Multi-sensory design to boost your mood
We put a lot of time and effort into making our homes look good. Between choosing a colour scheme, meticulously matching wood grains and assessing endless accessories from every angle, no stone is left unturned when it comes to making your interior appealing to the eye. But what about the other four senses?
If you’ve aced your aesthetic but feel like your décor’s still missing something - don’t fret! It’s time for touch, taste, smell and sound to work some multi-sensory magic on your interior and mindset. Not sure where to start? Read on for our tips and tricks for incorporating sensorial styles into your home.
Why is multi-sensory design important?
Appealing to each of the five senses makes any experience more engaging and immersive - and the same applies to your home! An interior that satisfies every sense creates a wholly holistic atmosphere that’s beneficial for your well-being and more likely to achieve its desired purpose, whether that’s a calming bedroom to help your tyrannical teenager unwind or a vibrant, joyful dining room for entertaining guests.
Better still, décor that appeals to more than just your peepers makes your home an inclusive environment. Tactile fabrics, wooden furniture with satisfying ridges, and aromatic candles or fresh flowers paint a picture of the soft, soothing vibes you’ve curated to those who might rely on senses other than sight, such as visually impaired or neurodiverse people.
How to incorporate sensory design into your home
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing your existing décor, there’s a plethora of ways to incorporate each of the senses into your home and positively affect your well-being.
Remember: before diving into styling for the senses, it’s crucial to consider the mood you’re going for. Vibrant red with angular metallic accents and a smooth leather sofa doesn’t scream quaint and cosy, the same way soft neutrals, peaceful rain sounds and a jumbo cord cuddler don’t quite capture a party atmosphere!
1. Sight
The look of a space tends to be the element of interior design we focus on the most. Colour is king here - are you choosing a serene pastel blue for calm coastal vibes, or a bright and happy yellow to fill your home with positivity? From there, visual interest can be amped up with strategically positioned wall art, patterned throws and scatter cushions, or even a floor-to-ceiling jungle mural - whatever floats your boat!
Don’t forget that light also factors into the final look of your interior. Warm yellow or orange lighting is a must to take your cosy space to a higher level of relaxation, whereas cool, bright lighting works great to improve focus in a home office.
2. Sound
Once you’ve perfected the visuals, incorporating sound will add another dimension to your décor. While the sounds of life will account for some of the atmosphere in your space - think bustling conversation, morning cartoons, and the whir of the microwave - there are plenty of ways to intentionally entice your aural senses with accessories and features.
Designed a spa-like sanctuary in your living room for ultimate relaxation? Add a tinkling wind chime in the window or a soothing indoor water feature or fish tank for that peaceful waterside feeling. More of a fun-focused entertaining space? Take advantage of state-of-the-art recliner sofas with surround sound speakers to reinvent movie nights.
3. Touch
If you’ve ever found yourself umming and ahhing over a pile of fabric sofa swatches, you know just how important touch is to your interior. The textures you choose for your space play a huge role in how you interact with it, affecting your well-being and the mood of the room, so touch’s importance can’t be understated.
It’s recommended that you vary the textures in any space for optimal stimulation - but of course, your choices will be dictated by the mood you’re trying to create. The fabric of your sofa, chair, or bed is a great place to start - will you choose a warm and cosy jumbo cord or boucle for irresistible cosiness and tactile interest? Or the smooth, soft luxury of velvet or cool timeless leather?
After that, experiment with eye-catching shapes and textures in your accompanying furniture to create your cohesive yet captivating textural landscape. Side tables and coffee tables present the ideal opportunity to add interest with ridges, ripples and panelling, but don’t forget to consider whether you want plush carpet or sleek wood underfoot, too.
4. Taste
Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting lickable wallpaper à la Willy Wonka here. Instead, think of decor that’s motivated by your taste. In a cosy country home, a traditional ceramic bowl piled high with fresh fruit might be the ideal centrepiece for a kitchen island or dining table. For a more luxurious entertaining space, a drinks trolley or sideboard packed with flavours from around the world is the perfect talking point - and an opportunity for a tipple or two, of course.
Other tastebud-tantalising features include sofas with built-in drinks holders that make taste an integral part of your lounging, and garden furniture with ice buckets and lazy susans - perfect for sipping and snacking on summer days.
5. Smell
Grass just after rain. Fresh towels. Bread baking in the oven. A strong cup of coffee. It’s well-documented how smells can impact our mood - so why not exploit this in your room design? Choosing certain scents for certain spaces can evoke different emotions to suit the purpose of your home and add more depth to your interior design in an easy, affordable way.
A bouquet on your dining room table brings a fresh, subtle aroma for a light spring mood, while a warming candle or stick of incense feels cosy and homely no matter the weather outside.
For an interior with even greater intention, choose specific scents such as lavender and vanilla in rooms designed for rest and citrus and peppermint in home offices, kitchens and bathrooms to refresh and revitalise your mindset.
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