I would wait to be asked.

I cant help myself, I'm always rearranging friends places I visit although I pre-warn them now!

I only do this to my mom

I do it all the time when it comes to fashion, personal style and hair... that sort of thing. Not with dwellings, I am not ready yet!

Unsolicited advice is unappreciated advice.

I've talked friends out of getting things like oversized furniture pieces and shoving all their furniture against the walls, but in those situations, they first said things like, "I'm thinking of doing/buying X -- do you think it would look OK?" People see their homes as a reflection of who they are, so I think it would be sort of rude to impose an unsolicited opinion on them.

No thats what I come here for.

If they've complimented you on your taste in the past, you can always make suggestions by saying "You know what would look great here?" or something akin to that.

Never. Most of my friends have no design budget, and I'd hate to inadvertently suggest something they couldn't afford.

Taste is also a factor. More than a few people have suggested things I would never, ever allow in my home, and some of those suggestions have repulsed me so it was hard to keep from gagging (that's not an exaggeration). It's best to avoid that sort of awkwardness entirely.

I'm always eager to share ideas if the opportunity presents itself.

I would never suggest that someone change their place. I would only make suggestions if someone is trying to figure something out. And those suggestions are usually based on something I've learned or seen on this site.

Thanks AT. See what you've done to me.

unsolicited?? Never!! It's just rude.

Only if they ask.

So far I've been lucky enough to be asked.

If I ever do give unsolicited advice, it's not based on making their space more "me" friendly but how to incorporate their own style into the idea.

The first rule is never to step on their feet. I see ideas that are fantastic on a regular basis, but they'd never work in MY space. I'm the friend people come to when they need creative ideas about designing on a budget, or bringing a new life to an old piece of furniture. So, if I see something interesting, I bring it up and work with their feedback. I know when to back down, but I also know their goals and taste. I won't offer advice that doesn't fit their design goals.

I guess it all depends on the relationship you have with the person.

I would never offer my ideas to a stranger or acquaintance unless asked.

While housesitting for us, a friend of ours rearranged our kitchen shelves so that the heavy dinner plates were on a lower shelf. At first I thought, WTF. Now, I am eternally grateful.

unsolicited, no. Except maybe for a few tips or suggestions that would not be offensive.

Rude all the way.

You have just basically told them - your places looks bad but I have a solution ... not good. not good at all.

is that your place? I love it!

no, wouldn't give any advice unless they asked and even then, I would give it very carefully. :)

I also had a cat sitter/apt sitter re-arrange things in my place, and I was only gone two weeks. It was weird. Needless to say, I have other friends cat/apt sit now.

I must really be the black sheep of the gang because I don't think it needs to be rude. I look at it this way, if we are close enough friends that they feel safe to offer me relationship advice, then I feel comfortable offering design advice.

Now if I were at a dinner party in the home of an acquaintance you can bet my mouth would be shut tight.

I agree - only if they ask. Visiting is meant to be about sharing your home with others. Just as I wouldn't make suggestions about how an appetizer someone is serving could taste better, I would never tell them how their home could look better.

If they mention they are unsure about what to do with an area of their home or are contemplating changing things around, then I'm all for throwing out ideas.

adding comfort, reducing clutter and adding value to property are my passions. i do get asked by some friends. but the blokes that need the most help... don't know it. currently trying to squeeze in gently a few suggestions for a better looking / girl friendly bachelor pad for my partner's two friends who live together at the moment ina house owned by one of the boys.

their idea of a home is. beds, a kitchen, a bathroom, a couch, a tv, an x-box and paper plates... who needs anything else?? :S

i wish people WOULD share their advice. sometimes you live with things so long you only see them one way. it take a fresh perspective to see things in a new light!

as far as offering advice, if i was really compelled, i'd probably approach it by asking, "have you ever thought of doing this?" it opens up a conversation of ideas that perhaps both sides can take something from.

I have to say, whenever someone I'm getting to know does something like that, I'm inclined to continue my way on the opposite direction. But that's because I abhor impositions... I feel awkward and I haven't grown enough of a spine to tell those people that I don't like what they're suggesting...

Of course, I'm thinking of the obnoxious, I-know-better types of the world... most people know the difference and sometimes really save the day!

Sometimes even when they ask, it's no good to offer advice. I have a friend who asks over and over again, then he just does whatever he had originally wanted to do anyways. Then the oversized black leather sectional just lurks in the room like an elephant.

People tend to really like my taste, so I get asked for opinions and ideas all the time...people also want me to create artwork for them after they see what I have hung. I never ever ever offer unsolicited advice unless they have just moved in and everything is a blank slate. Sometimes, if I have an inspiration that doesn't require removing anything they currently have, I will say something like "You know what would really complement your beautiful *name the piece* ?" and the idea is usually received well. I also ask people when they come over what they think, if they have any ideas for me, so it's an even exchange and they feel like their taste is appreciated too.

I was once told: only ever give advice in two situations.

First is if you're asked for it.

Second is if someone's life is in danger.

Only if we are already discussing it. For example, some friends were trying to work out which colour to paint their living room and I made suggestions a bit different to what they were planning. They ended up liking my suggestions!

I think there's a time and place, people give me a lot of advice at the moment, but it's cause my place is new and saying something like "I hate my kitchen cupboards" usually opens up the discussion. If someone walked in and said "oh, move you couches here!" (and it wasnt my mum) I'd find it a bit rude.

Most of my friends/colleague are in the same situation with buying new houses, so it means there's a lot of discussion.

If that's your house... please give me advice!!!

I'm sooooo happy to receive advice... but I'll only use it if I think it's a good idea.

PS: My flat is in Melbourne!

This is a tricky one. Unsolicited, no, probably not. Unless they would in some way tell me that they are not happy right now with their homes, that something isn't working or they want a change.

I for instance have family whose taste seems to be so far from my own I wouldn't know where to start. Their choices sometimes make me cringe but I guess they like that kind of thing.

Here on AT I think it's ok to give advice, even if it's just a house tour and nobody is actually asking. If you submit your home to a house tour I think you have to live with the comments.

If I have a comment about something, I usually comment on something I like about it first, which is normally followed by something like "really, I can't tell if this works", and then you have yourself a conversation. Otherwise, I'll just keep my mouth shut, unless it's a really close friend.

That double Nelson bench coffee table is a neat idea - never seen that before.

I agree with Hollie. For style advice, only my mom (and AT).

I have a friend who gives good advice but goes too far. I literally have to remind her every time she comes over that I am not wealthy and can rearrange until the cows come home; remodel..... not so much.

I agree if thats your place then you can give me advice anytime! Dying to know where the side by side credenzas come from...

I have given advice to people before. I am then ignored at best, or I have a new enemy at worst. Wait to be asked outright, or at least until they say something like, "I just don't know what to do with this room..."