Consider this lesson as simple in theory but difficult to remember in reality. Your home’s appearance should be a source of joy for you. It’s an easy rule to use as a guideline when you look at the spaces you call yours. However, the process can become complicated when you’re allowed to design your home with care.
There’s often old furniture to deal with and budgets to set. There are conversations to have when you live with others and discussions to manage in the event professionals are hired. In the middle of all the decision-making, there’s that constant pressure to settle on a timeless yet trendy style. Unsurprisingly, many of us are tempted to throw in the towel and go with the timeless furniture we came across in our twenties.
But what if the chance to be surrounded by happiness was not a remodel or a total overhaul of your home—what if it was “dopamine design“? If you think about it this way, it allows you to choose the colors and styles that match your mood and create a space that will make you smile.
“Color has a profound impact on people’s moods in their homes,” says an expert in design and painting. “I believe that color should be used strategically to match the desired mood of a space.”
If you want to create an environment where you feel comfortable and cozy, follow these suggestions from designers on decorating your home with dopamine in mind.
What is Dopamine Decor?
Dopamine decor refers to arranging your space with a style that makes you feel great.
The dopamine decor style first gained attention as a trend on social media. It is inspired by the “dopamine dressing” fashion trend, in which people dress in vibrant colors and striking patterns to enhance their moods. The style is named after dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain commonly linked with pleasure.
In decorating, dopamine decor focuses on vibrant colors, striking patterns, and enticing designs to create a space that makes you smile. The idea is that every decorative item offers the brain a tiny bit of pleasure. Layering several elements together creates a calming environment that improves overall well-being.
Dopamine decor is a fascinating alternative to the “dopamine detox.” This trend, also called dopamine fasting, began as a method to escape habitual behaviors that hinder well-being.
However, it has sometimes turned into an unhealthy method of self-denial, where people give up enjoyable and healthy activities under the false belief that they will “reset” their dopamine levels.
Instead of reducing its effects by blocking pleasure, dopamine design promotes happiness and brings more pleasure to the places you spend most of your time.
How to Use Color to Set a Mood
When you’ve determined which hues best suit your personal style, you can start thinking about how to integrate them into your living space.
Start with Easy Upgrades
Although many people dream of a large-scale renovation, we can go further. Rental-friendly improvements and accessories are within reach, from peel-and-stick wallpaper to coffee table books.
There are many options—colorful planters, cozy throw pillows and blankets, and even cool clocks- simple items to add to the room. Don’t forget that if neutrals make you feel happy, they are also part of dopamine design.
“It isn’t safe to play with color unless you have some good neutrals to serve as a backbone, and you only need little touches of color to enliven a space,” says an expert.
Pick a Starting Point
Pick a color you love and something striking that brings you joy. Then, select an object to serve as the focal point of your room, such as a textured wall, a chair, an art piece, or a drapery. “Build up the room around items in that color along with accessories in contrasting hues,” suggests a designer.
Decide on a Color Scheme
Narrow the room’s palette to three hues: a neutral, a soft shade, and a bold shade, depending on the space’s purpose. “To create a warm and relaxing atmosphere, consider deep hues like deep blue, emerald, and charcoal grey. For areas that need to be bright and productive, opt for vibrant and light shades that inspire energy. Hot red, lipstick pink, or sunshine yellow work great for hallways, kitchens, or dining rooms.”
Although some shades are renowned as neutral—like black, beige, and cream—other shades can also fit the category. “Green is honestly such a neutral color and pairs well with many others,” one designer notes. “I love pairing green with yellow, blush, orange, or even aubergine.”
Think About Patterns
If you’re unsure which colors are compatible, follow this suggestion: “Start with a pattern or wallpaper you love and use one color as neutral and another as the leading color. The other colors can serve as accents,” a designer advises.
The bottom line is that color choices are individual, and the emotions they create are highly subjective. If your color combo makes you happy, that’s enough.
“Whether you’re repurposing furniture, painting walls, or choosing accessories, let color be your ally in crafting spaces that reflect your unique style and evoke the emotions you desire,” one expert suggests. “Remember, design should be a joyful and personal journey.”
Touch on Texture
The sense of touch is the second most significant in a dopamine-inspired interior. “A soft, velvet sofa creates a feeling of comfort,” says a designer who also loves experimenting with mohair, leather, corduroy, and boucle. Adding different textures, such as natural fibers, enhances the tactile experience. “Shaggy rugs in animal and geometric prints add to an already tactile experience,” another expert adds.
Wait Out Trends
Although dopamine design has become a trend, it’s best to avoid fads that lack longevity and focus on what you truly love. Take the time to figure out what you enjoy and will remain fond of for a long time.
Start Small
The latest decor trends can make you feel you must revamp your interior. However, since there’s no one dopamine decor style, achieving it on a smaller scale is possible. Begin with a single decor item you love and see how much one small change can affect your home’s atmosphere.
5 Examples of Dopamine Decor
- Play with Patterns
Contrary to popular belief, mixing patterns doesn’t need to overwhelm the eyes. A kitchen design with soft blue patterns creates a tranquil ambiance. Dopamine decor is about expressing personal style, and patterns are a great way to do so.
- Go Bold
This room uses vibrant colors, but the boldest move is running your hands along a hallway painted in a contrasting shade. This design breaks convention to highlight the space’s potential.
- Keep It Personal
Decorating your home should create a unique world. Whether it’s filling your space with memories, old furniture, or family heirlooms, make it yours.
- Be Your Weirdest Self
Your home is where you can express yourself freely. A dark green room adorned with figurines and dolls is a beautiful example of this freedom.
- Go to the Dark Side
While some associate cheerful spaces with bright hues, others find them noisy. Deep browns, as seen in this living room, can create a stunning, soothing foundation.
Style Cues
Choosing a color scheme you love is a great starting point. “To create a cohesive environment, ensure consistency in the color palette. This can be achieved by varying shades of the same color or adhering to specific schemes,” says a designer. Use bright colors sparingly on small walls and pay attention to lighting. Bright lighting can clash with vibrant furniture or wall colors, so balance is key.
Reuse and Sustainability
Dopamine design is an eco-friendly design approach. Using vintage or recycled pieces gives new life to furniture or artwork. Decorating with items that evoke joyful memories encourages mindfulness. Whether wallpaper reminds you of childhood or reupholstering a family heirloom chair with vibrant colors, this style incorporates sustainable, meaningful choices.
FAQs
Does decorating boost happiness?
Yes, decorating can make you happy. When you see things that look nice, your brain processes them and releases dopamine, which creates joy and satisfaction.
What is dopamine décor?
Dopamine décor is a design style inspired by the TikTok trend called “dopamine dressing,” where wearing bright colours and patterns makes you feel good. This approach applies to home design, focusing on creating spaces that make you happy, not just following trends.
What is the idea behind dopamine décor?
Dopamine décor uses bright colours, bold patterns, and soft, cosy textures to create a space that brings happiness. It’s named after dopamine, the brain chemical linked to pleasure and joy.
How can I decorate with dopamine décor?
Add happy colours like pink, orange, or blue as pops of brightness against neutral walls. Use different textures, like a velvet sofa with a soft rug, to make the space feel warm and cheerful without being too much.
