Type #dopaminedressing into your fave social media app and you’re bombarded with countless images of happy humans wearing vibrant, often whimsical, outfits and ear-to-ear smiles.
The idea that choosing outfits that make you feel good stimulates the release of the “happiness hormone” dopamine is one of the hottest online trends of recent months – and we’re here for it. After all, surely it’s impossible to have a bad day when you’re wearing a hot pink maxi-dress with orange knee boots? But it got us thinking… do our interiors influence our moods in the same way our outfits do, and how can we draw more positive energy from our homes? Is there a trend for #dopaminedecorating – and if not, let’s start one.
The answer appears to be that we should listen to our gut instinct. The key to creating a look that truly inspires and delights lies in authenticity. It’s not a cookie-cutter decorating trend that you can learn in design school or copy from your favourite influencer – it needs to be unique to you.
We started by asking three leading local interior designers what makes them smile when they look around their homes. For Erina Emery, it’s her pastel pink kitchen (see more of her gorgeous home here). For Evie Kemp, it’s a huge gold-leafed sun on her living room wall. And for Michael Murray, it’s a little piece of pottery he and his husband bought in Paris. So, if interior designers can’t agree on a single magic ingredient for a happy home, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Embrace your own style and let it showcase the story of your life.
Erina Emery
So next time you go away for a few days, pause as you open the front door. How does your home make you feel? If it’s not a warm glow of excitement, maybe it’s time to take a joy audit.
Turns out expert organiser Marie Kondo was onto something when she suggested we pick up each object in our home and ask ourselves: “Does this spark joy?” And how does she define joy? As “a little thrill, as if the cells in your body are slowly rising” – in other words, the natural high of a dopamine rush.
Wander around your home and observe how the different spaces make you feel. If the answer is “blah”, then maybe it’s time to join the move away from the neutral, minimalist look that has dominated trends in recent decades, and have a bit of fun.
Michael Murray says Covid lockdowns taught us a lot about how our interiors affect our wellbeing and mental health. “People are done with boring,” he says. “They want unique spaces that make them happy. If your favourite colour is pink – put it in your home. Do what makes you happy.”
Evie Kemp says she’s also noticing a shift. “As the world feels increasingly hostile and uncertain, we’re drawn to surrounding ourselves with things that matter to us – things that remind us of people and happy memories, or just things that make us smile.”
Erina Emery agrees. “Don’t follow trends or what your neighbours are doing – follow your heart. It’s important to embrace your own style and let it showcase the story of your life and have some wow factor.”
That’s partly because, although there are scientifically demonstrated “universal truths” around the effect colours have on how we think, feel and behave, our response is also influenced by our personal experiences and memories (if you still have a visceral reaction to the colour of your old school uniform, you’re not alone), and also cultural influences. In China, for example, red is strongly associated with good luck.
In general, warm colours such as reds, oranges and yellows, tend to make us feel happy and energetic, so they’re suited to spaces used for activity and socialising. On the other hand, colours from the cooler end of the spectrum, such as blues, greens and purples, are calming and soothing, so they work well in places where we want to relax. Metallics, such as silver and gold, promote creativity, so they’re a useful tool in offices, kitchens, or anywhere you want an energy boost.
The intensity of the colour also plays a role, with pastel tints often perceived as calming, saturated hues experienced as invigorating and darker shades can make us feel glum. Pale pink, for example, is associated with nurturing and cocooning, but pink’s more saturated forms, such as fuchsia and magenta, communicate confidence and strength.
The context in which a colour is used, its proportion to other colours, and even the quality of the natural light hitting it on any given day, will also influence our response. Too much yellow, for example, can make us anxious, while the wrong red in the wrong place can provoke aggression.
Erina says balance is vital. “Yellow always feels sunny and uplifting, pinks are simply joyful, red is full of energy and the cool of blue links them all together.” She loves working with bold, graphic prints and says wallpaper and interesting fabrics are a game-changer in creating a unique and fun space. “There are literally endless colourful and whimsical options that will help you create a home that sings.”
Evie is also a fan of sunny yellows and pale blues. “They never fail to add a sense of positivity to a room, even in small doses. And for me, warm pinks are a really energising colour.”
Michael says we’ve realised that a connection with nature is good for our mental wellbeing, so we’re instinctively surrounding ourselves with natural materials and the colours and textures of the natural world – but those don’t have to be dull, earthy shades. “Bright colours occur in nature too – think of all the colours that we see in flowers throughout the year.”
Evie says many people are naturally drawn to curved, organic shapes, and natural materials, particularly wood, have been proven to have positive impacts on mood, both through vision and touch. “This applies to fabrics too – that tangible materiality of a smooshy linen pillow seems to ground us somehow.”
And don’t forget the role of these other senses when you’re dopamine decorating. “Adding texture and softness to your interiors not only adds visual harmony but is key to feeling comfortable in a space,” says Erina. “Think of cosying up watching TV under a lovely mohair rug – what a great way to end the day.”
Michael agrees. “People will notice at different times of the year when they’re feeling a little bit down mentally, they’ll lean into comforting things that make them happy – soft blankets, sheepskins, silks and textures that feel good to touch and feel. Just the nostalgic smells of a favourite meal cooking can lift your mood.”
Erina cites the rejuvenating and energising effects of scented candles and essential oils in citrus, pine, peppermint and eucalyptus. “Nothing beats walking into a home that smells beautiful,” she says.
Also a fan of home fragrances, Evie lights candles every evening. “It’s an indulgence, but one that makes such a difference for marking that time to relax.”
Sound is another tool we can leverage when furnishing our homes with pleasure in mind. Erina says nothing is more relaxing than the sound of water, and a water feature close to your living space will add peace and tranquillity.
So with all those variables, where’s the best place to start in our own homes? According to Erina, it depends how brave you’re feeling. “If you want the full dopamine hit, I would colour drench a room, but if you are just starting your journey into colour I would advise calmer paint on the walls, and then pops of energising colours in furniture or accessories.”
Ease yourself into it by showcasing sentimental items that you already have to hand, but don’t necessarily have on display to enjoy every day.
“The accessories in your home should showcase what you love, so don’t be ruled by fads and fashions,” says Erina. “I love pieces that have a family history to them, as they make your home feel unique, grounded and personalised. These could be items handed down from your grandparents, art made by your children, or pieces picked up on your travels.”
To avoid descending into chaos and clutter, give them room to breathe. “Be very careful not to clutter a space or it will be draining rather than energising,” says Erina.
These collections can evolve over time. “Markets and vintage shops are great for unusual items,” says Erina. “Find pieces that speak to your sense of humour. There are so many fun prints that you can buy online and frame easily yourself – to add drama, paint the frame a bold colour.”
Evie’s final word of advice is not to take yourself too seriously or overthink things. “Trust your instincts. If you find yourself drawn to something or saying, ‘I just like it’, accept that that is more than enough for it to be included in your decor. In-jokes with family and friends are a great source of whimsy and fun – and a little bit of bad taste is good for us.”
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