The Dopamine Decor Trend: The Gen Z Way to Spruce Up Your Interiors!
The Scanidivanian-influenced minimalistic interior decor has become so yesterday! Especially among the younger generations, interior designs that feature neutral tones like beige, gray, etc., have lost their appeal. Dopamine decor is the new design trend that aims to create a vibrant and energetic space that serves as an instant mood-booster.
Gen Z’s dopamine decor trend has gained immense popularity on TikTok under the hashtag #dopamineroom.
Not just that, but an array of interior designers on Instagram have also been implementing the dopamine decor aesthetic and garnering views from across the world!
So, what is this new interior decor trend, and why are more and more people trying to aesthetize their interiors with this design philosophy?
The Science Behind Dopamine Decor
Dopamine decor is also widely popular as the ‘feel-good interior design trend.’ Why so?
Scientifically speaking, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that induces the feeling of happiness! Inspired by the term ‘dopamine dressing,’ which means to wear bright and colorful clothes that boost your mood and make you happy, ‘dopamine decor’ means to add everything to your interiors that you feel will make you happy.
In fact, according to research work done by neurobiologists Semir Zekri and Tomohiro Ishizu, our brain’s ‘reward center’ gets activated when we look at aesthetically pleasing things. Not just that, but many studies have also concluded that if you surround yourself with a vibrant environment, it can significantly enhance your sensory experiences.
Now, you may think is it’s just about using vibrant color combinations?
Well, yes and no! That’s because color palettes and color combinations play a crucial role in controlling our mood.
And the answer is also no, because color combinations are not the only aspect of dopamine decor. You can also play with textures and personalize the interiors according to your taste! It’s all about surrounding yourself with a setup that you feel is comfortable, cozy, and caters to your preferences. That’s what this Gen Z style of decor is all about.
Dopamine Decor Interior Styles for Home: Embracing the Energetic Vibes!
Now that you have an idea of dopamine decor, let’s take a look at how to embrace this style the best way-
- Experiment with bold, vibrant colors
This is one of the very first rules of dopamine decor. Minimalistic Scandinavian-influenced decor with neutral tones, or Japandi designs, might exude a great taste. However, what you truly miss out on is the chance to showcase your personality and vibes!
And that is exactly what the dopamine decor color trend is all about. Ditch those boring neutral tones, and think about how your interiors will look with a pop of vibrant red and bright yellow combination! If you want some visual depth in the overall aesthetic, you can also opt for blue hues or accents to bring out the warmth of the high-octane colors.
That being said, here are some of the popular dopamine color palettes that can help to radically transform your interiors-
- Lacquer red: A warm shade of red, and the perfect hue for accent walls.
- Acid green: This feels like a fresh breath of air. Acid green accessories and accents truly complement a vibrant interior space. Also, if you don’t prefer green-hued accessories, you can also introduce biophilic designs to complement make the greens complement with the rest of your interior decor.
- Electric blue: Another dopamine shade, blue is a naturally calm hue that you can use to add a layer of visual depth to your overall interiors.
- Don’t forget to play with textures: Did you think textures were not a part of the dopamine trend? Think again! The modern dopamine interior design trend reflects playfulness and spontaneity. And needless to say, textures have a huge role to play in this. You’re thinking how to implement this, right? Don’t worry, we have got that covered too! All you have to do is opt for contrasting textures. The juxtaposition of a smooth, glossy accent wall with rough mattresses and lacquered furniture adds to the tactile variety. Not just that, but this contrast also makes the interiors feel warmer, welcoming, and alive..
- Add anything/ everything that you think is unique: Finally, remember that maximalist dopamine decor is not about perfection! Rather, it is about creating a space that reflects your unique personality and character.
- So, add anything and everything that you think is unique. You can add some statement furniture over some unique rugs, and hang some Madhubani paintings on the walls for a complete dopamine decor for the living room.
- Other than that, you also have to remember that these maximalist interiors decor should feel cozy and warm like a home. So, don’t hesitate to throw in a bean bag and some cozy cushions where you can sit and de-stress yourself with your favorite book, or your favorite Netflix series!
Did you think textures were not a part of the dopamine trend? Think again! The modern dopamine interior design trend reflects playfulness and spontaneity. And needless to say, textures have a huge role to play in this.
You’re thinking how to implement this, right? Don’t worry, we have got that covered too! All you have to do is opt for contrasting textures. The juxtaposition of a smooth, glossy accent wall with rough mattresses and lacquered furniture adds to the tactile variety. Not just that, but this contrast also makes the interiors feel warmer, welcoming, and alive.
- Add anything/ everything that you think is unique
Finally, remember that maximalist dopamine decor is not about perfection! Rather, it is about creating a space that reflects your unique personality and character.
So, add anything and everything that you think is unique. You can add some statement furniture over some unique rugs, and hang some Madhubani paintings on the walls for a complete dopamine decor for the living room.
Other than that, you also have to remember that these maximalist interiors should feel cozy and warm like a home. So, don’t hesitate to throw in a bean bag and some cozy cushions where you can sit and de-stress yourself with your favorite book, or your favorite Netflix series!
Dopamine Decor Designers to Seek Inspiration From
So, are you all ready and excited to implement dopamine decor in your place?
Great! Well, here are some interior designers from Instagram who are currently killing it with their unique dopamine decor ideas:
- @indiamahdavi: https://www.instagram.com/indiamahdavi?igsh=aWJzeTV3ZjN2Y213
- @tamsinjohnson: https://www.instagram.com/tamsinjohnson?igsh=ODY3aDRpcG53MW9l
- @matthewwilliamson: https://www.instagram.com/matthewwilliamson?igsh=dnh0Y2FiNnBoZHk0
Wrapping Up
Many of you may think that home is where you can relax and de-stress. And that is the primary reason to use neutral, calm colors and minimalistic decor, so that it feels cozy and welcoming.
However, the same color combination can also turn out to be monotonous and boring! That’s where dopamine decor saves the day. It is one of the latest mood-uplifting interior decor trends that doesn’t just help you change the whole vibe of your interiors, but also makes it Instagram-worthy!
F.A.Qs on Dopamine Decor Trend
- What is the dopamine decor trend?
Dopamine decor is a type of interior design. It is one of the latest design trends that involves the usage of bold, vibrant colors for interior decor. Besides that, dopamine decor is also about personalizing your interiors with the things that reflect your unique style and personality.
- What is the Gen Z style of decor?
The Gen Zs have started to break free from the minimalist designs and neutral color palettes. They have settled for bold, vibrant colors. Nowadays, a Gen Z style of interior design means a decor that reflects your personality and vibes.
- What is the 3-5-7 rule in decorating?
The 3-5-7 rule is an aesthetic guide that helps arrange decor items so that they look good to the eye. This principle is applied to small-scale displays like coffee tables or bookshelves, where items are grouped in collections of three, five, or seven.
- How to do dopamine decor?
The first rule to achieve dopamine decor is to introduce a combination of bright colors like yellows, reds, pinks, etc. Then, you need to add layers for contrasting textures (e.g., velvet with lacquer), and add unique objects, and you’re done!
- What colors increase dopamine?
Color psychology says that vibrant, warm hues tend to be the most stimulating and therefore help increase dopamine. These commonly include red, orange, yellow, etc.
As a lifelong DIY enthusiast, Alex Barton is never afraid to go the extra mile to save a few bucks! From seamless interior decor hacks to effective DIY home renovation tips, he shares a myriad of his experiences for you to unleash your creativity.
