How to Make Your Office More Comfortable for Introverts: Renovation Ideas

In many cases, you may have an office full of collaborating extroverts. In other cases, however, you may have an office full of creative introverts. If your business tends to attract the latter type of employee, you need an environment that fosters and nurtures these people, and the right renovations can help.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider.

1. More Privacy

While extroverts often thrive in a shared working space where everyone can see each other and communicate easily, that same setup can make introverts feel uncomfortable. To reduce tension and discomfort for introverts, consider enhancing the privacy in your office.

That may mean building individual offices instead of cubicles, replacing half cubicle walls with full walls, or putting shades on the windows of meeting areas instead of using windows on their own.

There are also other creative ideas to explore — for example, you can encase desktops in open-sided cubes. That creates an appealing decorative element for your office, while also preserving floor space and giving introverts more privacy. Relaxation pods are also a great alternative to consider if you have limited space. You can set up these freestanding pods in any area, put some cozy pillows or chairs in them, and let introverts head there when they need a reprieve from the open plan of the rest of your office.

2. Natural Elements

Introverts draw energy from spending time alone, and for many introverts, nature can be a big part of that process. If possible, talk with your commercial renovation team about adding more nature to your office. Depending on the space and resources you have available, you may want to consider adding a courtyard with gorgeous gardens where employees can relax, take breaks or even do a bit of work on their laptops.

Alternatively, you may want to add more north-facing windows so you can take advantage of the best sunlight to add more plants to your interior space. Elements that simulate nature sounds such as fountains or waterfalls are also something to consider.

3. Low-Key Environments

Generally, introverts do better in low key environments. That means you need to think about more than just creating private or natural spaces in your commercial renovation. You also need to think about the various sounds, odours and visual stimuli that permeate your office.

In particular, you may want to consider using materials that absorb sound. Whether you're talking about window treatments, ceiling panels, carpeting or any other materials, when they absorb sound, that reduces the hectic vibe of your office and makes it easier for introverts to work. Similarly, you may want to opt for deep, soothing, relaxing colour schemes, rather than busy patterns and bright colours. Dim lighting in some areas can also help.

To reduce strange odours, you may want to locate your toilets and break rooms in areas that are slightly away from work spaces, and you may also want to think about installing extra ventilation or air filtration systems.

4. Furniture

There are also furniture options that can help introverts. For instance, if you are on a limited budget, you may want to keep some of your office open plan but set up small cozy corners with comfortable chairs and reading lamps. Some companies even invest in couches with high sides, backs and wheels. If an introvert needs some privacy, he or she can wheel the couch to a window or a quiet corner, and "hide out" on the couch behind its private walls.  

To get more ideas on ways your renovation can make your office more hospitable to introverts, contact a commercial renovation professional, such as those at Randstar Building Services, today.

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