Inspiring dopamine décor with bright colours and bold prints

Let’s dive into the world of home décor that’s more than just a pretty sight—it’s a mood-enhancing masterpiece!

Welcome to the world of dopamine décor, where the walls are alive with vibrant hues and the furnishings sing with bold prints! It’s a style that’s all about celebrating your unique taste, filling your space with what makes your mind do a happy dance. Imagine a medley of lively patterns, tactile textures, and a touch of nostalgia, all with the aim of sparking joy.

In a move away from minimalist design, dopamine décor has been dancing its way into homes, grabbing the spotlight and sprinkling a dash of pizzazz into interiors. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can embrace this lively trend and bring a burst of cheer to your next renovation.

In a nutshell, dopamine décor uses colour and maximalist design theory to inspire joy. The idea is that such a kaleidoscope of colour can trigger your body into producing this neuro-transmitter which is part of the brain’s “reward system”.

Here’s how Cleveland Health Clinic describe it:

Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you a sense of pleasure. It also gives you the motivation to do something when you’re feeling pleasure.

So, dopamine decorating is all about using interior design to inspire happiness. It encourages us to throw away our inhibitions and decorate our rooms with the things we love. The movement revolves around colour, pattern and textures. It’s about conscious style choices that resonate with our unique personalities and preferences.

It’s become hugely popular online too, with influencers galore sharing their approach. From Pinterest to Instagram and of course, Tiktok – there are countless people showing off the spaces they’ve designed to inspire happiness.

Here’s one example from @styledby.rhonda:

@styledby.rhonda

dopamine decor 🌸✨ it’s definitely a thing & i am here for it 🫶🏼 #bohohome #bohodecor #cozyhome #interiorstyling #homedecorideas #homeinspo

♬ original sound – The PrintableConcept

The question is, how do you start with your own foray into this philosophy? The easiest answer is to think of what sparks joy for you. Are you a fan of chunky, gritty textures? Bring them into your home! Love art prints and funky sculptures? Go ahead and add them everywhere, from the living room to the bedroom. Or, perhaps you’ve always dreamed of that regal touch with a four-poster bed frame in the bedroom? Why hold back – go all out and match that wooden texture with other organic notes around the room. In short, let what you love lead the way.

Credit: @afterglow.horizons

1. Cover your space with colour

Let’s start with the vibrant beating heart of dopamine décor – colour! This style is all about infusing your space with shades that set your soul ablaze. Start by painting a feature wall in a bright sunny tone like orange or pink and introduce other complementary colours with furniture and accessories.

It’s about embracing the hues that make you feel alive. Whether that’s a striking blue sofa bed or a collection of eye-catching cushions, colour is your friend and your best tool to play with. Remember, you can go for vivid tones, moody colours, or soothing pastels – whatever draws you in!

Just make sure your use of colour inspires joy, rather than overpowering or creating confusion. Use a colour wheel to find complementary pairings. And don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to go all-out straight away. Build up your dopamine bedroom, piece by piece. This will ensure you end up with a cohesive design made up of only the things you love.

For more information on matching one colour to the next, check out the colour section of Inspire. It’s packed full of guidance on how to pair complementary colours and work with different palettes.

Credit: @fringedinteriors

2. Go bold with patterns and artwork

Look to playful visuals that add interest to your room. From bold geometric designs to delicate floral prints, patterns catch the eye and add movement to interiors. As the dopamine style is typically all-encompassing, decorating your walls can be a great way to use vertical space and ensure the entire space embraces the trend. So, go ahead and play with wallpapers, use varied colours across your walls, and hang up your favourite artwork, preferably in cute, decor-worthy frames.

Even if you’re not overly fond of a kaleidoscope of colour within your master suite, you can still take inspiration from the dopamine decor trend. In the above image, note the wide variety of patterns and colours, even though the result remains cohesive and zen-like. This approach uses soft pastels and deeper hues, like ochre and plum, to create an earthy, muted palette. It’s brought to life with a stunning combination of metallics, woods, indoor plants, and a whole host of patterns and artwork, resulting in a coordinated yet dopamine-friendly design.

Credit: @gabysbohohome

3. Stimulate the senses with textures and lighting

While colour is at the heart of all dopamine designs, it’s not just about the visuals. Look to accessories which play on other senses, such as touch and smell. Distressed rugs, woven blankets, and bamboo furniture can all bring much-needed texture into a space.

Lighting is definitely your friend in dopamine decor too. Match warm, colourful bedrooms with soft-glow lighting to really hit those relaxing notes. On the other hand, neon lights and LEDs work well in modern, technological bedrooms. You can even drape fairy lights around your room to capitalise on vertical space and create that all-encompassing design.

To finish off your masterpiece, incorporate scents that match your decor style. For Eastern, contemplative bedrooms, accessorise with jasmine or amber-scented candles. For something a little more Scandi, scents of pine and oak will help refine that forest feel. If you often struggle with sleep, opt for bedroom scents that help you drift off, such as valerian, chamomile, and lavender.

Credit: @behindthepurple

4. Mix and match bold prints with block colour

In the realm of dopamine décor, balance is key. A simple way to achieve a coherent scheme is to pair block colours with rich prints and textures. When using highly detailed wallpaper, for example, opt for simple neutrals and pastels elsewhere. This use of contrast will help draw attention to the most intriguing areas of your space.

For example, in the image above, the patterned wallpaper sits behind a pastel pink storage unit and a white bed frame. This ensures the design remains intriguing but doesn’t overdo it. Note the wooden tones too – the stool, the bed frame, the chest of drawers. All bring a sense of earthiness to the space and complement the natural theme across the walls too. There are even touches of metallic detailing, bringing light into those richer, more detailed areas.

5. Decorate with what you love

Lastly, let your passion and joy lead the way. If you adore abstract art or houseplants, make them the stars of your new home’s design! Incorporate elements that genuinely make your heart sing – perhaps monstera print wallpaper in the bedroom, an ornate wooden bed frame, or metallic light switches throughout the house. Let your home tell your story, adorned with the things that bring you endless happiness.

So, dopamine décor is not just about décor; it’s about a lifestyle that embraces joy and individuality. Fill your space with vibrant colours. Be playful with textures and prints. In short, infuse your personality into every nook and cranny.