Designing categories that reflect how you live
Custom categories let you classify items in ways that matter to your household, whether by activity, storage, or ownership. Start from common needs and iterate.
Steps to create useful categories:
- List your major item types and how you search for them
- Group similar items under broad categories (electronics, furniture) then add subcategories
- Add lifestyle or project categories if relevant (camping gear, hobby supplies)
Category tips:
- Keep names short and intuitive
- Limit the number of top-level categories to avoid clutter
- Use subcategories or tags for finer distinctions
Examples of custom categories:
- By use: Work-from-home gear, baby gear, fitness equipment
- By ownership: Shared, personal, loaned
- By project: Renovation tools, seasonal decorations
Implementation:
- Start with a small set and expand as needed
- Migrate old items slowly to avoid data overload
- Use tags alongside categories for flexible filtering
Custom categories make your inventory reflect real behavior, which improves findability and usability for daily life and special tasks like moving or insurance.