As more people are feeling the need for calm and comfort, interior designers are now going beyond aesthetics to create living spaces that feel as good as they look. This concept is called sensory design, and it's all about enhancing the look, sound, smell, and feel of our rooms to help us relax and feel more connected to our home. According to design expert Sylvia James, this design trend enables us to feel our best every day. “Sensory interior design can also help us build a better relationship with our home, so we look forward to spending time there,” she adds.

Designers typically use a mix of materials and some tech innovations to create environments that regulate stress and prevent sensory overload. To have a welcoming space that soothes the mind and emotions, here's how to use sensory design trend principles to elevate your home.

Incorporate Tactile Textures

After years of sleek, understated home aesthetics, we're now seeing a resurgence of spaces filled with natural, tactile materials. Adding materials, surfaces, and textures that invite touch and physical interaction can make your home cozier while providing sensory grounding and calm. What's more, research indicates that tactile elements can reinforce memories and deepen experiences, allowing you to form a connection with your home. 

The choice of material matters since specific textures can affect mood, atmosphere, and emotions, so add materials with textures that you love. For instance, if you want to have a more mindful space, incorporate wooden elements to aid in quiet relaxation. Think about having reclaimed wooden furniture in your living room, then add dark wooden frames to display artwork or prints. You may also want to consider adding a tactile art form, such as a tapestry, to bring softness and warmth to your space. Instead of framing it or displaying it behind glass, consider hanging it directly on the wall so you can appreciate the texture. For plushness and a sink-in feeling, place a high pile rug over a hardwood floor, then add floor cushions covered in a variety of fabrics. 

Drown Out Noise and Echoes

A home should be a place of recovery and relaxation, but unwanted and constant noise can create a less-than-ideal home life since it increases anxiety and irritability. Over time, it may even cause chronic stress and disrupted sleep, leading to health problems like high blood pressure and depression. Many homeowners deal with noise issues by using soundproofing materials like acoustic foam or mass-loaded vinyl to drown out sounds. But if you want a more attractive option to reduce loud noises, think about using decorative acoustic panels, which allow for echo control and noise reduction without sacrificing style. These can be printed with custom images and used in home theaters or rooms with higher ceilings and open layouts. 

To absorb sound, consider installing plush carpet in rooms with tile, wood, or concrete floors. Carpets can dampen sound waves traveling through the air, such as music or television, and they also reduce sound transmission between floors, making them ideal for use in condominium units or apartments. For best results, use wool carpets to reduce noise by up to 45 percent.

Personalize Your Home Scents

Most people already use oil diffusers or scented candles to add a pleasant scent to their living spaces. But if you want to further enhance your abode's feel and atmosphere, consider using an automated scent machine to provide a customizable fragrance for your home. Devices like the Aera, ScentAir’s Whisper Diffuser, and the Pura 4 allow homeowners to schedule scent times and adjust intensity with an app so you can come home to a beautifully scented house every day. The Pura 4 comes with an extensive selection of fragrances from companies like Anthropologie and Nest, while the Whisper diffuser can cover up to 800 square feet of space with high-quality scents. Meanwhile, the Aera is the best option for pet owners since it has an odor neutralizer feature, and all its scents are hypoallergenic and safe for pets.

Everyone deserves to have a peaceful and calming refuge from all the noise and chaos of the outside world. Use these sensory design techniques to create a pleasant indoor environment and turn your home into a haven.