One of the most exciting aspects about moving home is starting afresh with your interior design. A new property is a blank canvas, with the chance to express yourself in line with personal tastes or the latest home fashions.
Probably the most hard-to-ignore trend seen across interior design magazines and social media is dopamine décor but what exactly is this style? Dopamine décor is a feel-good approach to decorating, using the colours, textures and patterns that bring the most joy to each individual. As such, there is no single colour palette to work from or style to follow.
The dopamine aspect refers to the chemical messenger that is released into the brain when we see or feel something we like, inducing a feeling of happiness. In interior design, this leans heavily on the colours chosen and their effect on someone’s mood.
You’d be hard pushed to find an example of dopamine décor that’s safely neutral or dominated by shades of grey. Instead, rooms are full of vivid colours, clashing patterns and textures.
This doesn’t mean dopamine décor is messy or chaotic. Quite the reverse. Many of the best dopamine décor examples are highly curated and meticulously planned so the overriding effect is happiness and not haphazard.
Where to start with dopamine décor
Our advice is to start with a colour wheel – simply Google the phrase and you’ll be presented with the classic circular pigment guide. From here, you can identify the base colours that you like.
Clashing colours
The biggest visual impact when decorating comes from colours that don’t harmonise. When looking at a colour wheel, these are colours that are opposite each other, such as green and purple or blue and orange.
Complementary colours
If clashing colours feel too uncomfortable, you can choose complementary colours, which sit next to each other on the colour wheel. This could be golden yellow, true yellow and chartreuse green, or it could be red-violet, purple and fuchsia.
Different shades of the same colour
If one colour really stands out as your favourite, it can be harnessed for a really impactful dopamine décor. For example, visit a decorating centre or DIY store and head for the colour mixing paint charts. Here you can find your favourite colour, such as cobalt blue, alongside the light and darker versions.
Many dopamine décors incorporate retro patterns from the 1960s and 1970s – think geometric shapes and stylised flowers in orange, brown, turquoise and mauve. Charity shops and reselling websites are a great place to pick up authentic items, or Orla Kiely’s retro-inspired homeware is available in High street stores, including John Lewis, and extensively online.
What if I’m renting a property?
Unless your tenancy agreement gives you permission to redecorate the property to your specific taste, it’s highly likely your backdrop will be walls painted in a shade of magnolia or white. This doesn’t mean dopamine décor is off the cards.
A neutral backdrop allows you to incorporate colour, pattern and texture through accessories and artwork. Your dopamine hit could come from something as simple as different coloured cushions on your sofa, clusters of vases in clashing patterns or a multi coloured rug.
If you’re looking to move to a new home and would like to see a list of available properties, please get in touch.
As more professionals embrace remote and hybrid working, demand for well-designed home office spaces is on the rise. Whether you're a landlord in Cardiff or across South Wales, understanding what makes a great home office can help boost your property's appeal, reduce void periods, and attract quality long-term tenants.
At RedKey, your local Cardiff and Newport property experts, we know how to position your rental to meet modern tenant expectations. Here are five key features that make a home office truly desirable — and how you can use them to your advantage.
Tenants value properties with plenty of natural light, and this is especially important in a home office. Natural light not only boosts productivity but is also linked to better sleep, improved mood, and fewer headaches.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
If your rental’s home office has limited light, use mirrors to reflect brightness, opt for light-coloured furniture, and choose pale window dressings that let the sun in. Small changes can make a big impact when staging.
Remote workers spend hours at their desks, so comfort and functionality matter. A desk cramped against the wall may look space-saving, but it lacks practicality.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
If space allows, pull the desk away from the wall to give the illusion of more room and improve comfort. Legroom is a key feature tenants now look for in Cardiff rental homes with workspaces.
Adding plants to a home office doesn’t just improve the aesthetics — it also boosts health and wellbeing. Studies show greenery can reduce stress, improve air quality, and increase focus and happiness.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
When staging your Cardiff rental, place low-maintenance plants or high-quality faux greenery in the office. It adds instant charm without requiring tenant upkeep.
Clutter is a productivity killer, and tenants want tidy, organised workspaces. Office essentials like chargers, stationery, and documents quickly pile up without the right storage.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
Install floating shelves, built-in cabinets, or stylish storage baskets to help tenants keep the space organised. Highlight these features in your rental listing for extra appeal.
Wall colour plays a huge role in a home office environment. While tenants may personalise later, neutral shades are universally appealing and help stage the space in a way that feels calm and professional.
✅ Top Tip for Landlords:
Stick to pale greens, cool blues, light greys, or off-whites. These tones help promote focus and relaxation — exactly what remote workers need.
With more tenants than ever working from home at least part-time, the home office has become a major selling point. Properties that include a functional and attractive office space stand out in the competitive Cardiff rental market.
By making just a few simple upgrades, landlords can:
Increase rental appeal
Reduce void periods
Attract high-quality, long-term tenants
Enhance rental value
At RedKey, we specialise in property management and marketing in Cardiff and South Wales. We know exactly what tenants are looking for and can help you present your property at its very best — including highlighting work-from-home features that drive results.
👉 Get in touch today for expert advice on staging, letting, or managing your rental property:
📞 Call 02920 090690 / 03333 447850
📧 Email hello@redkeylets.co.uk
Let us help you turn your rental into a high-demand property in the Cardiff rental market.
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As more professionals embrace remote and hybrid working, demand for well-designed home office spaces is on the rise.
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