DOPAMINE DECOR
The `unapologetically bold' design trend focuses on fun, happiness
With brilliantly bold colours and patterns, eclectic prints, tactile textures and a nostalgia-infused vibe, it's little wonder dopamine decor was named for the feel-good neurotransmitter.
“Dopamine is a colourful, eclectic design movement focused on fun and happiness. Think ripping open the crayon box and using every colour,” says Brandon Lange, creative director and principal designer of BZ Interiors, a multidisciplinary design company that serves the Greater Toronto Area, Canada and the U.S.
“The principle of dopamine decor is centred around what brings the owner of the space joy and is less about trends or fads. Dopamine decor is a `more-is-more' approach where truly anything goes, as long as it gives the owner of the space a rush.”
Interior designer Alykhan Velji, who has a boutique design firm in Calgary, is equally enthusiastic. “Dopamine decor is all about vibrant colours, the use of clashing and unexpected patterns, a mix of furniture styles and spaces that make you smile,” he says. “Stemming from the maximalism trend, this is a look that is unapologetically bold.”
WHY IS IT TRENDING NOW?
“Dopamine decor, with its use of bold colours, patterns and textures, makes people feel good,” says Velji, one of the keynote speakers at the Interior Design Show 2024, held in Toronto in January.
“That is important now more than ever because people are thinking of their home or even workspaces as sanctuaries — places they can almost escape to and what better place to end a long, stressful day than a space that evokes happiness? I also feel like (COVID-19) had a lot of people spending more time at home and realizing that these spaces need to evoke some emotion.”
Lange agrees dopamine decor is a response to the “more subtle, subdued” trends of the last several years. “Working from home, the pandemic and overall doom and gloom in the headlines have made homeowners look for a more positive response to their living environments,” he says. “Where minimal interiors can feel quite cold and sterile, dopamine decor is the exact opposite maximal approach, centred around having fun.”
THROW OUT RULE BOOK
“What I love about this look is that there are no rules.” Velji says. “It's about what makes you happy and the key is to make it personal to what you love. Of course, the general rules of design always come into play in terms of scale and proportion but have fun with mixing colours and interesting patterns and be bold in your colour choices. This is a great way to really step outside of your comfort zone and try something totally different.”
Lange agrees there aren't many rules and that dopamine decorating should bring the homeowner joy. “That said, colours with similar intensity will work best together rather than mixing paler and saturated shades,” he says. “Dark colours should be used sparingly to avoid things feeling overly heavy and when mixing patterns, a variety of scales will look better together rather than compete.”
Dopamine decor is all about creativity and vibrancy, infusing rooms with personality through a fusion of colours, shapes, patterns and textures, says Lydia Thammavong, head design of style and trends at Rona.
“This style adds a touch of whimsy to any space, featuring bright hues — including pink, orange, yellow, lime green and cobalt blue — mixed with neutral pastels, eclectic wallpaper, matte and shiny finish combinations, colourful rugs and ceramics, `flower power' touches, and thrifted, repainted pieces of furniture and accessories,” she says. “A Diyer's dream, this trend is maximalism at its best.”
WHO WILL IT APPEAL TO?
While Lange believes the dopamine decor trend works for anyone looking to inject a bit of “colour and drama” within their space, Velji believes it appeals to a younger demographic because it's a “little whimsical and avant-garde” but says it can work for those not ready to fully embrace the trend.
“I think oftentimes people see these trends and say, `That is not for me.' However, you don't have to replicate the whole look in your home or change up your whole space,” he says. “It's about taking these trends and using them in subtle ways in your space to make it work with your own aesthetic. But I am also all for taking a trend and running with it and being bold with your decor.”