When you wake up in the morning or curl up on the couch after a long day, what do you want to see surrounding you? That’s the underlying question at the heart of dopamine decor, a design concept that’s intended to make you, well, feel good. The design world’s latest obsession isn’t so much a trend as a guiding principle–one that’s deeply personal to the person occupying its space.
Dopamine decor is all about infusing your living spaces with colors, patterns, and personal expression to evoke feelings of joy and happiness. This trend draws inspiration from the brain’s pleasure-inducing neurotransmitter, dopamine, aiming to create spaces that elicit positive emotions.
Today we’re exploring seven ways to incorporate tile into your dopamine-drenched abodes to transform your living spaces into havens of happiness.
Feel Good From the Ground Up
Tile: 6x6 Basalt + Daisy | Design: Autumn Hachey, Jillian Smith-Moher | Image: Lauren Miller Photography | Installer: Hotel Julie
Set the stage for your feel-good design journey with a tile floor. Tile floors are the perfect canvas to infuse your home with the dopamine decor trend. Create a foundation of joy, as Autumn Hachey did with Hotel Julie’s luxe black and white diamond checked floor that’s repeated in each of the inn’s Shakespearean suites.
Whether you opt for the retro charm of a midcentury look or something more vibrant and eclectic, tile floors can lay the groundwork for your perfect space. We adore how Danielle Nagel of Dazey LA embraced the wow factor of bright colors for the checkered floor of her Desert House.
“As a lover of color and maximalist design, tile is the most beautiful way to make a high-impact floor,” Danielle explains. “In all my design work I want every detail to be wow-worthy, and tile is the perfect flooring to do just that!”
Tile: 3x12 Koi + Ivory Gloss | Design + Image: Danielle Nagel
Lean Into An Iconic Era
Tile: 2x6 Palm Tree, 8” Hexagon Sunflower | Design: David Quarles IV | Image: Sarah Rossi, Michael Butler
Whether it’s Victorian or Midcentury Modern, if you’re drawn to an iconic design period then lean into it! David Quarles IV had a clear and specific vision for his personal space: a midcentury modern Spanish and French-designed kitchen on the Ivory Coast with a goal of bringing the outdoors in through color, texture, pattern, and light. If that isn’t the definition of dopamine decor, we don’t know what is.
Be A Pattern Powerhouse
Tile: Grange + Fallow custom colorway, 8x8 Desert Bloom, Ember, Mandarin, Tomato Red | Design: Noz Design | Image: David Patterson Photography
Dopamine decor is all about celebrating the joy of life, and what better way to do it than through playful patterns? The exciting thing about tile patterns is that the sky’s the limit–from timeless checkerboard and herringbone to intricate custom Mosaics and Handpainted Tile like Noz Nozawa’s unforgettable living room fireplace above, we can bring virtually any vision to life.
If you really want to make a space feel vibrant and alive, adding patterns is a beautiful way to do it. Patterns add a dynamic layer to your interior–or exterior, as is the case with Samantha Klein’s pink checkered pool. We love Sam’s used a two-toned Glass Tile color scheme to create a one-of-a-kind waterline for perfectly pink pool parties.
If you love the idea of pattern play but aren’t sure how to execute mixing patterns, we’ve got a blog post for you: click here to learn how to mix patterns.
Tile: 3x3 Carolina Wren Matte + Rosy Finch Matte | Design: Samantha Klein | Image: Marj Cruz
Think About Texture
Brick: Green Mountains | Design: Studio Collab | Image: Studio Collab, Stephan Paul
Don’t overlook the importance of texture in your space. To add depth and tactile appeal to your dopamine dwelling, consider using our Glazed Thin Brick like Studio Collab did above, allowing the rustic appeal of the brick to complement the organic shapes in this serene bathroom. The texture of brick adds a rustic dimension that elevates your interiors to a whole new level.
Embrace A Theme
Tile: Sensu custom colorway | Design + Image: Dani Dazey | Installer: Trixie Motel
Whether you have a flair for drama or are a sucker for an all-out cohesive look, embracing a theme that resonates with you is a playful way to inject personality into your home. Let the theme be the guiding star of your design journey like Trixie Mattel did when designing the flamingo-infused Trixie Motel in Palm Springs.
Or, rather than incorporating your theme into every piece in your space, create a standout focal point and build around it. Case in point: The House Lars Built’s colorful kitchenette.
Inspired by Parisian bistros, they created a gorgeous backsplash that’s layered like a decadent cake with rows of brightly patterned tile. Neutral cabinetry ensures your eye is drawn instantly to this statement piece, while candy jars, scallop shelves, ornate molding, and soft pink dishware complement the backsplash and flesh out the theme.
Brittany Jepsen, The House That Lars Built’s founder, explained, “With [Fireclay’s] breadth of colors and sizes, I knew there was a lot of synergy and freedom there to do whatever I wanted to do–so my mind went wild.” J’adore!
Tile: 3x12 Daffodil + Feldspar Gloss, 2x6 Sea Green + Evening Glow, 2x8 Evening Glow, 3x6 Feldspar Gloss + Caribbean, Dot Dash 7 custom colorway | Design + Image: The House that Lars Built
Flood Your Favorite Color
Tile: 3x3 Limon, 3” Hexagon Hunter Green | Design: Anthony Roxas Architects | Image: Margaret Austin Photography | Installer: Woznak Construction
Leaning into colors you love is the heart and soul of dopamine decor. Transform your space into a feel-good haven by incorporating your favorite color as much as possible–colorful tile can be used to create visually stimulating surfaces that boost your mood. We adore Ariel Gordon Jewelry’s studio bathroom that’s completely drenched in juicy green mosaic tile.
Decorate With Intention–And Joy
Tile: 1x1 + 4x4 Tiki Blue | Design: April Interiors | Image: Shelby Bella
Dopamine decor is about more than just colors and patterns; it’s about curating an environment that brings you joy. Combine tile with other decor elements such as textiles, furniture, and artwork to create a harmonious ensemble when decorating your home.
Similar to dopamine dressing, dopamine decor really shines with the perfect accessories. Let your home become a canvas for self-expression, a place where every element contributes to your sense of happiness. If your kitchen has open shelving, make sure that each item displayed on those shelves was intentionally placed in sight to bring you maximum delight–and remember, although this design style is all about what makes you feel good, it’s not about excess consumerism. Your dopamine space should be a thoughtfully selected edit.
The Home on Woodbine has a carefully curated collection of plateware, stemware, and accessories displayed on their shelves with a backdrop of soft lavender tile for a look that’s both beautifully cohesive and completely individualized to the homeowners.
Tile: 4x4 Dust Storm | Design: Home on Woodbine | Image: Teddy Wolff
