After years of minimalist style, now seems to be the time to embrace colour: green, blue, yellow, orange, red, and “Viva Magenta”, a deep-toned carmine that has been named Colour of the Year 2023 by the Pantone Color Institute.
Still, that’s not the only colour on offer to followers of “dopamine decor” – a decorating trend characterised by a riot of colour in cheerful tones.
Although maximalism has been in fashion for some time now, dopamine decor brings together a profusion of objects with an abundance of different shades. For example, a sofa in blue velvet can be paired with bright yellow cushions and a graphic-motif rug in pink and plum shades. And this could be in a room with walls finished in patterned wallpaper, adding a playful touch.
And that’s the whole point of dopamine decor: it’s designed to bring a playful vibe to your studio, apartment or house, while supposedly boosting your dopamine levels. Also known as the happy hormone, this neurotransmitter activates various areas of the brain involved in the reward circuit that manages our desires, pleasures and emotions.
As such, colourful decor could help lift the spirits of those suffering from the blues, just as a multicoloured wardrobe might.
Still, you’d need to know how to choose and combine colours wisely. While no scientific study to date has made the link between interior design and mood, an international team of researchers claims that specific hues can elicit specific emotional responses in those who look at them.
Yellow, orange and pink are associated with positive emotions such as joy, pleasure and fun. Red is more polarising: some associate it with love, others with anger, according to research published in 2019 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
That’s why interior designers recommend pale or neutral shades (white, beige, etc.) in the bedroom. Brighter, warmer hues can have a stimulating effect on the body, which can have a detrimental effect on sleep quality.
But, ultimately, tastes and colours are highly personal. If you’d like your bedroom to be brighter, you can liven up a section of wall with a striking shade, or opt for more flamboyant accessories.
Fans of the trend say it can bring a feel-good vibe to your home. Social media users think so anyway: the #dopaminedecor hashtag has racked up more than 70 million views on TikTok, reflecting keen interest in this vibrant colour boost.