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By Sukriti Wahi Interiors 09.10.2024

‘Dopamine Décor’ is the Interiors Aesthetic Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood

Two interior designers reveal how you can get the look at home.

Less of an aesthetic, more of a philosophy: dopamine décor is all about styling your home to lift your mood and make you feel good.

And while a scroll through TikTok might conjure clichés of vibrant colours and bold patterns – although those are not ‘wrong’ – there’s more to this interiors style than simply picking the brightest paint sample possible.

To learn everything there is to know about dopamine décor, including how to nail the look in your own home, we consulted interior designers Jessica Viscarde from Eclectic Creative in Melbourne and Briellyn Turton from the Sydney-based Studio Brie.

Keep reading for their expert advice – including the one rule you should always break.

What exactly is dopamine décor?

“Dopamine décor is a design trend that aims to create joyful, energetic spaces by using vibrant colours, bold patterns, and eclectic design elements that evoke a feel-good response. It’s all about designing a home that brings you happiness, stimulates creativity, and makes everyday life feel a little brighter,” says Viscarde.

Additionally, Turton explains that the concept comes from the neurological effects of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure.

“This style of decor focuses on creating environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally uplifting,” she says.

“If you were to type 'dopamine décor' into Pinterest you would see bright colours, rounded, curved shapes and playful patterns – almost a childlike essence. Whilst this aesthetic is the design approach's general direction, dopamine décor's most important characteristic is that these spaces should be highly personalised.”

Both Turton and Viscarde agree that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Each person’s idea of ‘dopamine décor’ will and should look different, as the final aesthetic comes down to what sparks your joy.

How can we bring dopamine décor into our homes?

1. Focus on feel-good items

There are two approaches to finding the feel-good factor: items that evoke nostalgia, and items that are part of your everyday pleasures. Both are welcome – and both will look different for everyone.

“Think about what makes you truly happy at home. Is it constantly playing music in your space? Then you have my blessing to splurge on the best speaker on the market. If your safe space is curled up on the sofa reading a book, then I would take an educated guess that two items of pleasure for you would be a gorgeous floor lamp and a luxe throw to curl up in,” says Turton.

To figure out your ‘items of pleasure’, she recommends asking yourself two questions: “[Firstly], 'Which room of the home do I enjoy spending time in the most?', and secondly, 'What is my favourite way to spend time, or thing to do in that space?'.”

Similarly, highlighting trinkets that remind you of good times and make you smile – whether it’s bold ceramics or a neon sign – can significantly up the happiness quotient.

“Surround yourself with pieces that make you happy, for example, that were found during your travels or remind you of a special time and consider displaying them in a collection, such as within frames, on bookshelves or fireplace mantles,” Viscarde says.

Add Some Feel-Good Items to Your Space

2. Cue: Colour

Before thinking about where you’ll put them, start by considering which colours evoke the emotions you want to feel when you’re in the space.

“While there is a playbook of specific colours triggering specific emotions as it pertains to interior design, studies show that personal experience overrides these colour theory rules,” Turton explains.

“For example, the kitchen in my family home was painted yellow, so this colour is deeply meaningful to me and evokes nostalgia, safety and comfort. For someone else, the colour yellow could trigger a different set of not-so-great memories, making it a colour they should probably avoid.”

Know your colours, but not sure how to inject them? Per Viscarde, solid swathes of space like rugs, statement furniture and accent walls are good places to start to create focal points.

“A large, vibrant rug in a bold pattern can completely transform a room. You can even look at layering smaller rugs, perhaps you've found an incredible vintage kilim on your travels or a local vintage store, but it's too small, add a larger rug underneath and layer the two together,” she says.

In the same vein, a bright, saturated accent wall or wallpaper does wonders to revitalise a space. “This works exceptionally well in small spaces like powder rooms or hallways,” she adds.

Add a Touch of Colour to Your Home

3. Look to lighting

In photography, lighting is everything – and the same could be said for interiors too. Whether your idea of mood-boosting lighting is ‘soft and dreamy’ or ‘popping neon’ or anything in between, Viscarde suggests thinking outside the box in terms of fixtures and placements.

“Swap out traditional lighting for something more playful, like a chandelier with bright colours or geometric shapes, or pendant lights in unexpected designs,” she advises.

“Sculptural and colourful lighting not only brightens a room but adds an element of fun. You can also find rechargeable lamps now you can pop on shelves and window bookcases and smaller nooks for a moody vibe.”

4. Maximise micro luxuries

As the adage goes, ‘it’s the little things’. And in the realm of dopamine décor, that means micro luxuries: small, daily indulgences that provide a sense of comfort, pleasure, or pampering.

“These items help elevate mundane daily tasks and can make chores that little bit more enjoyable,” Turton says.

“Some thought-starters – and my personal favourite micro luxuries – are luxury matches, cute waste bins (for the bathroom or office), aesthetic salt and pepper shakers, designer hand towels, luxury bathrobes, water glasses and coffee mugs. I am truly obsessed.”

Elevate Your Home With These Micro Luxuries

5. Embrace the eclectic

As it’s about stimulating a feeling rather than capturing a ‘look’, there’s room to be a bit ‘random’ with dopamine décor. If it feels right to you, Viscarde recommends leaning into eclectic gallery walls, clashing colours and mixing textures.

“We absolutely love creating eclectic gallery walls mixing abstract art, quirky prints, and personal photography in a range of bright colours and fun shapes,” she says.

“This visually stimulating arrangement brings character and whimsy to any space, especially a living room or hallway. We also like to add woven elements like baskets or bowls, ceramic sculptural pieces or plates or even shadow-boxed framed keepsakes from travel or festivals.”

Moreover, don't be afraid to have items in your home that others may not understand or even find ugly, Turton emphasises:

“The essence of dopamine décor is precisely about celebrating individuality and creating a space that resonates deeply with you.”

The final ‘rule’ about dopamine décor

In short? Whatever the ‘rules’ are – go ahead and break them.

“Thanks to the highly personalised nature of the dopamine décor styling approach, you literally cannot go wrong in terms of design rules or styles,” Turton says.

“If an item, material or element makes you feel happy, positive or inspired, you've got this decorating style right.”

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