Dopamine Decor Is the Latest Trend – Learn How to Use It to Energize Your Space

By Gargi Joglekar

Dopamine decor is something that you can absolutely achieve by yourself!! Dopamine isn't a fancy design style but a neuro transmitter which is produced in your brain that brings out a feeling of wellbeing!! Isn't it cool? Now we're not talking about complex science stuff here but I wanted to share this feeling and how it is related to your personal space – Your Home. It basically means to decorate your space with textures and colors that make you happy and comfortable in your own home. It is something that boosts your morale and at the end of the day gets you comfortable in your own domain But of course if it’s done the right way.

from: @marlydiceblog

Today, I will be giving out some tips on how to customize your style to your own personality and bring out that happy feeling.

Start with colors that make you happy if you are a person who loves the bold eclectic look which simply means using bold colors and incorporating different patterns with mixed metals then by all means do that, but there are some design principles that you can apply to make it look cohesive. I remember when I was designing a space for a client who loves bold colors, but was afraid of using patterns I guided her in the right direction. That made her space not only come to life but it made her happy! I noticed this when I started working on projects that bold colors energize you and it completely changes the state of your mind. Using bold green vs pale green the effects of that are exactly opposite. Using bold green in the form of an accent wall is a way of bringing out the fun and excitement in a space. But you don't want to do that in your bedroom. You want to use a pale or a pastel green to make you relaxed so you can unwind and have a good rest.

Mix patterns and textures are some important design elements that I’ve always encouraged my clients and myself to incorporate in a home whether it’s just giving out a design tip during my consultation or incorporating it in a client project because I feel that mix patterns bring a lot of fun and uniqueness in a home. There are various patterns that can be used in multiple ways in your space. It can be added through curtains, rugs, throw pillows, accent chairs, and last, but not least the wallpapers which are my favourite. I am not going to lie, but I always find unique ways to use wallpapers when it comes to bringing patterns, textures, and that feel in a space where it's an every way or a stairway. Stairways create a perfect opportunity for gallery walls with wallpapers as the backdrop and using a subtle textured wallpaper is a perfect way to elevate the area.  When I was designing my living room I wanted to bring all three of the design elements patterns, textures, and colors and I thought how can I do that without disturbing the balance in the space. With further research I came to the conclusion that the wallpapers are the best medium. Wallpapers can be complimented to the rugs, accent chairs and not to mention can enhance the wall art too! I absolutely love using mixed stripes, floral and geometric patterns in a space because that brings out the personality and makes a room unique.

from: @hortonlanehome

Incorporating sculptures, art and decorative objects, and even your travel souvenirs can be used to add that personal touch in your home. I’ve seen a lot of times we keep our travel souvenirs locked behind the closed bookshelves and forget about them. Well I think that they need to come out of that space into your living rooms and on the display shelves! What a great way to cherish your sweet memories of your travels, right? I truly feel that it makes a home personal to you. Whether it's your family’s heirloom piece or an artwork or ceramic vases you found on a flea market shopping trip, if that makes you happy, display it in your living room. After all, Dopamine Decor is something that genuinely makes you happy! When I am on a trip with my family, we make it a point to buy some souvenirs as it represents the memory that we made during the trip and it represents our time as a family. I always love displaying some of them and rotating them in a space because that brings out the sweet memories from our trips. I feel that –that’s the kind of decor which keeps the space fresh, personal and full of joy! You can display them on your coffee or dining table if they are a set of jars or vases, style them in a way that doesn't feel overwhelmed and make sure to rotate them in your home. The same goes with the artwork where they are small figurines or a set of bowls display it on your entry way or hang them on your accent wall. I love collecting vintage art, and encourage my clients and readers to hang the art or display on the shelves because that brings a unique touch to the space.

from: @bailey.at.home

Let your space evolve, organically, one of the most important things I think about dopamine decor is it’s not about your perfectly styled home, but it is about what makes it personal to you and I feel that it allows your space to evolve naturally. I remember that I was designing a bedroom And there was this paint color that inspired me to refresh the space but I found out a particular artwork would be perfect for the space but after a while felt that i needed to change the wall art so I did swapped out my dining room art to my bedroom and it’s about how you feel at that time you can definitely swap out artwork and photos in your frame to make it look refreshed and to have that change is absolutely necessary. At the end of the day your home is your happy place and I feel like there are no strict design rules to follow to do what makes you happy, energize, uplift, and enjoy that space.

The best part is that your whole space feels alive by adding those personal touches of your travel souvenirs your favorite patterns using your favorite textures incorporating them with both colors because he in the end of the day, your home is your reflection and not “Pinterest Board” if adding floral makes you happy then go ahead with your choice but make sure that it has that cohesive elements of colors and textures in other design elements such as art, area rug, throw pillows and curtains. 

from: @southernpineinteriors

I truly feel that there are no strict rules to design styles, but at the end of the day, if you make it cohesive and apply through elements in the proper space, the space will definitely look gorgeous.

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