Dopamine Decor Is the Mood-Boosting Trend We Need Right Now

If you're starting to feel those winter blues, dopamine decor—which is all about evoking a sense of happiness in the home with bright colours, bold patterns and playful decor—might just be the thing to lift your spirits. Here are our favourite strategies for incorporating more colour and whimsy into your home, plus some affordable decor pieces to get you started.

What is dopamine decor?

First, let's talk about dopamine. Dopamine is described as the feel-good hormone. It's part of the reward system in your brain that elicits a sense of pleasure.

Dopamine decor is a tongue-in-cheek term for filling your home with vibrant colours and striking patterns that make you happy. It’s whimsical and empowering. It’s embracing who you are and what you love, especially your quirky side.

If you're ready to plunge into the trend but don't know where to start, remember this: The number one rule of dopamine decor is there are no rules. Here's how to make it work for your home, no matter your personal style.

1. Choose colours that spark joy

When thinking about what hues to incorporate into your home, a good rule of thumb is to start by searching your closet. The colours you feel best wearing are likely the ones you’ll feel best living in, too. 

If you’re intimidated, pick just one or two shades to carry from room to room.

2. Say yes to pattern play

Bring on the patterns, and don’t be afraid to mix and match! Stripes and polka dots? Yes! Banana leaves and zig zags? You bet! Flamingoes and a beach mural? Sure! The art of mixing patterns—whether with wallpaper, cushions, rugs, tiles or linens—lies in balancing scale, colour and variation. Steer away from the matchy-matchy and create contrast with both saturated and muted tones, oversized and teeny-tiny prints. 

3. Add a statement piece

Good design sparks conversation and even elevates with a little humour. It can be large or small, a splurge or a save—just something unexpected that makes people smile. Remember the frame around Monica’s peephole in Friends?

4. Think beyond the visual

Home decor goes beyond what we see. It’s about the experience, the ambiance, the feeling. Skip stark pot or track lighting in favour of dimmable lights, floor lamps and table lamps that make you feel cozy.

Incorporate the sounds and smells you love, from seasonal candles and essential oil diffusers to Spotify playlists that boost your mood.

5. Stay true to yourself

At the end of the day, dopamine decor is about what makes you feel good. There’s no prescription for how to do it right.

Our top dopamine decor picks

Ban.do Strawberry Fields Vintage Inspired Ceramic Vase, $70

This sweet textured strawberry vase makes a cheerful statement, with or without flowers. The brand also offers an orange juice carton vase that would add a bright and playful touch to any kitchen.

Aoriher Crystal Glass Candy Jars, $78 for a set of four

These glass containers add a wink of whimsy with their kaleidoscope effect. Use this four-piece set to store countertop essentials in your kitchen or for personal-care staples like cotton swabs in the bathroom. 

They come in two sizes and eight colours, including pink, blue and purple if you prefer a monochromatic look.

Funerom Vintage 11 x 9.5-in. Decorative Mirror, $33

We love the gilded detailing on this vintage-inspired mirror, which can also be used as a cosmetics tray. It comes in three sizes and five colours, including pretty teal and green hues.

Eulnars Swedish Dish Cloths, $34 for eight

Doing the dishes will be a cheerful experience with these highly absorbent, reusable and quick-drying cloths. There are 11 styles to choose from with fun patterns, like florals and fruits.

Servette Home Ceramic Bird Salt and Pepper Shakers, $22

Shake it up in the kitchen with these quirky flamingo salt and pepper containers. If flamingos don’t float your boat, the brand has other bird-themed shakers, including parrots, owls and cardinals.

Country Chic Paint Chalk Style All-in-One Paint for Furniture, $32 for 471 mL 

Calling all DIY enthusiasts: This indoor-outdoor chalk paint features a built-in primer and top coat that dries in just 30 minutes. Give a new coat of paint to that tired old dresser or that vintage chair that’s just been sitting in your garage.

We love this warm and inviting coral hue, but there are plenty of others to consider for your space.

KCO Lighting Nordic Modern Macaron Pendant Lights, $198 for a set of 3

Lighting can make or break a room, and this pendant light trio is a guaranteed win. From their versatility (hang them as a trio or spread them out) to their serene colourway, this trio is guaranteed to elevate any room. (We love them as kitchen island lighting.)

There are five styles to choose from including these smaller cone-style lights in the same colour scheme.

RoomMates Creative Silhouettes Abstract Peel And Stick Wallpaper, $33 per square metre

Embrace flower power! For anyone nervous about committing to permanent wallpaper, the peel-and-stick variety is a great alternative. It's both easy to apply and remove. This illustrated floral print is a modern take on a ‘70s-style print. 

There are three colour schemes to choose from with each roll measuring 48 by 48 in.

97 Decor Gallery Wall Art Prints, $26 for a set of 12

This is your quintessential gallery wall starter pack, featuring world-famous prints from beloved artists including Van Gogh, Matisse and Klimt. They’re not in the same colourway, era or even art style—yet they look great when paired together.

Each set contains three 8 x 10-in., four 5 x 7-in. and five 4 x 6 in. prints. They can be framed for a more polished look (frames are not included).

JV Home Vintage Collection Distressed Bohemian Area Rug, starting at $125

Rugs anchor a room and provide an extra layer of cozy comfort. The distressed pattern on this boho-style rug lends it an antiqued, lived-in appeal. The polypropylene fabric is stain-, bacteria- and fade-resistant, perfect for homes with kids or pets.

There are four colourways and seven sizes available.

Qjhomo 16 x 24-in. Cute Daisy Bath Mat, starting at $24

How adorable is this daisy bath mat? It's made of plush, absorbent microfiber, while a non-slip backing keeps it in place. Choose from eight colourways and four sizes.

Mercer41 Daulton Velvet Side Chair, $200

We love this velvet chair as a living room or bedroom accent. The mustard hue is both striking and uplifting, but if you're not a fan, there are 12 other colours to choose from—including fuchsia, red and burnt orange.

MRJ Products Chill Pill Pillow, $84

Cozy up with this cheeky pillow. It makes a great accent for a couch or bed, and can even be used as lumbar support for an office desk. It comes in four additional colours, but we love this pretty mauve option.