Test Your Home Décor Knowledge

Do you consider yourself an interior design aficionado? Do you hold up the checkout line at the grocery store to finish articles in the home décor magazines? Do you continuously refresh your browser in December to be among the first to see the Pantone Color of the Year?

At Baer’s Furniture, we understand the obsession. Our stores are staffed with interior decorators who have voracious appetites for all things design. That’s why we created this entertaining interior design quiz.

See how closely your answers match the opinions of our Design Team below!

Interior Design Quiz Questions

1. What is the 60-30-10 color principle?
2. Name three natural materials found in home décor.
3. What is the difference between contemporary and modern?
4. What are the three traits of Art Deco design?
5. What does the “aniline” in aniline leather refer to?
6. What are six accessories found in living room décor?
7. What is the Danish concept of Hygge?
8. Where did the term “Dark Academia” originate?
9. Which of the following is NOT true of Feng Shui?

        a. The intended occupant of the room should have a commanding position.
        b. There are five elements of Feng Shui: wood, metal, fire, water, and earth.
        c. The words “feng shui” literally translate to “tiny flowers.”
        d. According to the principles of Feng Shui, you can use geometric shapes to achieve balance.

Interior Design Quiz Answers

We’ve provided you with the answers for each question, along with a helpful explanation. 

1. There are many approaches to creating color schemes in interior design. One popular one that we often recommend is the 60-30-10 principle. Choosing three colors from the same palette, 60% of your space is in the primary color, 30% is in the secondary color, and 10% is in the tertiary color. For example, in this photo displaying the Parker House Americana Modern Writing Desk, the walls and area rug comprise the primary color. The white desk and curtains are of the secondary color, and the tertiary color is neutral wood tones. 
   
   
   
2. Some examples of natural materials include wood, leather, metal, rattan, cotton, and stone. This gorgeous tropical bedroom featuring the Tommy Bahama Home Island Estate Round Hill Bed makes heavy use of wood, rattan, and linen. There is not, however, a great deal of metal since this is not an element that’s readily available in the tropics. 
   
   
   
3. There is a lot of understandable confusion over contemporary vs. modern. Modern design has more rigid rules. For instance, the modern interior is simple and efficient. It’s characterized by straight lines, neutral and primary colors, and highly functional materials like glass, steel, and concrete. Contemporary, on the other hand, is always evolving. It is a far more flexible design principle that reflects the trends of the moment. 
4. Art Deco is a design trend that has come in and out of vogue over the past century. Some of the characteristics of Art Deco are geometric shapes and patterns (particularly straight lines), symmetry, luxurious materials, black and white, jewel tones, typography, allusions to ancient cultures, and an overall glamour. 
5. Aniline refers to a type of dye that’s used to color leather. The leather that’s used for this process is particularly supple, which means that aniline leather furniture sells at a premium.
6. Almost any item that isn’t a piece of furniture or a fixture can be considered an accessory. Common living room accessories include throw pillows, blankets, lamps and lampshades, curtains, area rugs, wall art, mirrors, and objets d’art. 
7. Hygge is a Danish word that was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017. While Hygge is a broader concept, it is often applied to interior design. Hygge emphasizes comfort and coziness. For instance, a Hygge living room may include fluffy, textured pillows, a thick blanket, scented candles, and soft mood lighting. This Terra Fabric Sofa from Bernhardt’s Plush Collection was designed with Hygge in mind. All you need to add is a thick blanket. 
   
   
   
   
8. Dark Academia is a term used to describe a style of décor that uses muted blacks and grays to create a light-absorbing interior. Scientific implements and artifacts are used to give the effect of an anthropologist's study. The term traces its roots to a Tumblr site dedicated to Harry Potter. 
9. Feng Shui is an Asian decorating principle based on the concept that rooms have their own spirit or energy. While all of the concepts listed are part of the Feng Shui discipline, the name literally means “wind and water” and not “tiny flowers.” Therefore, “c” is the correct answer.  

With 16 furniture stores in Florida, Baer’s is your number-one partner in interior design. Stop in at Baer’s Furniture today!