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Take this true or false home decor style quiz to help you think outside the box when it comes to design decisions. Don’t plan your next project until you take our quiz!
I don’t want to give anyone flashbacks to junior high and pop quizzes, but I thought a home decor style quiz would be fun…and completely different from anything I’ve ever shared. What follows are 10 statements that center around decorating our homes. After each statement, I’ll weigh in on whether or not I think the statement is true or false, and I’ll give my reasons for coming to that conclusion. Clearly there are no right or wrong answers. The goal of most home decor quizzes is to help you find your design style. Not this one! The purpose of this quiz is to get us all thinking about our design decisions, and how we could possibly think outside the box when planning our next project. So let’s get started!
*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement. Images in this post that are not mine are used with permission.
The OSP Home Decor Style Quiz
1. DARK WALLS MAKE A ROOM LOOK SMALLER.
False! It’s well known in the design world that when a small room is painted a dark color, the walls tend to recede as the eye travels around the room. It’s almost like the walls are further away than they really are. Likewise, light and bright walls expand. It’s perfectly fine to paint a small room a dark color, but there is one thing to keep in mind. Definitely avoid too much contrast. It’s a good idea to paint the walls and trim the same dark color, and save the light colors for furniture, rugs, and accessories.
2. IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO PAINT DOORS AND TRIM A CONTRASTING COLOR.
True! When we moved into the Sugar Maple house, I chose to paint the walls, trim, and doors a very pretty white called Snowbound from Sherwin Williams. It was a very safe choice, because I knew I could always add color and contrast at a later date. Even though I love the all white look, I have plans to paint our interior doors SW Modern Gray. It’s actually more greige than gray, and looks great with all of my ivories and beiges. I also want to add a board and batten wall treatment to our entry, and paint it Modern Gray as well.
The very talented Jenna, from Jenna Sue Design, is a master at adding interest with paint. Get ideas and inspiration by taking a look at her Guide to Updating your Doors and Hardware.
3. ALL WHITE PAINT COLORS ARE THE SAME.
False! Have you ever walked into a paint store to pick out white paint, and in an instant, you are overwhelmed? Me too! There are so many different shades of white paint that narrowing the choice down can be a challenge. The most important thing to remember is to take into consideration how much natural light the room gets. After that, pay attention to the undertones, and make sure to try several different shades.
4. CEILINGS SHOULD ALWAYS BE PAINTED WHITE.
False! This is one of those cases when I want you to do as I say, and not as I do! Although every ceiling I have ever painted has been white, I love to see ceilings painted a contrasting color. The “touch of the unexpected” that a painted ceiling adds to a room is truly amazing. And you know what they say…the ceiling is your 5th wall!
5. ALL THE ROOMS IN YOUR HOME CAN BE DIFFERENT COLORS.
True! Painting the rooms in your home different colors is a great way to personalize each one, and add your own style. However, I believe that all the rooms should have one feature that unifies them. If the walls are varied colors, it’s helpful to paint all the trim and doors a grounding neutral color, like white or ivory. Or you can add interest by simply painting your rooms the same color, but different shades. Use the strips from paint companies to guide you. Choose two or three different tones from the same paint strip. This will insure that the rooms flow from one to another, and it will provide your home with a cohesive look.
6. FLAT PAINT IS NOT WASHABLE.
False! Flat paint has come a long way in the past few years. Most brands now offer a very durable and washable flat paint option. A good trick for adding contrast to walls and trim that are painted the same color is to vary the sheens. Using flat paint on walls, with semi-gloss on the trim, is a beautiful combination. The different sheens offer a subtle, but very noticeable, distinction between the walls and trim. Another plus when it comes to using flat paint is that it hides any imperfections in your walls.
7. ACCENT WALLS ARE A GREAT WAY TO ADD INTEREST TO A ROOM.
True! Accent walls have come a long way since the days of wallpaper borders! Now, an accent wall in a room can be a specific wall treatment, or simply a wall that’s painted a contrasting color. Some examples of wall treatments are:
- board and batten
- shiplap
- vertical shiplap
- beadboard
- wallpaper above or below a chair rail
- removable decals
- picture frame molding
Adding a wall treatment to just one wall is a budget-friendly way to update a tired room. Follow your heart and be confident in your style by choosing to add an accent wall in a contrasting color, or like me, by painting it the same color as the rest of the room. Either way, it makes a statement!
8. FLOWERS AND PLANTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE REAL.
False! Nothing could be further from the truth. Faux greenery and flowers are perfectly acceptable, and sometimes they are the most practical solution. No one loves fresh flowers more than me, and I will continue to feature them in our home, but I also like to invest in beautiful faux flowers that never die.
YOUR GUIDE TO FAUX FLOWERS
Take the guesswork out of buying faux flowers with this handy guide. Includes sources for the best faux flowers, and features tulips, hydrangeas, peonies, and daffodils.
9. PILLOWS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED IN PAIRS.
False! Up until about a year ago, my answer to this question would have been a definite “true.” If you love symmetry and balance, paired pillow covers will surely put a smile on your face! But…there’s a trend happening right now that is the exact opposite of pairs. This trend encourages us to mix sizes, shapes, patterns, and colors.
Many retailers are now offering these mismatched sets of pillows, but they are very pricey. I was able to make my own “set” with some savvy shopping on Etsy. This seller makes beautiful pillows, and has them grouped by color. I picked out the five pillow covers pictured in the two images above in different sizes, and I love the way they look grouped on my neutral sofa. So if you are a “pillows in pairs” person, but want to update your style just a bit, I encourage you to give this a try!
10. YOU SHOULD DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH COLORS YOU LOVE.
True! Decorating with your favorite colors will guarantee two things. First, by surrounding yourself with classic colors that you love, your spaces will be comfortable, and they will feel like you. Second, you will be able to make design choices with confidence because you are eliminating the guesswork. I’m definitely not saying that you should never try something new. Test a new color by adding an affordable accessory, or a soft furnishing, like a pillow or throw blanket. Stick to what you love for the big ticket items, and you won’t go wrong.
CONCLUSION
It doesn’t matter if your answers to this home decor design quiz matched mine. In fact, I’m sure most of you differed on at least a couple of questions. No matter how you answered, by the end, I hope that one thing became clear…and that is to be confident in your design choices. Decorating your home is something that comes from the heart…and if you trust your heart, and your own good taste, you will never regret it. Will you make mistakes? Of course! When you do, just put them behind you and move on. If you keep that in mind, as you journey through the different seasons of your life, adapting your home’s decor to fit your lifestyle will be simple and natural. Until next time…
You might also like:
14 Designer Decor Choices That Are Not Trends
Shop + Source
Click any image below to be taken directly to the product listing. Every effort has been made to provide sources for the items found in this post. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
Terrific ideas, Ann. Thank you!
One day I’ll get our doors and trim painted a contrasting color..or more of a contrast than they are anyway. Love the look!
The last question was the best! I am not a gray person, I never will be, and I don’t care if it’s the “style”. My choices in paint in decor have to make me smile. Art is personal, What you display is personal. Your home is personal and should be a reflection of you. Thank you so much for this, Ann!
Great post! Thank you. what are your thoughts on flat paint. Which sheen is better when you don’t have kids? Which sheen is the best look?
Regarding # 8 I purchased the faux tulips you recommended and LOVE them! My daughter loved them as much as I did so I bought her some also. You are such a reliable source. Thank you.
Hi! I have a decorating question I would love to see a post on.
Decorating a room with high wainscoting or high board and baton. My dining room’s board and baton is about 60 inches high. The bottom is a glossy white and above is a deep gorgeous navy. But I am STUMPED on what and where to hang on the walls. Help!
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality blog has high board and batten in her living room. Perhaps she has an idea that would work for you.
Hi! Love this! I’m not seeing the “sources below.” Am I doing something wrong?
The widget takes a minute or two to load…it’s also helpful to clear your browser cache and restart your device if you don’t see it. Let me know if you still need help!