EDITORIAL Decor
“ This style is about creating spaces that make you smile, sparking joy through bright colours, playful patterns, and a blend of personal mementos. Just as dopamine floods the brain with positive feelings, dopamine decor aims to create an environment where positive emotions thrive,” says Geffen.
“ Inspired by colour psychology, dopamine decor encourages bold hues that evoke energy and positivity – think bright yellows, energising oranges, rich greens, and dynamic blues,” he explains.“ It’ s a design approach that’ s unafraid of a little chaos. Instead of looking for perfectly matched items, dopamine decor invites a curated clash of textures, patterns, and colours that feel both spontaneous and intentional.”
Key elements of dopamine decor
Dopamine decor is a layered approach to design that emphasises several elements:
• Vibrant colours: Bright, happy colours like fuchsia, teal, mustard yellow, and cobalt blue are foundational. Instead of limiting these to accent pieces, dopamine decor embraces larger statements, such as painted walls, colourful sofas, or vibrant rugs.
• Playful patterns: Mixing patterns is key in dopamine decor. Florals, stripes, geometric shapes, and abstract prints come together in a quirky yet cohesive way. This can be seen in throw pillows, wallpaper, and art pieces.
• Sentimental items: Beyond colour and pattern, personal mementos make the style truly yours. Displaying items that bring personal joy – such as a vintage record player, travel souvenirs, or framed family photos – gives the space a warm, nostalgic feel.
• Unique textures: Layers of different textures, from velvet couches to wool throws and textured wallpaper, add visual interest and make a space feel dynamic and multidimensional.
www. sabuildingreview. co. za
How to incorporate dopamine decor in your home
“ Integrating dopamine decor into your space doesn’ t mean you need to do a complete overhaul,” says Geffen.“ The style is flexible and can be adapted in small ways or with sweeping changes, depending on how bold you want to go.”
Start small with colourful accents
If you’ re hesitant to go all-in, start with small accents like throw pillows, blankets, or rugs in bold colours. This allows you to experiment with the dopamine decor vibe without making a major commitment.
Create a feature wall
Choose a colour that sparks joy for you – whether it’ s a rich teal, a sunny orange, or a cheerful pink – and use it to cover one wall in a room. Alternatively, experiment with bold-patterned wallpaper to add energy to the space. Complement it with framed art that echoes similar colours or add a few personal photos for a touch of nostalgia.
Mix and match patterns
Florals paired with polka dots, or stripes against abstract designs, create a fun, eclectic vibe. Try mixing patterned throw pillows on your couch or layering different styles of rugs to give your room depth and texture. The trick is to stick to patterns that share a common colour palette to avoid overwhelming the space.
43