If you follow me on Instagram or listen to my How to Home podcast, you’ll know that I’m a huge believer in creating homes that support your wellbeing. Recently, I recorded a whole episode about dopamine décor and why decorating for happiness is becoming one of the biggest interior design trends of 2026.
The response was huge, which inspired me to put together this guide for anyone wanting to bring a little more joy into their space. Listen here to that episode.
What is dopamine decor?
Dopamine décor is all about creating mood-boosting interiors using colour, pattern, texture and personality. When we surround ourselves with things we love, our brains naturally release feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. It is the same happy rush we get from laughing with a friend, listening to our favourite song or walking by the sea here in Brighton.
What I love most about dopamine decorating is that there is no one right way to do it. Some homes come alive with bright colours and clashing prints. Others use a softer palette, colour drenching or simple pops of colour against a clean backdrop. If it makes you feel happier at home, it counts. That is the heart of joyful decorating.
Here are my five easy ways to bring colourful interiors, personality and happiness into your home this season.
1. Start With Colours That Make You Happy
When it comes to creating a happy home, colour is your most powerful tool. Choose shades that make you feel lighter and brighter when you see them. The classic dopamine colour palette includes sunshine yellow, bubblegum pink, cobalt blue, mint green, soft lilac and juicy tangerine. These colours feel uplifting because they reflect warmth, optimism and energy.
If you’re unsure where to start, look in your wardrobe. The colours you love wearing are usually the ones you’ll enjoy living with too. Start small with cushions, lampshades or artwork, then build up to a feature wall or painted ceiling if you’re feeling braver.
If you want a simple rule, avoid red with green and purple with yellow as these combinations can feel a little dated.
2. Try Colour Drenching for an Instant Mood Boost
Colour drenching is one of my favourite ways to transform a space. Instead of painting one wall, you paint the whole room in a single uplifting shade. Walls, skirting boards, doors, radiators and even the ceiling all become part of the same colour story. The effect is cocooning, confident and surprisingly calming.
The colour doesn’t need to be bold. Soft pinks, warm peach tones, fresh greens and powder blues all work beautifully. If painting a whole room feels too much, try colour drenching a hallway corner, an alcove or the space around your bed. It gives you that mood-boosting interior feeling without full commitment.
One of my favourite styling tricks is matching some of your soft furnishings to the walls. It creates an enveloping, intentional look that feels wonderfully joyful.
3. Mix Pattern and Texture for Playful Energy
Pattern and texture bring instant life to a space. They add movement, depth and that playful spark that makes joyful decorating so appealing.
When mixing patterns, trust your gut. If two prints feel happy together, they usually work. Think stripe cushions with a floral duvet, a chequerboard rug under a velvet sofa or a wiggly ceramic vase on a simple shelf. These touches bring personality without chaos.
Texture is what grounds everything. Fabrics like boucle, velvet, wool and linen soften bold patterns and bring warmth. They turn a colourful room into a cosy one.
4. Add Personal Pieces That Tell Your Story
Decorating with personality is what truly sets dopamine décor apart. A joyful home isn’t filled with perfect objects, it’s filled with meaningful ones.
Think about:
• a vintage find from a weekend market
• artwork from a holiday
• something handmade by a friend
• an ornament that makes you laugh every time you pass it
These pieces tell your story and make your home feel uniquely yours. They don’t need to match your scheme. In fact, the most joyful interiors often include one slightly unexpected piece that stands proudly on its own.
My rule is simple. If it sparks joy, it deserves a place.
5. Edit Your Space for Joy (Not More Stuff)
This is the step most people forget. Dopamine décor isn’t about filling your home with more things. It is about giving the things you love room to shine.
Take a photo of your space. It always reveals clutter and visual noise that you may no longer notice. Remove anything that feels heavy or no longer reflects who you are. Create breathing space around the objects that make you happiest.
Layout changes can also transform how a room feels. Pull your sofa away from the wall, move a chair towards natural light, create a reading nook or tidy a clutter hotspot. These small tweaks can completely shift the energy of a room.
Try creating small “pockets of happiness” throughout your home such as a mini gallery wall, a shelf of favourite books or a cosy corner with a scented candle. Little joyful moments make a huge difference day to day.
Bring More Joy Into Your Home With Dopamine Decor
Dopamine décor isn’t about following rules. It is about learning what truly makes you happy and bringing more of that into your everyday life. Your home should be a space that lifts you, supports you and makes you smile when you walk through the door.
If you want more colourful home ideas and interior styling tips, listen to my dopamine décor episode on the How to Home podcast on all major streaming platforms. You can also follow @howtohome.podcast on Instagram for weekly inspiration.
For styling workshops, mindful crafting sessions or brand collaborations, please get in touch. For more information on my podcast, check out this post.
And for Your Ultimate Guide To The Best Interior Styling Tips Ever!
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