What Your Workspace Says About Your Personality

We all have those people in our office. The ones that have the very distinctive desk systems -- you can tell who's desk it is from a mile away. Some psychologists even argue that they can even deduce broad aspects of someone’s personality from only looking at a picture of their desk.

This may sound a bit far-fetched, but is it really? A workspace is no tool for fortune-telling, of course, but those who support the idea of a workspace suggesting broad personality strokes may be onto something.

After all, it can be argued that a desk or office area is little more than a reflection of the person who works there.

Cluttered Workspace 

What it looks like: There are a few different types of clutter, so narrowing down the appearance and implications of a cluttered desk can be a bit tricky. A cluttered workspace may be all papers and no desktop. Maybe old coffee cups or snack wrappers abound. The mess may be systematic, or it may be a result of haphazard organization (or a complete lack of it). Some people even enjoy cluttering their workspaces with sentimental items or trinkets from home. No matter what’s cluttering this type of workspace, there’s probably a lot of it. Who works there: The type of clutter present on or around a messy desk can say a lot about someone. For example, a desk cluttered with trash may indicate signs of executive dysfunction, a symptom of common mental illnesses like depression. People with trashed desks may be suffering from overwork, stress, or exhaustion.

Productive clutter such as an abundance of paper, books, folders, or other products relevant to work may indicate that a person likes to have all of their materials in one place to see what they’re working with. This type of person likes to know what to expect before they dive into a project.

Sentimental clutter like knick-knacks and toys is a sign of a playful and affectionate personality.

One final note—clutter isn’t always a bad thing! In fact, a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that clutter may actually result in increased creativity. Some would argue that mess is an indicator of genius.

Clean Workspace

What it looks like: These workspaces aren’t devoid of decoration, but they’re always pristine. Even if work resources aren’t organized, they are still put away and rarely left out overnight. A bottle of hand sanitizer may sit on the desk’s corner, and the computer’s mouse and keyboard are never dusty or gunky from heavy use. Personal effects are usually kept to a minimum.  Who works there: Those who consider clutter their enemy and instead keep a sparkling clean workspace at all times may be considered minimalists. They are likely to value routine and discipline, and they probably have a good work ethic. They are driven and reliable, but their tendency towards extreme cleanliness may indicate some levels of anxiety, too. While there are some misconceptions that a cluttered workspace indicates extroversion and a tidy one is characteristic of an introvert, this isn’t necessarily the case. Lily Bernheimer, an environmental psychologist, specializes in personality research and how it interplays with the environment.

“An extremely tidy and organized workplace doesn’t indicate that you’re introverted,” she says.

Hyper-Organized Workspace

What it looks like: A hyper-organized workspace may be crowded with materials, but rigorous organization techniques such as tabs, trays, shelves, and bookends keep everything in its place. Books or other resources may be arranged in alphabetical order, by author, or by subject.

A hyper-organized workspace will have nothing out of place—even particular pens and pencils likely have their own spot. Opened desk drawers may lend a view to drawer organizers, and even this workspace’s computer likely has a dedicated filing system.

Who works there: A workspace organized like none other usually belongs to a person who thrives on structure. These people rely heavily on organization in their daily lives, too—schedules, lists, calendars, and planning are essential. Those who value a high level of organization may occasionally come across as overbearing or demanding of their coworkers during team efforts, and they are likely to despise procrastination.

However, their goal-oriented way of thinking often makes them great leaders and managers, too.

Color-Coordinated Workspace

What it looks like: A workspace full of color may outwardly appear messy or neat—either way, the colors often have their own sense of organization for the desk’s owner. Bright filing folders, sticky notes in eye-catching shades, and multi-colored pens may litter the surface of this workspace, or they may be stacked and arranged neatly. Either way, it’s the pops of color that are important here.  Who works there: Lots of color often indicates a tendency towards fun and creative flair. Individuals who utilize plenty of color at their workspace may do so as a form of artistic expression. Just as these people seek joy from colors in their office setting, they may also strive to find happiness in bleak situations. Typically, they are imaginative and intellectual.

In some cases, the colors these people have chosen may be a conscious effort to increase feelings of calm or energy—brighter colors to inspire them, or more muted tones for peace. Those who work well surrounded by colors are usually conscientious of their own mood and how they can manage their emotions at work.

Some might say that a tendency towards color is an indication of extroversion and friendliness. Others may simply use colors as a way to value office organization.

Barren

What it looks like: Save for a computer and (maybe) a cup of coffee, a barren workspace is likely to look like something straight out of a stock photo. A desk like this may look impersonal, or like the person working there just started their first day in the office. Any folders or cups will only remain there for as long as they have to before being removed. Who works there: Those who choose to keep a completely empty workspace may do so because they acknowledge that they’re easily distracted. These individuals are likely goal-oriented and dedicated to their work, intentionally eliminating potential distractions for a more productive atmosphere. Psychologist and PhD Elizabeth Lombardo told Reader’s Digest that those with a barren workspace may also be the type of people who prefer to be in control of what they share with the world, choosing to keep their personal effects and private lives separated entirely from work.

Are there exceptions to these patterns? Sure! However, there’s something to be said for the large amount of environmental psychology and personality research that has been conducted to answer these very questions. At the very least, it’s fun to consider!