Pretend You're on House Hunters and We'll Guess What Era Your Decorating Style Is From

By: Teresa McGlothlin

6 Min Quiz

Image: Carlina Teteris/Moment/gettyimages

About This Quiz

You have three houses to choose from and one big decision to make! Pretend you're on "House Hunters" by sorting through the choices any real estate agent might give you, and learn which decorating era has influenced your style. Your interior design sense doesn't have to match the kind of house you buy, but it does make things easier.

Since 1999, hundreds of prospective home buyers have been hitting the airwaves in search of their perfect dwelling. Led by an agent and a camera crew, they view three homes based on their wishlists. Sometimes, the houses are a hit. Other times, they are a huge miss. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential homeowner, and make the call by answering the questions in this quiz. Once you do, it will be easy to see which era has shaped the way you view real estate!

Whether you like the looks of clean industrial spaces or you are taken with the wacky world of the Victorians, your home choices will reveal your style. You're not opening your wallet to buy a house, but you should pretend like you are. It's the only way to tell what decorating era has inspired you most. Will it be the era you think it is, or have you mixed and matched your way into something brand new?

Busà Photography/Moment/gettyimages

You asked to be shown a brownstone in the city, but you're at a townhouse in the suburbs. Do you think your agent is insane?

There might be a point to all of this.

My agent is wasting my time.
I'm willing to look, but it's confusing.

It's OK to broaden my horizons.

TerryJ/E+/gettyimages

Would you sacrifice a formal dining room for a master suite?

As long as there's an eating area, I'm cool.

See ya! I need a dining room!
I would never sacrifice a formal space.

No, but I might sacrifice it for an office space.

Paolo Carnassale/Moment/gettyimages

You love everything about a property except for its location. Is it a dealbreaker?

I'm sure I can bring property values up.

It's a total dealbreaker.
It's not the worst thing in the world.

I would consider properties in my desired area first.

Witthaya Prasongsin/Moment/gettyimages

Would you stretch your budget to get a move-in-ready home that meets all your needs?

It's almost a given.

I don't have any wiggle room.
I could stretch it just a little.

If there are no renovations, I would consider it.

chandlerphoto/E+/gettyimages

Which one of these wish list items is non-negotiable?

A hot tub

A mother-in-law suite
Lots of extra rooms

A finished basement

Creatas/Creatas / Getty Images Plus/gettyimages

You've found your dream home, but it needs a little work. Will you do it yourself?

Sure, maybe it will bring the price down.

I don't have time for that.
I'm sure I would enjoy it!

If it's something small, it's not an issue.

Emilija Manevska/Moment/gettyimages

If you and your buying partner disagreed about your final choice, how would you settle it?

We would make a pros and cons list.

I get what I want.
We'll let the agent decide.

I guess we're arm wrestling.

You were not looking for an unfinished basement, but now you have ideas. What would you do with it?

It would be an awesome recreation room.

The kids will now have a place to play.
When I said no basement, I meant it.

I'm dreaming up a new studio space.

Fernando Trabanco Fotografía/Moment/gettyimages

This house smells weird! Will you be able to look past it?

No problem. Life's smelly.

If it smells like gas or sewer, I'm out.
I like old houses. All of them smell weird.

My agent should not be showing me smelly houses.

High Noon Entertainment

Are you more like Chip or Joanna Gaines from "Fixer Upper" when you look at homes?

I'm more like Drew Scott.

I always channel my inner Joanna.
Chip and I could be twins.

I'm more like Shorty.

Onfokus/E+/gettyimages

Would you say yes or no to a completely renovated 1920s bungalow?

Bungalows are not my style.

I'm open to seeing it.
They are a little small for me.

That sounds like heaven!

Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/gettyimages

Do you need an outdoor space the size of a patio or a small park?

I need a little yard for my dogs or kids.

A little patio will work for me.
I need an outdoor space the size of a farm.

If there's a park nearby, I don't need a lot of space.

Phillip Spears / Digital Vision / Getty Images

Curb appeal is important! What sort of entryway impresses you the most?

A clean and uncluttered entry draws me in right away!

I like to enter through the garage.
I love elaborate front gardens.

A quaint front porch would be ideal.

Wikicommons by Barry Dale Gilfry from Colorado/gettyimages

There's shiplap everywhere in the house you're viewing. Does it appeal to you?

I don't mind a little but not a lot of it.

Ugh. It's dreadful!
As long as it's painted, it's OK.

I like the looks of it, but it would have to be tasteful.

ideabug/E+/gettyimages

Greek Revival or a traditional ranch? What size house is right for you?

I'm looking for something modest like a ranch.

I need something more like a chalet.
The bigger the better!

I want something that's farmhouse-size without being a farmhouse.

Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/DigitalVision/gettyimages

You were not expecting HOA fees. What might convince you that it's not a bad idea?

Having someone else mow the lawn

Knowing I can call for maintenance
A neighborhood watch or security

I'm completely against having HOA fees.

Stanton j Stephens/Image Source/gettyimages

A house ticks all your boxes, but it doesn't have a garage. Are you still into it?

I can park in the driveway.

A garage is an absolute must-have.
Maybe I can build a garage.

I don't have a car, so it's no big deal.

phototropic/E+/gettyimages

Your budget is not going to go as far as you thought. What are you willing to sacrifice?

A bonus room

A shorter commute
Marble countertops

I guess I don't really need a bidet.

John Keeble/Moment/gettyimages

Do you need brand new appliances, or will you be OK with the old ones for a while?

I need brand new ones.

I'll make do while I work on bigger things.
I don't need them to be brand new, but they shouldn't be '70s green or anything.

I have new appliances from my old home that I can move to my new home.

Paul Bradbury/OJO Images/gettyimages

You're ready to make an offer on the perfect house. Do you come in at asking price?

If it's worth it, I will.

I'll offer a lot less at first.
It depends on how long it has been on the market.

I'll offer a little less to see if they counter.

EricVega/E+/gettyimages

There's no walk-in closet. Does it take a house off your list?

I can take out this wall and make one.

It's not enough of a reason to take it off the list.
I prefer built-in closets, anyway.

I asked for a walk-in closet, and that's what I want.

Mischa Keijser/Cultura/gettyimages

After getting a mortgage, you'll need ways to save money. Which energy-saving feature should your house have?

Solar panels

A tankless water heater
Energy Star appliances

Compostable toilets

Evelyn Martinez/Moment/gettyimages

What bygone house decorating trend would make you cringe to see in a potential home?

Carpet in the bathroom

Laminate countertops
Vinyl flooring

Exposed bricks

Tuomas Lehtinen/Moment/gettyimages

There are some cracks on the living room wall. Does it concern you?

It's only normal settlement.

Cracks in walls mean bad things.
It's normal for older homes.

I would have it inspected just to be sure.

Ivan Hunter/DigitalVision/gettyimages

You're surprised by a pool in the backyard. Are you up for the maintenance?

That's a bit much for me.

Heck yeah! I've always wanted a pool.
I'm not ready for that, but my family will be thrilled with the pool.

I wasn't looking for it, but I'm open to the idea.

Do you really need a shower in the spare bathroom?

Yes! No one is using mine.

There need to be at least two showers in the home.
It's not that important.

I don't need a spare bathroom.

Ivan Hunter/DigitalVision/gettyimages

You're going to have to replace the flooring in the living room. What kind will you use?

Concrete

Hardwood
Tile

Bamboo

onurdongel/E+/gettyimages

The office is in the attic. Is that acceptable?

I don't need an office.

That's fine with me.
I would rather have it on the first floor.

I would rather have my bedroom there.

Alistair Berg/DigitalVision/gettyimages

Are you looking for a family home, a retirement home or a vacation home?

I'm looking for my own little slice of the world.

I plan to retire there.
I need a big family home.

LIfe is a vacation for me.

Michael Godek/Moment/gettyimages

If a home bordered a woodlands area, would you be OK with it?

I like a little more action in my surroundings.

That's ideal!
I wouldn't mind a little woodsy patch.

The more nature, the better!

6 Minute Quiz 6 Min

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