Dopamine Décor: Using Colour to Spark Joy 🌈✨
What If Your Home Made You Smile Every Day?
Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking at the Ideal Home Show on the Spring Clean Stage, in collaboration with Good Homes Magazine. I joined forces with the brilliant Tracey Varndell @fray_at_home for a vibrant, joy-filled conversation all about dopamine décor—a topic that’s been at the heart of my creative journey for years.
Whether you missed the talk or just want a little recap (plus a few extra nuggets I didn’t have time to squeeze in!), this article brings together the essence of what we shared on stage: how to use colour, playfulness, and your own story to design a home that truly lifts your mood. Let’s jump in!
👋 Meet Me: Justine from Rainbow Shaker
Let’s rewind for a second and start with how I ended up on that stage in the first place. I’m Justine—a French interior and set designer, and the founder of Rainbow Shaker, a creative studio where I help people transform their spaces through bold colours, playful shapes, and storytelling.
But I didn’t always live in this world of whimsy and wavy mirrors. Believe it or not, I started my career as… a rocket engineer! 🚀 Yes, really. While that world was fascinating in many ways, I found myself yearning for more creative expression, more freedom, more joy. So I took a leap of faith, retrained in interior design, and haven’t looked back since.
Why colour? Because I discovered it could do more than just brighten up a wall—it could completely transform how I felt in a space. Colour helped me create a cocoon when I needed comfort. It energised me when I felt stuck. Over time, I saw how it had the same impact on my clients, and I knew this was something worth shouting about.
Today, I help others to embrace fearless colour through 1:1 design projects, set design, my podcast, and my online course Colour Your Home Happy. I want you to trust your instincts, find joy in the process, and design with confidence—whether you own your home, rent, or live in a shoebox with a disco ball in it (been there!).
💥 What Exactly Is Dopamine Décor?
Dopamine Décor is more than just painting a wall hot pink (although I fully support that!). It’s inspired by dopamine—the brain’s “feel-good” chemical that gets released when we experience something exciting, rewarding, or new. Think of that little spark you feel when you rearrange a room just right or finally hang up that bold piece of art you love—that’s dopamine doing its thing.
It’s about creating spaces that spark joy, that feel alive and uniquely yours. Yes, colour plays a huge part—but it’s just one tool in the toolbox. Texture, pattern, lighting, layout, scent, and even sounds all play a role in shaping the emotional energy of a space. It’s also about surrounding yourself with things that matter—sentimental objects, quirky finds, or art that tells your story.
What’s so powerful about dopamine décor is how personal it is. For one person, joy might look like a maximalist pattern explosion. For another, it’s a calm palette of soft pastels and clean lines. There’s no rulebook—just a deep listening to what feels good to you.
And here’s the magic: it’s not just about the result. Dopamine décor is about the joy of making, too. Whether you’re hand-painting a wavy mural, upcycling an old chair, or sticking disco-ball stickers on your fridge, the process itself can bring so much happiness.
Curious to learn more about how dopamine and other “happy chemicals” influence how we feel in our spaces? I dive deeper into this in my course Colour Your Home Happy. 🌈✨
🏠 Dopamine in action: My Memphis-Inspired Parisian Flat
One of the most joyful design adventures I've ever embarked on was my own flat in Paris—a true playground of colour and shape. Inspired by the bold, rebellious spirit of Memphis design, the space is filled with checkered floors, wavy mirrors, sunshine-yellow accents, and stripes that stretch from walls to curtains. It’s not just my home—it’s also a space I hire out for shoots and editorials, and I’ve seen how people light up when they walk through the door. That emotional reaction? That’s dopamine décor doing its job.
Discover more about this project here
Designing this space taught me a key lesson: joy isn’t just in the final result—it’s in the process, too. From picking paint swatches to spray-painting furniture in the middle of my living room, the act of making something playful and personal was healing, energising, and just plain fun.
🛠️ DIY Tips for a Joyful Home (Without Breaking the Bank)
One of the biggest myths in interior design is that you need a massive budget to make your home feel joyful and personal. I’m here to say: absolutely not true. The most powerful changes are often the simplest—and the most playful.
Start with paint. A bit of leftover colour can completely transform a space. Try painting bold geometric shapes on a wall to zone areas in an open-plan room or add surprise energy to a hallway. Don’t stop at the walls—paint table legs, inside drawers, the edge of a door, or even your flower pots. These pops of colour can be like little winks of happiness every time you catch them in your peripheral vision.
Look at your furniture and accessories through a fresh lens. A plain cabinet? Switch the handles for mismatched ceramic ones or spray-painted knobs. A tired lampshade? Wrap it in fabric or add fringe. Even old art can get a refresh with a neon frame or colour-blocked mount.
One question I always ask is: “Do I actually dislike this item, or am I just bored of it?” Sometimes a small tweak—paint, pattern, or cheeky detail—can make you fall back in love.
Case in point: during The Big Interiors Battle, I gave a plain blind a whole new personality with masking tape and paint stripes, and yes, I proudly crafted a DIY dinosaur toilet roll holder. Because homes should make you smile—even in the loo.
🧳 Renter-Friendly Dopamine Décor
If you're renting, it can feel like you're stuck with beige walls and bland finishes—but trust me, you’re not powerless. You can absolutely create a space that reflects your personality and brings you joy, no drill or landlord permission required.
Let’s start with vinyl wrap—a renter’s best friend. You can use it to cover outdated kitchen tiles, jazz up a basic fridge, or even give flat-pack furniture a second life. The options are endless—and fully removable.
Chalk pens are another fun trick. Draw playful shapes on mirrors, windows, or even tiles—your own temporary mural or morning affirmation station.
And don’t underestimate the power of stick-on decals or disco ball stickers. A few iridescent dots bouncing light around your hallway? Instant joy.
Then, add in sentimental touches in unexpected ways. Display an old postcard as a mini art piece. Turn your grandma’s tea set into planters. Crochet a bright pull cord for your light.
Your home should reflect your story, not just what’s trending on Pinterest.
The key is to treat your space like a creative playground—even if it’s temporary. You deserve to feel at home in your home, no matter the contract length.
🧠 My Process as a Designer
When I design for clients, I don’t start with colour wheels or trend boards. I start with them—their routines, their stories, and the moments that light them up inside. Because the most joyful spaces aren’t just beautiful—they’re deeply personal.
My process always begins with empathy. I imagine myself living in their shoes. I walk through their day mentally—when do they feel rushed? Where do they pause? Is the light right for the tasks they do most? These clues help me create spaces that work as hard as they look good.
I also believe a home should reflect everyone in it—kids, partners, even pets. A joyful home considers how each person moves, interacts, and relaxes. Once I have that insight, I guide my clients through an emotional deep dive: I ask not “what colour do you like?” but “what memory feels like home?” “What place makes you breathe deeper?” “What colours remind you of someone you love?”
From there, we build a palette based on emotion—not algorithms. The result? A space that feels grounded, playful, and completely authentic. Not just stylish for a season, but meaningful for a lifetime.
🌴 What’s Next? Big Colourful Projects on the Horizon
That joy continues to guide everything I do. Right now, I'm working on some truly exciting projects that bring this philosophy to life. I’ve just wrapped up a revamp of a boutique hotel in Paris—next, I’ll be transforming its bedrooms into colourful, personality-packed retreats. And in London, I’m bringing Miami vibes into a residential project in Clapham, layering pastels, patterns, and tropical prints to create an everyday holiday feeling.
And of course, I’m growing my online course, Colour Your Home Happy, where I help others create joyful, instinct-led spaces of their own. Because everyone deserves a home that makes them smile.
🌿 Don’t Forget Your Garden!
Dopamine décor isn’t just for indoors—your outdoor space deserves joy too! Whether you have a sprawling garden, a compact patio, or even just a tiny balcony, there’s so much potential to turn it into a colourful extension of your personality.
Let’s be honest: beige outdoor furniture and terracotta pots aren’t exactly thrilling. But the good news? It takes very little to create a happy, high-impact transformation outdoors.
One of my favourite tricks is painting your garden walls or fences in unexpected colours—think sunshine yellow, coral pink, mint green, or even a bold electric blue (which I recently did in my Parisian garden and wow, what a difference!). It’s the kind of change that instantly lifts the entire space, making it feel more playful, creative, and inviting.
You can also upcycle old plant pots into statement pieces with leftover paint or spray cans. Try colour-blocking, abstract swirls, or even rainbow gradients for a whimsical twist.
Add in a mix of funky furniture—scour second-hand shops or online marketplaces for unique chairs, painted stools, or vintage bistro tables you can customise with a lick of colour. The trick is to mix and match textures, hues, and patterns to create a space that feels vibrant and alive. Don’t worry about everything matching perfectly—eclectic is the goal. Even something as simple as a striped parasol or a disco ball hanging from a pergola can add that extra sparkle of joy.
Need more ideas to turn your outdoors into a happy haven? I shared all my favourite budget-friendly, colour-packed ideas in my blog post Creating Happy Outdoor Spaces: Colour in the Garden 🌿🎨—check it out for a big dose of garden inspiration.
💬 Let’s Keep the Colourful Conversation Going
Being on stage at the Ideal Home Show, talking to so many of you in person, was such a highlight. Your questions, stories, and enthusiasm reminded me why I do what I do.
If you were in the audience: thank you! And if you weren’t—what would you love to ask about dopamine décor? What brings you joy at home?
Drop your thoughts in the comments or come say hi over on Instagram @rainbowshaker_ 🌈
Want More quirky ideas? Join My Online Course 🎓!
If you’re excited about bringing more colour, creativity, and personality into your home but don’t know where to start, I’ve got you covered!
🌈 My online course, Colour Your Home Happy, will take you step by step through the process of transforming your space with confidence.
🌈 Through six comprehensive modules, you’ll learn how to confidently use colour, pattern, and design to create a space that feels uniquely yours.
You’ll also get access to:
🎨 Fun exercises to uncover your personal colour story
🛠️ DIY ideas to bring your vision to life
💡 Styling tips to create a cohesive, meaningful home
🌈 A supportive community of fellow colour-lovers
✨ Ready to trust your colourful instincts? ✨