15 Dopamine Decor Ideas That Will Make You Happier at Home

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

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

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.

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

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.”