One in four homeowners turn to 'dopamine décor' to lift spirits before winter

One in four homeownersare sprucing up their homes with a dash of 'dopamine décor' to brighten their spirits ahead of the winter months. A survey of 2,000 adults who own their homes found that 57 per cent believe their interior design directly influences their mood during the darker seasons.

Four out of ten are tired of their dull white, grey and beige colour schemes, with the living room being the prime location for a splash of vibrancy. Cushions, statement wall art and bold throws were the top picks for mood-enhancing purchases. Meanwhile, 18 per cent are daring to try patterned wallpaper for the first time.

Caroline Woolmer, head of design at Lust Home, which specialises in vibrant colour and pattern wallpapers and commissioned the research, said: "Dopamine décor is really the natural evolution of the dopamine dressing trend – where people use fashion to feel brighter and happier.

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"It makes perfect sense that this thinking has moved into our homes, especially in winter when we spend so much time inside. Bold colours and playful prints can energise us and instantly lift a room.

"Wallpaper is the ideal way to create happy walls. Whether it's a full room, a ceiling or just one feature wall, it has such an impact and gives that warm, fuzzy dopamine feeling. And when the days are shorter and the skies greyer, it's more important than ever to live in a space that sparks joy."

Find out your dopamine décor style with this latest quiz.

As winter approaches, around 58 per cent of Brits are keen to make their homes feel cosier. For 35 per cent, this season is the perfect opportunity to abandon the beige and embrace bold colours.

Floral patterns, tropical prints and abstract designs are seen as the most uplifting. Sunshine hues like yellow, orange and pink are considered the best choices for dispelling winter blues.

However, despite a clear desire for change, 63 per cent express some apprehension about introducing brighter patterns and colours.

Among these, 38 per cent worry their homes would feel too 'busy', while 27 per cent fear their new décor would clash with their existing furniture. And a fifth confessed they don't know which styles would suit them.

Colour expert, Karen Haller, added: “A lot of people hesitate when it comes to bold colours and patterns because they worry their home will end up feeling chaotic, cluttered or overwhelming.

“It’s easy to stick with ‘neutrals’ because they can feel safe. But if bold colour feels like a natural way to express your true personality, remember it doesn’t mean going from beige, grey or white to a cacophony of colour overnight.

“Start small with accents. You could wallpaper the back wall of a bookcase, or perhaps one small nook or zone within a room, or even bring some colour to a door.

"These little splashes of colour can build confidence and transform a space without taking you out of your comfort zone. Pairing colours you might not expect, like pink with red or green with blue, was once called a ‘clash’.

"But it was never really about right or wrong, and it’s certainly not about following trends. It’s about choosing what feels right for you and how you want your home to feel.

“The most important thing is to choose colours that make you smile and bring you joy. If they lift your mood and give you those feel good feels, then they’re doing their job.”