Posted on 19 April 2021 by jess
Sensory Rooms are neutral spaces designed to calm a user’s mind and body.
They’re typically used when someone is feeling overstimulated or anxious, as the room’s calming features help to reduce the risk of a meltdown or an anxiety attack; because of this, Sensory Rooms are beneficial in schools, hospitals and public spaces that are typically loud, busy, and overwhelming.
Neutrality is a key aspect of a sensory room. Not in a chic Swedish minimalistic design sense. But in the sense that your space can act as a blank canvas for any user to quickly transform into their own colourfully comforting sensory environment. A neutrally designed Multi-Sensory Room allows anyone to create their own personalised, immersive sensory environment. Whilst one user might like a dark space that’s great for focusing on a bubble tube’schanging colours, another might prefer a brighter space filled with natural light so that they can connect their senses to nature.
Our Sensory Design Team has put together a list of 5 Sensory Room Decoration Tips for you to follow – they’re simple and will help you create an inclusive sensory space.
1. Colours can be overstimulating. Keep it simple
There’s a good reason why you wouldn’t paint your bedroom a lively lime green; it’s not the most soothing colour to help us relax before a night’s sleep.
This same logic should be applied to your sensory space.
We’d recommend using cool and neutral colours to decorate the walls of your sensory room. However, if you’d like to add a splash of colour, keep it simple and natural with a calm duck egg blue or a soft sage green.
2. White-ish is best for light effects
White-ish, plain-coloured walls are the best for projection and light effects as they reflect their wonderful colours and patterns without augmenting any sensory magic.
The plain walls also create a brilliant blank canvas for you to create a personal sensory experience. Project, reflect and create imagination portals around the room and design a personal immersive sensory world.
3. Why white-ish and not white?
Bright white colours can be overstimulating for people with sensory processing difficulties. White paint is excellent at reflecting light, making a sensory room too bright and overstimulating.
Whitewashed walls can also feel imposing, sterile, and scary – far from the warm comfort your sensory room should bring.
4. Keep the floors dark
We’d recommend darker-coloured carpets to cover the floor of your sensory space as they’re less likely to show marks.
Darker floors are also great for making sensory spaces more inclusive for people with visual impairments; the contrast between a dark floor and a light wall helps them map out their environment better, so they can safely exploretheir senses.
5. Dark Colours for Dark Rooms
If you want to create a special Dark Room, we’d recommend using dark colours on the walls to enhance the room’s sensory experience. For example, dark blue walls could quickly become galaxies filled with stars and relaxing dreams. Whilst dark green walls could become a hidden forest perfect for nature explorers.
Now you should be ready to start preparing your sensory space decoration plans. But before you do that, make sure you avoid these sensory room design mistakes!
What you should avoid when it comes to decorating your Sensory Room
- Stimulating colours: Red, Orange, Yellow and bright neon shades – your sensory room needs a neutral, cool, and calm aesthetic.
- Fluorescent lighting: Bright fluorescent lighting can be particularly overstimulating and disorienting for those with visual sensitivities, even going so far as triggering meltdowns and migraines. Try to make the most of natural lighting.
- Patterns: Wallpaper, murals, and patterns will distract room users. They’re fun in soft play environments, but it’s best to keep it simple if you want to create a therapeutic sensory room.
Our key Sensory Room Decoration takeaway: Remember to think practically and with your senses instead of creating an insta-perfect space.
If you’d like more room advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our sensory design team – who will be more than happy to help.
Did you know that our installation team offer complete room redecoration services? Get in touch if you’d like to find out more.
Sensory Room Colour Guide
Download our free Sensory Room Colour Guide today to inspire your next sensory project.
FAQs
Choose your colors based on emotional or personal preference or to control responses to an environment. Calming colors: black, white, purple, blue, green. Stimulating colors: brown, yellow, orange, and red.
What is the best color for a sensory room? ›
Pastel tones = Comforting, calming, supportive. Neutral tones = Similar to above. Creates a sense of wellbeing. Blue = Encourages calm, regulates the nervous system, creates a quiet and relaxing space.
Should a sensory room be dark? ›
Firstly, a sensory space needs to be dark to be fit for purpose. The lighting needs to be darkened, if not almost blacked out and softly lit with resources, to bring either a sense of calm or stimulation and curiosity.
What colors are good for overstimulation? ›
Natural colors, including browns, soft pastels, and earthen hues, reduce hyperactivity. Walls made with these colors help avoid the cold, distant feeling of white walls. Also, their natural colors are easier to process than bright tones.
What should a sensory room look like? ›
It has a Bubble Tube Seating Area, sensory lighting and Bubble tube fibre optic mirrors. A regular sensory room has a soft seating arrangement and a wide variety of interesting things to assess, and it might also contain multi-sensory equipment such as a musical touch wall beanbag chair and soft music.
What colors are sensory friendly? ›
Greens, blues, pinks, soft oranges and neutrals can be very comforting. Keeping the colors muted, these tones can quiet the mind and create calm.
What color is most calming to the brain? ›
Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace. Purple can invoke a tranquil feeling that helps reduce stress.
What does a good sensory room need? ›
What should be in a sensory room?
- Weighted blankets. Weighted blankets are heavier blankets designed to provide deep pressure that helps children feel hugged and comforted. ...
- Tactile pillows. ...
- Mood Lighting. ...
- Neat and Accessible Storage Bins. ...
- Soothing Sounds/Music. ...
- Sensory Room Toys. ...
- Sensory Walls.
Windows are not essential and often end up being covered with blinds or film adding to costs. If daylight and natural ventilation is required consider an appropriate size window and suitable position – we can advise on this. their function must not be hindered in the event of an emergency occurring.
Why is lighting important in a sensory room? ›
Lighting can evoke the senses and calm the body. It's easy, therefore, to appreciate the function it plays in a sensory room and so aiding those with autism or sensory processing disorders.
Colors like red and orange increase anxiety and stress, sometimes even fear. Red and orange are associated with an emergency that can elicit images of emergency vehicles with their lights and sirens on.
What color gives calm vibes? ›
Shades of Blue and Green
“Shades of blue or green are known to have a relaxing effect—perfect for creating a serene feeling at home,” says Nicole Gibbons, interior designer and founder of the paint company Clare.
What colors stimulate the brain? ›
Warm colors, such as yellow, orange, pink, and red can motivate and energize us. However, if they're too intense, they can also be irritating. Cool colors, such as green, blue, and violet can have a calming effect on us.
What are the rules for using a sensory room? ›
Supervision of an adult is always required in a sensory space and when using equipment. Use the room at a predictable time which is scheduled into the student's day. Do not use the space as a reward or for managing behaviour. Give students choice in the sensory space.
What is the catchy name for a sensory room? ›
Some examples of names of sensory rooms include: The Sensory Modulation Room. The Sensory Room. The Zen Room.
How do you structure a sensory room? ›
Below are seven tips for designing, devel- oping, and successfully opening an effective sensory room in your school:
- Assign, label, and promote the space. ...
- Use calming colors and lighting. ...
- Use carpet or mats to cover floors/walls. ...
- Add sensory/therapy room posters. ...
- Make sensory equipment available. ...
- Start slowly.
Red is one of the most intense, stimulating colors that raises a room's energy. Muted shades can pique feelings of love, passion, and sensuality, while bright hues may trigger anger, strength, and power.
What Colour is calming for autism? ›
Autism-friendly colors refer to hues that are typically soothing and calming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These often include pastel blues, greens, soft pinks, lilacs, and neutral tones like beige and grey.
What color room is calming to the eyes? ›
Shades of Blue and Green
“Light sages and light sky blues are often associated with spa-inspired rooms. There's also some scientific research indicating that due to the short wavelengths of cooler colors and how our cones perceive them, greens and blues are the most relaxing to our eyes,” she says.
What colors are stimulating? ›
Warm colors (red, orange, and yellow) stimulate and excite the parts of the brain that control action. Cool colors (violet, blue, and green) light up the parts of the brain that control the impulse to act or move. Psychologically, warm colors seem to be closer to you, whereas cool colors seem to be further away.
