ESFJ Decorating for the Caregiver

Welcome back to a 16 part series, looking at how your Myers Briggs personality profile affects your decorating choices.  Last time, we looked at ENTP (Visionary) type, and this week we’re diving into ESFJ(Caregover). In this series, it’s important to remember that everyone has different tastes when it comes to home decor, but each of us have preferences that can often be traced back to our personality profile and how we perceive and react to the world.  By better understanding our personality profile, we can make informed decorating decisions that can lead to more peaceful living and well-rounded lives.

In this guide, I will not attempt to tell you whether country cottage fits you better, or if you are more the modern eclectic type.  We all are drawn to different styles, and similar personalities will not necessarily have similar decorating tastes.  But, they will have similar ways of making decisions, evaluating choices, and experiencing the decor in their homes.  Which is why, in this series, I will be focusing on broader concepts and decision making  in your home decor versus specific design styles.

I’m excited to look at the Caregiver with you today, this is Jake’s personality type so I have a special place in my hear for the ESFJ.

So, one of the fun ways to learn more about your personality is to find out which cartoon characters share your type.  But, it the case of the ESFJ, I feel like the fictional characters give this personality a bad rap.  For instance, Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, and Donald Duck are both ESFJ’s.  Notwithstanding a deeper understanding of the Caregiver, based on the the fictional representations one might think that this personality is very uptight and controlling.  I’ve found that this isn’t the case at all: while the ESFJ does have a desire to order the environment around them, they are also super-fun people persons, energetic, practical, and dependable.  For a more indepth analysis of the ESFJ, visit here.

ESFJ’s are true people persons – they genuinely want to like people and have the ability to bring out the best in others.  They are dependable and responsible: highly valuing security and stability.   Very atuned to the details in life, they see what needs to be done and do it. The Caregiver enjoys creating order and structure in their environment and seeks the affirmation of others.  ESFJ’s are tactful, helpful, enthusiastic and warm individuals.

 

ESFJ Decorating

• Create order.  As an ESFJ, chances are you have an excellently organized home.  No packing things into the closet and slamming the door to hold it all in, no shoving dirty clothes under the bed.  You find peace and sometimes even enjoyment in putting things in their proper place and providing structure in your home.  Embrace this wonderful quality that many of us wish we had.  When other types visit your home they will marvel at your neat cupboards and straigtened book shelves.  Then, maybe help a friend out who lacks this trait with their spring cleaning!

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• Entertain. Sometimes stereotyped as the hosts and hostesses of the world, ESFJ’s are people persons through and through.  They can bring out the best in others which makes them desirable people to be around.  The Caregiver is happiest when others are at ease.  Create an entertaining space in your home where others feel comfortable and cared for.  Plenty of cushy seating, space in the kitchen to talk, a media room.  If you add these extra touches, you can make your home a perfect entertaining space.

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• Embrace tradition.  The Caregiver values traditions and prefers to follow the established ways.  Embrace this aspect of your personality in your home by incorporating decor that makes you feel comfortable.  Did your mother have a similar piece in her home?  Do you love the colonial style for its classic timelessness?  Add touches of traditions that are meaningful to you throughout your home.

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• Establish routine.  Again, you are an excellent organizer, and as such you likely prefer and thrive under a routine.  Incorporate your daily routine into your home decor.  Display the weekly calendar in your kitchen.  Create a space in your mudroom to organize your coats and boots for the week.  Place your cleaning supplies in bins for each task.  This is your forte!  Embrace your inner Martha Stewart 🙂  (who happens to be an ESFJ just like you!)

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• Be practical.   Practicaltiy is one of the Caregiver’s strengthes.  But, it is also the reason you should not buy marble countertops.  They may be gorgeous, but your Sensing/Judging personality will never get over the stains, scratches and marks that will inevitable appear.  And, you would drive yourself crazy trying to prevent said things from happenning.  Remember to consider function over form in your home decor, because it will bring you more peace in the end.  (Quartz is an excellent stain resistant, low-maintenance option ;))

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• Embrace your femininity. (or masculinity)  Oftentimes ESFJ’s are very feminine (or for males: masculine) and enjoy aspects of life associated with their gender.  If this is you, proudly show your feminine preferences throughout your home.  Get lacey curtains, fluffy pillows, or a flowery bedspread.  When your home reflects you, you will feel more at peace and in tune with yourself.

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• Accept the chaos.  There will be times in your life where things simply won’t be orderly, organized, or structured.  Certainly if you live with other personality types you will experience some level of dissaray and chaos in your home.  While, as an ESFJ, this may drive you crazy and you will have the urge to control the situation and bring order, sometimes it’s good to learn to let go.  Learning this within your own home will help you throughout life when you feel the need to control a situation that is out of your hands.  Sometimes you must relinquish.

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Good News for the Caregiver

1. You are the ultimate details person.  You see what needs to be done, and what needs to be done to get that done.  This is what makes you a great organizer and a do-er.  And, it helps prevent mishaps along the way.  By being able to think things through before you begin, you have a good picture of what you want in your home and what it will take to get there.

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2. You seek and provide closure. Your practicality and attention to detail allow you follow through on the projects you work on.  In fact if someone leaves something unfinished you are the one likely to pick it up and complete the task.  Some types are very envious of this innate ability (Me, an ENTP, in fact), so use it proudly when you decorate your home and are able complete a room in less than a year 😉

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Thanks for reading these decorating techniques and tricks for the Caregiver (ESFJ).  I’m curious, as an ESFJ, how do you find the drive to follow through?  How do you make others comfortable in your home?   Join me next time to look at ISFP the Artist!

 

Decorating for your Personality:

Introduction

INTP Decorating for the Thinker

ESTJ Decorating for the Guardian

INFP Decorating for the Idealist

ENFJ Decorating for the Giver

INFJ Decorating for the Protector

ENTP Decorating for the Visionary

ESFJ Decorating for the Caregiver

ISFP Decorating for the Artist

ISFJ Decorating for the Nurturer

ESFP Decorating for the Performer

ENFP Decorating for the Inspirer

INTJ Decorating for the Mastermind

ENTJ Decorating for the Executive

ISTP Decorating for the Artisan

ESTP Decorating for the Promoter

ISTJ Decorating for the Duty Fulfiller 

 

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