A few years ago, I was rearranging my living room and it occurred to me that I no longer liked many of the pieces I was moving around.

I sat back and surveyed my furnishings and came to the following conclusion — my living room looked like it belonged in a different house, perhaps in my Grandma’s house. Two brown velvet slipcovered wingback chairs, an oval coffee table and matching end tables with turned legs, a white painted vintage dresser and cream curtains panels adorning each window. These were my staple pieces. Pretty, but neutral. And pretty darn boring. 

I have forever been a lover of vintage and second-hand bargains, but my space was beginning to look like a booth at an antique mall filled with other people’s old stuff rather than pieces I had purposefully acquired. If you were to compare the actual space with what was on my Pinterest “Living Room” board, you’d think it was curated by a different person. My design aesthetic had evolved, and my home was not reflecting the change. 

Since then, I have made small changes here and there — new curtains, a more modern coffee table, a mix of end tables to replace the matching ones, with added pops of color. Of course, I did this in stages, and on a tight budget, and most of my “new” pieces are actually secondhand. While I am still saving money for a new sofa and girding myself for a DIY upholstery project on a pair of mid-century chairs, the room now looks and feels so much more like me and my family — eclectic, colorful and cozy. 

Over time our tastes, needs and budgets change, and we are inspired by design trends. While I think it’s safe to say that our style is always evolving, there are benefits to defining your aesthetic. If you can sum up your decorating preferences in a few words, you’ll be better able to home in on creating spaces that reflect you. Doing this can save you both money and time when you are on the hunt for new furniture or accessories. Below, I have crafted a decorating quiz that might be helpful in your quest to define your style.

Ask yourself: What do I gravitate toward?

1. Furniture with:
A) Clean, straight legs
B) Curvy legs
C) Vintage turned legs
D) Mid-century hairpin legs

2. Throw Pillows:
A) Solid color, geometric or just textural
B) Damask or Toile
C) Floral or ticking stripe
D) Ikat, Paisley or Block Print

3. Color:
A) White and black
B) Neutral with colorful accents
C) Pastel or muted tones
D) Deep or bright color

4. Wood Tones:
A) Either dark wood or blonde
B) Walnut or chestnut
C) Distressed or painted
D) A mish-mash of wood tones

5. When I shop I am inspired by:
A) CB2 or AllModern
B) Pottery Barn
C) Flea Markets or Antique Stores
D) Anthropologie

6. On my shelves you’ll find:
A) A curated number of useful and beautiful books
B) Lots of books and decorative accessories
C) Assorted books and vintage finds
D) Books, art and treasures from travel

If you answered:

Mostly A’s

Minimal/Modern: You prefer mostly neutral and uncluttered spaces. You like clean lines, straight edges, and add texture or contrast for visual interest. Instagram profiles and hashtags to follow: @studiomcgee, @minimalist.home, #modernhome

Mostly B’s

Classic/Traditional: You prefer symmetry and cohesiveness over an eclectic vibe. Your design choices tend to be more timeless than trendy. You like color in measured doses. Instagram profiles to follow: @traditionalhome, @potterybarn, @the_real_houses_of_ig 

Mostly C’s 

Vintage/Romantic: You want your spaces to imbue a cozy and lived-in feel. You like scoring great deals on second-hand furniture and making them over. You display vintage collections with pride. Instagram hashtags to follow: #magnoliamarket, #makehomeyours, #shabbyhome

Mostly D’s

Eclectic/Global: You love the challenge of bringing pieces from different eras and styles together in interesting ways. You love bold pattern and aren’t afraid to embrace color. You are drawn to exotic places and like to collect treasures from all over the world. Instagram profiles and hashtags to follow: @jungalow, @anthropologie, #eclecticdecor

Betsy Kornelis is a local decorator. Find her at

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