LIFE SPACES
By Traci McBride
Dopamine Style has become a recent buzzphrase, yet when I think about how I feel in my home and creating it, I realize I’ve been decorating this way since I was a kid.
My earliest memory is from when I was around 7 years old; I rearranged my dresser with all the little trinkets and treasures I collected in my musical jewelry box with the dancing ballerina. Everything needed to be pleasing to my eye—and I knew I was finished when it sparked joy—until my sister messed it up.
That brings us back to dopamine, the reward part of our brain. Think of it as neuroscience merging with personal style.
Feel-Good Decor
When we finish a task, journal, get quality sleep, celebrate small wins, start a new hobby, or schedule self-care, it kicks in our dopamine. Who wouldn’t want more of that? Dopamine styling communicates cheerful self-expression and raises happiness levels in your home. Creating a vibrant, cheerful, supportive environment has huge mood-boosting benefits.
Kick up your dopamine with small, manageable home projects. Each time you complete a task, it elevates your dopamine. It feels good and builds momentum to accomplish more on your to-do list—all positive benefits.
While everyday tasks can be soul-sucking and boring, we can choose to make positive changes that are fun and energizing.
For example, we all must do laundry; why not make that space aesthetically pleasing with some organizing and coordinating elements? While raising the kids, the laundry area was in the basement of our last family home. It was dull and dreary for the first few years, as we had other space priorities upstairs. When we finally got to DIYing this space, we added accent pops of red and lots of storage. Creating a rolling folding table and a gift-wrapping area made this once-dull space a fun, valuable and pleasurable place to hang out while doing tedious tasks.
Moving into a smaller condo presented us with different laundry space challenges. This space houses the furnace and the garage entrance; it’s tight and can quickly become a dumping ground.
We added a personality punch with dramatic black-and-white peel-and-stick wallpaper, Ikea chair hooks and painted the doors black. Little touches like black baskets, floating shelves, and detergent in a pretty yet practical bottle transformed the laundry into a visually appealing space.
Natural and faux topiaries are my go-to for a dopamine reward. I love clustering a few different heights and shapes onto a lovely tray. Lately, I’ve been using playful and sentimental items on top of the dirt, like a glass heart and tiny dishes with inspirational words. They make me happy and remind me of the people who gave it to me.
Try these dopamine decor ideas I use to transition to spring:
- Change out the prints in existing frames. Reusing the large frame I’ve had for years, I find inexpensive prints or fabrics that make me happy and frame those.
- Switch out pillow covers. To save space, don’t buy new pillows.
- Bring out a collection. I have fun, funky birds from thrifting and art shows and a few small, framed birds. What is your favorite item that speaks of springtime and happiness?
- Add a picture ledge, a simple way to layer and switch out your favorite art. If it makes you happy, put it where you can enjoy it.
- Create an ever-changing vignette on a foyer credenza using vases, dishes and trinkets (given or found).
- Surround yourself with treasures that warm your heart or remind you of travels or people you love, yet avoid cluttering your space. Tuck some away so you can spotlight different items over time.
- Create a bedroom sanctuary with the best bedding you can afford and calming colors that create melatonin for deep sleep.
- Clean your windows to enjoy your view.
- Use mirrors to reflect light to improve your vitamin D3 levels.
- Craft a curated home that is welcoming and feels like a huge hug.
- Infuse fresh scents and flowers to elevate dopamine levels, too.
- Layer rugs, blankets and colors in doses that sing to you.
- Use clear containers for items used daily in the bathroom and enjoy the visual appeal of these charming containers on a tray.
Photo courtesy Traci McBride
