You can have a home that visually stuns and feels cosy and inviting. Learn how to incorporate tactile and natural materials into your space to create a sensory home. Your nervous system will thank you.
A welcome change in interior design has been seeing homes function as places of restoration. A space can look good but if it doesn’t calm your nervous system, you have a problem. The world is feeling increasingly loud and in order to invite warmth and presence, you can incorporate natural and tactile materials for a home that feels refreshed and serene.
Why natural materials calm the senses
Natural materials are grounding. Even in urban homes, materials such as wood, stone, linen, clay and wool can connect us back to nature. Start with wood: pine, oak, or walnut with visible grain to add visual depth and warmth.
Layer texture for comfort
Texture plays a huge role in how a home feels. If you layer tactile materials – from linen curtains or cotton bedding to woven rugs and wool throws – you can create depth but these also absorb sound. It makes the room feel cosier, especially if you have a open-plan home. Soft textures always invite touch and it encourages you to slow down and be present. Your home is not just something that looks appealing, you want to be able to engage with your surroundings.
Balance soft and solid elements
A sensory home works really well if there’s contrast. Soft furnishings go with weighty pieces and help the space feel balanced. Ceramic vases, handmade bowls or stone lamp bases introduce structure, which is a nice contrast to more plush textiles. Add some personality with handcrafted objects, which serve as subtle artistry that elevates everyday living.
Engage scent and temperature
Sensory is not just what we can see and touch, it’s also what we can smell. So opt for beeswax candles, essential oils or incense. These can shape the mood of a room instantly. Materials such as wool or boucle can also regulate temperature, making your space feel ever so cosy throughout the seasons.
Curate, don’t clutter
You don’t have to just fill your home with things. A sensory home is about choosing fewer, considered pieces that feel good to live with. Each item is to have a purpose, so that your home becomes a space you instinctively want to return to. Aim for a calm and personal home that grounds you and keeps you happy.
First published by Woman & Home
Compiled by Shaneen Noble
Also see: Timeless home decor lessons you can steal from grandma
