Organizing an entire living space can be a seriously daunting task. But what many people don’t know is that the key to effective organization involves understanding the psychology behind your approach to tidiness. We each have a distinct personality type that plays a heavy part in how we organize our spaces. This includes everything from your values to your unique behaviors. And by familiarizing yourself with your personality type, you can personalize your organization strategy to better suit your needs, plus create a healthier environment for you and your loved ones in the process.

If you want to learn the best strategy for organizing your space, here are four common personality types to help:

The Planner (Judging Type)

If people often call you opinionated, you’re likely to resonate with “the planner” personality type. This personality type typically prefers organization and structure. And because of this, they thrive on planning and scheduling tasks ahead of time, always keeping a clear goal in mind.

A helpful organization strategy for the planner is to create a clear-cut, detailed system with easy-to-read categories, labels, and schedules. Additionally, they can make use of planners, to-do lists, and digital calendars in order to keep on track with their responsibilities. This helps planners maintain a neat and orderly space in a way that feels right to them.

The Visionary (Intuitive Type)

If you can’t already tell by their names, visionaries are the type to look to the future for inspiration. They’re major daydreamers, making them highly imaginative. And they often encourage others to see the big picture rather than the details.

Because they don’t always care about the details, visionaries may struggle with keeping their space organized in the way that others do. But that doesn’t mean they keep a cramped, cluttered space. Instead, they use their curiosity and creativity to come up with innovative organizing solutions for maintaining their homes.

If you’re a visionary, try incorporating flexible organization systems — i.e. modular shelving units, magnetic boards, etc. — that prioritize spontaneity and adaptability. Additionally, you can use visual aids like vision boards or mind maps to create clear goals for the future.

The Analyst (Thinking Type)

A more serious personality type, analysts tend to be more on the logical and analytical side. Rather than listen to the old adage to “follow your heart,” analysts prefer to use a rational approach when making decisions.

This personality type prioritizes efficiency and effectiveness in their approach to organization. And because of this, they often come up with practical solutions for maximizing space and resources.

For analysts, adopting a minimalist mindset that places functionality over visual appeal is the best strategy. And by creating pragmatic workflows with the help of digital tools for data management, this personality type can make efficiency a top priority.

The Empath (Feeling Type)

Though many people consider themselves to be empathetic, according to science, only 1 or 2 percent of the population are actual empaths.

Empaths are naturally super compassionate people who enjoy connecting with others emotionally. They take their personal values very seriously and often use them as a guide when making decisions. Empaths love sentimentality and tend to have a harder time letting go of certain items because of their strong emotional attachments to them. Because of this, they typically prefer a more personalized and meaningful approach to organizing their living spaces in order to create a warm, welcoming environment for anyone who enters.

If you relate to the empath personality type, adding your own personal touch to your organization system is a suitable approach. To do this, try incorporating meaningful pics and souvenirs that honor your personal values while maintaining functionality.