Your home and office décor say a lot about who you are as a person. Everything from the type of flooring, to the color of paint, to the number of throw pillows you incorporate says something about who you are and your personality. Even in your own small settings, like an office cubicle, you outline your personality with the décor and style paths you choose.
Take a look at a few décor techniques for homes and offices and discover what they say about you, the decorator.
Extra Seating
When you have more living room seating than you actually require, it shows that you are welcome to guests visiting and likely have a personality that enjoys socialization and entertaining. This is also true in kitchen spaces, where extra bar stools at a kitchen island imply that you want guests to pull up a chair and stay for a while. This principle should guide design in office settings as well. If you are a consumer-facing business and want people to come into the office to speak with you or company representatives, have ample seating that is comfortable and welcoming - both in waiting areas and individual office spaces.
Throw Pillows
Having many throw pillows in your common areas is also a sign of welcome and gregariousness. You don't just want people to sit; you want them to feel comfortable and stay in your home a little longer as a result. If you have an "at-home" feel to your office space, consider the use of throw pillows to mimic the idea of homey comfort and welcome.
Bare Counters
Uncluttered counters and table tops signify a Type A personality who values the way things look over the way things function. For example, if you put your coffee maker in a kitchen cupboard after every use, you likely have a Type A personality and would rather spend a little more time preparing it each use than letting it sit out on the counter. The same is true in bathroom settings, living rooms, and bedrooms. If you like things put away, and less out in the open, your Type A personality is shining through in your design style. It's wise to use care when implementing minimal décor or bare counters in an office; you do not want to appear cold or "all business" to outsiders (in most cases). There are ways to carefully choose which items to keep out, and which to put away, for the perfect combination of non-clutter and warmth.
Soft and Sheen Fabrics
People who prefer luxury items and the finer things in life often express that through décor that is soft and has a sheen to it. You won't often see chrome or metal furnishings in a home or office that strives for high-class elegance; you'll see dark woods, deep shades of red or blue, and layered looks in curtains, sofas, and flooring.
Neutral Palette
Using muted tones and patterns signifies that you are a peacemaker, according to interior design expert Jane Lockhart in an interview with Elle Décor. When you avoid statement pieces or colors, you are taking the middle ground. In a home, this can read boring or even unstylish. In an office, however, neutral décor is smart because it has the best chance of leaving a good impression on the widest array of people.
Paint Colors
Something as simple as picking out a paint color for your walls actually says in-depth things about your personality. People who love orange and yellow tones are optimistic, preferring bright reminders of the life force of the sun and fire. Warm, bright colors also play on a person's perception as they appear to leap forward, though cooler colors recede.
People who gravitate towards brighter blues and greens are more laid back, with the shades reminding them of open skies or bodies of water. Outgoing and creative types are generally drawn to jewel tones, like the rich emeralds and purples associated with royalty or even Hollywood events. When it comes to office décor, paint choice is crucial because it will impact the way others perceive your company. Color choice is also good to keep in mind when designing digital properties, like websites, as well.
Open Floor Plans
A home or office with an open floor plan shows that there is a sense of family and togetherness. It feels like there is nothing off limits and that everyone is welcome in all areas. Closed-off floor plans, though essential in some office settings, give off a more limited feeling and imply that visitors are unwelcome in these areas. An open floor plan also makes an area seem larger than it is, particularly if natural lighting is maximized.
Eclectic Accessories
A home or office that is perfectly coordinated tells an empty tale. It shows that you went out and bought all of a certain design trend at a certain point in time, and then moved on. Eclectic accessories show more of a long-term story, even if you purchased all the items at once. The key is to let your décor evolve over time, as you and your office evolve alongside it. This will show the depth in your décor and personality - and make you more intriguing to guests in your home or office.
Vintage Statements
Antique accents add an automatic touch of sophistication, even if they weren't viewed that way in their own time period. A person who incorporates vintage or antique items shows intelligence and it implies a love for history. In an office setting, it can read higher sophistication but an elevated level of seriousness, too, so keep that in mind when you are thinking about what perception you want to convey.
It's true that your décor is a reflection of your personality, even though you may not have realized it in the past. Keep these décor-personality thoughts in mind as you design your next space, either at home or in the office, so your design can convey exactly what you want it to about you.
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