A 26-year-old first-time homebuyer has transformed her entire house into a pink paradise, creating a bold and joyful living space that surprises everyone who walks through her door. Meg Garrod from North Lincolnshire has embraced the dopamine decor trend by flooding every room of her home with various shades of pink, from her kitchen and bedroom to her bathroom.
As an artist and designer, Garrod has always been drawn to vibrant colors in her work, but pink holds a special place in her heart. "I'm an artist and designer and have always used lots of color in my work, but pink has always been the color that I'm most drawn to," she explained to interior brand Ruggable. "Even growing up, I absolutely loved it, so when it came time to decorate our first home, I thought about which colors made me happiest and brought me the most joy."
Garrod views her home as an extension of her creativity, drawing inspiration from social media, Pinterest, her own illustrations, sketchbooks, and personal experiences. She admits that neutrals simply aren't part of her style philosophy. "I don't really do neutrals in my wardrobe, and I don't do neutrals in my artwork, either. Color is such a big part of my personality and my life. I feel like it keeps me feeling creative and inspired. My home just feels like an extension of me."
The transformation wasn't accidental but carefully planned through mood boards filled with pink doors, pink kitchens, and pink accessories. "It wasn't a question, I was just so excited to make everything pink," Garrod said. Her dedication to the color scheme has paid off, earning her significant attention on social media through her Instagram account @thedreamydormer, which has attracted 80,000 followers.
While some visitors are initially shocked by the bold color choice, Garrod says most people end up appreciating the unique aesthetic. "Sometimes people are a bit shocked at first, I think just because it's so normal these days to see neutral or monochrome homes, but those are usually the same people who end up saying how much they like it, even when they didn't expect to," she noted. Even family members who were initially skeptical have come around to supporting her vision.
Her father, who was unsure about the pink kitchen during the planning stages, now says it's perfect for their home. Her grandmother's reaction is particularly heartwarming, as she consistently comments on how joyful the space feels and leaves inspired to add more color to her own house. "My Nanna always makes me smile because every time she comes over for a cuppa, she says how joyful it feels, and then she goes home wanting to add more color to her own house."
Working from home has made the colorful environment even more meaningful for Garrod, who credits her pink paradise with supporting her mental health. "I work from home, so making my space colorful, joyful and full of personality was always our priority. It's also been such a help for my mental health, having a home that feels bright and happy has made it my safe space and somewhere I can truly be myself."
When asked to choose her favorite room, Garrod points to the pink kitchen as the winner. "I think it has to be our pink kitchen, just because it feels so homely and soft. It was our first big pink decision, and it really paid off. Somehow, we managed to get the balance of softness and warmth while still making it bold and unapologetically pink. It brings us so much joy!"
For those interested in creating their own colorful transformation, Garrod emphasizes that the process doesn't have to break the bank or happen overnight. She and her partner have taken a gradual approach, living in their home for just over three years and only recently completing their bathroom renovation. "Color doesn't have to be used on a large scale or be expensive. A tin of paint can transform a room at a lower cost, or you could even just add some pink accessories to brighten up the space."
The home remains a work in progress, with some areas like the hallway still featuring the original neutral decor and dark brown carpet from when they moved in. "We still have some very greige and neutral areas, like our hallway with its dark brown carpet, which hasn't been touched since we moved in. We're saving up for that project next, and honestly, doing things slowly has worked well for us, even when sometimes you wish you could just complete it all in one go."
Garrod acknowledges that balancing aesthetic appeal with practical functionality requires some trial and error. She's made mistakes along the way, including a mustard yellow mural paired with a hot pink wall in the bedroom that proved too overwhelming. "It was way too bold for us and definitely not calming for a bedroom. I think it's important to make those mistakes because that's how you figure out what really works for you," she reflected.
Her approach now focuses on choosing colors and designs that feel fun and playful while remaining calm and suitable for everyday living. She incorporates colorful but functional storage solutions and frequently purchases second-hand furniture that she paints to match her style while maintaining practicality.
For aspiring home decorators considering bold color choices, Garrod offers encouraging advice. "If color is something that brings you joy and you feel drawn to it, then go for it. I know it can feel intimidating when neutral decor is everywhere, but the happiness my colorful home has brought me makes me want to encourage anyone to give it a go. If it feels scary at first, start small with accessories or even a feature wall and see how it makes you feel."
