Organizing Ideas for Your Enneagram Number
About three years ago, my sister-in-law brought the book The Road Back to You on our family vacation to Florida. Before I had ever taken the Enneagram test to find out my number, I read through the description of each number in the book and remember thinking I was definitely a 3. But I also really identified with the 8.
What Do These Numbers Mean?!
Listen, I am not even close to an Enneagram expert. I’m not even proficient. But I do love the Enneagram because it not only helps you understand YOUR unique personality, and the positives and opportunities that come with that. But it also helps you better understand those around you who are most likely different than you.
And this really comes in handy in organizing because every client is unique, and so the organizing solutions I provide need to complement each and every person and the way they live in their home.
Organized Solutions Just for YOU
So today, let’s have some fun. Don’t take any of this too seriously…it’s supposed to just be fun. And hopefully a little helpful too.
First, if you don’t know your Enneagram number, take the quiz here – it takes about 5-10 minutes and you don’t have to enter your email or anything to get your results.
Once that’s done, here we go! Again, I’m no expert so I will give you a little bit about each number, but please visit here if you want more info.
Enneagram 1 – The Idealist
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 1.
Alright friends, I live with a 1. And I also see a lot of myself in this number at times. So I get it.
You like rules to be followed, everything to have a home, and in general – order in your life.
So when it comes to organizing, your needs will greatly depend on what values are important to you in your home. Are you into eco-friendly, sustainable solutions? Do you live an all-natural life? Or do you have religious or personal beliefs that impact how you live and decorate your home?
Depending on how you answer those questions, here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 1’s home:
1. Sustainable Solutions: I love Marie Kondo’s new collection at The Container Store that focuses on beautiful organizing solutions that are both sustainable and create organizational systems in your home.
Photo by The Container Store
2. Solutions that Create Order + Uniformity: These matching spice jars with labels are a great way to turn a mismatched space into a uniform, classy space in your kitchen. I also love unique toy organizers for Enneagram 1’s because managing the kid’s toys can be a big hangup for a personality that thrives on perfection.
Photo by Amazon
Enneagram 2 – The Helper
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 2.
Moving on to Enneagram 2 – my wing (but that’s a whole other thing you can read about later). I have read that even if you aren’t a 2, many moms can identify with this number while their kiddos are young.
2’s love their people and serve their people well. They love company and entertaining. My mother-in-law is a 2 and she makes you feel like a million bucks when you come visit her home.
When it comes to organizing, a 2 typically sets their home up in a way that is cozy and inviting, for both their family and for their friends who they love to entertain.
So here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 2’s home:
1. Picture Organization: Since 2’s love people, it’s natural for them to display photos all over their home. A great conversation piece and they get to look at those they love all day long. So I would recommend solutions that help photos to evolve and change out easily over time. We gave this photo block and a bunch of square sized photos as a gift once and I’ve seen it used all around her home. I also love this photo ledge with indentions to keep the photos in place.
Photo by Artifact Uprising
2. Greeting Card Organization: Every 2 I know is fantastic at sending cards to their people. So I love this blog post from the fabulous Erin at TheSunnySideUpBlog.com with a step-by-step tutorial on how she keeps her cards organized.
Photo by TheSunnySideUpBlog.com
Enneagram 3 – The Achiever
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 3.
Good, bad, or otherwise, the test tells me I’m a 3. So here I go, putting myself out there when the 3 in me wants to hide from the public attention and go be productive!
3’s are competitive, efficient, organized and laser focused on achieving their goals. We sound so fun, right?! This wasn’t in the book (but should be) – I would go out on a limb and say that 3’s are the most fun number. But that’s just me.
It is not uncommon to visit a 3’s home and be surprised at how much it reminds you of a model home. It’s the organized, minimalistic personality coming out. For those 3’s that aren’t there – their home most likely bothers them because it’s not achieving that aesthetic.
Here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 3’s home:
1. Beautiful Solutions that Show Off the Home: I love to only add items to a 3’s space that add purpose and beauty. I love this glass truffle dish filled with fruit as one of the only items on the kitchen counter.
2. Change Out Your Hangers: Part of walking into a closet and having that visual experience is how everything looks together. I love matching hangers in a master closet – like these gorgeous lotus slim wood ones – to give it a more visually pleasing look. And even switching out hangers in a front coat closet to inexpensive wood ones like these makes a big difference.
Photo by The Container Store
Enneagram 4 – The Artist
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 4.
Enneagram 4’s are the creative minds – they love anything unique or vintage or special. They like to put items in their homes that mean something to them creatively. A way to express themselves.
So when it comes to organizing, here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 4’s home:
1. Unique Solutions: I love finding organizational solutions that solve a unique problem for a client. I would try to combine function with art like in this chair bookcase.
Photo by Alexander Love, found on HGTV.com
2. Decorative + Functional Organizing: I think that organizing solutions can 100% double as decor or art. Like with these glass jars that would be amazing on a kitchen counter or in a pantry.
Photo by Amazon
Enneagram 5 – The Observer
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 5.
Enneagram 5’s are true minimalists – they are all about convenience when it comes to their homes and their lives. The less they have, the less they have to deal with.
For some 5’s, their homes can feel a little cold and empty due to their minimalism. But on the flip side, 5’s don’t typically struggle with overbuying and always wanting new things.
When they do buy, they care very little about name brands and trends. They are mostly convenience buyers – online shopping when possible and always shopping where it’s most convenient.
Here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 5’s home…I put a lot of thought into this and decided:
NOTHING.
If they do need something, they will thoroughly think it through and when they’ve come to a decision they will probably purchase it online themselves.
So, moving on…
Enneagram 6 – The Loyalist
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 6.
I see you Enneagram 6. You want your home to be a refuge, a retreat from this scary world (that keeps getting scarier by the minute). You love comfort, classic designs, lots of carpet/rugs to cozy up your home. And you always have a blanket close by.
So when it comes to organizing, here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 6’s home:
1. Blanket Storage: Nothing makes a home cozier than having blankets all around. I just like to have pretty bins to store them in – I like this one and this one.
Photo by Amazon
2. Coffee Storage: Nothing says cozy like a warm cup of coffee! I bet you have a great collection of coffees, teas, and all kinds of cute mugs. Now you need some organizing ideas like this coffee mug tree + pod holder or tea organizer.
Photo by Amazon
Enneagram 7 – The Enthusiast
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 7.
Of all the numbers, the Enneagram 7 knows how to be laid back and have fun! They deeply desire to live life to the fullest, and focus on optimism in all that they do.
Because of this zest for life, their homes are often colorful, fun and eclectic, filled with things they find or buy on their adventures and travels. They tend to be “keepers” more than “purgers” because they attach a lot of meaning to their experiences.
So when it comes to organizing, here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 7’s home:
1. Spaces That Display + Organize: 7’s want to be able to enjoy their things out in the open, so I like to find ways to do that while also offering storage space to keep it a little contained. I love this tiny office nook idea from HOMEDIT.
Photo by HOMEDIT.com
2. Eclectic Touches Combined with Storage: Organization doesn’t have to be boring – add touches of color to a space to jazz it up. Or add a wall covering to the back of shelves to add a little flair like DecorPad did here.
Photo by DecorPad.com
Enneagram 8 – The Challenger
Click Here to learn more about the Enneagram 8.
When I first read about the Enneagram numbers, I have to say that I immediately noticed that the 8 is exactly me as I remember myself growing up – all the way through college. Through some hard experiences in my early 20s, I think some of those parts of my personality changed. And again, I’m not an expert, but I’ve been told by those who are, that sometimes your number can change. So there you have it.
All that to be said, I love my 8’s.
They love a good debate. They are often ornery and think quickly on their feet. And I think they are just fun to be around.
They are go big or go home kinda people. And typically have the mentality that they worked hard for their money and aren’t afraid to spend it. Because of that, they are often interested in the latest and the greatest in their homes.
When it comes to organizing, here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 8’s home:
1. Cool, Trendy Organizing Finds: I love trying new and trendy ideas with 8’s like this electronics organizer with a creative cord storage design.
Photo by Amazon
2. Custom Organizing Solutions: Custom closets are a great way to transform the look and functionality of your closet – and offer an 8 something truly unique and custom in their home. And don’t get me started on all the organizing bells and whistles I would design into that custom closet.
Photo by The Container Store
Enneagram 9 – The Peacemaker
Last, but not least, the Enneagram 9. Click Here to learn more about 9’s.
You like everyone to live in perfect harmony – and do what you can to keep the peace. You are patient, supportive, agreeable – and just super easy to be around.
When it comes to your home, it might have a hippie or bohemian feel. And you love to put things in your home that provide you with positive energy.
Here’s what I would recommend for an Enneagram 9’s home:
1. Organized Plants: Nothing screams positive energy like a plant. But putting them all over the floor and/or counter just adds clutter. So I would recommend thoughtful plant storage like the brilliant Joanna Gaines is known for – see one of her HGTV posts here for ideas.
Photo by HGTV.com
2. Decluttering the Space: Enneagram 9’s can find it hard to stay organized, so really “less is more” is a great way for them to live. Only keep the things that “spark joy,” as Marie Kondo would say.
What Enneagram Number Are You?!
I would love to know! Did the organization solutions resonate with you at all for your personality? Like I said, I’m no expert in the Enneagram. But I love learning about different personalities and how it changes how others use their spaces.
Ready to Get Organized?
Maybe this got your wheels spinning on some areas of your home that could use a fresh perspective!
Check out what I do + pricing and I would love to chat with you more about your spaces. Reach out anytime.
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