Which Design Style You Should Try, Based on Your Enneagram?
In This Article:
Understand how to utilize interior design to mirror your personality.
Comprehend how your Enneagram aids in crafting spaces that resonate with your inner self.
Match Enneagram types with design styles to create environments that cater to our unique needs and nurture our well-being.
Understanding the Enneagram
The Enneagram is a system that sorts people into nine personality types based on their core motivations and fears. It helps us understand ourselves and others better by showing how we perceive and react to the world. Unlike other personality tests, it recognizes that we can show traits from different types depending on the situation.
Understanding the Enneagram helps us grasp how personality influences our preferences and behaviors, even in design. By aligning interior design choices with our Enneagram types, we create spaces that reflect our authentic selves. Let's explore expert opinions on what each type needs for spaces to feel like home and what design concept correlates with those needs.
Type 1: The Reformer
Recommended design style: Scandinavian
"Type Ones are hard-working, responsible, and are always focused on doing the right thing," Stacy Erdman, Enneagram marketing and business consultant for Enneagram Entrepreneur states. She goes on to say, "Type Ones believe in duty before rest, and since they always have something to work on that needs improvement, they have a hard time letting themselves relax or have fun."
Due to this restless nature, and natural appreciation for order, type One should surround themselves with spaces that are easy to keep organized and reflect minimalism, like the Scandinavian style.
Scandinavian interior design follows a minimalistic approach, featuring sleek and modern decor with ample natural light. This design style also seamlessly combines style with functionality, making organization a breeze. Laurel Roberts-Meese, clinical director for Laurel Therapy Collective, explains the importance of such features in a type One space. "Type Ones should prioritize cleanliness and ample lighting. Consider apartments and design styles that are easy to maintain and feature tons of natural light to foster a sense of order and clarity in their living space."
Type 2: The Helper
Recommended design style: Comfy cottage
Melinda Olsen, LMFT, with Inviterra Counseling, offers a look into type Two by explaining, "[Enneagram Twos] are emotionally driven, relationship-oriented people pleasers who deeply believe they know what others need while knowing very little about their own needs." She recommends these types counteract this innate behavior by curating a space for themselves: "A Two on a growth path should focus on creating spaces that are meant only for themselves, designed around their personal hobbies, passions, and needs. Spaces that reflect personal charm while remaining comforting and cozy are perfect for the nurturing type Two which is why we recommend the cottage design style."
Cottage design is cozy, cheerful, and encourages personal style. Nostalgia is a word often associated with cottage design due to the encouragement for decorating with trinkets and other meaningful pieces. Sarah Wallace, founder and CEO of Enneagram MBA explains why coziness and comfort are so important to twos. "Twos are relationship-oriented, their "lens" focuses on other people, their needs, and how the two can be more connected by helping meet the needs of others, " Wallace explains. "At home, their focus will be creating comfortable spaces to come together in, and they tend to have pictures of friends and family throughout the entire house. Even at the office, Two's care less about functionality and more about creating a space that is warm and inviting where people feel comfortable coming in to."
Tim Branch, owner of TimBranch.com explains the importance of a design style where mementos and personality are embraced. "Type Twos thrive when they feel loved and accepted by others — and a lot of what they do, they do for the people they care about," Branch explains. "So in their working and living spaces you’ll often see knick-knacks that hold special memories, as well as pictures of loved ones."
Type 3: The Achiever
Recommended design style: Contemporary
"Enneagram type Three individuals are defined by their ambition, adaptability, and a deep desire to succeed."Explains Kenda Nixon, owner of Nomad Nixon. "They are often driven by the need for external validation and can struggle with feeling like they are never doing enough."
The complex nature of a type 3 means needing a decor style that fits their internal need for satisfaction and external need for positive impressions, which is best captured in contemporary style.
Contemporary style is one of high-end finishings, pops of color through art pieces and current trends, all while blending modernism with minimalism. Lifestyle blogger Bailey T. Hurley explains why she leans into this decorated minimalism type when it comes to her own home: "Just like my enneagram type (type Three), I want my home to look neat and put-together on the outside (though I may have children's toys and extra shoes stuffed away in a drawer) while also appealing to all who enter."
She goes on to explain that, "Enneagram Threes may feel comfortable keeping their more colorful selves hidden, but a true resident will know the beauty of their home comes from the specific design choices they made, in hopes of leaving a lasting impression." This sleek and simple yet impressionable style, is sure to please type Threes.
Type 4: The Individualist
Recommended design style: Bohemian
"Fours are introverted, sensitive, and tuned-in to their feelings, which can sometimes be tumultuous," Emma Pearson, owner of Enneagram Teaching, explains. "So often they want their home to be a haven to retreat from the world."
Pearson adds that [type Fours] are very "touched by beauty and aesthetics and their interior style will reflect that." The bohemian design style combines comfort with beauty and aesthetics seamlessly, making it a perfect style for a type Four.
Bohemian, also referred to as boho, is a style known for embracing artistic expressions. These spaces often mix patterns, colors, and textures to curate a comforting space with beautiful decor pieces. The emotional and unique nature of this Enneagram type will naturally fall into the organized chaos of a boho-styled space. Writer and coach, Kyra Craig, explains in sharing that, "the Enneagram Fours will have vibrant spaces that will feel more like a sensory experience in a museum or art gallery."
Type 5: The Investigator
Recommended design style: Industrial
Colton Simmons, Founder of You've Got a Type, explains the meaning behind the naming of Type 5. "Enneagram type Fives are nicknamed "The Investigator" because they crave a deep understanding of the way things work," Simmons says."'Things' is a very important word there because fives are typically far more interested in theories, objects, artifacts, symbols, and/or systems, rather than people."
While this may make this type appear introverted, it really just emphasizes the importance of simplicity in their spaces. Simmons also shared that, "Whichever it is, the Five will only bring things into their space that have a particular purpose for their work or symbolic significance in their life." With this emphasis on intentionality considered, industrialism is our preferred recommendation for a type Five.
Industrial design, especially in the eyes of a type Five, is well explained by Imari with AlwaysUttori.com: "The no-frills efficiency of the industrial style, which emphasizes the natural beauty of raw materials and exposed interiors, is exemplary of the Five’s love of practicality and simplicity," Imari explains. While it may seem easier to stick to a simpler design style, like minimalism, Imari says that "Type Five has a strong sense of curiosity and creativity, so sticking to the sometimes-sterile minimalist style can be a bit boring."
Type 6: The Loyalist
Recommended design style: Traditional
"Sixes are loyal to systems, beliefs, and people, but also are known for questioning the status quo. Their desire is to find support and security, and they can be challenged by self-doubt and anxious feelings," explains Helena Cachere, of Helena Cachere Coaching.
This type is complex, between balancing a deep need for security and naturally occurring anxiety with one's surroundings. To curate a consistent and safe environment for a type Six, we recommend the traditional design style.
Traditional design is exactly what it sounds like, a timeless approach to a space with nods to 18th and 19th-century design through natural materials, antique pieces, and muted colors. This design style is characterized as being classic and harmonious without being too fancy or full of frills, which is perfect for a Six. Cachere delves into the importance of a simplistic space due to the anxiety a Six feels. She explains that "it will be important to design a space that is truly supportive and not anxiety-provoking, so self-knowledge is key here." The classic and safe approach to design, through traditional interiors is a perfect place to start for a Six looking to curate a stable space.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Recommended design style: Maximalist
"Enneagram type Seven, known as "The Enthusiast" or "The Adventurer," seeks joy, pleasure, and adventure," details Emily Bruno of The Connection Coach. "Stress arises from perceived limitations, and their fear of missing out (FOMO) is prominent."
Bruno continues, "So in their living spaces, they will thrive with vibrant, eclectic design choices that mirror their optimistic and energetic personalities." A design style that matches the energy of this type is no other than the eclectic and bright style of maximalism.
"More is more" is the key phrase of maximalism, a design style where mismatched colors and containing textures are warmly welcomed. The beloved chaos serves well for those who don't want to limit themselves to the confines of other design styles.
Chelsie Engle, of Elite Enneagram Coaching, explains how diversity and variation are perfect for this type in saying, "Type Sevens enjoy vibrant, flexible spaces that encourage adventure and spontaneity. Open, airy layouts with colorful decor and space for hobbies or gatherings can cater to their love of variety and excitement."
Type 8: The Challenger
Recommended design style: Mid-century modern
"Enneagram-type Eights are decisive and bold." states Jennifer Stanley of Live Well by Jen, "They will likely want their work environment to be less personal and more equipped for the job that needs to be accomplished. Their home environment, however, needs to be a safe space where they can relax and be vulnerable with their people." For the type Eight personality, characterized by assertiveness and confidence, the mid-century modern revival design style offers a fitting reflection of their boldness and innovation.
Mid-century modern embraces clean lines, organic shapes, and bold colors on top of sleek furnishings from the mid-20th century. This blend of old and new reimagines spaces, creating focal points and conversation starters.
With a nod to the timeless appeal of mid-century aesthetics, these interiors capture the essence of type Eight, creating environments that radiate confidence and power. Enneagram coach Lee Milligan further explains how a type Eight would mesh with this style, "Enneagram-type eights will value living spaces that reflect their sense of strength and authority. They often create spaces that feel secure and protected, with a focus on privacy and personal boundaries." Stanley goes on to note that, "whatever space an Enneagram Eight is decorating, they will be sure it is exactly what they want and are not afraid to go against what is trending."
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Recommended design style: Coastal
"The Enneagram Nine, known as peacemakers or mediators have a driving force to get along with everyone, blend in and avoid conflict at all costs," shares Cassie Jean Egerdahl, Owner of Cassie Jean Blog. "In search of inner tranquility, Enneagram Nines strive to create a home that is a calm environment and a safe haven from the conflict outside."
As arguably the calmest of the types, type Nine requires a naturally calm environment that serves as a retreat to regulate any feelings and emotions. The serene coastal design style is one that utilizes light and airy colors, with nods to the chill vibe of the coast through decor pieces and natural materials.
"For an Enneagram Nine, the space you call home could be a real opportunity to promote your deepest self," Aaron Manes, spiritual director and Enneagram teacher, notes. "Because Nines tend to merge with others, home can be a place where you can put on display the things you love the most."
Your home, your personality, your style
By understanding the core motivations and tendencies of each Enneagram type, we can tailor design styles to create spaces that feel authentic and harmonious. Whether you're drawn to the simplicity of Scandinavian design or the extravagance of maximalism, there's a design style inspired by your Enneagram type waiting to be explored. Ultimately, the goal is to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also nurture our souls and reflect who we truly are.
Originally posted on ApartmentGuide.com
