So…you want to see if we nailed what would be found in your apartment based on your Enneagram personality type. We’re guessing you’ve more than likely already taken an Enneagram test and know everything from which type you are, down to what wing you swing. That’s perfect because we’re not here to necessarily teach how enneagrams work, we just want to have a little fun!
For all the e-gram noobs, and at a very basic description level, the Enneagram is a personality theory presenting nine personality types, each described by a set of core values or emotions, fears, and beliefs. Most people find that little pieces of each type resonate with them on some level, but only one will reveal your “basic personality type” or your overall personality. There are nine basic personality types: the reformer, the helper, the achiever, the individualist, the investigator, the loyalist, the enthusiast, the challenger, and the peacemaker. Since no human is purely one personality type, we each have a wing that’s one of the two types adjacent to your basic type which compliments your overall personality. That’s as far into wing descriptors as we’ll get, otherwise, this blog will turn into a book!
If you don’t know your Enneagram yet, it’s the most fun to read through the types, take a guess at which one you are, then work through the quiz to get your results. (You can bookmark this blog to read after you take your quiz; no hard feelings.)
So, based on your Enneagram, what can we guess you might have in your apartment?
The Reformer’s apartment (type 1)
Also known as the rational idealistic type, the reformer is “conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong.” source They’re typically strong proponents of change and improvement and fear things like making mistakes, or being corrupt or defective. That perfectionist aspect of their overall personality means you can’t tell them nuthin’! Not in the sense of being hard-headed or hard to collaborate with, but more so in the sense that they’ve covered all their bases before bringing something to you! So, what might a reformer keep in their apartment?
We’re thinking things along the lines of self-help books, photos and postcards from travel, framed inspiring quotes, a list of meal prep for the week, weekly planner, magnetic to-do list on the fridge, Smarthome device, things made from recycled materials, fair trade products, and a vision board.
The Helper’s apartment (type 2)
Caring and relational, the helper is “empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted.” source Type twos, also deeply sincere and generous, can be found to be people-pleasing and a little possessive to show unconditional love for others. Their selflessness can sometimes result in subconsciously forgetting to consider their own needs (we love ya for it, twos, but get that self-care on lock). Helpers’ greatest desire is to feel loved, making their greatest fear feeling unwanted or unworthy, so we would be drawn to assume their apartment would reflect warmth and a sense of welcome!
To create a space encompassing helpfulness, we’re thinking twos have things like a personal journal, full-body mirror, thriving apartment plants, glass Tupperware, host/hostess snack bowls, throw blanket on the couch or bed, framed photos of friends and loved ones, positive fortune cookie slips, a pet of some kind; maybe a wicker basket or yoga mat?
The Achiever’s apartment (type 3)
Practical, matter-of-fact, and success-oriented – the achiever hosts qualities that feed advancement and bring forth a competitive nature. Threes, more than anything, want to be valuable and distinguished and admired. Their greatest fear is to be worthless. Anyone else getting flashbacks to that part in Coach Carter when he kept demanding players to tell him their greatest fears *chills*. Anyways, an achiever enjoys motivating others and leading the pack in the most impressive of ways, so we wouldn’t be shocked if their apartments exuberates accomplishment and feats pressing for inquiry.
We picture an achiever to have things like framed photos, accolades, and diplomas; fitness items, decorative jewelry or fragrance trays, drink coasters, living room area rug, hanging closet organizers, shoe rack or key holder at the doorway, a displayed item showcasing a hobby, a heritage piece, or a pet of some kind. Threes are often viewed as role models and very successful, so it’d be no wonder that their apartments would exhibit the same qualities!
The Individualist’s apartment (type 4)
“Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious.” source The individualist is typically always working to find themselves and takes the form of “a creative,” in whatever aspect it may be. Like so many humans in general, fours seek unique purpose and self-significance and sometimes feel let down or melancholy when they can’t find it. They stand separately from others and see themselves as idiosyncratic – distinct and extraordinary, so we picture their apartments being filled with vibrant and special characteristics.
True one-of-a-kinds, fours might have things in their apartments such as books (all genres), a hanging tapestry or woven art, bohemian coffee mugs, and Chemex coffee drip; candles, decorative quote blocks, clothes-chair (to pile clothes on), travel magnets, a decorative ottoman, or displayed ladder layered in throw blankets.
The Investigator’s apartment (type 5)
Type fives are considered insightful and innovative. They’re typically seen as visionaries amongst their peers and have an immense desire to know why things are the way they are. Fives are also known to spend a lot of time in their heads about things before bringing them to a group (don’t we all). So, for a human who has a major desire to understand and seek informational depth, we would imagine their apartment would reflect the wherewithal to find “answers.”
An investigator’s apartment might have technological things like a smart thermostat or doorbell camera system; maybe even non-fiction books or old books from school, a bar cart, the “Calm” app downloaded to the smart TV, a sleeping bag, musical instrument, french press or Nespresso. Fives are known for an identity “built around “having ideas”’ source so naturally, we imagine many keys to problem-solving could be found in their living space (or the designated key bowl by the door).
The Loyalist’s apartment (type 6)
“Engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious,” source type sixes are typically classified as cautious and self-reliant. Their biggest desire is to have support and security and their biggest fear is to be without guidance. When it comes to important people and beliefs in their lives, loyalists are just that – the most loyal! “They will typically fight for their beliefs more fiercely than they will fight for themselves, and they will defend their community or family more tenaciously than they will defend themselves.” source above
Because the characteristics of sixes are so defined by the need to provide support and feel supported in return, we figure their apartment might have things like true crime books, to-do lists, a pet, matching bedroom set, a wine selection, succulents, a wall calendar or world map, electronic picture frame, and individual cereal containers. Loyalists seek to create a structure where it might be lacking, so we’d guess their apartments feature aspects of furniture and design with more of a straightforward purpose.
The Enthusiast’s apartment (type 7)
Oh, the enthusiast. We all know one – that friend or family member who gets overly zealous about things that grab their attention. Enthusiasts can be classified as scattered, optimistic, and extroverted and are found to stay pretty go-go-go by seeking new experiences. “They are bold and vivacious, pursuing what they want in life with a cheerful determination.” source They’re the friend you have who is reading, like, eight books at one time but genuinely interested in each.
Since sevens have such a zest for life and are always in search of ways to make their lives feel fulfilled, their apartments probably have things in them that exhibit substantial perceived practicality and spunk. Things like Cards Against Humanity, clothes-chair, travel and cooking books, journal or planner, written lists, Nintendo Switch, patio furniture, and throw pillows.
The Challenger’s apartment (type 8)
This source sums eights up the best: “self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering.” Challengers seek to be in control of their own lives and enact change within their environments. They’re typically experienced as charismatic and delight in leaving their mark on the things they care about most.
We envision a challenger’s apartment to be filled with things like a journal, kitchen towels with sayings, a portable speaker, accent throw pillows, multiple pairs of tennis shoes, professional development books, candles, flowers. Not to derail the conversation, but we’d also guess that type eights are also the ones who have 18 tabs open in one browser on their computer; just sayin’!
The Peacemaker’s apartment (type 9)
“No type is more devoted to the quest for internal and external peace for themselves and others.” source Peacemakers are stable and aim to always have inner stability. They look to create harmony, avoid conflict, and connect with others. Nines can sometimes be resistant to change if it means preserving what currently exists.
Peacemakers might have things like energy gemstones, spiritual books, a portable hammock, some type of game console, guided journal, decorative ottoman, wicker storage baskets, or a weighted blanket in their apartments. At their best, they’re known to have a great level of equanimity, or calmness and are very “one with themselves.” So, we imagine that level of connectedness would cultivate an apartment space that visitors would describe as very “them.”
So – how have we done? If you just read through all of that and still aren’t sure which Enneagram type you are, what are you waiting for? Bookmark this blog, scroll to the top, take your quiz, and meet us back here. If we nailed the things you might have in your apartment based on your Enneagram type, send this to a friend to see if we nailed theirs, too.
Research source.
