We're sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘dopamine decor’ knocking around social media right now, it's steadily growing in popularity and sees no sign of stopping. But what does it actually mean and how can you achieve it in your home? Is it another viral interior trend, or is it here to stay? Let us show you.
In the words of Jennifer Aniston in that L'Oréal advert, here comes the science bit. Ready, concentrate, go. Dopamine is the 'feel good' chemical that communicates with brain cells causing pleasurable and enjoyable sensations in the body. Its purpose is to, of course, make us feel good but also to help us focus, plan and get motivated.
So when relating this to an interior setting, it's essentially decor that makes you feel good. It utilises vibrant and energetic colours, patterns and textures to heighten our feeling of joy whilst at home. And our favourite thing about it? It will be different for everyone. We all have different passions, hobbies, interests, memories, etc., so to really enjoy the Dopamine Decor trend, tap into the things that make YOU feel good and add them into your home like, right now. At its heart, it's about nostalgia, remembering the good times and creating moments of joy, it’s the ‘anti trend’ that gives you licence to break design rules and follow your own heart.
OK, so that’s all very well and good if you’ve invested time exploring your style, but what if you're just starting out and you're still not sure how to practically achieve the Dopamine Decor look? Well, don't worry, here are some handy tips and tricks to get you going.
Begin with you.
Take some time to think about the things you truly love: books, films, clothes, places, decor, people - you name it. Then make lists and/or Pinterest boards noting your findings. Notice anything that brings a feeling of pleasure and identify if there’s anything you could incorporate into your home from there. Could it be the fluffy purple rug you once adored in your childhood bedroom? Was it the warm orange sunsets on that beach in Cyprus? Do you love the pastel hues from Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (really, who doesn't?!)? Whatever it is that lights your fire, figure it out and surround yourself with more of it.
Go in small.
Feeling overwhelmed? Add in smaller home decor items like art and home accessories that include those colours and textures that bring you joy, then you can build on this and as you get braver, you could also go bolder with the colour on the walls too. And speaking of paint colours, here are some schemes that are tried and tested that you can steal to get the Dopamine Decor look of your dreams. We guarantee they will make you feel good instantly.
YesColours signature colour combos.
One very popular way of achieving the Dopamine Decor vibe is to opt for bold unapologetic colour combinations everywhere, and luckily that’s something we know a lot about here at YesColours.
Try one of our signature paint colour combos such as Electric Blue, Fresh Peach and Electric Mint Green as seen here in Emma (our Creative Director and Co-Founder)’s sister's house. Its balance of bold and lighter colours makes for an uplifting palette that cannot help but bring joy. Plus, it's inspired by the mindblowingly beautiful Majorelle Garden in Marrakech. What's not to like here, honestly?
Our Electric Blue, Electric Mint Green and Fresh Peach paint colours work so well together that, when combined, they could literally transport you straight to Marrakech, even if you're simply having a Zoom call in your home office.
Or how about taking inspiration from our recent 2023 interior trend shoot with Habitat and combine Joyful Lilac, Fresh Yellow and Friendly Blue for a truly uplifting and joyful dining experience (or a dopamine-infused experience for any room really)? It's no wonder we named this particular theme 'Dopamine Dining'.
One of the four 2023 trend themes we've created together with Habitat - 'Dopamine Dining', is a colour symphony that will not only boost your appetite, but your mood, too. Featuring our Joyful Lilac, Friendly Blue and Fresh Yellow paint colours. Simply delicious.
Finally, Joyful Pink, Passionate Olive Green and Calming Yellow are a heavenly pairing for a pinch of nostalgia that will guarantee to make you smile.
If you're not sure about going all in with a full immersion of colour, why not choose one or two of your favourites and adorn them on a feature wall or to zone a key area in your home, like a dining nook or dressing table. That way you can still get that dopamine hit but in a way that feels authentic and honest to you.
Suit your mood.
Colour is a complex beast, not only does each colour have a psychological impact on us, we can have our own personal associations to colour and cultural influences that more often than not are completely subconscious. But without getting too deep, generally speaking, vibrant and saturated colours like orange, pinks, peaches and yellows are great at inducing feeling of pleasure.
However, it also depends on the type of feeling you want to feel, so, to help you we've put together the quickest tour ever of how key colours can have a positive effect on us:
Red - passionate, power and energetic
Orange - open, youthful and optimistic
Yellow - joyful, hopeful, creative
Green - grounded, tranquil
Blue - calm, focused, secure
Pink - sensitive, caring.
How much of these colours you use in one space will have an impact on your mood too, so be mindful that there can be too much of a good thing when it comes to colours. Mix and match where you can, add in patterns and textures to really nail the dopamine vibe.
The golden rule here? Follow your heart! Find the colours that make you happy and incorporate them into your home to boost your mood every single day.
We hope these home decor tips have motivated you even more to get on board with the Dopamine Decor interior trend. It's definitely one that is here to stay, and we can't wait to see how our home decor community will incorporate it in their own homes.. And, in case you need some help with choosing the right dopamine colours, feel free to book a colour consultation with us and we’ll sort your colour puzzle in no time. Free option is available too!
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