Some quizzes claim to reveal your true decorating persona. They take themselves ultra seriously. Their results can be confusing, weird, unhelpful or all the above. This quiz is not that. It’s only semi-serious and a lot more focused on fun. Taking it will not lead to a profound revelation that will launch your personal design renaissance. But if you have a few minutes to spend, you’ll have fun and probably learn a thing or two along the way.
For each question below, choose the answer that sounds most like you. There are no wrong answers—and if you’re tempted to choose more than one, you’re in good company. Keep track of your As, Bs, Cs, and Ds. At the end, learn which decorating type sounds most like you.
1. The Thrift Store Temptation
You’re browsing your favorite thrift store when you spot a beautiful vase for $8. It’s in great condition, the color is perfect, and you absolutely love it. What’s your reaction?
A. I’m taking a picture so I can ruminate where it could work in my home before making a purchase.
B. For eight bucks, it’s coming home with me! I’ll find the perfect spot.
C. I’ll make it work on my mantel. Of course, that means moving the candlesticks, swapping the artwork, and possibly rearranging the entire room.
D. Something about it reminds me of home. I can already picture it sitting among my favorite things.
2. The Empty Wall
The blank or nearly blank living room wall has been bothering you. What do you do?
A. Measure the space, research options, and decide what would work best before buying anything.
B. Keep an eye out for something interesting. You never know when the perfect piece will turn up.
C. Start experimenting with artwork and accessories you already own. Something in another room might be exactly what this wall needs.
D. Decorate it with something meaningful, whether that’s family photographs, a favorite piece of artwork, or a collection that’s been gathered over the years.
3. The Furniture Makeover
Your old wooden dresser is sturdy and functional, but the finish is dated and it could use a little love. What’s your first thought?
A. I’ll go online to explore refinishing techniques, then choose one that works well with the room.
B. Ooh, what a great piece! With a little creativity and inexpensive supplies, this could be something special.
C. I’m going to start experimenting with different finishes and colors. Once I get the look I want, I might even find a new place for it.
D. That dresser has been part of my home for years. I’d love to give it a fresh look while keeping the character that makes it special.
4. The Great Paint Debate
You’ve decided it’s time to repaint your primary bedroom. The possibilities are endless. How do you choose?
A. Bring home several paint samples, try them on the walls, and see how they look at different times of day before making my decision.
B. Choose a color from the painting I’ve always loved as inspiration for the wall color.
C. Start playing with different color combinations, moving bedding and accessories around to see what inspires me. One idea usually leads to another.
D. Think about colors that have always made me feel comfortable and happy. I want my bedroom to feel like my own personal retreat.
5. The Empty Nest Opportunity
Your grown child has moved out, so you decide to turn their old bedroom into a space for a hobby or activity you enjoy. What’s your first move?
A. Measure the room. Determine what furniture and storage I’ll need. Plan a layout that makes the most of the space.
B. Start hunting for interesting, affordable pieces to give the room personality while serving its new purpose.
C. Move things around, trying furniture from other rooms, and experiment with arrangements until everything feels right.
D. Look for ways to incorporate meaningful pieces from my child’s room while creating a space that reflects this new chapter in my life.
6. The Designer Look for Less
You’re scrolling through decorating inspiration online when you spot a gorgeous living room. You’d love to create a similar look in your own home, but the designer furnishings are way beyond your budget. What’s your approach?
A. Identify the elements I love most, set a realistic budget, and make a plan to recreate the look over time.
B. Challenge accepted! I start hunting through thrift stores, resale shops, and clearance sections for pieces that can give me the same look for a fraction of the price.
C. Start moving furniture, swapping accessories, and trying a few DIY tricks to see how close I can get using what I already have.
D. Take inspiration from the room but incorporate my favorite personal pieces. I want the finished space to reflect my own story, not just the designer’s vision.
7. The Finishing Touches
You’ve just finished decorating your living room, and it looks wonderful. Now you’re deciding what to place on the shelves and tables. What matters most to you?
A. I have an idea of what I want. I’m happy to take my time finding just the right pieces. A room doesn’t have to come together overnight.
B. I love displaying interesting finds! A unique vase, an unusual sculpture, or a little treasure I discovered while shopping can make a room special.
C. I love playing with different combinations! Sometimes the fun is discovering that two things I never thought to put together look wonderful.
D. I want to surround myself with items that have meaning, whether they’re family treasures, travel souvenirs, or pieces that remind me of happy moments.
8. The Ahhhhh Moment
You’ve just finished giving a room a fresh new look. You stand in the doorway, take it all in, and smile. What makes you happiest?
A. Everything came together just as I’d envisioned. I took my time, made thoughtful choices, and the finished room was worth the wait.
B. I can’t stop admiring that special piece I found! It’s amazing how one wonderful discovery can bring an entire room together.
C. I brought two pieces together from different rooms, and they look amazing together! Who knew they’d make such a perfect pair?
D. It feels like my home. The things I love, the memories they hold, and the comfort of being surrounded by what matters to me.
Now, What’s Your Decorating Type?
Tally your answers:
· Mostly As? The Planner
· Mostly Bs? The Treasure Hunter
· Mostly Cs? The Serial Arranger
· Mostly Ds? The Sentimental Keeper
Most of us are a unique and wonderful mix. These tips can help you, regardless of your type or types…
Planners
Your decorating superpower: Patience with a purpose
You’re not in a hurry to fill an empty space just because it’s empty. You have a vision for your home, and you’re willing to take the time to make it happen. You research options, think things through, and know that the right piece of furniture is worth waiting for. While someone else might buy a lamp because it’s close enough to what they wanted, you’ll happily keep looking until you find the one that’s just right. And when you finally find it? Oh, the satisfaction!
Make the most of your personality: Your patience and planning are decorating strengths. Just remember, a room can still be enjoyed while it’s a work in progress.
Treasure Hunters
Your decorating superpower: Seeing potential where others might not
You have an eye for finding wonderful things in unexpected places. Thrift stores, estate sales, clearance aisles, and secondhand shops are your happy hunting grounds. You know that a beautiful home doesn’t have to come with a designer price tag. And there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of turning an inexpensive find into something that looks like a million bucks.
Make the most of your personality: Your creativity and resourcefulness can help you create a beautiful home without spending a fortune. Just remember, the best treasures aren’t necessarily the ones with the lowest price tags. They’re the ones you’ll genuinely love having in your home.
Serial Arrangers
Your decorating superpower: Seeing familiar things in a whole new way
You love experimenting, and you’re not afraid to try something just to see what happens. A vase that spent years in the bedroom might suddenly become the star of the living room. An old piece might get a new finish, a new purpose, or an entirely new address. Of course, moving one thing often leads to moving six others. What started as a simple vase swap might result in a decorating tsunami with your partner wondering what happened to their perfectly peaceful Saturday. When you step back and realize how beautifully everything came together? That’s half the fun.
Make the most of your personality: Your creativity allows you to keep your home feeling fresh without spending a lot of money. Before you shop, take another look at what you already own. You might discover that the perfect piece has been sitting in another room all along.
Sentimental Keepers
Your decorating superpower: Making a house feel like home
Decorating is more than choosing beautiful furniture and coordinating colors. It’s about creating a home that feels personal, comfortable, and full of meaning. You love surrounding yourself with things that tell a story. You enjoy giving rooms a fresh look while blending in old favorites. Your home grows and changes right along with you. Your favorite things might not win any decorating awards, but you know their story and that makes them priceless.
Make the most of your personality: Your ability to create meaningful spaces is a wonderful gift. When you’re refreshing a room, choose a few favorite pieces to build around. Let them inspire your colors, accessories, or furniture choices. That way, your room can have a whole new look while still feeling unmistakably yours.
The Beauty of Being You
Planner, Hunter, Arranger, Sentimentalist - maybe you’ve discovered you’re a bit of each. The point of this quiz wasn’t to change the way you decorate. It’s to recognize what comes naturally to you and make the most of it. Because the best homes reflect they type of people who love them.
Now, what will you do next to love where you live?
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