Understanding Sensory Interior Design: How Environment Impacts Neurodivergent Individuals

In this post, we're diving deep into a fascinating topic: Sensory Interior Design. This approach considers how our environments affect our mental health and productivity, particularly for highly sensitive and neurodivergent individuals. It's a topic we explored in our latest podcast episode, Reinventing Life And Space With Stephanie Jackson, featuring the incredible Stephanie Jackson of Practical Sanctuary. Stephanie shares her journey of creating spaces that support focus, healing, and emotional regulation through thoughtful design. This blog post expands on those concepts, providing practical examples and resources for creating your own sensory-friendly spaces.

The Intersection of Design and Neurodiversity

For many years, interior design has focused primarily on aesthetics and functionality. While these are important, they often overlook a crucial element: the impact of the environment on our nervous systems. Neurodiversity, which encompasses variations in brain function and behavioral traits, highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to design. People with conditions like autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and even those who are simply highly sensitive, can experience the world in a way that makes traditional design challenging. Bright lights, loud noises, and cluttered spaces can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety, difficulty focusing, and even physical discomfort.

Sensory Interior Design recognizes these differences and seeks to create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also supportive of neurological well-being. It’s about understanding how different sensory inputs—light, sound, texture, color, and smell—affect individuals and tailoring the environment to meet their specific needs. This approach goes beyond simply creating a "pretty" room; it's about crafting a sanctuary that promotes calm, focus, and emotional regulation.

Stephanie Jackson's Journey: From Art to Sensory Interior Design

Stephanie Jackson's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of finding your unique purpose. As mentioned in the episode's show notes, Stephanie faced significant personal and professional challenges, including the harsh realities of the art world and financial collapse. But through these experiences, she discovered a passion for creating spaces that support well-being. Her background in art, combined with her understanding of neuroscience and psychology, led her to develop the concept of Sensory Interior Design. Now, through Practical Sanctuary, she empowers others to transform their homes and lives.

Stephanie's journey is a powerful reminder that our greatest challenges can often lead to our greatest opportunities. She has taken her personal experiences and turned them into a mission to help others create environments that nurture their mental and emotional health. Her work is a testament to the fact that design can be a powerful tool for healing and empowerment.

What is Sensory Interior Design?

Sensory Interior Design is a holistic approach to creating environments that support neurological well-being. It focuses on understanding how different sensory inputs affect individuals and tailoring spaces to meet their specific needs. This goes beyond traditional aesthetics and functionality, considering the impact of light, sound, texture, color, and smell on the nervous system.

Key principles of Sensory Interior Design include:

• Understanding Sensory Sensitivities: Recognizing that individuals have different sensory thresholds and preferences.
• Creating Zones of Regulation: Designing spaces that offer a range of sensory experiences, allowing individuals to choose environments that support their current needs.
• Minimizing Sensory Overload: Reducing stimuli that can be overwhelming, such as harsh lighting, loud noises, and excessive clutter.
• Incorporating Calming Elements: Introducing elements that promote relaxation and focus, such as natural light, soft textures, and soothing colors.
• Promoting a Sense of Safety and Security: Creating environments that feel safe, predictable, and comfortable.

By applying these principles, Sensory Interior Design can create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also supportive of mental and emotional well-being.

How Sensory Design Differs from Traditional Design

The main difference between Sensory Interior Design and traditional design lies in the focus. Traditional design often prioritizes aesthetics, following trends and creating visually pleasing spaces. While functionality is also considered, the impact of the environment on the nervous system is often overlooked. Sensory Interior Design, on the other hand, places the individual's sensory needs at the forefront. It's about creating spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also supportive of mental and emotional health.

Here's a comparison:

• Traditional Design: Focuses on aesthetics, trends, and general functionality.
• Sensory Interior Design: Focuses on individual sensory needs, neurological well-being, and creating supportive environments.

Traditional design might choose a color palette based on current trends, while Sensory Interior Design would consider how different colors affect mood and energy levels. Traditional design might prioritize open-concept living, while Sensory Interior Design would recognize that some individuals need quiet, enclosed spaces for focus and regulation. Sensory Interior Design is not about sacrificing aesthetics; it's about integrating them with a deeper understanding of human needs.

The Impact on Highly Sensitive and Neurodivergent Individuals

Highly sensitive and neurodivergent individuals often experience the world with heightened awareness. This can be a gift, allowing them to appreciate beauty and connect with others on a deeper level. However, it can also make them more vulnerable to sensory overload and environmental stressors. Traditional design, with its emphasis on aesthetics and functionality, can often exacerbate these challenges.

For example, bright fluorescent lights can be painful for individuals with light sensitivity. Loud noises can be overwhelming for those with auditory sensitivities. Cluttered spaces can be distracting and anxiety-inducing for those with ADHD. Sensory Interior Design offers a solution by creating environments that are tailored to meet these specific needs. By minimizing sensory overload and incorporating calming elements, it can create spaces that promote focus, relaxation, and emotional regulation.

The impact can be profound:

• Reduced Anxiety and Stress: By creating a calming and supportive environment.
• Improved Focus and Concentration: By minimizing distractions and promoting a sense of calm.
• Enhanced Emotional Regulation: By providing spaces for retreat and self-soothing.
• Increased Productivity and Creativity: By creating an environment that supports optimal functioning.
• Improved Overall Well-being: By creating a space that feels safe, comfortable, and supportive.

Small Changes, Profound Effects: Practical Examples

You don't need to completely overhaul your home to create a more sensory-friendly environment. Small changes can have a profound impact. Here are some practical examples:

• Lighting: Replace harsh fluorescent lights with soft, warm-toned LED bulbs. Use dimmers to control the intensity of the light. Consider adding natural light sources, such as skylights or larger windows.
• Sound: Use sound-absorbing materials, such as rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture, to reduce echo and noise levels. Consider adding white noise machines or calming soundscapes to mask distracting noises.
• Texture: Incorporate a variety of textures to create visual and tactile interest. Use soft, comfortable fabrics, such as velvet, wool, and cotton. Consider adding textured wall coverings or rugs.
• Color: Choose calming colors, such as blues, greens, and neutrals, to create a sense of peace and tranquility. Avoid bright, stimulating colors in areas where you need to focus or relax.
• Smell: Use natural scents, such as essential oils, to create a pleasant and calming atmosphere. Avoid synthetic fragrances, which can be overwhelming and irritating.
• Clutter: Minimize clutter to reduce distractions and create a sense of calm. Use storage solutions to keep items organized and out of sight.
• Plants: Add plants to create a connection with nature and improve air quality. Choose plants that are easy to care for and have a calming effect, such as lavender, snake plants, or spider plants.

These are just a few examples, and the specific changes that will be most effective will depend on your individual needs and preferences. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you.

Empowering Clients Through Space Transformation

Stephanie Jackson's work at Practical Sanctuary focuses on empowering clients to transform their spaces and their lives. She collaborates with individuals to understand their specific sensory needs and preferences, and then creates customized design solutions that support their well-being. This process is collaborative and empowering, allowing clients to take ownership of their environment and create spaces that truly reflect their unique needs.

As highlighted in the episode's show notes, Stephanie helps clients understand how their environment affects their mental health and productivity. She provides them with the tools and knowledge they need to create spaces that promote focus, healing, and emotional regulation. Her approach is not about imposing a specific design style, but about empowering clients to create environments that support their individual needs and goals.

Stephanie's Work as an Educator and Speaker

Beyond her work as a sensory interior designer, Stephanie is also an educator and speaker, sharing her knowledge and passion with others. She teaches massage therapy and speaks on topics related to neurodiversity and design. Her work as an educator is a testament to her commitment to empowering others to create spaces that support their well-being.

Stephanie's upcoming book, The Eccentric Genius Habitat Intervention (Coming September 2025), promises to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Sensory Interior Design. She is also scheduled to speak at the Neurodiversity and Innovation Conference in Baltimore in October 2025, which will be a great opportunity to learn from her and other experts in the field.

Resources for Further Exploration

If you're interested in learning more about Sensory Interior Design, here are some resources to explore:

• Stephanie Jackson's website: https://practicalsanctuary.com/ - Learn more about Stephanie's work and services.
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron: A classic book on understanding and embracing high sensitivity.
• The San Francisco Art Institute: Where Stephanie Studied.
• Community College of Philadelphia: Where Stephanie teaches.
• Neurodiversity and Innovation Conference in Baltimore (October 2025): An upcoming event where you can learn from experts in the field.

These resources can provide you with valuable information and inspiration for creating your own sensory-friendly spaces.

Creating Spaces that Support Well-being

Ultimately, Sensory Interior Design is about creating spaces that support well-being. It's about understanding how our environments affect our mental and emotional health and tailoring them to meet our specific needs. Whether you're highly sensitive, neurodivergent, or simply looking to create a more calming and supportive home, Sensory Interior Design can offer a powerful framework for transformation.

By incorporating calming elements, minimizing sensory overload, and promoting a sense of safety and security, you can create spaces that promote focus, relaxation, and emotional regulation. This can have a profound impact on your overall well-being, allowing you to thrive in your home and in your life.

We hope this blog post has provided you with valuable insights into the principles and practices of Sensory Interior Design. As we discussed in our podcast episode, Reinventing Life And Space With Stephanie Jackson, Stephanie's work is a testament to the power of design to transform lives. By understanding your sensory needs and making small changes to your environment, you can create spaces that support your well-being and empower you to live your best life.