How To Design With Your Senses (And Why It’s Important)
Our senses guide us every day of our lives – and help us experience and navigate the world around us. But did you know they can also help you design your home? Yep, sight, sound, touch, and smell are actually essential for creating an interior that looks, feels, and even smells like you. So let us show you how to design with your senses – and create a home that you truly connect with on every level.
Utilizing all your senses (well, in this case maybe not taste) when designing your space will help you create a home that is appealing, mood-altering, and totally stimulating. It can also help you feel more relaxed, comfortable, content, and even happier. But how exactly do you use your nose, ears, eyes, and hands to make it happen? We’ll explain it all – just keep reading. You can also learn a lot more about how to design with your senses in Bobby’s new book, Right At Home!
For more design, don’t miss What’s Your Interior Design Style: A List Of All the Styles, 5 Design Rules You Should Always Follow, and The Best Free Interior Design Apps: 5 Of Our Favorites To Furnish Your Home.
design for your senses
SMELL
The right smells have the ability to instantly change our moods (for the better). So follow your nose, and be sure to fill your home with a scent that adds just the right feeling, whether it be calming, energizing, or invigorating. Candles, diffusers, or essential oils are all effective options for dispersing scent in your space, but you can also add a soothing smell through bath products, hand soaps, or a room spray. Just be sure to choose an option that appeals to your nose. For a relaxing vibe, opt for lavender or eucalyptus. To stay focused, stick to peppermint. And for a scent that will transport you, opt for Bobby’s favorite sandalwood candle.
design for your senses
SIGHT
You may be thinking, “of course, you would use your sight in design!” But besides employing your eyes to pick out furniture and lighting, you should also think about adding things to your sightline with will bring you joy. It’s essential to surround yourself with items that make you happy – and the things in your home that you see every day have the power to do just that! Adding photos of loved ones, treasured artwork, family heirlooms, or items passed down through generations can elicit a joyous response every time you glance over at them. Even functional items can be visually pleasing – and perk you up.
design for your senses
TOUCH
Scientifically speaking, touch is made up of signals that travel up your nerves, into your spinal cord, and on to your brain. But from an emotional standpoint, touch makes us feel an array of emotions depending on what we get our hands on. Soft and smooth textures, like pillows, throws, and upholstery create a sense of security and comfort. Inviting bedding beckons us to get cozy and go to sleep. Even a plush rug under our feet can give a room a more appealing, tactile approach. So fill your space with textures that you really enjoy feeling.
