Dopamine Decor: Bright and Bold Interior Style

Say goodbye to stale, safe colour palettes and hello to vibrant colours, playful patterns and personal touches.

As the name suggests, dopamine decor is all about feeling good and having fun with design. Referring to the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure, this bright and bold interior style encourages you to say yes to pieces that ‘spark joy’ (in the wise words of Marie Kondo) and let go of perfection. Think colour drenching, feel-good tones, clashing patterns and nods of nostalgia.

To help bring this joyous design trend to life, we’ve pulled out some beautiful properties from our Boardwalk archives and turned to some colour-loving interior experts for inspiration.

Complementary contrast

Colour lies at the heart of this interior trend. Forget traditional combinations and choose a palette that speaks to your soul. 

This period home in Easton embraces bright and bold interior style through a striking pairing of soft pink and royal blue. To add balance to the contrasting colour scheme, the owners have woven touches of blue throughout the open plan space to echo the living room walls. From the dining room chairs and artwork to the baby blue edging on the chandelier, these subtle reflections give the space a feeling of fluidity.

The subtle approach

It's easy to be intimated by the bright aesthetic of dopamine decor, but this trend is surprisingly versatile. Choose to go all out with colour drenching, painting a room top-to-toe in your favourite shade, or opt for a couple of considered colour pops. 

This property in Knowle uses a gorgeous blend of green and pink to bring their kitchen to life. The bright colour palette is grounded by the surrounding neutral walls, tiles, and worktop - a great way to add a dash of dopamine decor to your home without overwhelming the space.

Another way to dip your toe into dopamine decor is by adding vivid pops of colour through your kitchen hardware. Plank Hardware's colourful lip pull handles come in a selection of soft, retro-inspired colours and are an easy way to update your home.

Light fittings are another way to bring splashes of sunshine to a room. The bright yellow, industrial pendant in this Totterdown home provides a contrast for the painted blue archway.

Playful nostalgia

Dopamine decor offers a real feast for the eyes, with quirky, retro-inspired touches making themselves perfectly at home. These pop-art inspired cushions from Bombay Duck embody this fun design trend and are guaranteed to give you a dopamine hit every time you snuggle down on the sofa. 

Artwork and accessories are a great way to experiment with bold colours, and you can switch pieces out as your style evolves.

Top tips from our Insiders

For more ideas on styling eclectic accessories and showcasing your individuality at home, check out our video interview with Emily Payne. A magazine editor, writer and content designer, Emily took a tired 1950’s bungalow and transformed it into a beautiful home bursting with vibrancy and charm.

Embrace the unexpected

Adding to the sense of joy and optimism in their space, @thehousethatcolourbuilt have introduced layer upon layer of colour in surprising ways. Turn away from the yellow colour-drenched walls and you’ll see shades of pink, sea-green and powder blue peeping through the hallway.

@thistimeincolour is another interiors account to follow for colourful, joyous inspiration. Combining a daring colour palette, playful accessories, and original features, this is a wonderful example of how bright interior design pairs perfectly with period properties.