Dopamine design is a relatively recent trend in interior design, having evolved from the concept of “dopamine dressing” in fashion. It’s rooted in color psychology and the idea that certain design elements can trigger the release of dopamine, aka the pleasure chemical. Dopamine design began seeping into interior design consciousness around 2022-2023, due to increased focus on home environments during and after the pandemic. 

To explore this phenomenon and its impact on lighting design, we chatted with Grace Denniston, the award-winning industrial designer for Kalco Lighting. Denniston shares her insights on the dopamine design movement, discussing how lighting can enhance mood and personality in interior spaces. She also offers a glimpse into Kalco’s approach to creating vibrant color palettes and harnessing nostalgic influences to create products that will age well as trends evolve, demonstrating how dopamine design is being applied in the lighting industry and that it’s here to stay.

DNN:  Can you explain what ‘dopamine’ home design means and why it’s becoming so popular? Where does this stem from, culturally–why now? 

Denniston: The dopamine design is the trend of using vivid colors to make a person feel happier.  Specific colors can also be used to create specific feelings, whether a person wants a calm and peaceful space, or an energetic and motivating environment.  

With people working hard at the office or remotely, there is more of a need for the home to feel comfortable and more personal – to be a calm haven where they can completely relax and feel uninhibited.  

I think these days people are collecting items and decor that have personal meaning or reflect their specific style.  Spaces are less sharp, clean and orderly and are becoming more relaxed, comfortable, and warm. 

When to be bullish on a trend

DNN:  When you are looking to develop a product or entire line around a trend, how do you make a decision about what to follow and when to pull the trigger on seeing a particular trend all the way through R+D to market?

Denniston: The trend needs to have meaning and add to the comfort and happiness of people. It also needs to be inspiring for us as a company and speak the same design language.

 One of Kalco’s design strengths is combining trends from today with timeless, classic style. A great example is the playful Chroma collection, which reflects the modern-day dopamine trend. 

The fun, colorful dichroic glass is inspired by bubbles, bringing back memories from childhood playtime, while the brass accents and the reeded brass stem embrace classic American design lines and details. The Chroma table and floor lamp are great color accents that add personality and joy to a space without being too heavy or overpowering. 

Brighten your day

DNN: Why is lighting great at creating a ‘dopamine’ effect in home interiors?

Denniston: Lighting is a great way to change the mood of any environment.  Different light color temperatures help promote focus or relaxation, and light fixtures can also be an easy and relatively lightweight decorative item to change out and add personality to a space. 

Unique and funky shade shapes with bold colors bring the personality up into the airspace surrounding the furniture, tying the whole room together. 

DNN: The Flor fixture comes in Harvest Yellow and Avocado Green. Talk to me more about dopamine-enhancing palettes. We’ve been in a long era of gray and then black and white modern farmhouses – do you anticipate a hard swing towards dopamine color palettes? 

Denniston: People react to specific colors in different ways, and using vivid colors throughout an entire space stimulates the eye and mind.  Specific colors can help create a calm and relaxing space (ex. blues and greens) while others create energy and excitement (reds and yellows). 

I expect more and more people are going to embrace color in their homes – it brings personality and customizability to a space, and I think it’s becoming more important for people to make their homes into a comfortable place that is a reflection of who they are.  

DNN: How can homeowners incorporate bold, colorful lighting fixtures like Flor without overwhelming their existing decor?

Denniston: Lighting is a good way to add an accent color or statement piece to a room and is an excellent place to start when introducing and layering colors.  It is like jewelry to a space – a final touch that brings a room together without being heavy or overpowering. 

Specifically, with Flor, the two color options are strong yet natural colors that bring back some 70s color palette nostalgia.  I like how both the Harvest Yellow and Avocado Green are warm and inviting colors, so they can be the cheerful, sunny accent in a naturally inspired space, or a groovy style statement in a nostalgic or eclectic space.

Nostalgic influences on dopamine decor

DNN: The 90’s style is making a comeback. How does the Crescent sconce with its Capiz shell design fit into this trend?

Denniston: Capiz shell is a natural and classic material that was used as window panes in the past because of its translucency.  The Crescent sconce modernizes this material with its geometric, 3D pattern that is easy to use layered over other patterns and materials, and creates a soft, beautiful glow.  It is bold and can flex into differently styled spaces.   

DNN: Dopamine doesn’t have to mean maximalist or overpowering. For those who prefer a softer approach, how does the Damask light in white and gold balance the ‘dopamine’ trend with a more subtle aesthetic?

Denniston: The Damask collection is a good balance between bold and subtle because of its use of light, neutral colors.  The alternating soft gold and white metal flowers create minimal color contrast that blends in with subtle spaces, but still creates a distinct, graphic separation of color for more bold spaces.  Its unique shape and bouquet-like appearance also can add a subtle, physical boldness without using vivid colors. 

DNN: Are there any other design trends – lighting or otherwise– you’re seeing that complement the ‘dopamine’ home design movement?

Denniston: Nostalgia and eclectic spaces, and the incorporation of hidden technology – the dopamine trend is all about feelings, creating comfort, and adding personality to someone’s space.  

The eclectic “collecting” of personal and meaningful items in a casual, relaxed setting seems like a good pairing with vivid colors, as well as the layering of different styles and time periods in a space. Having hidden technology (hidden speakers, color tunable light fixtures, etc.) can help create extra comfort and customizability for different situations.