Welcome back to a 16 part series, looking at how your Myers Briggs personality profile affects your decorating choices. Last week we looked at ESTJ (Guardian) type, and we’re back again this week to delve into the INFP (Idealist). As I’ve stated in previous posts, 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.
The Idealist is such a fun and dynamic personality. Their deep and honest concern for others and their well-being makes them one of the most sympathetic types! Below is a quick overview of this type. For a more indepth analysis of the INFP, visit here.
INFP-the idealist, dreamer, healer. While you have in inward focus-evaluating things with your personal feelings, you are constantly concerned with improving the world around you. You are very intuitive about people: making you thoughtful, considerate, and a good listener. Your standards are very high, tending towards perfectionism. You search for meaning and truth within yourself in order to help other and make the world a better place.
INFP Decorating
- Buy fair trade. As the Idealist, you constantly seek to better the world, and why not do so while decorating your house? By purchasing decor from Fair Trade organizations you are helping someone in an impoverished nation provide for themselves through a sustainable trade. Plus, you have a unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-made item that adds an extra special touch to your home.
- Create a writing/reflecting retreat. INFP’s are some of the best writers, let this side of you flourish by dedicating a peaceful retreat where you can put your thoughts on paper. Even if you’re not a writer, chances are you enjoy your alone time to reflect and think. By setting aside an area where you can do so, you will be able to better separate your ‘alone and thinking’ time with your ‘together with others’ time (which is sometimes difficult for the Idealist).
- Design a restful guestroom. Also known as the Helper, the INFP loves to be there for others in their time of need. Create a peaceful guestroom where you can gift others a little bit of serenity and a place to stay for whenever they need. Make sure to equip it with all the extras so they can feel at home. (Extra hangers, towels, mints, and toothpaste, etc.)
- Display your memories. As an Idealist, you have a deep well of feeling and love for others. Because of this, it’s likely you are a sentimental person. If there are memories, songs, poems that really mean a lot to you, make them into artwork and display them throughout your home! Frame the lyrics to your first dance, or sew your child’s baby clothes into a quilt. Keepsake boxes work great for displaying shells from vacation, dried flowers from a bouquet or corsage, or even your wedding dress!
- Choose minimal upkeep design. INFP’s tend to be more laid-back and less concerned about the mundane details of life. Becuase of this they should make design choices accordingly, knowing they will not want to be spot cleaning every inch ot their home weekly. For instance, choose darker flooring that won’t show dirt, and consider using a shower curtain rather than a glass enclose that you will have to work hard to keep clean.
- Shopping alone. Because you care deeply for those around you, and have a low tolerance for conflict, shopping with many others may not be a great idea. As an Idealist you have extremely high standards and tend towards perfectionism. If you are shopping with others you may buy what they like in order to minimize conflict, but in the end you regret it because it doesn’t live up to your standards. Have fun when your with loved ones! But save the serious shopping for another time.
- Exhibit your passions. When an INFP takes an interest in something they feel passionately about, it often becomes their ’cause.’ They work hard and fight for that project in order to help make the world a better place. What are your causes? Are they reflected in your home? Help spread the word and show other what you are about by incorporating your work in your home decor. Display a relevant book on your coffee table or hang ribbons for your cause.
Good News for the Idealist
1. You see the good where other cannot. Because you are always looking for the positive about something, you will be able to take things that others might not appreciate and use them well in your home. By taking thrifted finds and turning them into your own treasures you can save money and have unique and creative home decor.
2. You prefer beauty over utility. This means you’re one of those lucky types that can have gorgeous marble countertops and not be bothered by the fact they they are just not quite as practical. Because you value aesthetics over function, you are unbound by practicality and can freely decorate your home to your heart’s fancy! Just make sure to check in with your spouse before you purchase your carrera marble countertops…. their personality type may not be as forgiving of them!
Well there you have it, all of my decorating tips and tricks for INFP the Idealist. What do you think, INFP’s? What causes are close to your heart? Do you use your home to help others? I’ll be back next week for: ENFJ Decorating for the Giver. If you enjoy this series and want to find out more tips and tricks on decorating be sure to sign up for emails (on the right sidebar) or follow me on bloglovin’! Thanks 🙂
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
*Contains Affiliate Links*
This is beautiful. I am an INFP. Totally fits me. Thank you for putting this in the world.
I totally agree with the minimalist theme and love the idea for the alone work space AND bathroom! She loves to take long sudsy baths and gets stressed when her desk gets taken over too often by her teenage daughter.
Mmmm, mostly true except for that animal hide rug on the floor at the end of the article! That would HORRIFY an INFP. I have been with my current INFP girlfriend for over 6 years and was married to an INFP for 8 years before that. They are animal lovers. Not too many are into hunting trophies I don’t think.
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@colbee exactly like me! infp female and estj male. curious to know the best of both worlds decor !
thank you thank you for the post. i am in INFP and every word you wrote is true!
Do you have any specific suggestions for an INFP/ESTJ couple?
What a thoughtful concept, to consider personality with decorating. I am a pretty textbook INFP and this post was right on… thank you so much for sharing. The only thing I would add is that… with a tendency towards perfectionism, having a lot of decorating options can be very overwhelming and stressful. I don’t just want a lamp, I want the most perfect lamp for that spot, and I will ultimately spend an eternity scouring all my options. If anyone has any thoughts on how to curb that tendency, I’d love to hear them!
I love what you said about separating alone time and family time. I have such a hard time with that. We have an animal sanctuary at home, so the house is never quite what it should be. It’s good to know that’s okay! I’m happy that you included Fair Trade items in the home. That’s very important to me. I also want to know how to make my own household things, like baskets and dishes, and I want to crochet more blankets. I like to make the world softer for people. You did a really good job on this page.
I loved this. It described me perfectly and my style. I just wish I did have less in my home cause as you said i really dont like cleaning lol. Time to show my husband this!
Haha! I feel ya 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, and glad you enjoyed it!
This is just fantastic! I love the idea of fair trade furniture. I try to go that route with food and jewelry, just didn’t realize there was fair trade furniture out there. It’s amazing how accurate you are at describing the styles for the people and their personality, or at least for me. I naturally leaned toward the things mentioned here (minimalist, sentimential objects, 2nd hand finds) and now it makes more sense why.
I’m INFP and not that people focused or sentimental. I relate more to your INTP description in many ways, although the decorating tips for both types are relevant to me. I’m more interested in people in an abstract way than being a “helper”. If I help people, then it’s more psychological or spiritual than providing some practical service. I couldn’t care less about consensus, rather, I have more interest in individuality and unusual viewpoints. I also am ok with conflict and find it annoying when people avoid the elephant in the room.
Anyhow, I generally notice that INTPs are more utilitarian and INFPs place more value on sheer aesthetics. But that said, I knickknacks because of their upkeep. I’m not a collector or prone to hanging onto sentimental objects for that reason. I like a space easy to maintain as I’m messy enough as it is. This tends to balance out my natural prioritizing of form over function, so that function is given its due weight.
this article was fun to read! my favorite part (and decorating style too) is the rustic minimal part! spot on – Liv
Glad you enjoyed it, Liv. I am with you, I just love the minimal look with rustic vibes 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love designing and decorating- not usually thought of as a straight male’s activity, but, anyway…- and I’m really getting into understanding personality types better, so this was a great article. I found most of your ideas to be “spot on.” I wonder if other INFPs have as hard a time as I do making a final decision, though?
Ron, I think it has to do with our perfectionist tendencies. I have so much trouble making decisions (and I’m a bit sloppy… that’s my “P” coming through), and it’s because I get exhausted and give up when I can’t get it just right.
Sounds familiar!
There are pieces here that could work But for the most part it is not my style at all. I love gypsy/bohemian with lots of colors and fabric art and then throw in some dark Victorian and some lush Celtic. I don’t care for light colors/pastels and absolutely hate pink. Sometimes INFPs are called dreamers which for me is more accurate than idealist, although I am also an idealist, just not as much.
Hi Linda, I agree, sometimes the ‘label’ MBTI gives the types is just too narrow and puts the personality into a box. That’s why I like to mention other nicknames for the type to try and round out their characteristics 🙂 The pics are more meant to illustrate the tips for decorating rather than represent the decor style of an INFP, the fun part is: you can take these tips and apply them to your own personal decorating genre! 😉
I’d like more wall color , but other than that.. I like this the best of all your work! I love the blue, I love the antiques, plants, some more books and musical instruments would be a nice touch…I love things made from nature! Great job over-all…
Thanks Julie 🙂 I totally agree that books and musical instruments would be a great touch to an Idealists home. Thanks for stopping by!
This is THE best, and most accurate article ever!! Thank you so much for taking the time to research and write it. I’m so indecisive when it comes to decorating…due to wanting to get it right and wanting everyone else to feel comfortable…but this helped me in getting over those obstacles.
Thanks so much Cali, so glad you liked it! It’s great to hear from an INFP on this article 🙂 Best of luck with your decorating!!
I am and ENFP, but I am close to the middle between E and I, so I completely related to this. I am a writer and I love going to Thrift stores to upcycle decorations. I also would likely give in to what others wanted to keep the peace.I really like your Blog and would love it if you could do ENFP as well as ISFJ. I am writing a character who is ISFJ which is why I ask that one. 🙂
Well, thanks! I’m so glad you like it here. And, what a fun combination to be inbetween: the Idealist Inspirer! 🙂 You must be excellent at caring for and encouraging others. I will definitely put ENFP and ISFJ next on the list after the latest one I’m working on. I can’t promise a timeline as this time of year (tax season) gets extremely busy, but I will do my best 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
This is spot-on for me as an INFP! I loved every point, and I had to laugh at the minimalist one. I have always wondered why anyone would have flooring that isn’t the color of dirt. Who wants to spend their life cleaning white tiles?!
I am so with you! My mom has white tile floors (they came with the house) and no matter how often she cleans it, it’s dirty again. Some things are beautiful, just not functional 🙂
The guest room got me. I am an INFP and it has always been important to me to have everything ready in case a guest arrives or a friend needs a nurturing place to settle into for a bit. That is so true.
I just love that about INFP’s! Always willing to lend a hand for someone else 🙂
As an INFP I think this is lovely and accurate! My boyfriend (INFP/J) share a flat which is full of charity shop/antique/second hand furniture, a kooky lamp we bought at a book festival, posters for our fandoms (Doctor Who, Tolkien maps, Shakespeare play posters), an old Turkish rug we got cheap because it has a small hole that we don’t care about, cushions handmade by my mum…our stuff may seem eclectic and a bit battered round the edges but I love how low-maintenance and unique it is 🙂
Eclectic decor is the best! I love how it reflects the personality of who lives there 🙂 You’re place sounds so fun, a beautiful representation of you as a couple. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!