Yahoo Lifestyle Yes, Your Home Decor Can Actually Make You Happier — Here's How
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What if you said goodbye to clean lines and all-white kitchens and hello to something a bit (and by a bit, we mean a lot) bolder? That's what thousands of homeowners are currently doing, and they're sharing their eye-catching results all over social media. The concept is called dopamine decor — and it's continuing to make waves as a design trend in 2025.
According to designer Niko Rasides of Nicholas Anthony, dopamine decor is all about self-expression through home design: “Dopamine decor focuses on creating joyful, stimulating spaces through the use of colors, patterns and tactile elements. It's name is inspired by dopamine, the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter, focusing on visual and sensory cues that uplift your mood."
Because the trend relies on a homeowner's individuality, each result is distinctly different (which makes scrolling through them that much more fun). We spoke to several interior designers about the design trend, rounding up some feel-good ideas and tips that just might inspire you to give it a try.
Start small.
What makes you happy might be different than what makes someone else happy, which means it pays to experiment and start small. Not all dopamine decor designs have to be super bright — just take Reena Sotropa's coral and white patterned wall for example.
"You don’t need to overhaul your whole home, so try starting with pretty pillows, or cool artwork. If you want to go a little bigger than that, try an accent wall or do something a bit more out of the box," says Bree Steele of RJ Living.
RELATED: 5 Ways You're Ruining Your Accent Wall
Photo by: Phil Crozier
Experiment with patterns.
Dopamine decor is all about the unexpected. Designer Sasha Malchi embraces the funky by pairing a pattern with a bold paint color to create this eye-catching home bar.
"On walls, you can make a big visual impact with wallpaper," says designer Barrett Cooke of Arterberry Cooke.
Photo by: Sarah Baker
Remember, there are no rules.
Love one color so much you want the whole room drenched in it? Go for it! Jenny Johnston of Jenny Johnston Interiors puts that thinking to the test in this ruby red laundry room.
"Just remember, there really aren't any hard rules when it comes to dopamine decor. All that really matters is creating a space that feels authentic for you," says Steele.
Photo by: Sarah Baker
Strive for balance.
Not all of your walls or furniture need to be bold for the design to count as dopamine decor. Try picking one piece or area you want to stand out like Reena Sotropa does here.
"Balance bold elements with neutral backdrops or natural materials. Not much is off-limits, but the overuse of certain elements might make spaces less livable. Always aim for harmony," says Rasides.
Photo by: Phil Crozier
Go room by room.
As fun and lively as dopamine decor can be, it's important to know your limits when it comes to the trend.
"If you know you need a calm environment to fall asleep, it’s maybe best to reserve this decor style for another area of your home like the living room," says Rachel Smith, founder of The Crafted Life and author of Colorful Living. "It’s always best to focus on one room at a time, to not overwhelm yourself with choices. Once you feel comfortable with a bright space on a day-to-day basis, you can expand the style throughout the rest of your home."
Pick a favorite color.
To start, Cooke recommends choosing a favorite color instead of sticking to a renter's white.
"If you are new to using color, start with more saturated neutrals like browns and warm pinks, which flatter and create depth in a room or the blues and greens you can see in the natural world around you," says Cooke.
Photo by: RJ Guillermo
Don't forget function.
If a room doesn't function well, it doesn't matter if it's pretty. While quirky furniture is always fun, designers recommend making sure every piece serves a purpose. Here, Malchi pairs a curvy bench with two antique accent tables for a space that's both practical and visually stimulating.
"For example, a brightly painted chair should still be comfortable to sit in. It’s always important to stay true to yourself. There’s no 'wrong' way to do it, so if something isn’t working for you, change it," says Rasides.
Photo by: Sarah Baker
Choose art that makes you smile.
Arranging a gallery wall with art that inspires you is an easy way to try dopamine decor. "Art is personal and can be very fun. You also have personal joy from supporting independent artists," says Lisa Gilmore of Lisa Gilmore Design. "You can do very traditional, modern or whimsical art that makes you giggle a bit."
Photo by: NativeHouse Photography
Go bold with tiles.
Ditch plain, neutral flooring with patterned tiles that are bound to turn heads. Malchi's blue-green-white tiles are for more than just walking.
"Our clients have been more open to graphic patterns and bold colors in tile. An easy first step in using more bold tile is to color block or create a wainscot of a more bold tile and balance it with a more neutral traditional choice," says Cooke.
Photo by: Sarah Baker
Mix unrelated patterns.
Checkered rugs, striped throw pillows and plaid blankets — anything goes, as long as you love the way it looks together.
"As for approaching color and pattern and texture mixing, to me it's all about the tension and balance," says Kate Anlyan of Yasu Home. Put a large-scale print with a smaller-scale print and another small-scale stripe or check. Keep it varied and don't worry about whether the patterns are related — it's fun to mix styles!"
Photo by: Abigail Jackson
Give your furniture a makeover.
Who says you have to buy new furniture or decor to brighten up your space? Smith recommends sprucing up what you already have, especially in the beginning.
"Sometimes a bit of paint and DIY magic can totally transform a piece. Consider painting a wall, painting a piece of furniture or even reupholstering chairs or a headboard. That way, you can test how you feel in the space without having to completely overall your entire home," says Smith.
Choose a focal point.
You don't have to deck out every surface of a room in a new color to achieve a bright design.
"Choose one or two focal points, like a bold ceiling or patterned sofa, and keep other elements simple to prevent the space from feeling chaotic instead of joyful," says Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors.
Here, Clendenon opts for yellow shelves, a patterned window shade and a glossy blue door.
Photo by: Greg Riegler
Mix different styles.
Into traditional, maximalist and modern interior design? Try combining all of the above in the same room. "Don't be afraid to mix patterns and textures or even different eras of furniture and lighting," says Gilmore.
RELATED: 7 Retro Design Trends Making a Comeback
Photo by: NativeHouse Photography
Paint the ceiling.
Not fully sold on dopamine decor? No problem. The ceiling is actually a low-stakes place to start, according to Smith.
"I recently painted my ceiling pink and I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to dip their toe into dopamine decor before going further," says Smith. "The best part is that a colorful ceiling will add that fun color pop to any room, but it won’t overpower anything since you have to actually look up to see it."
Focus on texture.
Although repainting a wall is an easy way to liven up a space, it's not the only way you can add a pop of color to your home — you can also consider layering interesting textures.
"Start by incorporating vibrant colors, playful patterns and tactile textures that resonate with your personal style," says Sarah Hargrove of The Collective. "Recently, we’ve introduced whimsical wallpapers and vivid rugs for clients seeking to embrace this trend while maintaining a sense of sophistication.”
Photo by: Emery Davis Photo
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