Dopamine Decor: How to Use Colour to Boost Your Mood

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt your shoulders drop or a smile spread across your face? 

There is a wonderful interior design trend called Dopamine Decor, and despite the scientific name, the concept is beautifully simple. It is all about decorating your home in a way that triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good chemical in your brain. It means choosing colours, textures, and objects that bring you genuine joy.

While the bedroom is often seen as a place just for sleep, we believe it should be a space that makes you feel happy from the moment you wake up. Whether you crave soothing colours for the bedroom or something a little bolder, here is how you can use the power of colour to create your own happy place.

When we talk about dopamine and joy, we often think of bright yellows or vibrant pinks. But sometimes, joy comes from a moment of pure calm.

This has been perfectly captured by the newly announced Pantone Colour of the Year for 2026: Cloud Dancer. It is a soft, billowy white, chosen as a symbol of quiet reflection.

Our co-founder, Molly Freshwater, admits it took her a moment to adjust. “Pantone have announced their Colour of the Year for 2026, and I have to admit, it made me do a double take. Could it be Pantone fool’s day? If you know me at all, you’ll know I’m not really a fan of whites - I’m a colour and more colour person.”

However, looking closer at this gentle shade, the appeal became clear. “So, after I calmed down and thought about it, I’m excited,” Molly says. “Cloud Dancer is softer than it sounds. It’s not stark or cold, it’s gentle and light and works with so much. White has a way of lifting everything around it, without taking over.”

Using a soft, warm white like this can be the ultimate mood enhancing colour for a bedroom. It creates a blank canvas that allows your mind to rest. As Molly plans to do, you can “layer it with all those sludgy naturals we love and make it feel effortless”.

If your version of happiness looks like a peaceful sanctuary, then warm neutrals are your best friends. We spoke to Abi Moody from COAT Paints, who believes these shades have a unique power.

“Cosy neutrals and taupe tones are especially sleep-friendly; they wrap the room in softness and encourage the body to unwind,” Abi explains. “Unlike sharper whites or overly bright colours, taupes and warm neutrals strike a delicate balance: grounding enough to feel safe, yet light enough not to overwhelm.”

To create this look, search for calming room colours, such as warm greiges or deep taupes. These shades mirror the natural world and the softness of unbleached linen, creating a gentle, enveloping backdrop that instantly slows the pace.

For a truly restful space, layer these wall colours with natural textures. A linen duvet cover in a soft oatmeal or stone shade works beautifully against a warm neutral wall. Add a wool throw for texture, and you have a recipe for deep relaxation.

For 2026, we are seeing a shift towards colours that evoke a warm, comforting feeling. Abi at COAT highlights a renewed love for earthy browns and clays, noting their “comfort and depth.”

These warm bedroom colours are perfect for creating a space that feels safe and grounded. Think of rich terracotta, soft cocoa, or warm clay tones. They don't have to be dark; a soft, buttery yellow with ochre warmth is another trend Abi identifies, designed to work beautifully even in dim UK light.

And, these colours love company. Pair a clay-toned wall with soft grey bed linen or rich browns. If you go for a butter yellow wall, try grounding it with olive green cushions or a natural linen throw. The contrast adds dimension and makes the room feel sophisticated rather than sickly sweet.

Dopamine Decor is also your permission slip to play. If bright colours make your heart sing, you should absolutely have them in your bedroom. The key is balance so that the room remains restful enough for sleep.

Abi suggests keeping your walls neutral or soft and introducing bold accents. “Try a single upholstered headboard, throw cushions, or an accent wall in a stronger hue,” she advises. “Use bold shades in smaller areas, think inside built-in wardrobes or en-suite doors, so the colour is impactful, not overpowering.”

A neutral bedroom can be transformed entirely with a brightly coloured bed linen set. A vibrant striped duvet cover or a set of colourful pillowcases can provide that morning boost of energy you need, without requiring you to paint the entire room.

Whether you choose soothing colours for the bedroom or something bolder, the secret to success lies in the undertone.

• For warm linens: If your bedding is a golden or natural linen shade, Abi suggests neutrals with a hint of red or beige to provide warmth without drifting into a magnolia tone.

• For cool linen: If you prefer silvery greys or crisp whites, choose cool-based greys for your walls. They are still soft and restful but will sit harmoniously with your textiles.

Whether that is the quiet calm of Cloud Dancer white, the grounding warmth of clay, or the cheerfulness of a yellow stripe, the right colour is simply the one that makes you happy to be home.

For more inspiration on pairing your paints and textiles, explore our full collection of bedding.