Decorating & Design
Dopamine Decorating: A Deep Dive Into The Vibrant, Happy Trend
Updated on June 18, 2024
Your home should be your happy place, so why not fill it with things that bring you joy? The Dopamine Decorating trend embraces interiors with bold color, pattern and playfulness.
Scroll down for inspiration on how to bring a dose of dopamine into your home!
Don’t Be Afraid To Mix Elements
This living room strikes the right balance between color, pattern and texture. “I would define my style as artistic-led and colorful, but it’s also purposeful,” says designer Natalie Tredgett. Keenly aware of the mood-altering power of color, Natalie uses a carefully calculated palette throughout her house.
Consider Color Blocking
Go beyond color coordinating your books and take a chromatic approach to the shelves themselves. In a bookcase off her living room, Natalie Tredgett uses peach as a foil for the dark lavender built-ins.
Buy One-Of-A-Kind Furniture
“The vintage furniture in this room is the epitome of fun,” says Natalie Tredgett. She confidently paired a whimsical metal table with rustic bamboo chairs and commissioned the sculptural chandelier.
Spice Up Traditional Elements
Designer Sabrina Albanese puts a fresh twist on traditional decorating in this dining room. The double pedestal wood table has a scalloped edge, slat chairs are upgraded with brightly upholstered seats, and chinoiserie wallpaper is a fun alternative to a layer of paint.
Add Personal Touches
A purple entryway, green millwork and dramatic bar are just some of the wow-worthy moments in this home designed by Jack Creasy. The vibrant wallpaper in the bar reflects the homeowners’ heritage and love for Bollywood, making it feel more personal.
Choose Unexpected Materials & Motifs
This bedroom is anything from ordinary, starting with the metallic finish on the ceiling and the fanciful rabbit-motif wallpaper in the ensuite. A tiger-striped rug adds another layer of fun.
Don’t Shy Away From Maximalism
A little bit of everything combines in this eclectic living room by Colette van den Thillart. The striped sofa, floral wallpaper and mismatched accents exude fun, over-the-top style.
Go Big In A Small Space
A small space can pack a big punch with the right color and pattern. Here, Cynthia Ferguson uses shapely black and white wallpaper and floor tile contrasted against a magenta fluted vanity.
Add A Gallery Wall
In her Toronto studio, designer Gillian Gillies contrasts a dark-painted wall with vibrant art in an assortment of frames. The gold fringe on the sofa adds a hit of fun and whimsy. “This space offers incentive for clients to use saturated colors and bold wallpapers,” says Gillian. “And I wanted my team to have a bright and happy space to work in and to signal to my clients that they were in good hands.”
Start With An Eye-Catching Rug
A snake-printed rug sets the scene in this striking dining room by Ruchi Agrawal Mohan. The assorted dining chairs satisfy the homeowner’s craving for color, and her love of Broadway is showcased with Kinky Boots memorabilia in the powder room.
Add A Pop Of Color To A Neutral Space
Olivia Botrie of Dart Studio masters the art of mixing pared-back design with a bit of fun. Ocean blue uppers and green tile gives this mid-century modern-style kitchen some personality.
Opt For Bold Artwork
Minimalist rooms get a dose of dopamine with dramatic art. In designer Fenwick Bonnell’s petite Toronto condo, contemporary art by Thrush Holmes and a pistachio green chair make a statement.
Stick To A Palette
In her clients’ bold and eclectic condo, designer Cori Halpern stuck to one palette to create a sense of cohesion. “The main living area is one big open space, so everything needs to work together,” says Cori. The floral drapes pick up the lime and blue chairs, green sofa, teal island and pink and white dining room pendant.
Play Around With Texture
Lush velvet, matte walls, wood furniture and supple leather help keep this compact dining room and workspace looking varied and interesting. “Stick to what inspires you, regardless of space, and trust that it will work,” says the homeowner of her bold style.
Add All The Frills
This powder room is packed with delicate, feminine touches that are pleasing to the eye. The skirted vanity, cherry blossom wallpaper and chiseled mirror feel fancy yet relaxed.
House & Home