Dopamine decorating: How to create an uplifting living space.
Your home is your haven, so it's understandable that you'll want it to showcase your personality in your décor. Here, Tracey Hague, Director at the furniture and homeware retailer Where Saints Go, shares her tips for decorating your home to make you feel happy and inspired, whatever room you're in.
Your home should bring you happiness and, after years of minimalistic design trends, it's no wonder we're all starting to embrace our individuality a bit more in our spaces. Interior designers are ditching the pared-back trends of previous years, favouring bold prints, patterns, and colour-washing for a look named 'dopamine décor'.
This trend was born in the wake of the pandemic, when our homes stopped being a place where we simply rested, but somewhere we could enjoy some real quality time. There are no rules with dopamine décor either. The most important thing is to have fun, because if you enjoy decorating and you choose pieces that you love, then your home is going to spark joy each time you step through the door. Here, I'll be sharing my tips for adding some dopamine décor to your home.
Go bold with colour
It's no secret that colour can impact our mood. In fact, a study on colour psychology published by the Association of Psychological Science found that our responses to colour are largely universal, with 68% of people associating red with love and 52% saying that yellow brought them joy. So, as colour has the ability to uplift a space, incorporating lots of it throughout your home is an easy way to bring an instant touch of happiness to your space.
The best way to use colour to uplift your mood is by choosing your favourite hues, whether it's muted pastels or bright and bold pigments. Alternatively, choose your palette based on how you'd like each room to make you feel. For example, muted, serene colours will help you relax in areas like your bedroom, while vivid tones will energise you in your main living space.
You can incorporate colour in any way you like. Add a subtle pop with some striking wall art or wallpaper, some throw cushions, or a few colourful kitchen appliances. If you're feeling more confident, go all out with a bold sofa, rug, and big feature wall.
Be anything but ordinary
Dopamine décor is all about showcasing your personality through your interiors, so don't be afraid to be unique. Surrounding yourself with your favourite objects and passions is one way to ensure your space brings joy each way you turn. Instead of hiding your objects away in cupboards, why not decorate with them instead? Display your favourite photographs, books, records, paintings, or memorabilia around your home to create a space that feels uniquely yours.
Try grouping similar items together to avoid a cluttered look, as clutter can make the space feel more overwhelming than uplifting. For example, group your favourite paintings on a gallery wall and store collectables and ornaments on a stylish sideboard.
Forget about trends and styles
When it comes to dopamine decorating, happiness should be the key driving force behind your interior design choices. So, forget all about trends and styles and decorate with anything that sparks joy, no matter if it doesn't match aesthetically. If a piece speaks to you, include it. This is also a great way to create a more timeless look in your home. You're more likely to grow tired of a matchy-matchy, trend-led look. If you choose individual pieces that you love, you're probably going to love them for years to come too.
Don't forget scents
Our homes should appeal to all our senses and while the way our interiors look can have the biggest impact, let's not forget smell. A couple of cosy candles and scent diffusers dotted around your home can add that extra finishing touch to your space — especially if you choose your scents wisely. Floral scents like lavender, chamomile, and jasmine can create a relaxing atmosphere in your home, while woody, musky scents can evoke a sense of cosiness. Or, you may prefer notes of coconut, sandalwood, or citrus to remind you of your favourite holiday destination as you unwind at home.
These tips should give you a great starting point for incorporating more dopamine décor into your space, but don't forget to have fun to create a look that's truly unique to you. For even more interior advice, be sure to take a look at the Sibylle Clerey Interiors blog.
