Emily Ratajkowski's living room embraces the 'dopamine decor' trend with subtle maturity

The space is an ode to modern art and the natural world – and in addition to aesthetics, the look has mood-boosting benefits

emily ratajkowski on a white background
(Image credit: JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski's living room isn't a space one easily forgets. With all the buzz surrounding her 'divorce rings,' I couldn't help but scroll back through her Instagram to find the dreamy room once more, and it certainly lives up to memory. Ratajkowski's home embodies 2024's popular 'dopamine decor' with a mature and subtle edge. 

Rather than lavishing in kooky candlesticks and flower-shaped rugs, EmRata's living room takes a more adult approach to the mood-boosting trend. From the artistically colorful shag carpet to the Marisa Takal painting on the wall to the celadon velvet sofa, Ratajkowski's space celebrates luxurious color. The fig tree, anthurium plant on the table, and the high bright windows fill the room with naturally-inspired brightness. It's all designed to help improve happiness at home.

The 'dopamine decor' trend prioritizes mood in design. It's about bright colors, bold shapes, and eye-catching prints. As the look is about boosting the energy of the person who lives there, it will look different for every person depending on their style. Clearly, Emily Ratakowski prefers a highly stylized, modern take on the look.

'Emily's elevated take on dopamine decor is bold and eye-catching,' says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'Using soft lines and contrasting colors alongside mid-century modern decor creates a unique look in Ratajkowski's space. Furthermore, the abundance of light has naturally mood-boosting benefits, turning this into a room that literally increases dopamine.'

Jennifer Ebert
Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

Interested in emulating the look in your own home? Jennifer explains how. 'The boldness of the carpet, sofa and painting work so well because they are offset by a 'blank canvas' behind: the white, clean-lined walls. The white paint makes it so the colorful accents never look too busy or crowded. It's all about balance.'


Shop the Edit

To make recreating Ratajkowski's living room easy, we found a similar sofa and rug, as well as a piece of art from Marisa Takal, the artist who did the painting in her inspiring space.


Dopamine decor doesn't have to be a millenial-only look. With the right spin, it can be a timeless and fashionable design style.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.