How to create a multi sensory room for your home
We show you how to decorate your home with serene sensory items that will stimulate your senses and spark creativity
Image: Iris Thorsteinsdottir
If you enjoy being surrounded by nature, you’ll be delighted to hear that SS18 is about bringing every element of the outside in. From woody textures and forest green hues to the scent of fresh cut flowers and the sound of birds singing, the sensory ascpects of our natural environment will feature heavily in this seasonal decorating trend.
Follow these simple, feel-good ideas from our Style Editor, Jessica Taverner to create rooms that stimulate your senses and spark creativity.
Embrace earthy colours
Image: Iris Thorsteinsdottir
Draw inspiration from the English countryside with fresh greens, teal blue and dusky pink. Combine these organic hues with lots of natural wood, mineral and stones for an eco-inspired finish. Look out for recycled materials, too, which will help add character.
Fill your home with natural sounds
Image: Urban Outfitters
A good way to unwind in the evening is to sit back and listen to soothing sounds, such as gurgling streams, wind in trees or birdsong, to help relax your mind and switch of from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Try creating a playlist of recordings from nature that you can put on for easy listening at home, or simply play a selection of your favourite records.
Infuse your home with the scents of nature
Image: Rachel Vosper
Clean, crisp smells such as wild flowers, freshly cut grass and bark are all associated with late summer days spent in the countryside. Use these notes to fragrance your home, evoking a sense of calm. A reed diffuser will add a constant, subtle aroma to your surroundings. To create a more intense atmosphere, light a few scented candles.
Decorate with plants
Image: Iris Thorsteinsdottir
Find clever ways to incorporate foliage into your home. Attach wallhung planters to your exterior to attract insects and birds. Or try creating a living picture – see ideas at youtube.com/bandq
Add tactile textures
Image: Iris Thorsteinsdottir
Combine contrasting fabrics and finishes for a tactile effect, create interest by pairing recycled wood pallets or jute rugs with smooth, polished concrete, for example.
For further inspiration, take a look at Alastair Sawday’s Canopy & Stars chic crane-treehouse high above the harbour in Bristol. The industrial container has been transformed into a stylish, multisensory getaway.