Engage the 5 Senses for Decorating Appeal
Create positively pleasing rooms by bringing sights, sounds and more that soothe or stimulate as you desire
Houzz Contributor. I love interior design and all things houses. It has been my great privilege to create spaces over the last eleven years to a varied and loyal clientele.
Houzz Contributor. I love interior design and all things houses. It has... More »
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Have you ever thought about your favorite room in your house? Does it relax you, wake you up or make you feel contemplative? A thoughtfully designed room can have a calming effect, stimulate memory or refresh us. Chances are that your favorite room evokes positive emotions by appealing to one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell or touch.
Keeping these senses in mind is not difficult or even expensive when you're putting a room together. It's just simply part of the details of a room. These details can be included in the smallest of rooms or make the scale of a large room feel more human. I always try to keep these five senses in mind when designing a room for someone else, a key step in making that room feel more personal. Here are some tricks for designing your rooms with these five senses in mind.
Keeping these senses in mind is not difficult or even expensive when you're putting a room together. It's just simply part of the details of a room. These details can be included in the smallest of rooms or make the scale of a large room feel more human. I always try to keep these five senses in mind when designing a room for someone else, a key step in making that room feel more personal. Here are some tricks for designing your rooms with these five senses in mind.
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by Chioco Design
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| Sight Mix it up! I cannot emphasize this enough. Don't be afraid to mix patterns, textures and colors. I love this room, a visual masterpiece with all of the different elements. This really stimulates my eyes. Tip: A little bit of zebra pattern will awaken even the most sleepy eyes. |
| Arrange your seating to capture a view. When looking at your empty room, first identify the best view. Position the furniture or a portion of the furniture to highlight the sights outside or a great feature inside the room, such as a fireplace. |
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Hearing
When placing furniture, keep in mind proximity to a window. Easy access to calming sounds from outside can really improve a room.
When placing furniture, keep in mind proximity to a window. Easy access to calming sounds from outside can really improve a room.
by Aquascape Inc.
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In the landscape, try to include a water element. Small fountains are easy to incorporate and will create a soothing sound you can enjoy both outside and inside, through a window.
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Taste
Appeal to the sense of taste with appetite-inducing red or orange in the kitchen or dining room. Even just a vibrant red accent wall in a dining area will do the trick.
See when to use red in the kitchen
Appeal to the sense of taste with appetite-inducing red or orange in the kitchen or dining room. Even just a vibrant red accent wall in a dining area will do the trick.
See when to use red in the kitchen
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| Make room for dining accessories. Keep plates and flatware in full view arranged artfully on your countertops. This look is not to be confused with cluttered countertops; keep arrangements neat and include fresh fruit. Here is a chance to use a decorative bowl or favorite kitchen accessory that would otherwise collect dust in the pantry. |
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by French Larkspur
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| Smell Lavender is a wonderful fragrant plant that can easily be included in small doses in any room. I love this fragrant plant in both its live and dried forms. Other fragrant plants include rosemary and mint. |
by Incorporated
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If it works where you live, arrange your furniture next to an open window. The smells that come from just simple fresh air are very calming. If you have a fragrant tree or vegetable garden outside, an open window will allow these scents into your home.
Touch
Look around your room and see if there is any small area that can be textured. Adding wallpaper or a painted faux finish will enhance the textural experience of a room. Use materials that are curious and make you think, "I wonder what that feels like."
Look around your room and see if there is any small area that can be textured. Adding wallpaper or a painted faux finish will enhance the textural experience of a room. Use materials that are curious and make you think, "I wonder what that feels like."
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by Phoebe Howard
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| Contrast textures in a sitting area. Sofas and chairs that are soft to the touch are fun to sit on. Consider soft fabrics like cotton, silk velvet and brushed linen. Layers of textures with tables and rugs will spark your interest and make you want to touch each element. Tell us: Do you decorate with the five senses in mind? |
Comments
Paintings by Kirsten Elizabeth Gilmore I often paint with the senses in mind. My most recent, large abstract painting (shown below) has deep texture that was meant to be touched. (And it's varnished, so you can do so without damaging it.) Also, I think in terms of calming lines and colors that are like sounds: quiet passages juxtaposed with bright accents, but nothing blaringly loud or distracting. Here is a link to purchase: https://www.etsy.com/listing/124691313/original-abstract-painting-yellow-gray 
3 months ago · Like
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Rough Linen Sometimes I think if it has a lock on the door, it's my favorite room!
3 months ago · Like
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Dana Veach Good advice, Charmean. I border on being a synesthete, and I cannot design without considering how a space will impact the senses since I can sometimes experience sensory overload. But color and texture are literally delicious to me, and taste and smell "feel" and have dimension. It is frequently a strange world, I suppose, but I daily marvel at the wonder and beauty of it all!
3 months ago · Like
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inlimbo I have a great book written in 1996 called "Creating a SenseSational Home" by Terry Willits which is wonderful and addresses the five senses. I don't know if you could find the book but the name of her company is SenseSational Homes, Inc. in Marietta, GA. I think I got my book through Southern Living. Worth a try.
3 months ago · Like
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zillij I love your point that it doesn't have to cost more to incorporate all the senses in decorating - just being aware of existing elements & placing certain items can make a difference!
3 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Feb. 25, 2013.
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