When you're back up and running again check out the videos from Zeth Willie, they go over linear workflow, gamma correction and all of this in a way that makes sense if you've not heard of it before. https://williework.blogspot.cz/2009/1...basics-of.html
There's an updated version too, but it's shorter so I'd watch the other ones first.
https://vimeo.com/27565878

From there take a look at the Product Viz tutorial it's sort of perfect for what you're working on and in addition to linear workflow you'll learn how to use the architectural material with bump and spec maps to blow some realism into your work. There's a .psd file packed in with the tutorial as well which you can break down to learn a bit about post-production of your renders in a simple way without having to use After Effects or Nuke.

Cheers,
Nilla