“Dopamine Decor” Can Make Your Home Happier
For those who crave color, comfort, and nostalgia, modern living spaces can seem boring. But figuring out how to fit your personality into your home’s decor can be tricky, especially if you want a cohesive, cohesive look. Luckily, there is a design style that can help you bring all your cozy, dreamy, cuddly elements together to create a home environment geared towards making you feel happy: “ dopamine décor .”
Dopamine is a brain chemical best known for being involved in pleasure and reward pathways. The actual biology of dopamine isn’t that simple , but when we talk about dopamine decor (or its fashionable equivalent, dopamine clothing ), we use “dopamine” as shorthand for things that make you feel good.
Dopamine decor is all about you
The great thing about dopamine decor is that it’s easy to make yourself—in fact, it almost demands it. Focused on nostalgia and personal tastes, the main characteristic of dopamine decor is that you have to like it. Even if you don’t physically do all the painting, wallpapering, or decorating, the process is tailored to your preferences.
Dopamine decor is easy to do yourself
Dopamine decor can be relatively cheap – you can use items you already have or save items you’ve made yourself. Since the main idea is to use pleasing décor, you can swap out small elements such as pillows or paint color to create a bigger impact. Picking one large piece of furniture and adding the right color to a space can change the feel of a room without requiring a major overhaul.
The main elements of dopamine decor
Color is an important factor in dopamine decor style. While you should use pleasant colors, keep in mind that there are some colors that tend to evoke feelings of happiness and well-being. While scientific research still has a long way to go, many people report feeling alerter, happier, or more alert when they see certain colors. Bright blues, yellows, pinks, bright greens, and oranges are all colors that can bring you a sense of joy.
Adding greenery can spice up your space. According to research , indoor plants help you relax. So not only are houseplants visually appealing, but they also help your mental well-being. Since there are many types of plants to choose from, this element can be personalized based on your experience and know-how in home gardening.
Using items that evoke feelings of nostalgia — like a poster from your favorite movie when you were a kid, or a pattern that reminds you of your favorite place — is an important step in creating dopamine decor. This wallpaper that reminds you of your beloved grandma’s house belongs to your walls. Think of colors, textures, and looks that evoke feelings of joyful sentimentality. Anything that inspires or enhances the feeling of joy can find a place in your home.
Use a single color palette to tie everything together
Combining all your elements into one design can be tricky with an eclectic mix of things. Secret: Tie everything together with the same color palette. The key is to experiment with fabrics, paint colors, patterns and textures to keep the same color mood throughout the room. Because using more than one pattern can lead to conflict, it’s important to stay within the color palette and set the overall tone for your space. Using the same color in multiple shades or choosing two or three colors can help when choosing a color scheme.
Use a mood board or swatches to hone your vision
If you’re not thoughtful with your choices, dopamine-inspired designs can start to look like you’re gearing up for a garage sale. Using anything that has ever made you feel nostalgic or energized can lead to overload. Create a mood board and narrow down your favorite artwork to create a space that feels joyful rather than chaotic. You can also experiment by laying out fabric and paint swatches along with some decor to see how it all fits together.