Is ‘Joy Drenching’ The New Dopamine Decor?
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2 days ago
Maximalism, but make it... festive?
You might have heard of colour drenching, and you might even have tried dopamine decor, but what happens when you put these two rather vibrant interiors trends together? You get ‘joy drenching’, apparently. Here’s everything you need to know.
2025 Interiors Trends: Joy Drenching
Whether you’re an expert in moody interiors or you’re a firm fan of soft neutrals, the Christmas season is known to tempt even the most devoted minimalists into embracing bright, cheerful decor. But who says the festive fun can’t continue into the New Year? The key to impactful interiors is, after all, not how they look, but how they make you feel – at least according to the experts at furn., who have noticed a new trend emerging. Introducing ‘joy drenching’, 2025’s answer to dopamine decor.
(c) MINDTHEGAP
What Is Joy Drenching?
Drawing from the hit of happiness you get from bold colours and vibrant decor, joy drenching is all about filling your space with items that lift your spirits – but underpinning this is the importance of sentimentality. ‘Unlike trends that focus purely on how something looks, joy drenching explores styles that bring a lasting emotional uplift through playful colours, sentimental items and cosy accents,’ says Anna Jones, design expert at furn. ‘It’s about creating an environment that feels welcoming and authentic.’
So, how do you nail the trend? ‘It doesn’t just aim for a momentary feeling, but instead fosters a sustained sense of delight, warmth, and nostalgia,’ explains furn.’s Rea Bell. ‘As long as you’re being true to yourself, you can’t get it wrong.’ Here’s how to embrace colour in your home and create some truly uplifting interiors.
How To Get The Look
Start With Meaningful Pieces
While colours and prints always make an impression, the real hallmark of a joyful space is a sense of personal connection. ‘Handmade trinkets and family heirlooms will naturally evoke feelings of nostalgia,’ says Anna. ‘Anything that brings back fond memories is a brilliant place to start; if it feels cosy, then you’re definitely on the right track to joy drenching.’
These trinkets and meaningful items are also a brilliant source of inspiration if you’re struggling to visualise what a joyful space might look like to you. ‘Any shoes or clothes you love are good to have on hand, as they’re generally a big influence on styles and colours you like,’ says textile designer (and former fashion designer) Wendy Morrison. From here, you can start to gather and curate some sentimental, feel-good pieces.
Decorate For Yourself First
‘Many Brits say they decorate more for other people than they do for themselves,’ says Anna, ‘but joy drenching provides a great opportunity to focus your decor choices on what you truly love – especially at Christmas. Choose items that resonate with your personal style and bring you happiness. There are no rules to follow except to ask yourself, “does this make me happy?” Whether it’s colourful stockings hung over the fireplace, bright cushions scattered on the sofa, or quirky baubles, it’s all about creating joy in your home.’
(c) Wendy Morrison | Image credit: Benedict Drummond
Experiment With Colour
Choosing colours can feel like a particularly personal (and daunting) task, but it’s another brilliant way to inject a bit of personality and uniqueness into your home. (It is, after all, the key to dopamine decor).
So, where do you start? ‘Be guided by the shades and tones that speak to you – those that make you feel happy,’ advises Wendy. You can also try out ‘unexpected and exciting colour combinations’ before adding soft furnishings: ‘layering a variety of textiles is one of the simplest ways to add colour to any room,’ she adds.
Give Seasonal Decor A New Life
There might be a distinct lack of festive cheer once the decorations come down in January, but who says joyful interiors are reserved for Christmas? ‘Joy drenching isn’t restricted to December,’ confirms Rea. ‘Ultimately, it’s about finding ways to repurpose the items that you associate with being festive, and finding some longevity based on how you style them. Take the pieces that make you smile and experiment with their placement: I like to have different feel-good pieces in every room, like a mirrorball that stays up all year round. I also move my Christmas lights into other areas around my house throughout the year, whether it’s across the mantelpiece or in the window.’
Joy Drenching Inspiration
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Imagery courtesy of Wendy Morrison and MINDTHEGAP
