The guide is very helpful, however, I disagree with the advice to add small decorative items to boost the score. I find this almost always causes the Sim to complain that the room looks cluttered, even if I only put a couple of small things. Using the most expensive items that fit within the budget works best. You may have to play around adding and removing items to fit it all in the budget If they want an entertainment room, give them the best t.v. or stereo they can afford. For a reading room, a good chair and expensive bookcases. Good lighting, new wallcoverings, rugs, and adding some new windows to a room is effective too. Often adding a useful item that isn't on the required list, like a chair to go with a desk, is helpful. Having money left over from the budget often gets an appreciative comment.
What I find amusing is a Sim household that is filled up with all sorts of stuff and then they complain and say you cluttered up a room