Decorating with dopamine: why people get a hit of happiness in their homes

While some get a happiness boost by exercising and getting enough sleep, others turn to interior design with bold paintings and eye-catching patterns.

It’s a trend known as “dopamine decorating,” which has more than 70,000 posts on TikTok and involves adding bright, whimsical elements to your home to boost happiness.

Rachel Verney shares decorating inspiration videos from her colorful Surrey home with more than 800,000 followers on social media and saw her popularity grow when she purchased a bright orange sofa.

Known as The Shoestring Home, her renovation videos are watched by millions as she aims to make “aesthetics accessible” and help people create colorful spaces on a budget.

“It’s my happy place when I’m working on a project,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like an imposter because I’m not qualified to do the job.”

On Facebook, it has experienced a “split” over its interiors, with some finding the designs too bold.

But while she may not have a degree in interior design, her ideas have been a hit with younger viewers and she has made content creation her full-time job for the past year.

“Everything is so bleak and the world is a bit of a scary place right now; houses want to be cheerful,” she said.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in our brain’s reward and pleasure systems. Often called the “feel-good” hormone, it influences mood, motivation, and attention.

Psychologist Dr Natasha Sharma said bright colors produced small doses of dopamine which, in times of uncertainty, provided a feeling of optimism and reward.

He said dopamine decorating allowed people to “externalize” their identity and improve their mood, giving a “greater sense of well-being.”

Dr Sharma, from Wolverhampton, added that a home dominated by gray or neutral tones could lead to “feelings of emotional monotony”.

Nicola Brighton is among those making a living from this trend, creating kitschy prints and uniquely shaped neon mirrors found in stores across the UK and US.

Since 2022, her Birmingham-based business Printed Weird has grown 62% and her designs frequently sell out as customers look for nostalgia to add to their homes.

“When you come home from work and you’ve had a rubbish day, you can just look at the things that bring you joy and happiness,” Nicola said.

She started her business in her mother’s spare bedroom seven years ago, driven by a love of colorful decor and a mission to put affordable items on the market.

“Through what you love, why not put that nonsense on your wall? It’s an extension of your personality and will bring you joy,” he said.

But while Google searches for dopamine decorating increased more than 110% last year, real estate agents warned that the trend could put off potential buyers.

Lincolnshire-based Paul Fox Estate Agents recommended a neutral color scheme rather than bold hues, and adding “timeless” tones helped sell homes quickly.

“First impressions are everything, so if you make sure the home is painted in popular colors, you’re likely to attract buyers,” the agent said.

Despite the agent’s advice, new owners like Jodie Edmonds have decided to add personality to their walls.

“I don’t mind resale, people have different tastes and can change the decoration,” he says.

For Jodie, a colorful scheme is a way to express herself and make guests feel happier.

“A gray house would make me feel depressed, a bright house makes me feel motivated and inspired,” she said.

• Rachel Verney recommends introducing the colors you like into your decoration starting with elements such as cushions and rugs, and without being afraid to mix colors and patterns.

• Simple touches to practical items go a long way: wrap your refrigerator in vinyl with an exciting pattern, paint your appliances and radiators any color of the rainbow, or add a fun patterned shower curtain and quirky bath mat to a boring bathroom.

• Get crafty to create affordable knock-offs of your favorite brands, like adding bows to cushion covers or updating chandeliers.

• Buy second-hand pieces and recycle them in charity shops and on Facebook Marketplace to save money and keep them out of landfill.

• Add plants to shelves, mantelpieces, and uninspired corners to brighten your mood. If your fingers aren’t green, consider botanical prints on wallpaper, rugs or bedding to bring warmth and tranquility to your home.