It’s no secret that we love design trends, from color palettes to up-and-coming lighting styles, furniture silhouettes, and fabrics. And while we follow industry news with a watchful (and intrigued) eye, we’d argue that the most inspiring, influential interiors shirk trends altogether in favor of creativity, personal expression, and design as art.

We like to think of this design philosophy as “dopamine decorating,” or decorating your home purely for joy, happiness, comfort, safety, individuality, and expression. We see this as interior design’s version of “dopamine dressing,” or dressing and building your wardrobe by the same individualistic, trend-agnostic principles. Both are about feeling rather than aesthetics — a refreshing departure from our image and social media-obsessed culture.

On board with dopamine decorating? You’ve come to the right place. Test out this concept in your space with a few dopamine decorating ideas, straight from the Havenly design team.

1. Get creative with paint

Whether you’re embracing the monochrome paint look, trying out an accent wall, or trying your hand at a TikTok-famous DIY mural, getting creative with paint is a surefire way to infuse warmth, personality, and joy into your space. Ignore paint trends and select a hue that brightens your mood, and take a brush to your living room, main bedroom, or even a fun half bath. The same goes for wallpaper!

2. Let the light in

Natural light (and the resulting vitamin D) is proven to boost mood and improve overall well-being both indoors and out. We always recommend hanging your curtains high and wide to ensure you’re not blocking crucial natural light in your space. You can take things a step further with sheers or white curtains.

3. Refresh your pillows

Looking for an easy and inexpensive way to personalize your space to your unique tastes?  Simply refresh your throw pillow arrangement with fresh patterns, pops of color, or cozy textures — whatever floats your boat. Not only is “pillowscaping” a fun creative exercise, new accents can give your space a fresh feel without breaking the bank.

4. Decorate with plants

Houseplants help purify the air, double as a healthy hobby, and add a beautiful pop of natural green to interiors — what’s not to love? Consider a larger statement plant or two, like a Bird of Paradise or Fiddle Leaf, or embrace smaller flora like hanging plants (we love a Pothos) or windowsill succulents.

5. Hang artwork with meaning

 We love a curated gallery wall with an aesthetic theme and color palette, but there’s something pure about mis-matched, imperfect artwork hung with the sole purpose of sparking joy. Consider the latter approach when creating an inspo wall in your office or decorating your go-to reading nook for a that truly feels like you. 

6. Spotlight favorite mementos

To that end, consider the same “spark joy” philosophy when decorating curio cabinets, bookshelves, TV stands, coffee tables, and beyond. We’ll always love a purely functional knick-knack bought on-sale at Home Goods, but we suggest carving out space for meaningful mementos, too. Family china, books from friends, a vase found at your favorite thrift store, or an art print picked up while traveling look cute, and inspire a smile.

7. Embrace form over function

Sometimes, the most fun and unique objects fall short on the “function” front, and that’s perfectly okay. Like getting dressed, sometimes self-expression takes priority, and the same can be true in your home. So, if you find an incredibly impractical but unabashedly fun tiger-shaped rug that speaks to your soul, for example, go for it! Your home should have its purely expressive moments, too.

8. Create a cozy corner

Carving out a little “me” nook in your home is design self-care at its finest. Whether you can only swing a cozy reading corner or have an entire space to dedicate to “me time,” this space will serve as a reminder to relax and have fun. Consider a yoga room, meditation corner, crafting table, book nook, or a music moment with a record player and albums — whatever fills your cup and brings you joy.

9. Craft a vision board

Put the cherry on top of your “me” space (or even your home office) with a little DIY vision board. Fill it with inspiring photographs, magazine clippings, color palettes, quotes, travel mementos, fabric swatches, cards from loved ones — whatever sparks your imagination and brings you joy. Worry less about looks and more about feeling.

10. Get wild with animal print

From leopard to zebra, there’s something so fun and free-spirited about animal print. It’s unabashedly bold, which is precisely why we love it. Consider an animal print ottoman, accent chair, throw pillows, or a full dining chair set for a bold, expressive touch.

11. Think calm & cozy

If the more cozy, calm, and serene side of dopamine decorating appeals to you, you’re speaking our language. Embrace cozy textures, relaxing color palettes, ambient lighting, touches of greenery, and natural accents to create a home that feels safe, comfortable, and tranquil.

12. Embrace non-traditional silhouettes

We love traditional design (and predict a full-on renaissance in 2023), but but theres’s something playful and fun about curved furniture. From arched headboards to sumptuous accent chairs, embracing a non-traditional silhouette or two can add a little levity to your space.

13. Lean into statement furniture

Consider this your invitation to buy the bold floral print sofa that makes you feel like a chic British grandmother. We’re of the opinion that if you love something and it makes you smile on a day-to-day basis, it deserves prime real estate in your home. Pattern instantly brightens up a room and adds personality in spades, so if that’s your vibe, go for it.

14. Infuse some blue

Nature’s primary colors are scientifically proven to promote calm and lower stress, so why not add a hint of blue or green to your space? We love the pretty French blue hue on this bathroom wainscoting — it adds a perfect pop of color that adds visual interest without overwhelming the space.

15. Mix & match design styles

Toss out the design rule book and bring in furniture and decor from different eras and design styles. Not only does this approach create a more interesting, layered space (hard pass on matching furniture sets), it will create a space that’s inherently more personalized to your unique tastes.

16. Go vibrant

We love warm minimalism and organic modern design just as much as the next person, but if you find yourself craving a more expressive color palette, go for it! Build your color palette and design aesthetic around hues that make you feel something, rather than wall-to-wall white. In addition to paint, bring in color via textiles, upholstery, artwork, and beyond.

17. Create an outdoor oasis

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space (even if it’s just a tiny balcony), make use of it! Spending time outdoors is good for the soul, and cute cabana chairs can 100% encourage you to spend more time in the fresh air (we speak from experience).

18. Rearrange vignettes

If you’re a creative person that loves expressing themselves through design, consider your home your playground. Shop your space for new looks and rearrange existing vignettes every few months to give each room a new look and feel. You’ll save money and discover brand-new arrangements that spark joy.

19. Go moody

Dopamine decorating doesn’t mean strictly light, bright, and colorful. Rather, it’s about leaning into design that make you feel more like yourself. So, if you’ve never met a black dress or pair of shoes that you didn’t love, a moody moment may appeal to you. Consider all-over black paint, dark upholstery, or bold wood tones to bring the drama. 

20. Embrace clutter

Realistic, lived-in, and comforting homes have clutter, plain and simple. Embrace the messes that come with day-to-day life and don’t stress about curating a picture-perfect home fit for Instagram. Put the colorful book spines out, hang your kids’ artwork, and embrace a rainbow color palette if that makes you happy.

Looking to give your own home a facelift? Work one-on-one with our expert interior designers for just $129 per room. Get started today with our style quiz.