Ever walked into a room and got an instant mood boost from a brightly colored wall, unexpected tile pattern or unique piece of artwork?
Designing a room to evoke exactly those types of feelings is the idea at the heart of “dopamine décor,” the latest interior design trend to take over social media.
The name of course, stems from dopamine – one of the feel-good neurotransmitters that’s associated with pleasure. When people do something they enjoy or see something new and engaging, the brain rewards them with a hit of dopamine almost immediately.
Dopamine décor takes advantage of those feelings by evoking joyful emotions, most often with a bright color palette, to create a mood-boosting environment. In practice, that means a vibrant wall in the kitchen, or a bright pink couch paired with multi-patterned throw pillows.
“When considering dopamine décor and design, the less moody and the more unexpectedly fun you can get with colors, the better,” Natalie Papier, the star of Magnolia Network’s series Artfully Designed, told PopSugar. “Vibrant and saturated tones, soft-sunny pastels, and bright whites can really let your art and décor color-pops shine.”
In some ways, it’s a sister trend to so-called “chaos packaging” – which involves packaging products in unconventional ways to appeal to a similar sense of whimsy – although dopamine décor primarily relies on colors and patterns to achieve engagement, rather than just oddity.
But incorporating the trend is another strategy for adding some creativity to promotional campaigns, not only by adding a splash of color but also tapping into that emotional connection, potentially making end-users more likely to hold onto their promo. And there are plenty of products available in the industry that fit the “vibrant and happy” bill, whether it’s to bring some dopamine décor into an upcoming event or employees’ home offices.
Brighten Up a Desk
With a touch of playfulness and whimsy, a quirky lamp would make a unique employee appreciation gift or company giveaway for in-office workers to brighten up their desks.
Create the Right Ambiance
Perfect for a retail store launch or a special event, these neon signs can create a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, drawing attention and making your clients’ message literally shine.
Draw Guests’ Attention
A fun way to brighten up the entrance to a trade show or event, this theater-style popcorn machine can attract attendees both with the promise of free popcorn and its bright hue.
Encourage Office Fun
Great for a social media or trade show giveaway, these playful phone holders are a fun way to fill a practical need at a desk.
