It’s easy to know what you love. You see it and you must have it. You must possess it or at least dream about possessing it. It’s you and fits your style. But where exactly does your style fit in those big lists of names you see in design magazines and books?

Everyone has their own individual style, but in case you are curious, we’ve put together an easy reference guide for common design styles.

Traditional

Do you love things that go perfectly together? Perhaps you have a compulsive need to make sure everything matches? Your style probably has strong traditional overtones. There’s nothing chaotic or shocking about a room designed in a traditional style. Everything blends smoothly together. Stand-out modern or eclectic pieces are not at home in traditional spaces. Often described as classic or elegant, traditional furnishings and accessories are finely detailed and blend harmoniously throughout the room.

Contemporary

Are your favorite things simple and functional? Maybe you have an unnatural aversion to anything that resembles clutter. You probably fall somewhere in the sweep of contemporary style. Today’s contemporary interiors are not the cold and minimalist looks from the past. They are instead fresh and new. Rooms are simple, comfortable and welcoming. Pieces have sleek, clean lines and are very functional. Calm neutrals are often the main colors in contemporary style interiors, but punches of color pop in accent pieces.

Retro Style

Do the words fun and funky appear repeatedly in the inscriptions from your high school yearbook? Maybe your left eye starts to twitch just a little when you’ve spent too much time in your mother-in-law’s “formal” dining room. Congrats, you’re a dead ringer for Retro. Most often used to describe décor from the 50s, 60s and 70s, retro is style influenced by the past (or at least the half-past). It’s not a vibe for the laid back and casual, but rather for those with an overall sense of flair. Bold and colorful furniture and accessories abound as well as quirky pieces like your cherished velvet painting of the King of Rock and Roll.

Cottage Style

Is your garage or basement full of fabulous finds you’ve got great plans for? Are you running out of excuses for refusing to accept your grandmother’s six-piece walnut bedroom suite? (Even if it is free!) Your “anything goes” take on life makes you a cottager or at least a fan of cottage style. Cottages should be lived in and enjoyed. Chipped paint and faded fabrics are right at home and creative “secondary uses” are often found for everyday things. Flea market and tag sale finds are creatively painted or recovered to compliment the rest of the pieces in your home. The overall effect is charming, comfortable and airy.

Rustic

Are you a little unrefined and wild, but still have a cozy side? Do you get cabin fever if you don’t get some time to enjoy the outdoors regularly? Naturally, you’re a fan of rustic style. Rustic style is warm and relaxed. It combines the best of nature with the comfort of the indoors. You don’t have to live in a cabin to be a disciple of this style. Incorporating outdoors into your home is all about adding natural elements that help make the space warm and cozy.

Don’t fit any of these definitions? Don’t worry. Style is mostly about sticking with pieces that show off your personality. Don’t worry so much about a label. Mixing styles is like mixing patterns—it’s OK to use more than one to come up with something all your own. What matters is that you love it.