Make yourself happy by dudding out your house with all you love

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Published Date 5/30/2024

Home is a place that reflects us. When it comes to decor that speaks to our souls, while it’s not necessarily the same decor a real estate agent would recommend we use to stage homes to sell, saying hello to color, texture and personal tchotchkes we love means embracing our inner child.

As Realtor’s Margaret Heidenry declares, “Goodbye, beige and “greige” — hello, color and big, bold personality.” While she admits minimalism and its calming vibes are great, summer ushers in decor that hits your senses just right and releases a little bit of happiness each time you see it. She calls it “dopamine decor” — a term she picked up from designer Mattie Sheppard.

“Dopamine decor is a design trend that focuses on creating spaces that create happiness and intensify your energy level,” says Sheppard. “It’s associated with feelings of pleasure and helps uplift your mood through patterns and vibrant colors. It’s a feel-good trend!”

Dopamine decor centers around eclectic vintage that tells a story and adds a sense of charm to the home, often with a pop of color here and there. People are yearning for spaces that burst with color, comfort, and character, reflecting their individual personalities and creating a welcoming sanctuary that feels uniquely their own, according to Heidenry.

You don’t have to go full pastel to get a dopamine rush in your home. Simply choose your favorite colors. Heidenry says to consult your old Crayolas and add the color as an accent. “That could mean a colorful curtain, a lively throw pillow, or an accent rug with a peppy hue.”

Bookcases are a great place to get that happy-dopey feeling by adding a bright yellow banana vase or an object of art that makes you smile upon your bookshelves. But let’s face it: Hanging wooden signs asking us to “Live, Laugh, Love” have seen their day come and go.

“Instead, go for colorful framed prints that evoke more of a feeling than a command,” says Heidenry. Single positive word will do. “Wonderful” or “Peace” can provide a daily uplift, while dreamy vintage-inspired wallpaper or textiles with botanical motifs enhance the space’s quaint charm.

Vintage crockery adds the perfect whimsical touch to dopamine decor. “To find your ‘uniquely you’ pieces, scour flea markets or thrift stores for fun items in eclectic patterns and colors,” says Heidenry. “Display them on open shelves or repurpose them as planters or candle holders for a unique twist. The result is an area that simply exudes happiness.”

For colorful, bold textiles look beyond mainstream stores and check out online marketplaces to discover one-of-a-kind treasures — like an animalistic lampshade, a handwoven rug, or embroidered tapestries that bristle with fun. The point is to embrace imperfections and variations in texture, as they add authenticity to your space.

Heidenry points out a scientific fact: Plants make us happy. They boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve our mood. “If you have a plant or two scattered around the home, buy a few more and cluster them together for an easy dopamine decor hack,” she says. “The bathroom is a great place for this since many plants will benefit from the extra hydration from your shower or bath. Add fun bath mats and zippy towels for another layer of all-out joy.”

Plants, color, crockery, wall art, patterned textiles, and a big, old pop of pink all in the same space? Why not? Go ahead. Make your own day.

Realtor, TBWS

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