Well,
I think here is the time to start learning hows 32 bit working. There is the point is you have a really good chance increase or decrease lights and shadows...colors...almost full control. When you save out just do it in 32 float .exr or .hdr , after controling the white point and lights and color and others in Camera Raw Filter or other. And if you need 16bit tif, just change it for 16bit and save out in .tif.
So easy, so simple.
And here is a really usefull ideas of my favorite artist, Bertrand Benoit...
http://bertrand-benoit.com/blog/2015/01/07/the-photographic-look/And another thing, just check some videos about the RAW and the raw filter. Maybe there in the youtube or on the cgpeers... ;)
Learn about the interior lighting, 3 point or more lighting setups. Use softboxes, if you need . The Image Base Lighting is the way, but somethimes is not enought I feel...Here is the point, when you make an render and you thinking about the composition...just thinking about the picture what do you want to get it. Don't thinking in the 3D space, what light you have it. Do you mean ?
So just think abouth the camera and hows landing the light in the cam. Keep your mind, where is the windows and if you feel, you need more light and the bouncing is simple not enought...just make an light rig with softboxes...or make more bounce light. Just like the interior photographers...Well this is one way...If you want to use only HDR, than just use it, but tweeking the cam, not the light. Always the best to keep the light intensity in real value and tweek the cam's setup...
For the start just use the next table for the proper equalized f-stop and shutter speed settings in attachments...This is good starting point.
