20 Dopamine Decor Upgrades for a Happier, Brighter Home
We hope you like the products recommended here. Just an FYI, Graham & Brown uses affiliate links, so we may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
We’ve all been there: You’re standing in your living room, staring at the walls, and you can’t help but feel like your home is missing something.
If you’re looking for a little decor inspo, we’ve got you covered. These 20 dopamine decor upgrades will help you create a happier, brighter home — and who doesn’t want that?
1. Add a bold
I think everyone should have at least one bold, colorful piece of furniture in their home. If you’re not sure where to start, try adding a colorful chair to your living room or bedroom.
This is a great way to add a pop of color to your space without going overboard. Plus, it’s an easy way to add a little extra seating for when guests come over.
beautiful wallpaper to your room
If you want to make a big change in your home, adding a bold wallpaper to a room can instantly transform the space. Wallpaper is a great way to add a big pop of color and pattern to a room without having to fill it with a lot of decor pieces. You can use the colors in the wallpaper to inspire the rest of the room.
If you’re renting or not ready to commit to wallpaper, you can achieve a similar look with a large piece of art. Display it on the wall like you would a headboard in a bedroom or above a sofa in a living room. Then, pick up on the colors in the art with your textiles and accessories.
2. Paint a wall a happy color
If you’re feeling bold, paint an accent wall a bright, happy color. This is a great way to add a pop of color to a room without overwhelming the space.
Choose a wall that doesn’t have any windows or doors for the best effect. You can also use painter’s tape to create a fun design, like a half-wall or a geometric pattern.
3. Create a gallery wall
A gallery wall is a great way to make a statement in a room and show off your personality. The best part is you can use any combination of art, photos, and objects to create a gallery wall that’s completely unique to you.
If you’re not sure where to start, pick a theme or color palette and build your gallery wall around that. You can also choose one or two larger pieces to anchor the wall, then add smaller pieces around them. Use picture ledges for a more casual look or hang your pieces in a grid for a more structured feel.
No matter how you choose to arrange your gallery wall, it’s sure to make a big impact in any space.
4. Add plants to your home
Introducing plants to your home is another easy way to upgrade your decor. Not to mention, the benefits of adding plants to your home are endless. Plants are a great way to add color and dimension to your space.
• Pro tip: If you don’t have a green thumb, start with a low-maintenance plant like a snake plant or a pothos.
5. Add a pop of color with new curtains
If you’re looking for an easy way to add some color to your walls, curtains are a great way to do that! Plus, they’re a lot easier to install than wallpaper or paint.
These bright yellow curtains are the perfect way to add a pop of color to this neutral living room. The color yellow is associated with happiness, so adding yellow to your space is a great way to make your home feel more welcoming.
6. Add a new area rug
One of the best ways to bring color and pattern into a room is with a new area rug. Rugs are a fantastic way to define a space, and they can be a great starting point for your decor.
One of my favorite ways to decorate is to start with a rug I love and then pull colors from it for the rest of the room. If you’re not a fan of color, a neutral rug with a fun texture can be an easy way to add interest to your space.
7. Add a splash of color to your kitchen
Your kitchen is probably the most used room in your house, and it’s where you start and end your day. So why not incorporate some colors that make you happy?
You can go bold and paint your cabinets, or you can add a few colorful accessories like a bright rug, some artwork, or a rainbow of dishes.
If you’re not ready to commit to a lot of color in your kitchen, you can start small with a colorful fruit bowl or a few plants.
8. Add some colorful pillows to your couch
Throw pillows are an easy way to add color and personality to your living room. You can mix and match different patterns and textures to create a fun, eclectic look, or keep it simple with a set of pillows in the same color family.
If you’re not sure where to start, pick one or two colors from a piece of art or a rug in the room and use that as your guide. This will help you create a cohesive color palette that ties the whole room together.
Pro tip: To make your pillows look extra plump and inviting, be sure to give them a good chop in the middle before you place them on your couch.
9. Add a colorful throw blanket to your bed
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make your bed look a little more inviting, adding a colorful throw blanket is a great option.
You can drape it over the end of the bed for a casual look, or fold it neatly and place it in the center of the bed for a more polished vibe.
A throw blanket is a simple way to add a pop of color and texture to your bed, and it can easily be switched out with the seasons to keep things looking fresh and new.
10. Add some colorful storage baskets
Bland, beige baskets are out, and colorful baskets are in.
These days, you can find storage bins and baskets in all sorts of fun colors and patterns, making it easier than ever to keep your stuff organized in style.
Use them to store everything from throw blankets to toys, and even use them for potted plants.
11. Add a colorful shower curtain to your bathroom
Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home, and yet it’s often overlooked when it comes to decor. If your bathroom is in need of a little pick-me-up, a new shower curtain is an easy and affordable way to add some color, pattern, and personality to the space.
This rainbow shower curtain is a perfect example of how a simple addition can have a big impact. Pair it with some bright, fluffy towels and a colorful bath mat, and you’ve got a bathroom that’s sure to put a smile on your face every morning.
12. Add some colorful dishes to your kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and a beautiful, colorful dish set can help make it feel that way. A set of colorful dishes is a simple way to add a pop of color to your kitchen and dining room.
You can either invest in a high-quality set or mix and match a variety of colors and patterns to create a more eclectic look. Either way, a colorful dish set is an easy way to add some personality to your kitchen.
13. Add a colorful light fixture to your room
If you have a room in your house that could use a little extra something, consider adding a colorful light fixture!
This is a great way to add a pop of color and personality to a space. You can find light fixtures in all sorts of bright and beautiful colors, so you can choose one that perfectly matches your style.
If you’re feeling extra bold, you can even go for a multi-colored light fixture.
14. Add some colorful candles to your room
There are so many benefits to burning candles in your home. They can make a room smell amazing, they can provide a soft, warm light, and they can even improve your mood.
The flickering light of a candle can be very soothing, and the act of lighting a candle and taking a few minutes to relax and enjoy its glow can be very calming. Candles can also add a pop of color to your decor, and they can be a great way to add a little bit of fragrance to your space.
15. Add some colorful books to your bookshelf
Books are a great way to add color to your bookshelf. If you’re not a big reader, you can still use books to add a pop of color to your space. You can find books with colorful covers at your local thrift store, or you can buy them new. You can also find books with colorful illustrations or photographs.
You can even stack your books to create a rainbow effect on your shelves. This is a great way to add a lot of color to your space in a way that feels organized and intentional.
16. Add a colorful headboard to your bed
A colorful headboard is a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom. There are so many fun headboard designs and colors to choose from, and you can even make your own if you’re feeling crafty.
This headboard is a simple DIY project that you can make using plywood, foam, fabric, and a staple gun. You can pick any color or pattern of fabric you like to match the rest of your decor, and you can even switch it out whenever you want to change things up.
17. Add some colorful drawer pulls to your furniture
If you have a piece of furniture that needs a little pick-me-up, consider swapping out the hardware.
This is a quick and easy way to inject some color and personality into your space.
You can find so many fun options on Etsy and Anthropologie.
18. Add a colorful piece of art to your room
One of the easiest ways to add color to a room is with a piece of art. Art can be a great focal point for a room, and it can inspire the color palette for the rest of the space.
You can go as big or as small as you want with your art. A large piece of art can take up a whole wall and be the main feature of the room. Or, you can go with a smaller piece and use it as a jumping off point for the rest of the room’s decor.
I love how this piece of art is the focal point of the room and the other colors in the room are pulled from the art. The pink chairs, yellow pillows, and green plants all help to pull the room together.
19. Add a colorful doormat to your home
We’ve talked a lot about how adding color to your home can make you feel happier, but you don’t have to take the plunge and paint your walls if you’re not ready. Simply adding a colorful doormat to your home is an easy way to add some brightness to your space.
This doormat from Rifle Paper Co. is the perfect example of how a pop of color can make you smile before you even walk through the door.
20. Add a colorful vase to your room
A simple way to add a pop of color to any room is with a vase.
You can fill it with flowers or leave it empty, but the vase itself is a piece of art that will draw the eye and add a touch of happiness.
I love this vase from West Elm because it has a lot of different colors to pull from and it’s a really good size.
Conclusion
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.