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Dopamine d%u00e9cor is the new decorating trend that%u2019s perfect for enhancing your home this summer.Design Yourself Happy!Embracing Dopamine D%u00e9corThe desire to live with less, be more present in our daily lives, and strengthen our connection with nature has already seen people worldwide embrace activities such as making jam, starting an herb garden, buying old vinyl records, and taking up nostalgic crafts like embroidery and macrame.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is always hard at work in our brains and is involved in everything from movement, memory, pleasurable reward and motivation to behaviour and cognition, attention, sleep and arousal, mood, learning, and even lactation.If you have enough dopamine in your system, you will feel happy, motivated, focused, and alert, whereas a dopamine deficiency can make you feel tired, unmotivated, and unhappy.You may even experience memory loss, mood swings, sleep and concentration problems.Dopamine is that chemical that makes social media, quickreward cell phone games, and gambling so addictive. While chasing dopamine in these places can end up stealing your cash and your sanity, there is another, safer and more sustainable way of ensuring that you getregular Dopamine fixes.Embracing Dopamine D%u00e9corAccording to Architectural Digest, %u201cVibrant colours, bold patterns, eclectic prints, tactile textures, an unmissable vibe that isriddledwithnostalgia.Thisisdopaminedecorinanutshell.%u201dThisdecorating style leans into the maximalist, hyper-personalisedtrend of decorating. It is all about what makes YOU happy. It embraces functional spaces kitted out for your personal lifestyle, with things like reading nooks, gaming setups, art studios, movie theatres and entertainment spaces reigning supreme.It%u2019s All About ColourOne of the main elements of dopamine decorating is the use of colour therapy. It%u2019s a fact that different colours and intensities of colour can directly influence yourmood, and in yet anothermoveaway from minimalist muted beige and greige pallets, Dopamine d%u00e9cor uses bright %u201chappy%u201d colours, bold prints and whimsicalelements when it comes to d%u00e9cor choices.Satisfy Your Inner ChildThis is your sign to let go of what you thought adulthood should look like. If you want inflatable 1990s furniture or a fluffy neonrug, go for it. If you want golden chandeliers, comic book pop art, bowls of candy, piles of books or an oversized, extravagantly plush TV room sofa, do it.%u201cThe dopamine decor trend is about vivid colours, clashing patterns, maximalism and pure happiness.This trend brings back memories of a carefree childhood when the bedroom walls had your favourite celebrity posters, playful signages, eccentric lights and objects that elicit a deep sense of joy.Eschewing from the concept of minimalism, dopamine decor is about going all out. It is all about layering one%u2019s space in umpteen textures, colours, patterns, and anything that brings joy.While it may seem chaotic, it still ties together into an aesthetically pleasing design grammar,%u201d says Saniya Kantawala,principal designer and founder, Saniya Kantawala Design (SKD).A Recipe That WorksTheeasiestwaytoensurethatyourdopamine-dosedhomestillforms a cohesive whole is to work with either themes, colours, or functions. If you have a particular hobby, limit everything you need to pursue that hobby to one room or section in your home. This is now your art/cooking/reading/gaming space. The samegoes forthemes. Make the living room the tropical/animal print/kitsch art or pop culture space. Dedicate a colourway for each bedroom or bathroom %u2013 the options are endless.If all else fails, remember what the grand dame of South African art and aesthetics, Natani%u00ebl himself said, %u201cWhether you%u2019re setting a table, icing a cake or decorating a room: %u201cToo much is too much, but way too much is just enough.%u201dFor more information, or to find the perfect home improvement supplier, visit www.homemakersonline.co.za.Text: Homemaker MagazineImage: Unsplash.com