Find Your Home Decor Style With A Quiz
Not sure which decorating style is right for your home? Take this quick and easy home decor style quiz! It’s designed to guide you in identifying your personal style so you can create a space you love. This quiz will give you the clarity you need to start decorating with confidence.
Searching for your perfect decorating style? This interior design style quiz is a fun way to find out exactly what suits you and your home.
Discovering your decorating style is kind of like dating: you might have to meet a few (styles) you don’t click with before you find the one that truly makes your heart (and home) sing.
Is this you? Staring at your room, asking yourself how do I decide my decorating style?
Do you know yours? If you’re like me (and most other people), you have an idea of what you do and don’t like, but really can’t put a name to it.
So, if you’re unsure where to start, the very first step is to read through the characteristics of each of the most popular styles and then print the quiz (located below) to determine yours. There’s no email to sign up for to get your result – you’ll have your answer right at the end of the quiz!
Welcome to chapter 3 of the Simply Decorating Series; a free decorating resource designed especially for the diy decorator who is eager to transform their home into a place that reflects their personal style and needs. If you’re just beginning, start with chapter 1, How to Decorate a Room – Where To Start.
Why is knowing my home decor style important?
You might be wondering “how many home decor styles are there” and “why should I care what mine is”? Well…there are a number of reasons why it’s important to know:
- Your own home should be a reflection of you and your unique style. Knowing your design style can help you hone in on just what that is.
- It gives you a jumping off point when designing and decorating your spaces. If you have no clue what your preferred style is, it can make it difficult to figure out where to even begin the decorating process.
- Knowing your personal preferences helps keep you focused when decorating your home. It’s easy to get swayed by the latest trend, but giving in to that temptation can easily pull you off your decorating track and leave you unhappy with your results.
- Knowing your design style is like a muscle – the more you use it that knowledge, the stronger it becomes. Becoming intimately familiar with your design style will help you to immediately recognize what you do and don’t like and can save you time and money.
Your style is probably a mix
When you take the home decor style quiz, you’ll likely find some overlap and will be a combination of several styles instead of 100% one or the other.
Go with the style that has the most characteristics that you’re drawn to, but also feel free to totally mix things up. That mix is what makes your home uniquely you!
With all that being said, let’s take a look at the most well known styles and the characteristics of each.
As you review this list, try to put your current decor out of your mind, since it may not be a reflection of your true design preferences!
Traditional and Updated Traditional
We’ll kick off with my personal favorite. Traditional interior design is one of the oldest, most common types of decorating styles. It’s rooted in heritage. You will often find decor pieces that have changed very little (or none at all) since they were first created.
Characteristics of traditional and updated traditional style are:
- strives for harmony and order
- symmetry is a big deal
- matching furnishings
- exudes warmth with a color palette of warm tones
- vintage furniture and antique furniture
- accessories are grand
- fabrics can be heavy and ornate
- Updated traditional style incorporates many of the elements of purely traditional design, but the updated version incorporates fabrics, furnishings, and accents that are brighter and have updated patterns.
Modern, Contemporary, Minimalist
Many people feel that modern, contemporary or minimalist styles can be cold and stark. In reality, when done well, it can be very warm and inviting without being fussy.
Characteristics of modern, contemporary and minimalist style:
- the focus is on clean, crisp lines in furnishings, art and accessories – no extra embellishments
- a simple color palette usually in shades of neutrals
- environmentally friendly materials
- furniture pieces made with natural woods
- upholstery fabrics or rug designs may have geometric shapes
- Modern style is strictly based in the here and now styles that started in the 20th century. Contemporary designs are more fluid and less adherent to a specific time period, but do represent a sense of currency.
- The minimalist design style takes modern and simplifies it even more and is defined by a sense of functionality and ultra clean lines.
Boho & Eclectic
With boho or bohemian style style, you can toss out all the rules. It has become very popular in the last few years, although its roots date back much further to 19th century Paris. It’s exotic, playful, very layered, and is the perfect home decor style if you want to embrace the unconventional.
Characteristics of these two styles are:
- it’s more about creating an atmosphere that you enjoy than it is about following a certain style
- colors typically include a variety of jewel tones
- chrome, brass, gold and silver are popular finishes
- colors are mixed and matched to show off your personality
- vintage treasures, quirky flea market finds and souvenirs are usually prevalent
- there is no such thing as too much.
- Eclectic design style should be called the slightly more refined cousin of BOHO. There are many similarities as far as the colorful and layered aesthetic, but the pieces are typically less organic and are more styled.
- Eclectic rooms may be filled with iconic pieces from just about every style.
Industrial
Industrial style is pretty much exactly what its name states. It takes its cues from old factories and industrial facilities and typically leans toward a more masculine than feminine vibe.
Characteristics of industrial design style are:
- weathered wood
- exposed brick
- exposed pipes
- natural color palette
- no plush fabrics
- no-frills and no-fuss furniture and accessories
- includes salvaged and recycled materials
- furnishings have a simple design in natural finishes and neutral colors
- combinations of wood with metal accents are common
Coastal
Coastal design style is all about a casual, beachy atmosphere – a style that you’ll typically find in homes located on the east coast.
Characteristics of coastal design style are:
- white-washed woods
- varying shades of blue and gray
- plenty of white
- natural elements with a variety of textures
- wicker furnishings
- natural fiber rugs
- light filled interiors
- clutter free surfaces to help create a light and breezy atmosphere
- stripes on pillows or furnishings
- usually includes a generous amount of baskets
Mid Century Modern
The mid-century modern style can be one of the most relatable styles for many people as its roots lie in pieces designed in the ’50’s, 60’s and 70’s. These are styles that have withstood the test of time, yet still remain fresh and modern.
Characteristics of mid-century modern style are:
- a retro-tinged, fresh and poppy vibe
- natural elements such as wood beams or exposed wood panels
- abstract prints and patterns free of cultural references
- unpretentious with a casual lounge-ready vibe
- moody color hues
- furnishings have clean lines with no fuss or formality
- plastic, acrylic and Formica is common on furnishings
- hairpin legs
- low streamlined seating
- no cluttered surfaces
Rustic
Rustic design style is inspired by the natural world, using raw and unfinished elements like stone and wood. It embraces imperfection and tends to connect the interior to the outdoors.
Characteristics of rustic style are:
- furnishings with rough, hand-hewn wood
- raw materieals, often in their natural state
- a warm and inviting atmosphere
- ceilings with wood beams
- wood paneled walls
- stone fireplaces
- handmade pieces
- no shiny objects or fabrics
I composed this easy home decor style quiz with several simple questions about how what colors you prefer, what materials you feel most drawn to, what type of furniture you prefer, what’s your ideal wall color, as well as what statement best describes your ideal living space.
For the most accurate result, take your time and answer thoughtfully! After you answer all the questions, tally your answers and find your style directly at the bottom.
The quiz is a pdf, so simply click on the image to open it in a new screen and print!
Now that you’ve taken the quiz, which one are you? No matter what your answer, the bottom line is that it’s your home and should be a reflection of you!
Coming up next in the Simply Decorating series: How to Create a Mood Board.
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What is. The difference between French country and traditional style?
Great question! French Country style typically uses soft, earthy colors like creams, yellows, and greens, with distressed wood furniture and floral fabrics, while true traditional style incorporates rich, deep colors like burgundy and navy, with polished wood furnishings, and classic accessories such as crystal chandeliers and detailed paintings. Then there’s updated traditional style that maintains the same elements as traditional but incorporates modern patterns and lighter colors for a more contemporary and approachable look.
I really didn’t fit into any of the styles. I think I’m more English or French country. What I think I saw was, to much design, to bright, to clunky, etc.
I like something smooth and blending.