understood how they can be actually useful. But also, few tried to explore them in depth and maximize the benefits it can bring them.

I have to also emphasize that is the duty of the company which provides the room planner to give advice about the usage, just selling a room planner isn’t enough, not then, not now, not ever. So, there was somewhere a gap and that’s why some companies which used a room planner didn’t see many results and I’ll give you some reasons for that. 

• Poor advertising – they embedded the room planner into the website’s footer, forgot about it and expected miracles. They did not advertise it, they did not display it in their showrooms, they did not make presentation videos for the users to introduce the tool to them, etc.

• Don’t measure the planner’s traffic alone but in comparison with the website’s traffic. Because if your website does not have a large audience, you can’t expect to have a huge traffic on the planner since the users arrive in the planner from the website.

• Generic instead of personalized – in my opinion this is the worst. I saw many companies which are using a free generic planner, with a generic logo, with a generic catalog of products. If you want the planner to be relevant for your potential customers, you need to customize it to answer to your needs.

• One usage scenario – the planners were only embedded on the website. But there are other ways to employ a room planner,  for example, many of our customers are successfully using the planner internally as a support tool in their sales process. Get creative and explore it.

• The myth that you have to have a tech degree – or similar in order to use a room planner. Well, that’s not quite right. And I am talking about almost all room planners I know – PlanningWiz and its competitors. I would say that room planners are pretty user-friendly and easy to use, you’ll need some basic internet usage skills and some attention. And within minutes you can create interactive plans. See here your YouTube video.

So I am clear, I am talking about room planners, not about technical planning tools used by architects to create complex designs, which indeed are difficult to use. But those are not room planners and they are employed by specific people which their job is to do complex architectural designs.

I emphasized in the beginning that SOME of the companies that integrated room planners didn’t see results and I believe it’s a mistake to generalize it. Indeed, there are companies for which a room planner just didn’t fit and it’s ok, it’s a mistake to think it’s for everybody. At PlanningWiz, we want our planner to be a solution for the company which uses it, not just a nice thing to have.

To wrap this up, we do have successful stories of companies which are using the planner and they’re satisfied with the results, using the planner for several years now.

The post Another Perspective of the Room Planner’s Employment appeared first on PlanningWiz Room Planner.

Here’s a look at 20 neat blogs that should belong on the list of anyone who has a passion for repurposing, building and upcycling. We’ve profiled them here, in no particular order.  

They are packed with lovely furniture upcycle ideas and easy-to-do makeover projects, perfect to engage in making with your children to keep them busy during the summer time. From simple inspiring ideas to grabbing the hammer and starting on something fabulous, you’ll surely find something to match your taste, time & interests.

MyRepurposedLife

Gail Wilson has a native passion for creating new and fabulous things from old items and is a true inspiration for others that want to discover their inner handyperson. She has thousands of fairly easy to approach projects featured on her website and many of them are literally viral.

Favorite post: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/reclaimed-wood-potting-bench/

YoungHouseLove

With a track record of 3 completed home renovation projects John & Sherry have gained a lot of experience that they can share. The blog features nearly 3,000 free DIY & decorating projects to choose from and they have the passion, soul, and skills to run the show.

Favorite post: https://www.younghouselove.com/hi-chair-how-are-ya/

Remodelaholic

With 7 remodeled house projects in the background, Cassity & Justin propose innovative ways to re-creating spaces while sticking to a tight budget.They cover anything between small ornaments to huge renovation projects. They also showcase the most interesting DIY home projects made by their audience.
Favorite post: https://www.remodelaholic.com/inspiring-mudrooms-and-entryways/

TheShabbyCreekCottage
Gina Luker’s blog includes tons of ideas for DIY projects, crafts, decor, recipes and much more. Each project showcases an easy to create idea, and she explains each step clearly. Expect to find creative DIY’s that leave you in the end with a product that you’ll love having in your home.

Favorite post: https://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/best-ikea-essentials.html

Curbly
As a design platform where any DIYer can contribute ideas, articles and videos, Curbly is a must-have online resource for interior design and do-it-yourself advice. With about 5 new posts per week, there is always something going on and that also fits everyone’s taste.
Favorite post: http://curbly.com/diy-maven/posts/7958-how-to-sew-a-storage-basket

Addicted2Decorating

Kristi opens her home to passionate makeover addicts all over the world. She shares her insights as she works to make her house a home on a budget, focusing on ideas that homeowners can accomplish themselves She does that through easy step-by-step instructions that anyone can master.

Favorite post: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/large-dimensional-pixel-artwork-a-k-a-the-most-insane-project-ive-done-to-date.html

Shanty2Chic

This one takes DIY to a new level! Sisters Ashley & Whitney are pros at making furniture pieces by themselves. Their blog offers free furniture plans to make things like tables, nightstands, desks, etc. But if you want to start easily, there are free printables to dress up your home with little to no effort. Caution, it might be addictive!

Favorite post:
https://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2018/05/diy-farmhouse-dog-bed.html

HouseTweaking

Dana Miller is on a constant mission to seeking simplicity. She has truly inspiring projects resulting from her home renovation processes. Her even-keeled approach to big and small projects alike makes us believe that we can actually jump in and follow along at any time.

Favorite post: http://www.housetweaking.com/2016/10/20/diy-shade-sails-in-the-backyard/

VintageRevivals
Mandi Gubler has no fear of entire room makeovers. She has a fantastic eye for design and creativity that helps DIYers add a vintage touch to their spaces. Crazy cool projects to fall in love with once you’re done. Major blog crush!
Favorite post: https://vintagerevivals.com/2015/11/baby-boy-nursery-reveal

DesignerTrapped
Expect to find entertaining ideas and step by step guidance on how to recreate things on your own terms. Her project gallery features everything from furniture makeovers, craft projects, home improvement and many more. Tasha shows you how to do just about anything on the cheap side, without it looking cheap.

Favorite post: https://www.designertrapped.com/west-elm-bentwood-pendant-light-knockoff/

CentsantionalStyle
A beautiful contemporary decor style blog and DIY projects. Host Kate, a formal lawyer turned DIY pro, shows you how to get great style on a budget. Her confident voice and candid approach to tackling projects have us 100 percent hopeful that we can join her one day.

Favorite post: https://centsationalstyle.com/2012/07/diy-potting-bench/

InfarrantlyCreative

Beckie has a natural talent for finding some curbside castaway and turn it into beautiful and usable decor. Follow her repurpose and upcycle adventures and you’ll learn to love the instant satisfaction of doing a quick project. To be bookmarked!

Favorite post: https://www.infarrantlycreative.net/repurposed-pallet-desk/

WilkerDos

April’s goal is, as she puts it, “to look around my home and it would be hard to find something I didn’t do with my own two hands”. With an impressive gallery of projects to browse, she makes great progresses in reaching that.

Favorite post: https://wilkerdos.com/2015/01/diy-toy-storage-and-wooden-crates/

UglyDucklingHouse

Sara has a talent for flipping things upside down and turning them into brand-new sparkly spaces. She takes on every project, big or small, with a step-by-step approach that makes you feel like you can do anything she does.

Favorite post: https://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/easy-2×4-coffee-table-diy/

FunkyJunkInteriors
Donna has the passion, skills and talent to create cool stuff out of salvage finds. She has done tons of transformations and has more upcycle tutorials on her blog than we can count. Browse for inspiration or follow her lead with step-by-step instructions.

Favorite post: https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2011/08/pallet-wood-outdoor-sofa-reveal.html

SnazzyLittleThings
Jeanette chronicles her own home improvement journey with easy, step-by-step instructions that anyone can master while keeping it on a budget. Everything she makes with her make-it-over enjoyment has us wishing to recreate.

Favorite post: https://www.snazzylittlethings.com/4-simple-ways-to-update-your-guest-bathroom/

ModHomEc

Shelly has been taking apart furniture and restyling it for close to 20 years. She shares easy-to-follow tutorials explaining a range of DIY Upholstery projects and she also organizes classes.

Favorite post: http://www.modhomeec.com/2014/08/07/7-unexpected-diy-grommet-projects-you-will-love/

TheDesignConfidential
Rayan’s website is full of free furniture woodworking plans. From tables to beds, all of the woodworking plans offer detailed step-by-step instructions and photos, alongside helpful diagrams.
Favorite post: https://www.thedesignconfidential.com/2016/02/diy-furniture-plans-how-to-build-salvaged-round-table/

DIYShowOff
Roeshel shares endless ideas and tutorials, from before and after home improvements, DIY design and lots of decor on a budget. Beyond everything home improvement-related you’ll also find you’ll also find crafts inspiration and even recipes.

Favorite post: https://diyshowoff.com/2015/12/28/top-diy-projects/

ThePaintedHive

Kristine found her passion and shares it on her blog that documents the transformation of her own home. Her blog covers her favorite projects, great advice, and best of all, has a free printables section included!

Favorite post: http://thepaintedhive.net/2018/02/budget-friendly-diy-bathroom-reveal/

DecorAdventures
Home decoration and DIY for the easily inspired, from furniture makeovers to accents and decor, she’s got you covered. Jessica shares her home-owning journey along with inspiration for your own home projects.

Favorite post: http://www.decoradventures.com/diy-built-in-shoe-shelves/

Is there a furniture DIY blog you’d recommend? Leave us a comment and tell us why it belongs on our list.

The post Top 21 Repurpose & Upcycle Furniture Blogs appeared first on PlanningWiz Room Planner.