Dopamine Decorating: Designing Your Space for Happiness

One of the things I love most about design is that it’s never just one thing. I’ve always enjoyed exploring all different arenas of décor and design. Versatility is key — every client has different tastes, styles, and lifestyles — which means I get to run the spectrum. And honestly, that’s what keeps it exciting for me.

My last big design obsession (and one I still find myself drawn to) is Brutalism. Stark, raw, architectural, and stripped down to its essentials, brutalist design celebrates honesty in materials. It’s about leaving things exposed, using what’s left, and letting structure and texture do the talking. There’s a kind of quiet drama and thoughtfulness in that restraint.

A striking example of Brutalism décor — raw, structural, and unapologetically minimal.

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But lately, I’ve found myself pulled in the complete opposite direction: Dopamine Decorating.

Where Brutalism thrives on minimalism and restraint, dopamine decorating is all about joy and expression. Instead of limiting, it expands. Instead of stripping away, it layers on. It’s design as a mood booster — intentionally creating spaces that spark happiness.

At its core, dopamine decorating is simple: surround yourself with things you love. It’s not about sticking to one color palette or obeying design rules. It’s about embracing the colors, textures, and objects that make you smile every time you see them. That could mean bold color pops, playful patterns, sentimental keepsakes, quirky art, or even a wall of family photos. If it brings you joy, it belongs in your space.

And there’s real science behind it. Dopamine is the brain’s “feel-good” chemical, and certain sensory experiences — like bright colors, natural light, or nostalgic objects — can literally trigger its release. Which means you’re not just decorating your home, you’re boosting your mood.

What excites me about dopamine decorating is how unique it is. No two homes will ever look the same because no two people define joy in exactly the same way. For one person, it might be a bright velvet sofa. For another, it could be shelves full of travel souvenirs, or simply a vase of fresh flowers in the kitchen.

A cheerful example of Dopamine Decorating — bold colors, playful patterns, and meaningful objects coming together to spark joy in everyday living.

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For me, the contrast between Brutalism and dopamine decorating sums up why I’ll never commit to just one style. Every philosophy has its own beauty and logic — from the stark honesty of exposed concrete to the colorful playfulness of dopamine design. Both have something valuable to teach us about how we experience our spaces.

In the end, good design isn’t only about how a space looks. It’s about how it makes you feel. Dopamine decorating proves that sometimes the best design rule is also the simplest: fill your space with what makes you happy.