Room design from a photo: how it works
By Nassim Hasni, publisher of DecoScale · published
From the first photo to the clickable render, here is how a layout goes, and how to take photos that give a good measurement.
1. Take three photos of the room
Take three photos from three different spots — for example from the door, then from two corners. The room can be empty or furnished.
- Move between photos rather than turning on the spot: moving is what gives depth. A panorama adds width, never depth.
- Every wall should be seen in full in at least one photo. A view from a corner cuts off the length of the opposite wall; the three views complete each other.
2. Give two tape-measure dimensions
The back wall and the depth of the room. With these two measurements, the room becomes exact. DecoScale asks for them before drawing: without them it would only have its estimate from the photos, and it does not suggest furniture on an estimate. The details are on the Method page.
3. Choose a style, a budget, and what you change
Ten styles are offered. The budget is shared between the pieces, from the sofa or the bed down to small objects. You say what you change: what you leave as it is stays in your room.
4. Wait one to four minutes
Every step is shown: looking at the room, measuring, clearing it, choosing the furniture, checking that it fits, drawing the result, then placing the clickable areas.
5. Explore the render
Tap a piece of furniture: its dimensions, its price and the link to its page at the merchant. The total is shown against your budget; if it goes over, the screen says why.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to empty the room before photographing it?
No. The room can be empty or furnished: DecoScale clears it in the image before refurnishing it.
Is a single photo enough?
The app asks for three, taken from three spots. A photo shows what it frames and nothing more: a view from a corner always cuts off part of the room.
Do I have to measure the room?
Yes: two tape-measure dimensions, the back wall and the depth. DecoScale asks for them before drawing, because they are what make the room exact.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in the phone's browser: there is no app to install.
How much does it cost?
The first layout is free, no card required. Further layouts are bought in packs or by subscription: see pricing.