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Small sensory tweaks that make a big impact
When you walk into a room, what’s the first thing you notice? Perhaps it’s a fresh coat of paint on the walls, an arrangement of just-plumped cushions or a favourite piece of art?
‘We are so used to using our eyes,’ says the sensory expert and design innovator Lauren Davies, ‘but our idea of comfort and belonging in a space is informed by our other senses.’ Even if we’re not immediately conscious of them, the sounds of birds drifting in through an open window or fragrance from flowers on the coffee table can create a positive shift in how we feel. ‘These sensory moments create more of a connection between your brain and your home, and are key to creating a haven where you feel happy,’ explains Lauren.
With this in mind, we're thinking about how we can create a space that not only looks gorgeous but also engages with every other sense. From smell to touch, to taste, hearing and sight, here’s what you’ll need to build a fully immersive room…
Smell is one of the most powerfully evocative senses, with certain uplifting scents proven to encourage feelings of comfort and belonging. The smoky fragrance of a real wood burning fire (not to mention its signature crackling sound) can be calming, but candles can be an equally atmospheric way to introduce scent.
Fresh citrus and herbal notes can be energising, making them a good option when working or studying. Lavender and ylang-ylang soothe, while florals such as jasmine and rose can feel nurturing and welcoming.
Pictured: Eliza sofa, Ophelia footstool, Mason lamp, Amber & Cedar wood scented candle and all other accessories from Neptune
A deep, plump sofa is always inviting, transforming a living room into a retreat, while tactile materials, such as wool, velvet and corduroy, are perfect for upholstery. A cashmere throw, breathable but insulating, is the ultimate indulgence as the colder months approach.
Pictured: For further cosiness, add a chunky rug underfoot. For a similar sofa and cushions, try Caravane. Parker throw, Anbôise. Ritz coffee table, John Lewis & Partners. Mae rug in Cream, Heal’s. Searchlight pendant shade, Next Home. Walls in Dorian Gray everyday emulsion, Graham & Brown
In the kitchen, where practical needs blend with aesthetic choices, the texture of touch points is important. From cabinets and countertops to sinks and splashbacks, there’s an opportunity to layer in smooth metallics and sleek stones beside rough woods and more rustic textiles. You can also elevate the everyday with your utensils: rather than plastic versions, a mixing bowl created by a ceramicist or a handcrafted wooden spoon can become meaningful favourites.
Pictured: Wall in Golden Garden; island and extractor hood in Mill Springs Blue; both Benjamin Moore. For similar terrazzo, try Marmoreal Terrazzo, Dzek
The scent of food can be a balm for the soul, with the warm, doughy aroma of freshly baked bread a top trigger for wholesome feelings of nostalgia and nourishment; research has shown that more than a third of people consider it the homeliest scent of all. Other cooking smells, such as bubbling sauces and baking spices, can feel equally comforting and invite a sense of togetherness.
Pictured: Haberdasher’s walk-in pantry, Devol. For similar accessories, try Nkuku
It’s a fact: food and drink taste better when they’re served in a way that shows the care that went into preparing them. Forget the cheffy credentials or expensive ingredients – dressing the table beautifully will heighten the enjoyment of the food itself. Embroidered placemats, colourful glasses and generously sized bowls and plates really can make chilled glasses of white wine taste crisper and slow-cooked stews all the more comforting.
Pictured: Ibo sideboard, Junto tablecloth, napkins, Keso placemats, Kawasan tall pot, Valinha footed bowl, Valinha earthenware, Nyati serving platter, Mawindi candleholder, Yala glassware, Osko cutlery, all Nkuku
No matter what you’re tuning into, sound transforms the way you feel. Listening to music can lower feelings of stress, with classical proving particularly effective at reducing cortisol levels. If you’re new to it, try Radio 3’s Classical Mixtape on BBC Sounds for an introduction.
Podcasts, meanwhile, can turn listening into a mindful learning experience. Sharon Salzberg’s Metta Hour podcast, for example, reflects on emotional intelligence and meditation practices. Looking for a little escapism? Audiobooks provide an instant diversion.
‘Colour can shape how we feel in a space, how we behave, how we rest and how we connect with others,’ says Pippa Jameson, the expert behind wellness-led design studio The Sensory Home. ‘It’s about shifting the emotional temperature of a room.’
Here, Pippa unveils her new collaboration with paint brand Graham & Brown and shares how different colours can impact mood.
Pictured: For clarity and concentration, the Focus paint collection from The Sensory Home x Graham & Brown mixes cooling blues with soft, warm neutrals – perfect shades for kitchens and study spaces. Wall in Breathe everyday emulsion.
Houseplants might qualify as a trend, but their impact on your wellbeing is undeniable; study after study has shown them to have a calming effect, improving our general mood and even having a positive effect on a room’s air quality.
Indoor plants really do welcome a sense of life into a space, with their colours and organic shapes creating a grounding look, while the process of caring for them, from watering to trimming back leaves, can become a mindful moment in your weekly routine.
Pictured: Minta accent chair in Mole Moss velvet, Molveno sideboard, both Dwell at DFS. For similar accessories, try Soho Home
Whether positioned on a landing or in the corner of a bedroom, having a spot dedicated to unwinding is a wonderful way to press pause. If you’re creating a reading nook, make it a sensory experience and position it close to a window to invite in natural light and add layers of pleasing textures.
This cotton and timber chair, for example, allows you to shift position easily and has tactile, bobbin-style arms for resting the edge of your hardback book. Enhance the feeling by adding a velvet cushion and footstool so you can stretch out your legs.
Pictured: Pippa accent chair in Leora and accessories, all Anthropologie
Taking extra time to transform your everyday hygiene routine into a moment for indulgent self-care can soothe body and mind. A scented candle, positioned low so the scent can ‘throw’, will instantly upgrade a soak in the bath. Beautifully fragranced soaps, gentle oils and restorative scrubs will make skin feel wonderful and can transform shower steam into an enveloping aromatherapy mist.
For beauty products, always opt for a high percentage of natural ingredients – as well as being kinder to your skin, they’re better for the environment too.
Pictured: Wildsmith bath salts, Pfeffer Sal. For a similar bath bridge, try John Lewis & Partners
A quiet, still space is the key to high-quality sleep, allowing your body to fully rest and wake up feeling more refreshed. Curtains or blinds in thicker materials can reduce the noise from the outside world, while earplugs will provide relief while you’re sleeping.
If you struggle to drift off, or find yourself waking in the night, low, soothing sounds can quieten your other senses and calm you into a deep slumber. Hatch’s innovative sleep system includes a selection of sounds to help you fall (and stay) asleep, as well as a dimmable clock equipped with a gentle sunrise-style light alarm.
Pictured: Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock, Healf
Sinking into soft, smooth sheets is perhaps the best possible way to end the day. As the materials are naturally breathable, high-quality bedding made from linen or sustainable cotton feels gentle against the skin. Invest in a good set, as you’ll use them all year round and they’ll only get softer with every wash. Piglet in Bed has many colourful options, while H&M Home is known for its excellently priced linen.
Pictured: Irina Pied-A-Terre bed, bedding and cushions, Isla beside table, Lee table lamp, all Anthropologie
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