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

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Pretend You're on House Hunters and We'll Guess What Era Your Decorating Style Is From
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? 


01_brownstone
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.

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02_formal dining
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.

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03_property_location
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.

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04_house budget
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.

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05_jacuzzi
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

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06_fixer upper
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.

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07_husband and wife buy house
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.

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08_unfinished basement
© by Martin Deja/Moment/gettyimages
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.

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09_smells weird
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.

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Joanna Gaines
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.

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11_bungalow
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!

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12_backyard
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.

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Outside of a Home, Curb appeal
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.

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14_Shiplap_house_wall
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.

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15_ranch house
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.

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16_HOA fees
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.

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17_garage
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.

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18_bidet
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.

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19_appliances
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.

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20_buy-house
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.

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21_walk-in closet
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.

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22_Solar panels
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

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23_Exposed bricks
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

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24_cracks
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.

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25_backyard_pool
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.

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26_shower
© by Martin Deja/Moment/gettyimages
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.

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27_hardwood floor
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

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28_attic
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.

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29_vacation home
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.

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30_woodlands
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!

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