The Perfect Paint Color, According to Your Enneagram Type
Let’s get personal.
Updated Oct 12, 2018 12:56 PM
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You’ve consulted your horoscope and ruminated over Myers-Briggs results, but what about your Enneagram type? The personality test divvies people up into nine categories to help them on the “path to self-knowledge”—their words, not ours—which, for those renovating a home and questioning every micro decision, is pretty useful intel. This is especially true when it comes to paint; after all, it is the ultimate way to personalize your space, so choosing something that reflects your style is key.
So is your type A, list-making soul destined for neutrals? Do introverts fare better with warm or cool tones? We asked Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’s director of color marketing, to find out.
Type One: Crisp White
People in this category are about principles and getting every little detail just right, explains Wadden. Go for a true white—no beige undertones or too-blue tints—all over your home to make everything cohesive and soothe your perfectionist heart.
Type Two: Terracotta
The people pleaser of the group, you’re happiest when everyone else feels welcome and at home. Wadden recommends a warm, earthy hue like terracotta, best used in a dining room. “It signals that you enjoy hosting and want people to be comfortable,” she says.
Type Three: Blush Pink
You’re charismatic and confident, and will fare best with a trendy rose hue—hey, Benjamin Moore didjust name it the 2020 color of the year. “This shade makes a bold statement and is sure to elicit the oohs and aahs this type craves from others,” says Wadden.
Type Four: Amethyst
“This group is all about expressing themselves and standing out from the pack,” offers Wadden. Pick something rich and unexpected; no one questions the individuality of a person with a jewel-toned purple entryway.
Type Five: Sage Green
“Lush green creates a retreat-like atmosphere to block out the rest of the world and focus on personal development at home,” says Wadden, referencing this type’s preference to keep to themselves in order to think, learn, and grow.
Type Six: Griege
You prize security in both personal decisions and relationships, so Wadden recommends going for a shade that’s timeless and easily adaptable to avoid paint-related panic down the road. “Not quite gray, not quite beige, this is balanced and neutral,” she comments.
Type Seven: Sunny Yellow
“Spontaneous and playful, this category strives for excitement and positivity,” says Wadden. Don’t overthink it: Choose the happiest color of the rainbow to keep negative vibes at bay.
Type Eight: Matte Black
If you are the kind of person who would be cool with going bungee jumping in the middle of the week, why not have your walls reflect that confidence and penchant for risk-taking? “Dark hues create a cocoon-like feel for a safe space when you’re alone and command the attention of all who enter,” says Wadden.
Type Nine: Deep Blue
“A peaceful blue is meditative and reassuring,” says Wadden, which is perfect for those who seek harmony and internal peace. Haven’t you heard? Navy is the new neutral.
See more paint ideas: How 3 Designers Would Decorate With Sherwin-Williams’s Color of the Year For This French Interior Architect, Paint Belongs Everywhere But the Walls 7 Design Insiders Predict the Biggest Fall Color Trends