If you have been following tastemakers and trendsetters in fashion and interior design, your social media feed has been filled with Dopamine Design, content featuring bright colors, bold patterns, and textures that evoke positive feelings. It can be seen in fashion like brightly colored blazers and bold accessories. In the home, there are vibrant color combinations, interesting collections, mismatched prints, and retro vibes. After years of clean lines and minimalism, Dopamine Design feels like a breath of fresh air for designers who embrace maximalism and personalization.
Beyond the obvious fun factor, Dopamine Design is also about emotional well-being. People want to feel connected and comfortable in their surroundings. Framed photos of friends and family or displaying treasured heirlooms are reminders of special connections in their lives. Incorporating elements of nature into living spaces can also play an important role in cultivating a sense of well-being. It is well documented that nature has a positive impact on human emotions and can elicit feelings of happiness and calm. Designers embracing Dopamine Design bring nature into spaces by selecting finishes and accessories made from natural materials like wood and stone.
In addition to color and texture, Dopamine Design is also about flow and functionality. In a move away from clean lines and sharp edges, designers are drawn to rounded elements like arched doorways and curved kitchen islands. These shapely elements create visual interest while also creating a feeling of soothing fluidity. Design details like decorative hardware with interesting shapes and curves can be a unifying element in an eclectic Dopamine Design. The images above show how Southerland knobs and Elara pinch pulls from Jeffrey Alexander can help strike the right balance of function and whimsy for your Dopamine Designs.
Creating spaces that evoke feelings of happiness and positive energy for the people who inhabit them is the goal for every designer. There are no rules for what makes great Dopamine Design—it is whatever sparks individual joy. It is a celebration of self-expression that empowers individuals to use color and style as a form of self-care and emotional well-being, boosting confidence and promoting a positive mindset. Do you have a Dopamine Design project that includes Hardware Resources products? Share it with us on Instagram @Hardware_Resources.