Dopamine certainly seems to be the buzz word of the moment. Dopamine dressing hit the boutiques of the High Street last year and now dopamine décor seems to be on everyone’s lips. But what is it, does it work and should we all be embracing it as the next best thing?
What is dopamine décor?
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) that’s become known as the happy hormone. It works as part of the brain’s reward system and when it’s triggered (by things like food, shopping, exercise) it creates feelings of wellbeing, happiness, joy and pleasure.
Dopamine décor emerged from the dopamine dressing trend as the counterbalance to interior design fashions that come and go with the prevailing wind, leaving you with a room that’s bang on trend but feels at best, a tad underwhelming and at worst uncomfortable. As an alternative, dopamine décor is a very personal experience, that throws out the rule book and embraces individuality. It’s bold, it’s colourful and for everyone, it’s completely different.
The idea is that you design your room with colours, fabrics, textures and styles that bring you that dopamine feeling of joy. Typically, that means bright colours and patterns to create a space that uplifts and inspires although if you prefer a softer combination of colours and styles that’s OK too. You are free to explore and experiment with what makes you feel good.
The psychology of colour
Colour psychology and the idea of using visual stimulus to influence emotion are nothing new. The Ancient Greeks studied the effects of colour on mood and the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese practiced a form of colour therapy using colours to heal. Artists having been using colour to generate emotions for centuries and even corporate organisations routinely use specific colours in their branding as a method of communicating their values.
Feel good colours
If you’ve delved deeper into the psychology of colour, then you probably already know that yellows and oranges are generally associated with feelings of joy, pinks and purples with love and pleasure, and green with contentment. The science behind all this is pretty simple: as your eyes see something they like, this information is relayed to your brain’s reward system and triggers the release of dopamine bringing those feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. And armed with this knowledge and your own personal take on how these colours make you feel, you start to get an idea of how dopamine décor works.
How to achieve the perfect dopamine décor
It’s no secret that at Jones and Tomlin, we love bedrooms. Most people know that wellbeing is intrinsically linked to a good night’s sleep, but we believe that a beautiful bedroom is equally important to promote general good health. And we’re not alone. Sleep hygiene has become a recognised component of a good night’s sleep and encompasses not just good bedtime habits but also creating the right environment with your bedroom design.
Start small and create comfort zones
If you’re nervous about switching to bold patterns or colours, start small with a change of bedlinen and cushions. Choose a pattern, sequence of patterns or colours that light you up and that you love. Be bold and step out of your comfort zone. This is about creating an environment that feels sumptuous, luxurious and unbelievably inviting.
Bedlinen and cushions are a great way to mix and match interesting pattern combinations and if it’s too much, it’s easy to tone it down too. Dopamine décor is all about being eye-catching, but in the bedroom, it should also be comforting and seductive. Think about the texture of your fabrics, and soften hard surfaces, like a chair with cushions or a throw. Add a rug and a bedspread and play around with layers of patterns and colour until you create a bed that feels indulgent, cosy and safe.
The rest of the room
The patterns or colours you have chosen for your bedlinen will inform the choice of colour for walls or wallpaper if you decide to take the next step. Sunny yellow is good at releasing serotine (the happiness hormone) and goes well with vibrant blues and greens that are good for generating feelings of relaxation. So consider having an accent wall of bright colour or eye-catching wallpaper, mixed with gentler tones.
Don’t forget the centrepiece
The centrepiece in any bedroom is of course almost always going to be the bed. And apart from providing a great night’s sleep, you can use different bedsteads to create different effects, from bold fabric headboards to the gentle curve of a natural wooden frame.
Be inspired
If you’d like a little bit of inspiration, have a look at the accessories page of our website. We stock so many gorgeous fabrics from duvet sets, to curtain, cushions and rugs with bright colours and interesting patterns. Or why not visit one of our stores in Worthing, Horsham, Bosham or Guildford and see some of our beds and linens.
Contact them online at: https://www.jonesandtomlin.co.uk/
Or visit one of their showrooms in Worthing, Horsham, Bosham and Guildford.
