In and Out Organization

So these last two tips from the organizational gurus at Real Simple are going to help two completely different types. The first is from the photo on the left. Who could resist the simplicity and calming order of 9 boxes all in a row? And the other one — open kitchen shelving against a stark black chalkboard wall — will appeal most to the types who can’t actually keep it looking good.

The numbered boxes from New York City prop stylist Rebecca Omweg are visually appealing, so Organics (NFs) and Smarts (NTs) will be drawn to them. They’re also an innovative way to store stuff that might otherwise look visually unappealing. But they’re never going to remember what’s in them. “In” or hidden organization is never going to work for them. Deep storage only, stuff you might even consider moving to a storage facility. There’s also just too many steps involved in putting things away. Lidded boxes are a no no for Organic Freedoms (NFPs) and Smart Freedoms (NTPs) — too many steps, ie. take the box down, open the lid, see that you’ve gotten the wrong box, hell, even the Organic Structures (NFJs) and Smart Structures (NTJs) would be annoyed.

And don’t think that having a list of the contents will help you remember. Nope. These boxes are best for Funs (SPs) because they’ll like how this is different and they’ll love all the separate boxes for their things. Classics (SJs) could also do this solution effectively, but it might be a little too out of the box for their more traditional tastes.

The next one is sad. It’s going to appeal to the Organics and Smarts too, and in theory it works amazing because everything is “out” in the open and they can grab it in one-step. Perfection. Except that, and especially in a shared household, this is going to be super difficult to maintain. First off, what makes this solution look so good is that everything is matching, there are pops of color and a New York City prop stylist, Erin Swift, put this look together with props. So you’ve got to have both an eye for this and either white plates, or a collection of china that you want to see, and don’t mind having out in the open.

An Organic Freedom (NFP) living alone is the person whom this would work best for. Mostly because they don’t mind dust getting on their dishe and they will always know where it goes and won’t mind putting things away properly because it makes them happy. Funs (SPs) are more likely to be skeeved out by having their stuff out in the elements so to speak, but they would also have the wherewithal to put the stuff away properly, even in a shared household. It might work better for them if they have their pots and pans out in the open because they’re likely to clean those out quickly before they use them anyway.

And yes, a Classic (SJ) can do this, but it will be annoying to have to keep everything in the right places all the time, especially in a shared household. But since their china is likely to be matching, they would probably have an easier time pulling this off than an Organic Freedom living in a shared household. So in the end, this is a good “idea” for Organics and Smarts, a doable situation for Funs and Classics, but a better reality for people living alone, no matter what your type.