By Pippa Jameson, Interior Stylist, Author and Founder of The Sensory Home®
At Heal’s and The Sensory Home®, we’re passionate about how our surroundings influence our mental and emotional well-being. This is the essence of sensory design—a thoughtful, multi-sensory approach to creating spaces that support us physically and emotionally.
The environment we live in has a profound impact on how we feel, think, and rest. In the case of the bedroom—a space specifically designed for sleep—embracing sensory design principles can be life-changing.
Heal’s and The Sensory Home® are here to help you achieve a better night’s sleep. With just a few simple changes and product suggestions, we can transform your bedroom into a place of calm and comfort, ensuring you feel rested and recharged every day.
What Is Sensory Design?
Sensory design engages the key senses—sight, touch, sound, scent, and even taste—to create an environment that positively affects how we feel and function. When we consider a bedroom as a place for rest and rejuvenation, we must remember its primary purpose: to promote sleep. We must carefully consider the items we choose to surround ourselves with; sensory design reminds us to strip back distractions and bring balance to the space, encouraging relaxation and mental clarity.
This multi-sensory approach is particularly important for mental well-being. In today’s world, where stress and overstimulation are constant, in the workplace and at home, our bedrooms should become calm spaces—a safe retreat where we can rest and reset.
Why Is This Connection Crucial for Mental Well-Being?
Our environments are directly linked to our mental health. A cluttered, overstimulating bedroom can make it harder for the brain to switch off. In contrast, a space designed for relaxation and purpose can help us sleep more soundly, reduce anxiety and improve focus, so we should prioritise intentional design. Sleep is one of the most fundamental pillars of self-care, and it starts with creating a bedroom that is kind to our senses.
Think about this: if your bedroom is filled with harsh lighting, uncomfortable textures, or constant noise, your mind stays on high alert. This creates an environment that is not conducive to sleep. A well-designed bedroom helps regulate your senses and prepares your body for rest and supports your mental well-being.
Here are five practical ways to transform your bedroom using sensory design principles:
1. Create the Right Lighting
Lighting is one of the most powerful elements in sensory design. Harsh and blue-toned lights keep you alert and make it harder to fall asleep. Choose soft and warm lighting that signals it’s time for rest.
The Pebble portable lamp and Parade LED Table Lamp offer sleek and adjustable lighting suitable for winding down. For versatility, the Ease Lamp is a portable option that allows you to create soft ambient light wherever needed. The Colonna Marble Table Lamp is an excellent choice because its linen shade softly diffuses light for a calming ambience. Its smooth and natural marble base adds a grounding touch.
By controlling brightness and avoiding harsh overhead lighting, you can set a calming atmosphere that helps your brain and body unwind.
2. Incorporate Mindful Practices
A multi-sensory approach to bedtime includes caring for your mental clarity. Journaling or reflecting for just five minutes can help remove mental clutter, making it easier to fall asleep. Writing down worries or plans signals to your brain that letting go of stress for the night is okay.
The Togo offers ergonomic comfort, the perfect chair for mindful rituals like journaling or deep breathing exercises.
3. Engage Your Senses
Sensory design emphasises the importance of touch, scent and even sound.
Touch: Invest in breathable and natural fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable. Heal’s new microfibre duvet range is a sustainable option that offers luxurious comfort while regulating body temperature.
Scent: Diffusers with essential oils like bergamot or lavender can calm your mind and signal that it’s time to sleep.
Sound: The Chali rug’s soft texture and sound-absorbing properties make it an ideal grounding element for a calming and sensory-focused bedroom. Layering rugs with an underlay further enhances noise absorption, while filled bookshelves act as effective natural sound barriers. For additional noise reduction, consider incorporating acoustic panels or sound-absorbing textiles.
4. Block Out Distractions
The bedroom is for sleep and any distractions should be minimised. A high-quality eye mask can block out light, while rugs with underlay can muffle unwanted sound from floors. Bookshelves filled with books can act as stylish sound absorbers, while acoustic panelling provides long-term noise reduction.
By prioritising quiet and darkness, you allow your senses to fully relax.
5. Read to Relax
Reading is a powerful way to shift your mind into a state of restfulness. Instead of staring at a screen, grab a book that inspires calm and creativity. My book, The Sensory Home® explores how design impacts well-being and offers practical tips for creating spaces that support you emotionally and mentally. Pair it with a cosy nook or your bed for the ultimate wind-down ritual.
The Function of the Bedroom: A Sanctuary for Sleep
We often forget the simple function of a bedroom: it’s a space for sleep and everything in it should serve that purpose. From lighting and furniture to textures and scents, every element in your room should contribute to an environment that promotes rest. By taking a multi-sensory approach to design, you can transform your space into a sanctuary where you feel calm, supported and ready to take on the day.
About Pippa Jameson
Pippa Jameson is the founder of The Sensory Home® and one of the UK’s leading interior stylists, celebrated for her expertise in creating thoughtful, emotion-driven spaces. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with renowned brands and publications, blending creativity with a deep understanding of how our surroundings influence well-being.
Through The Sensory Home®, Pippa champions the art of designing interiors that engage the senses—spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious, soothing, and inspiring. You can read more about Pippa’s work at The Sensory Home®.