Offices Turn To “Dopamine Décor” As Employers Seek Happier, More Engaging Workspaces

A growing number of UK companies are redesigning their offices with wellbeing in mind, adopting “dopamine décor” – a design approach that uses colour, natural light and tactile materials to create uplifting environments.

The trend borrows from “dopamine dressing,” the fashion movement built around wearing joyful, energising colours, and reflects employers’ broader efforts to improve staff experience and encourage people back into shared workspaces.

Design studio Area says demand for interiors that actively support mood and motivation has risen noticeably over the past year.
“People don’t just want a place to work – they want a place that feels good to be in,” said Jordy Dent, Lead Designer at Area. “Designing for dopamine is about shaping an atmosphere as much as an aesthetic.”

Suntory HQ offers a glimpse of the shift

A recent example is Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I’s new headquarters at ARC Uxbridge, a 27,000 sq ft office designed by Area. The scheme draws on Suntory’s “living joyfully” brand ethos, using bright accent colours, natural textures and carefully managed daylight to foster creativity and collaboration.

Features include:

• Daylight-rich collaboration areas intended to help with focus and circadian rhythm

• Vibrant colour palettes referencing the company’s drinks brands

• Tactile, organic finishes designed to add sensory interest and reduce visual fatigue

The result is a workspace that aims to balance functionality with a more emotionally engaging environment.

Why the trend is taking hold

With winter approaching, many companies are paying closer attention to issues such as low mood and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Colour psychology research – including studies cited by the British Association for Colour Therapy – suggests that bright, warm hues can influence dopamine production and support emotional wellbeing.

Combined with increased interest in hybrid working and staff retention, the shift reflects a wider recalibration of what offices are expected to provide.

A broader rethink of office purpose

Area says more briefs now emphasise how a space should feel, not just how it should perform.
“Colour and light have become part of the wellbeing conversation,” Dent said. “Good design can lift people’s mood, and that is increasingly seen as part of a workplace’s role.”

Project details

• Client: Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

• Location: ARC Uxbridge

• Size: 27,000 sq ft over two floors