Skip to main content

Sensory Design: How the 5 Senses Influence Interior Architecture

The sensory design of a building – how it feels rather than simply how it looks – can make a difference to how people react to being in it. How can this be applied to hotels?

A wellness seeker relaxing in a hotel spa amid candles and greenery

“Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.”

 

The wise words of Yoshio Taniguchi, Japanese architect and brains behind the redesign of MOMA in New York, capture the importance of sensory design. When both architecture and interior design take into account human needs, they can have a considerable influence on mood, focus and total well-being, creating emotional resonance as well as a feeling of security, safety and connection – all important factors whether you’re travelling for work or on holiday with family. So if the goal of sensory design – sometimes also known as “haptic architecture” – in hotels is to move beyond how they look to how they feel, smell and sound, how is this achieved? Well, of course, staying at Novotel hotels is a good start! 

What exactly is sensory design?

Briefly, sensory design is a human approach to interior architecture that goes well beyond the merely visual to involve all five senses. It’s less wrapped up in outward appearance and more concerned with how a place “feels” or resonates, and works by involving the following elements:

  • Sight: The careful use of lighting, colour and patterns is used to create specific moods, and can have a huge impact on mood and energy levels.
  • Smell: Scent is very important in sensory design, thanks to its ability to stir up memories and reduce anxiety. Lavender is particularly good for relaxation.
  • Sound: The catchword of the moment is “soundscaping”: using acoustics or natural noise to reduce negative sounds. Music is often used to promote tranquility – hence the ambient music used in hotel spas.
  • Taste: A layout that encourages experimentation with flavours is vital for the hospitality industry. Our sense of taste is also enhanced by social interaction around the sharing of food, the shape and colour of crockery and cutlery, or glassware design. 
  • Touch: Incorporating natural textures like wood, stone or soft fabrics into design provides comfort and familiarity.
     

Essentially, sensory design acknowledges that we spend most of our time indoors, so it’s vital that our environment supports our physical and mental health rather than just looking good. Its common applications include creating quiet and restful “zones” in domestic housing, or using natural light and white noise in hospitals. In hospitality, sensory design has an almost theatrical element, allowing guests to leave their familiar world – and all its issues – behind and step into the warm embrace of a carefully curated experience.

Good to know: It’s known that sensory design helps to create an inclusive environment and thus supports neurodiversity. 

 

A couple enjoying a sensory spa experience with hot stones and a calm ambience

Sensory design in hotels: luxury made tactile

Where once luxury in hotels would be measured by grand marble fittings or the square footage of your penthouse suite, today it is increasingly defined by emotional reaction. Sensory design is being used in hotels to evoke feelings, create precious memories for guests and – of course – shape brand identity and loyalty. Hotel guests often forget what they saw, but they remember how they felt, so the current era of hospitality design believes that light, scent, taste, sound and texture work together to create environments that comfort, inspire and calm the brain. 


With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality design, Nicolas Capéran of London-based studio Takagicapéran has recently transformed Novotel London Bridge as well as Novotel York Centre using multi-sensory architecture and interior design elements. His goal? To translate the personality of each space – from lobby to bar, restaurant to guest room or spa – into a unique experience filled with discovery, surprise and emotion. 

The lobby at Novotel York Centre, featuring multi-sensory design elements

6 ways interior design alleviates mental health during travel

Well-designed spaces in hotels undoubtedly reduce travel-related stress and foster relaxation. Thoughtful design turns a hotel room from an impersonal place into a sanctuary for holistic well-being and sound sleep, whereas a poor environment and noisy backdrop will increase anxiety and stress levels. The key ways interior design can support mental health during travel include:
 

  1. Connection to nature: “Biophilic design” is another phrase of the moment, and covers the inclusion of natural elements like plants, wood, stone and sunlight into design to lower stress and blood pressure while improving mood. 

  2. Psychology of colour: Muted palettes of soft blues, greens and neutrals create tranquil environments in which travellers can relax. Conversely, vibrant colours used in the public areas of a hotel encourage social interaction.

  3. Use of lighting: Access to natural light helps regulate sleep patterns and circadian rhythms; both are critical for mental health when on the move. Hotel rooms with warm lighting, dimmer lamps or apps for you to create your own mood lighting foster a restful and cosy vibe. Harsh lights can induce stress. 

  4. Spatial layout: A well-organised, minimalist room space is easy to navigate and promotes a sense of control and calm, with cluttered layouts making it hard to relax. 

  5. Physical comfort: Appropriate furniture thoughtfully arranged (cosy armchairs or a desk by the window) in a hotel room will reduce physical strain and enhance relaxation.

  6. Security: Features like secure door locks and a welcoming décor contribute to a sense of safety and promote a feeling of “belonging” in unfamiliar hotel rooms.

Good to know: Views of nature (or even landscape paintings) can provide a “mini-break” for the mind. 

 

Plants and natural textures, common sensory design elements at Novotel hotels

 

Novotel has already taken sensory design on board, so wherever you stay with us, you’re sure to be wrapped in a comforting cocoon of comfort and relaxation. Staying in our warm and welcoming hotels will inspire you to follow your travel-wellness rituals and help mitigate any travel anxiety you may experience.

  • Luxury is now defined by how a place feels, not looks.
  • Interior design impacts mental health during travel.
  • Hotels are now being designed with all five senses in mind. 

FAQs about sensory design

What’s the difference between sensory and biophilic design?

Sensory design works on appealing to all five human senses when creating functional and comfortable spaces. Biophilic design is an additional tool to use alongside sensory design and works on forming a calming reconnection with nature through the use of plants, water (perhaps in fountains), sunlight and natural textures.

How does lighting affect mood in interior design?


The psychology of light is a complex issue that pays a huge part in sensory design. Scientific studies reveal that light has the power to create emotions, with different types stimulating or calming the brain. A space illuminated in soft, warm tones sends out messages of comfort and welcome, while cool lighting can increase alertness and productivity. Natural light is vital for biological balance too, as it helps to regulate internal rhythms.

Can sound and acoustics influence well-being?

The answer to that is a very big “yes”. There’s a very close relationship between acoustics and mental health, especially in indoor environments, with acoustics directly influencing well-being and emotional balance. Get the interior acoustics wrong and people will suffer noise-induced stress and cognitive overload, finding it nigh-on impossible to relax. Getting the balance right means healthier and more mindful spaces that people actively enjoy.

Articles

  • Best Noise To Sleep: How Sound Environments Boost Rest During Travel

    You might find that nature sounds provide the best noise to help you sleep, or you may discover that one of the three main noise colours suits you best.   White noise is the most popular colour noise for sleeping. It is a mixture of all frequencies on the sound spectrum, and it is a little like static or a consistent "shhhhh" sound. It's good for sound masking (blocking out potential background disturbances), as it gives the brain's auditory cortex something to focus on rather than picking out random sounds as threats. White noise machines are widely available and come with timers, allowing white noise to be turned off automatically when you're likely to reach deep sleep. Pink noise also provides a steady sound and blocks out unwanted noises, but it has a lower pitch and a deeper sound than white noise. Some people find this soundscape warmer and more soothing. These lower-frequency sounds are similar to nature sounds, like gently rolling waves. While pink noise is less harsh than white, it might not be quite as effective at blocking out all sounds. Brown noise provides a deep, low rumble that sounds a little like distant thunder or a tumbling waterfall. Many people find it very grounding. Brown noise is good at blocking out lower-frequency sounds, such as traffic noise or planes, but not quite so good at masking high-pitched sounds. It's also sometimes called red noise.

  • How To Fit Breathing Exercises for Stress into Your Work Schedule

    As well as calming you down before important presentations or interviews, breathing exercises for stress are highly effective if you're looking to combat fear and fatigue during flights, whether short or long-haul. Stress caused by delays on the road or public transport can also kickstart anxiety when you’ve got somewhere to be. Controlled breathing signals to your nervous system that you are back in charge. The 4-7-8 breathing routine: This rhythmic deep-breathing exercise involves inhaling through your nose for a count of 4, holding for 7 and exhaling through the mouth for 8. It acts like a natural tranquilliser, slowing your heart rate, reducing panic and counteracting claustrophobia if you're in the confined environment of a train or plane. Breathe and squeeze: Breathing air out of your mouth and slowly sucking it back through your nose while squeezing your glutes and pelvis slows your heart rate and reduces muscle tension. An extended exhale: A quick fix for immediate relief in stressful situations (a missed train or forgotten notes), the 2-to-1 rule requires you to inhale for a number of seconds and exhale for twice as long. It works by reducing stress hormones and can rapidly calm anxiety in crowded airports and railway stations. Box breathing: Sit upright. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4, exhale for 4 and hold for 4. Repeat for 3 minutes to balance oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and lower cortisol levels. It’ll help with transport delays and cabin anxiety on board planes.

  • Hydration Tips for Travellers: Stay Energised and Balanced on the Go

    "Pre-hydration" is the first tip for any long journey, and you should drink as much water as possible in the 24 hours before a long flight or road trip. Try to think of water as essential, like your passport or boarding pass, and stay ahead of thirst by always carrying a bottle with you and taking regular sips as you go. (Most airports have fountains where you can refill after security checks for liquids.) Set your phone to sound occasional alarms that will remind you to take a drink when you're tired or preoccupied.