After immersing myself in the vibrant world of the so-called "dopamine decor" trend, I have come to the realization that this colorful aesthetic is not for me.

My name is Ashley Couto, and this is my story, which is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. If you are interested in reading more, consider becoming an Insider today.

Several months ago, I undertook a significant transformation of my rather small and uninspiring room. My goal was to create a space that radiated joy and positivity, especially since it needed to serve multiple functions as my bedroom, home office, and a secondary living area.

After moving in with my aunt last year, I found myself in a beige room that lacked personality. As I began exploring ways to enliven the space, I stumbled upon the dopamine decor trend that was making waves in design magazines and various YouTube channels. This trend focuses on incorporating bright colors and playful designs into living spaces to evoke a sense of happiness and cheerfulness.

Excited by the potential to uplift my environment, I decided to dive into this colorful endeavor. My room makeover was a bold investment, totaling approximately $3,500. The redesign featured a seashell-shaped twin bed, a customized Ikea desk with an extended tabletop, a wall adorned with exuberant art prints, and three striking hot-pink locker cabinets for storage.

To ensure the project was executed to perfection, I enlisted the help of TaskRabbit workers who skillfully painted a blue and purple checkerboard pattern on the walls, assembled my new furniture, and mounted a projector for my entertainment needs. The pice de rsistance was undoubtedly my curved yellow couch, affectionately dubbed the "macaroni and cheese couch" due to its whimsical design.

Initially, my vibrant reimagining of the room brought me immense joy and satisfaction. Colleagues often complimented my colorful virtual meeting background, and friends remarked on how I had managed to make my small living area appear more spacious.

However, as the novelty of my colorful decor began to wane, I found myself grappling with an unexpected challenge. The turning point came when I started a new contract job that required me to use the company's equipment, leading me to spend significantly more time at my desk. As I worked for hours in that same room, I became intimately familiar with the decor that had once inspired me.

Simultaneously, I began to cultivate my personal brand on LinkedIn. As my following grew, so did my desire for a more polished and sophisticated aesthetic, one that seemed at odds with my room's dopamine-inspired palette. I found myself preparing to film video content, which necessitated a consistent and simple backdrop, something my vibrant space could not provide.

Elements that once sparked joy began to morph into sources of frustration. The pastel checkerboard wall and the playful couch started to feel more like childish distractions than the uplifting design they were intended to be. I began to notice how the atmosphere affected my daily habits I found myself reluctant to spend time in my room outside of work meetings, often retreating to other parts of the house whenever possible.

It's worth noting that my family, partner, and friends still adore the playful space. However, they are not the ones who have to endure the colorful chaos every single day.

Reflecting on these experiences, I have come to the conclusion that my space no longer feels right. After just one year, I am planning to redecorate and aim for a more timeless and classic aesthetic. While I intend to keep my desk and cabinets, I am considering repainting the walls possibly opting for a limewash or a solid color and donating the yellow couch.

To anyone tempted by the allure of interior design trends, my biggest piece of advice is to take your time before committing. Allow yourself a few months to sit with your ideas to see if they still resonate. I wish I would have approached my redesign more cautiously, making small changes initially to see how they impacted my living situation before diving headfirst into a full makeover. This measured approach could have helped me make more informed decisions about a space where I would be spending so much of my time.

Ultimately, I learned that a trend that looks perfect on social media does not always translate well into the realities of daily life, especially when that daily life involves spending hours staring at those choices during work calls.