Understanding your natural organizing tendencies can help you set up systems that work with your habits, not against them. Which of these organizational styles sounds most like you?
- The Minimalist
- The Visual Organizer
- The Perfectionist
- The Out of Sight, Out of Mind Organizer
- The Waste Not, Want Not Organizer
- The Dreamer
The Minimalist
You keep only what you love and use often. Everything has a home, and you prefer to store items out of sight—in drawers, cabinets, and behind closed doors—to maintain a clean, uncluttered space.
Level-Up Tips:
You’re already ahead of the curve, but consider upgrading basic rod-and-shelf closets with adjustable shelves or custom cubbies. These features give you flexible storage while keeping your space sleek and streamlined.
The Visual Organizer
Your space looks tidy on the surface, but inside drawers and cabinets, it might be another story. You dislike visible clutter but struggle with time-consuming daily systems, often relying on junk drawers or catch-all bins.
Level-Up Tips:
Use decorative baskets to keep clutter hidden but accessible. Set a 30-minute weekly reorganization session on your calendar. Consistency, not perfection, is the goal!
The Perfectionist
Your home is organized down to the last detail—color-coded, labeled, and seasonal. You thrive on order, and everything has its place.
Level-up Tips: Refine your already-polished setup with valet rods, jewelry trays, personal safes, and hidden charging stations. Built-in dividers and custom closet accessories can elevate your system to the next level.
The Out of Sight, Out of Mind Organizer
If it’s out of sight, it might as well not exist. You like your belongings front and center, where they’re easy to grab and hard to forget.
Level-Up Tips:
Hooks are essential. Open shelving, clear containers, and eliminating doors from closets can create the visibility you crave. This setup lets you stay organized without feeling like things are hidden away. Plus, with clear storage containers, you will be able to quickly identify where each of your items is!
The “Waste Not, Want Not” Organizer
You’re always ready for a project. You’re likely already juggling several at once! You love to see your supplies and work in progress, which means your space often becomes a creative zone filled with tools, materials, and ideas.
Level-Up Tips:
Project boxes are your best friend. Keep everything grouped but out of the way. Pegboards are another great solution: they offer visibility and free up workspace. Try limiting active projects to no more than three at a time to reduce clutter without stifling creativity.
The Dreamer
You hold onto items that carry memories (think: old ticket stubs, the kids’ artwork, and worn-out sweaters) because they’re tied to meaningful moments. It can feel hard to throw things away even if they don’t necessarily have a use anymore.
Level-Up Tips:
Take time to decide what stays on display and what can be tucked away. Closed storage solutions like custom drawers or cabinets help preserve these treasures without overwhelming your space.
How To Use Your Organization Style To Your Advantage
Most people identify with one (or more!) of these organizing styles. Once you know yours, you can implement simple upgrades that support your habits, without trying to overhaul your personality or those with whom you live.
Our clients ask us all the time: “How should I organize my home when I am living with several different organizing styles?”
Organizing expert and blogger Clutterbug offers excellent advice on how to organize your items when sharing a space with someone:
“In shared spaces, default to the more visual and less detailed organizing style. That’s it. That’s the rule.”
That’s it. That’s the rule. It works for everyone.
Why? Because simple, visible systems are easier for everyone to maintain. You can still personalize your private spaces, but in shared zones, visibility and simplicity go a long way toward keeping things tidy.
Need Help Designing a Custom Closet That Fits Your Organizational Style?
At My Custom Closet, we create solutions tailored to you. Whether you’re a minimalist, a dreamer, or somewhere in between, our team can help design custom storage that works with your natural habits. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
