Dopamine Décor Isn’t Just About Adding Colour

4 months ago

Few things bring us more joy than decorating a space and making it our own. That feeling of finding the perfect trinket to complete a bookshelf, discovering an area rug that’ll tie a whole room together, or shopping out your dream sectional after months of searching; it’s priceless. And believe it or not, there’s actually somewhat of a science to explain why interior design can bring so much fulfillment to our lives — especially if you lean into brighter color palettes.

Enter in: dopamine décor. If you’ve been on TikTok or Pinterest recently, you’re probably all too familiar with the bubbly trend. The aesthetic essentially relies on the theory that certain patterns, colors, and textures can evoke more joyful emotions, with many having the power to make us happier and even provide a natural dopamine boost with zero enhancers necessary (just a cute table lamp or two). The concept is a sister trend to dopamine dressing, which is all about infusing your wardrobe with mood-boosting colours.

To get a better sense of what the dopamine décor trend entails, we tapped Roger Wei, Head of Design and Product Development at Temple and Webster, and Lucy Sutherland, Director of Insights and Trends and the home brand, to share their expert breakdowns on the design fad, including how you can best test it out within your home.

So, how do we go about translating this particular trend from our TikTok feeds and into our actual homes? According to Wei, it’s easier than you think, nd starts with thinking of dopamine décor as creating an environment that simply makes you feel good. Wei suggests people start with the spaces in the home that they spend the most time in.

Often dopamine décor is interpreted as incorporating large statement pieces like a sofa or a rug, but Roger says introducing smaller pieces with a bold colour can also be a way to introduce the trend.

“Colour plays a huge role in offsetting the visual and physical chill of winter,” says Wei. “Items like a set of towels or a new candle can make a big difference. Lighting with floor and table lamps is also a great way to add warmth and mood to a space.”

Also, dopamine décor isn’t just about adding colour, though it’s an important part of it, notes Sutherland. The other part of it is experimenting with different textures and shapes.

“We have seen a huge move towards more tactile furniture and décor that makes us feel good,” says Sutherland. “First, we saw a lot of velvet and bouclé and now we’re moving into exaggerated bouclé, chenille and tufted designs. Sofas and chairs you can really sink into.”

Sutherland also suggests looking past dopamine décor in terms of furniture. You can also unlock positive dopamine effects by embracing nature within the home.

“Rearranging the room to make the most of sunshine and introducing plants and greenery as colour can enhance wellness and give you a big hit of dopamine,” she says.

With Wei and Sutherland’s expert recommendations in mind, we rounded up the best dopamine décor pieces below. These pieces span a range of categories and price points, ensuring there’s something for everyone to shop — whether you want to find the best stylish couches, colourful table lamps, or printed area rugs.

Ahead, shop our guide to the best dopamine decor, with selects bound to upgrade your home with a mood-boosting touch.