She Spoke {PERSONAL} Style

Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or an extrovert? Personality plays a big role in our lives, careers, and yes, even our homes. If you're an introvert and your office design has too much stimulation, it can make for a very uncomfortable - and even difficult - place for you to get things done. But personality-based design isn't just reserved for public spaces like offices, retail shops, and schools. It should also be something we consider when decorating and designing our homes. Do we decorate it for lots of stimulation for the extrovert? Or do we create a home that encourages solitude and rest for the introvert? Let's look at the differences between extroverts and introverts and how we can design homes that accommodate both their unique personalities.

What's your decorating personality? Take the Quiz and learn how you should decorate your home >

Design for Extroverts vs. Design for Introverts

We know that extroverts thrive in groups, they love lots of stimulation, and they feel isolated if they are alone for too long. Introverts are the opposite. They work best alone, need time by themselves to recharge and refuel, and they avoid lots of stimulation. It's key then that each personality type has a home that encourages and works for their unique needs.

For example, an extrovert should have an open home where they can do lots of entertaining. They are going to need large dining tables, kitchen islands with barstools, outdoor living spaces, and plenty of seating in their living room. Extroverts don't want to be alone when they are at home. So they need 2, 3, 10 extra chairs to have all their girlfriends over to watch that new show on Netflix with them.

Introverts need to be feel safe in their environments. Entertaining wears them out so they need a home where they can come home and rest - especially if their day job involves a lot of interaction with clients or co-workers. Introverts need a room or space where they can get alone - to read, watch TV, meditate, work out - some space that let's them recharge. If they're constantly surrounded by people and other's needs, they'll always feel like they are running on empty.

Must-Have Home Essentials for Extroverts

• Open Floor Plan to encourage conversation and entertaining

• Adequate seating for multiple guests

• Large Dining Table and Sofa/Sectional

• Lots of color and pattern to increase stimulation

• Bold conversational furniture pieces or artwork

• Gallery Walls mixed with objects, art, and decor

Learn to use color to make an impact in your home with my 5 Cardinal Color Rules!

Must-Have Home Essential for Introverts

• Soft Textiles - area rugs under foot, throw blankets in every room

• Decor/Books that will naturally spark conversation (so you don't have to!)

• Space to get alone and refuel (a bathtub for soaking at night, a kitchen you can be in alone, a sunroom or library you can escape to...or even a small corner reading nook!)

• Serene colors of nature, nature-inspired art

• Avoid large, bold patterns or bright colors that will over-stimulate your brain

More and more work environments, schools, and public spaces are being designed for the extrovert. They are encouraging group work and collaboration. They are full of large color and pattern to stimulate creativity and interest. This is great for the extrovert. But for those of us who are introverts, its important we have at least ONE environment that's designed for us and our needs. Design for the Introvert means creating a home environment that's relaxing and restful, that let's us escape and get alone to refuel. It doesn't have to be devoid of color and pattern - just a place where color and pattern are used wisely. For the extrovert, if your home is keeping you isolated because you don't have enough seating or stimulation, you can make a few quick changes to your home to improve your lifestyle!

If you need help designing or decorating your space to better fit your personality, check out my E-Design Services! A Designer Look Concept Board could help you see the colors, furniture, and pattern you need in your space to better help you based on your personality! Tell me in the comments - are you an introvert or extrovert?