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Interior Design for the Introverted Dude

Alright, my dudes. Last week, we focused on design tips for extroverts – those guys that enjoy being at the center of attention and thrive on parties. But what if you’re not that kind of dude?

Maybe you’re the kind of dude who…

#1. Enjoys having quiet time alone to think, read, listen to music, or binge-watch Maniac on Netflix.

#2. Sometimes screens calls, even from your best buds, just because you need to mentally prepare yourself for a conversation.

#3. Would rather step on a Lego than engage in small talk with strangers.

If that sounds like you, then dude, you’re probably an introvert.

Introverts are people who thrive on having time alone to unwind and collect their thoughts. Unlike the extroverted dude, going out partying on a Friday night doesn’t energize you. In fact, too much socializing can be draining. In order to recharge your energy levels, you need time away from the hustle to reflect in a quiet space where you can find peace. But does your home decor appeal to your need for introspection and relaxation?

Introverts, this one’s for you! The Dude is here with some on-trend tips for creating a cozy and calming living space.

Here are some things to consider when designing your ideal fortress of solitude:

Keep It Simple

Given your more reserved nature, a simplistic, minimalist design is ideal for you. Scandinavian design, in particular, appeals to many introverts as it focuses on clean lines and warm textures. Simple layouts and bright, airy spaces are the goal here. Get yourself a comfy, contemporary couch, a sleek, modern coffee table, and some neutral accent pieces to create a living space that is perfect for unwinding after a long day.

As far as color goes, pick soft tones that are calming to you. Muted tones are better suited for this design rather than bold colors or patterns. Think: cool whites, tans, and greys with pops of black, green, and brown. These subdued hues will help create a relaxing refuge from the overstimulation of your daily life.

Find Your Center

As an introvert, you need to maintain a special focus on what energizes you while designing your home. So ask yourself: What is it that rejuvenates me? What makes me feel centered?

If you’re the kind of dude who enjoys relaxing with a good book, then you’re going to need a cozy chair and a great bookshelf. If you feel most at ease while listening to your favorite album, then show off that trendy record player. If you are a dude who loves collectables, then make sure that you have a designated space to store those baseball cards (or whatever dudes collect).

Whatever it is that refuels you, make sure to incorporate that into your space!

Hygge Your Home

Hygge is a lifestyle trend that originates from Denmark. The Danish word roughly translates into English to mean “coziness,” although it has no literal translation. The concept focuses on slowing down, living calmly, and embracing life’s simple pleasures. Although hygge is more of a state of mind rather than a design trend, it is a concept that can easily be channeled into your home decor.

Hygge translates particularly well into bedroom design. For you introverts, your bedroom should be a retreat from the buzzing, busy world. Hygge your home by prioritizing comfort when choosing furniture and decor. Don’t just consider how the piece looks, consider it’s “nap-ability” as well. For your bed, stick with crisp, white bedding, soft, neutral throws, and lots of plush pillows.

As far as color and design for the bedroom, I’d suggest soft, grey walls and sheer, white curtains to amp up natural light. Instead of pattern, try incorporating various textures of the same color scheme into the space. Consider a thick carpet or lush, furry rug. This will make the room feel warm and layered as well as visually calming.

Need some tailored advice for designing the perfect homebody haven? Reach out to your Design Dude at heydesigndudes@gmail.com. I would love to hear your design goals and help bring them to life!

Want some additional information about introverted interior design? Check out an article that I was featured in on realtor.com for six cozy home decor ideas!

Interior Design for the Extroverted Dude

Dude, let’s play a game of Choose Your Own Adventure. It’s Friday night. You just got home from a long day of work. You plop down on the couch and get a text message. It’s your buddy asking if you want to go out for happy hour and possibly have the most epic Friday night ever. Do you…

#1: Put your phone on silent and start binging Bandersnatch.

#2: Grab your coat, because you’re off to the most epic night ever!

If you chose number two, then you’re on the right blog post. Because dude, you might be an extrovert.

Extroverts are people who are thrive on being social. Staying in on a Friday night and binging Netflix alone on the couch just doesn’t do it for you. Instead, you often feel rejuvenated after spending an evening entertaining a crowd of guests. But do you have the ultimate party space for this?

Dudes, this isn’t college anymore. Empty bottles of craft beer across the top of your kitchen cabinets doesn’t exactly have the same visual appeal as they once did. But don’t worry! The Dude is here to help make your home the talk of the party.

Here are some things to consider while designing the perfect party pad:

Open Up – Your Floor Plan!

The goal here is to have a great space for entertaining guests. An open floor plan with an attached kitchen and living space is ideal for extrovert design as it leaves plenty of space for gathering and socializing. Consider focusing your party around a kitchen island or bar top. This is a great area to lay out snacks and drinks, and it allows you to be at the center of conversation. Be sure to have some nice seating options in this area, like pair of good-looking bar stools, for guests to get comfortable.

Is Your Living Room Living Its Best Life?

Sure, the kitchen has the food (and what is a party without food?), but your living room is the hub of entertainment for your party. Make sure that your living room is living up to its name by creating a great entertaining area.

It is important to have many options for guest seating. An oversized couch or sectional with a large ottoman is a great start and serves as a focal point for socialization, but also consider adding a few extra seating arrangements to make the most of the space. Multiple groupings of chairs allow for multiple conversation areas for guests, and that means even more conversations for you to hop between!

Also, consider a flat screen entertainment center or a great music system to add that extra energy to your gathering. And, don’t forget the libations – a trendy bar cart will help get the party started!

Now, Get the Party Started

Social dudes obviously love having something to talk about – so give it to them! Incorporate key pieces into your home decor that will catch your guests’ eye and get them talking. Unique items, like a trendy record player, an eclectic rug, or some geometric floor tiles, will do just that. Jazz up your entertainment space with some bold colors or patterns. Consider an accent wall with a fun wallpaper print or some striking artwork. These additions are bold, visually stimulating, and will certainly reflect your outgoing personality.

Need some tailored advice for designing the perfect party pad? Reach out to your Design Dude! I can help you toss those craft beer bottles from college and transform your space to fit your design goals: heydesigndudes@gmail.com.

Want some additional information about extroverted interior design? Check out an article that I was featured in on realtor.com for six home decor ideas!

2019 Design #Goals

It seems like I was just writing about 2018 trends… How time flies for a busy dude, right?

All the 2019 trends are about to hit us. (I heard from one of you dudes that it is going to be the year of the llama, so stay tuned for llama themed decor.) But first, let’s start the year off right with some design tips to get organized and ready to tackle whatever comes your way in the new year.

Here is how I get my space ready for the new year:

Putting the D in Decluttering
- Yes, even decluttering can be fun! Dudes often think this is the most daunting task, so they let old college tees pile up in the corner of the living room next to that old recliner they got from dad. You don’t have to live this way, dude! Here are my tips for decluttering your space for some clarity in the new year.
  - Toss or donate anything that you haven’t used in a year. If you haven’t used it for 6 months or more, chances are you don’t need it. Hate to break it to you, but those jeans from high school are never going to fit again judging on the beer cans in the recycling bin that need to be taken out.
  - Make the piles. When decluttering I make 3 piles: keep, donate/sell, trash. Don’t be wishy washy on what pile to put something in! This is the time to be as hardcore and cold as possible. (The keep pile should be the smallest.)
  - Make it fun! Decluttering doesn’t have to be miserable. Make it an event – play music, invite friends over, have a brewski or two. It will make the process go by faster.

The OG Guide to Organizing
- Now that everything you own is in a pile in the middle of the room (because you should have gotten rid of the other two piles mentioned by now), it is time to organize. The bright side is, you have significantly less things to organize! When organizing I do the following:
  - Divide your pile into rooms: living room stuff, kitchen stuff, bedroom stuff, storage stuff, etc.
  - Tackle these mini piles one by one.
  - Start with your first room and assess where everything can go. Consider if you should invest in more storage solutions and purchase those.
  - Then, place your items and done! But seriously, it shouldn’t be complicated. There is no perfect system of organization, so do what makes sense to you.

So Fresh and So Clean
- Next step, clean it all! Your pad is probably very dusty and grimy by this point. (Please take out the recycling bin full of beer cans already!) Take out trash, dust, wipe down your surfaces, vacuum, mop – in that order! Never mop and then vacuum. You should know this by now, dude.

New Year, New Pad
- Now for the fun part! Introduce something new to your pad for the new year. This can be really simple or really big. You get to decide how you’re living your best design life in 2019. Try updating some throw pillows on the sofa, getting new bedding, or painting a wall. Try incorporating Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year: Living Coral. (Dudes can like pink!)

Align Your Resolutions with Your #DesignGoals
- What are your goals for the new year? To approach life through minimalism, to be bold, to be more peaceful, to live the luxe life? Well, all of those are styles you can incorperate into your pad! Start off on the right visual foot and make the space reflect your #goals. Our environment really affects us and how we perform in the world.

If you need help with your space, reach out to your Design Dude! I can help you with whatever design challenge you are faced with in 2019: heydesigndudes@gmail.com.

Also yes, I did make this whole post Parks and Rec themed. You’re welcome.