Decorhues publishes home decorating and interior styling content to help readers make better-informed decisions about their spaces. These standards explain how we research, write, review and update that content.
1. Useful before searchable
Every article should answer a real reader question. Search demand can help us understand what people need, but it does not decide the answer. We do not intentionally repeat keywords, stretch an article to reach a target word count or publish near-duplicate pages simply to capture slightly different searches.
A Decorhues article should add context that helps a reader make a decision: what works, why it works, what could go wrong and what to check before acting.
2. Sourcing and factual claims
When a statement can be verified from a primary source, we prefer the primary source. Examples include paint manufacturers for color specifications, product manufacturers for dimensions and materials, and official organizations for technical or safety guidance.
Secondary sources may be used for context, comparison or expert commentary, but we do not copy their wording or treat another publisher’s opinion as our own evidence.
3. Paint and color information
Paint is especially sensitive to light, surface, sheen and surrounding finishes. When we publish a paint code, LRV, collection name or technical specification, we aim to verify it against the manufacturer’s current information.
Descriptions of undertones and room behavior are presented as practical guidance rather than guarantees. A color can look different between rooms and even between walls in the same room. We encourage readers to test a physical sample before buying a full quantity.
4. First-hand experience
We only describe an observation as first-hand when someone working on the content actually tested, measured, photographed or directly observed it.
If we have not physically tested a paint, product or technique, we do not write as though we have. Research-based guidance is labeled and written as research-based guidance.
When future Decorhues testing is included, we aim to document useful conditions such as sample size, wall orientation, lighting, time of day, dimensions or other factors that could affect the result.
5. Expert input
Interior styling often overlaps with specialist fields. Electrical work, structural changes, plumbing, building regulations, indoor air quality and similar subjects may require professional expertise beyond ordinary decorating advice.
For those subjects, we use appropriate expert or official sources and avoid presenting a styling opinion as professional technical advice.
6. Product recommendations
Recommendations should be based on relevance to the reader’s problem, not simply on the availability of an affiliate link. We consider factors such as dimensions, material, use case, maintenance, value and fit with the specific room or design problem being discussed.
If Decorhues earns a commission from a link or has a commercial relationship that could influence how a recommendation is perceived, that relationship should be disclosed clearly.
7. Images and visual examples
Images should help explain the subject rather than exist only as decoration. Where practical, captions and surrounding text should explain what the reader should notice: proportion, palette, furniture placement, lighting, materials or another relevant design decision.
We avoid presenting a digitally created visual as documentary proof that a real room, test or project existed.
8. AI and digital tools
Decorhues may use digital tools to support research organization, editing, ideation or production. Tools do not replace editorial responsibility. Factual claims, recommendations and final published content should still be checked for usefulness, accuracy and fit with the Decorhues editorial approach.
We do not use fabricated qualifications, invented client work or false first-hand experiences to make an article appear more authoritative.
9. Authorship
Amelia Hart is the editorial host and home styling contributor for Decorhues. Her profile provides a consistent editorial identity for relevant written and visual content. Articles under that profile are researched and edited according to these standards.
Where a specialist reviewer or external expert contributes materially to an article, we aim to identify that contribution rather than folding it anonymously into the byline.
10. Corrections and updates
We revisit content when important specifications, products or guidance change. Minor edits may be made for clarity. Material corrections should address the underlying error rather than simply remove the wording that exposed it.
If you believe an article contains an inaccurate specification or factual claim, please contact Decorhues with the article URL and the detail you believe needs review.
11. Independence
Editorial judgment should remain separate from paid visibility. Sponsorships, advertising, affiliate relationships and gifted products should not buy a positive editorial conclusion.
12. Our standard for publishing
Before publishing or substantially updating a guide, we ask:
- Does this answer the reader’s actual question?
- Is the important factual information verifiable?
- Have we explained limitations and room-specific variables?
- Does the article add something more useful than a generic list of ideas?
- Are any first-hand claims genuinely first-hand?
- Would we still be comfortable with this advice if the reader acted on it?
For more detail on our research process, see How We Research.