Prioritizing Privacy: A Simple Secret to Living Well

A private outdoor patio featuring seating with salmon orange cushions

For many, the ultimate luxury is time. While time away from the usual sights and sounds can be restorative, time at home, in a space designed especially for us and our needs, may be the simplest secret to living well.

Crafting a home that mirrors our distinct values is a personal and private experience. This profound understanding and respect for individuality are integral to the studio's interior design process and a cornerstone of preserving client privacy.

A living room with white walls, a teal colored sofa, purple and white pillows, modern wood coffee table, and a purple and grey rug

Establishing a sense of safety and comfort with a home designer is an essential first step. For many of us, a crucial part of building trust is ensuring discretion. When we feel comfortable sharing our needs openly and honestly, our homes can be custom-designed to create supportive spaces where we can thrive.

A living room with white walls, a teal colored sofa, purple and white pillows, modern wood coffee table, and a purple and grey rug

Physical Comfort. Consider the possibilities of personalized ergonomic design. When our homes are meticulously tailored to fit our body dimensions and personal needs, the spaces within our homes can truly support us. The potential for personalization is vast, from the height of countertops and light switch placement to bespoke furniture built to support our bodies.

Soothing and restorative meditation room featuring a large window that looks out onto woodland, custom round grey meditation pillows and an organic, raindrop shaped glass light fixture

Emotional Comfort. Feeling welcome to be open about the reality of our traumatic experiences, grief, and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) through a warm, understanding, and private design process helps make it possible to design soothing and restorative spaces that support emotional needs.

Custom ergonomically designed bathroom featuring grey tiled walls and wooden shower stool, open plan and hand rails make this an accessible shower room

Accessibility and Inclusivity. Spaces custom-designed to meet our specific physical needs can empower and enrich us in daily life. An experienced design team prioritizes creating a safe space during the process where we can honestly share any physical needs that home spaces can be designed to support, such as hearing impairment, vision impairment, color vision deficiency, mobility impairments, and memory loss.

A custom indoor treehouse designed for a neurodivergent child featuring, wood stairs and a light blue cushioned tunnel into a secluded play room.

Healing Spaces. Creating a safe space for open, empathetic communication within the process enables us to collaboratively examine the sensory effects of a space and create inclusive, supportive, and healing home environments designed to help neurodiverse individuals thrive. One of our most fulfilling recent projects is a multi-room living space custom-designed for a family with a neurodivergent child. The space includes an indoor treehouse with a tunnel into an adjacent room and play areas with custom climbing forms. There is a space for reading and focused therapies as well as a sleeping space that incorporates the tactility of soft surfaces connecting intimate and energetic spaces designed to help the child thrive.

Custom designed closet made from reclaimed FSC certified Elm, shelving is custom designed to create tidy storage specific to this homeowners needs

Collections and Clutter. When we are hesitant to share our organizational challenges, sometimes things can feel overwhelming, making it challenging to begin a project. Fostering openness and trust clears a path for us to co-create a highly functional space that caters to our unique needs and lifestyle. Sometimes, it begins with a desire for a more orderly system for storing all of life's necessities. Other times, it's collected or inherited items that require sorting and cataloging. No matter the prompt, increasing order can help us reduce decision fatigue and increase a feeling of lightness.

When inviting construction crews, materials suppliers, and other workers into our homes, it is important to have the support of a designer who is sensitive to our personal needs. A privacy-conscious interior designer encourages trust and clear communication among the construction team to help ensure client privacy is respected at every stage of the process.

Stuffed toy monkey sitting in front of an orange pillow

Sensitive Communication. Open communication helps designers inform other members of supportive teams so they might be sensitive to specific protocols, such as avoiding fragrances, removing shoes, and/or wearing booties. It's common to arrange meetings and site visits around family routines and children's napping schedules, which helps to make the design process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

A custom designed home office featuring black white and grey wallpaper inspired by the pattern of an agate.

Designer as Intermediary. The preferred level of engagement each of us chooses to experience with the design process and other teams involved in the project is a personal choice. Some folks find it enjoyable to get to know the workers, visit the construction site regularly, and be active participants in all of the project happenings. Other folks may prefer their design team to be the main point of contact with the general contractor, real estate agent, art handler, landscape architect, closet designer, engineer, and other specialty trades. Designers can act as intermediaries to create connections and facilitate conversations on a Client's behalf, meeting and communicating with crew and staff to help maintain the Client's desired level of privacy and anonymity.

A peaceful and relaxing blue toned bathroom featuring a blue grey bathtub, grey floor, three arch shaped windows that look out onto woodlands

Establishing private, personal space within our homes often begins with creating physical boundaries that foster a sense of comfort, peace, and well-being. Consider the simple pleasure of enjoying a bath with an inspiring natural view without concern for interruption. With thoughtful design planning, peaceful feelings can be continued throughout our homes.

A quiet home office with ocean views featuring a custom designed desk and shelving

Sound. Quiet space is something to consider when designing a home that offers the utmost privacy. Soundproofing insulation is a great way to create privacy and focus in a library, meditation room, or other personalized retreat. Some environments may benefit from sound masking systems that are fine-tuned to a room environment, filtering out specific frequencies and shielding noise from other home areas.

A luxurious room featuring a tiled fireplace, curved charcoal sofa, black and white marble organically shaped coffee table and glass bubble light fixture with draped chains

Automation. Motorized drapes, shades, and smart glass help us instantly and effortlessly shift between wide-open views and total privacy. Smart window coverings can be controlled by wall-mounted keypads, a cellphone app, or a customized prescheduled set of scenes.

A white walled home entryway featuring a custom made wooden table and pair of sconces made from metal geranium leaves that create warm backlit lighting

Entrances. Design can determine what spaces within our home are accessible to guests and help to protect our personal space. This is easily achieved by creating a distinct entrance room from which the rest of the house cannot easily be seen. For example, a cozy waiting area for very short-term guests creates a polite boundary between visitors and residents.

A custom designed closet made from light wood that contains a home safe concealed within a wood cabinet

Private spaces. Smart door locks can both allow and limit specific users access to predetermined areas within certain authorized times. For example, the gardening team has a passcode authorized to unlock exterior gates only, while the cleaning team has a passcode authorized to access interior and exterior spaces during their scheduled work times. Nannies, tutors, dogwalkers, chefs, and other household support staff can have unique passcodes that limit room access to their job functions.

Exterior privacy offers a sense of ease while spending time in outdoor spaces. Garden space well obscured from neighbors can create more comfort when gardening, swimming, sunbathing, exercising, or socializing. Outdoor privacy empowers us to make the most of our outdoor spaces and enhances our overall living experience by providing a peaceful outdoor retreat.

Landscaping. Strategically arranged outdoor elements can help limit our home's visibility, promoting privacy while contributing to a sense of peace and beauty. Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) is one of Sarah's favorite hedge materials because it can survive with very little water and produces delightful small pink flowers.

Plant selection. Evergreen plants are ideal for privacy gardens as their leaves offer consistent foliage year-round; the California live oak is another one of Sarah's favorite plants as it supports native wildlife and provides year-round shade.

A private back porch featuring a grey outdoor sofa with white and blue cushions and adjustable overhead shade blinds made from a grey fabric

Outdoor Shade Systems. Minimalist, motorized shades may be installed on the exterior of the building any time window treatments are undesirable in the interior. These shades can be controlled by phone app, wall-mounted keypad or prescheduled to open and close during the work times of visiting professionals, like the gardening team or pool service.

A living room featuring olive green velvet upholstered armchairs, a traditional wooden coffee table with a large pink orchid on top and french doors that open onto an outdoor fenced in garden

Security. Incorporating gates at the property's entry can also contribute to elevated privacy and security. At larger estates and celebrity homes, it is entirely reasonable to design a private guard shack at the entrance for maximum safety and security.  

A primary bedroom featuring a queen size bed with dark blue upholstered headboard, light blue bed linnen, modern dark wood bedside tables with small vintage ceramic lamps and Kale Tree Matillija Poppy wallpaper in bluestone

A guest house is an excellent option for those who enjoy entertaining but prefer to keep their primary residence private. Designing a separate dwelling dedicated to guests creates space for deeper connections with friends and family, making it easy to host parties, functions, and longer stays while also maintaining the comfort of personal space.

Separate social space. Events can be set up days in advance, creating an ease that allows focus on the fun, enjoyment, and connection of social events.

A backyard pool featuring a light green upholstered chaise lounge chair

Privacy for guests. A pool house, casita, or bungalow are excellent options for visiting friends and family. The guest house can provide private personal space during their stay, while the pool can be a communal area where hosts and guests meet, relax, and socialize outside the primary residence.

A bedroom featuring large wood headboard, sage green velvety textured bed linen and cushions, white french doors open onto a backyard lounging area

Longer stays. A guest house is an excellent option for long-term guests, as it promotes independence during their stay, helping us maintain personal space and privacy while also enjoying time together.

Privacy is a critical component of well-being in our homes. Having space for ourselves, both physically and emotionally, can have an empowering effect on our lives. Collaborating with a designer who understands and respects the desire for discretion and privacy throughout the design process helps create a home that supports our best day-to-day living.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Deeply Personal Design Process

A calm living room space mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout featuring a custom concrete mantle, fireplace, bespoke wood slab coffee table and plush cushions

Our homes are incredibly personal and intimate; they reflect our personalities, relationships, passions, and goals. Inviting an interior designer into our home spaces and lifestyles can feel like a big step, but having someone to help navigate the many facets of our homes and realize them into a design concept can be a rewarding and fulfilling process. Many of us may have strong preferences or see images, colors, or designs that can cause a feeling of joy. What can be challenging is finding ways to integrate aesthetic leanings into our daily functional needs. Personalized design can create flexibility through customization and specificity, offering space for our design dreams to be applied to a home that can physically and emotionally serve us.

A detail shot of a custom designed desk in a home office featuring various geoeds, plants and other personal items

One of the foundations of a functionally supportive space is ergonomics. While ergonomics is often considered for workspaces, it's important throughout all living areas, impacting our comfort, energy levels, and interactions with our home. Some ways we can integrate ergonomic design into our home include custom furniture and counter heights that can encourage better posture and physical ease on joints. Arranging televisions and screens to avoid glare so we can watch entertainment unobscured and comfortably. Sensory elements such as soft close doors and cabinets can reduce abrasive noises throughout the home, contributing to a calm, serene, and mindful environment. And devising layouts that encourage movement or an organic flow of foot traffic can help to reduce mental and physical stress throughout the day.

A childs bedroom featuring pink walls and a pink rug, storage for books and games and a small table and chairs for tea parties.

Design is always a collaborative process, particularly in shared home spaces where multiple desires, needs, and personalities must be considered and supported under the same roof. Our homes can be custom-designed to support the specific needs of our family. For families with young children, designing a space for play and custom storage options for toys can promote tidiness, order, and quiet throughout the home. Carpeting and furnishings made from robust materials that can be spot-cleaned are ideal to resist day-to-day wear and tear. Custom kitchens can be designed for large families to contain additional cold food storage concealed neatly within specialized cabinetry.

A bedroom designed for an autistic child featuring custom built bunk beds with curtains for privacy, built in desk and shelving and blue and white triangle wallpaper

Sensory details play an essential role when designing custom spaces for neurodivergent children. In past projects designed for children with hypersensitivity, window treatments were a successful way in which we could help diffuse and regulate both light and environmental noise to encourage a feeling of calm within the home. Past projects designed for hypo-sensitive children were very different spaces; here, we created an engaging and stimulating environment featuring bright colors and soft custom climbing areas designed to encourage play.

Bathroom custom designed to support caring for an elderly loved one features calming grey tile, open plan shower with small bench and hand rails for physical support

Our home can also be customized to support caring for an elderly loved one. Bespoke furniture can be ergonomically designed to lessen stress on the body and support ease of movement in day-to-day living. Smart lighting options that can be remotely controlled and bathroom modifications such as grab bars, lever or touchless motion-activated faucets, and custom counter heights can also help facilitate independence and wellness.

An ocean side home office mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features a built in, custom designed desk, deep sofa chaise and fiber artwork by artist Renae Barnard

Trauma-informed design can help create healing, restorative spaces that support recovery from trauma and post-traumatic stress. With trauma-informed design, the process is intended to create a safe and inclusive environment where we can feel comfortable honestly expressing our design needs. Individual sensory needs are incorporated with our aesthetic tastes through design elements such as color, texture, and other sensory elements, incorporating biophilic design to create mindful spaces where we can relax and regenerate.

Two small white dogs sleep on a bedspread

Pets are another member of the family to consider when designing our home, and pet-friendly fabrics can be a great way to incorporate their accessories. Consider a custom pet bed made from a favorite washable fabric or reupholstering furniture that could use a bit of a freshen-up. Sturdy materials that can be spot-cleaned, such as recycled fibers, are also an excellent option for rugs and carpeting in a pet-friendly home.

A home office mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout featuring geode wallpaper, a black sofa

Hybrid work and working from home have become commonplace, increasing the need for dedicated spaces that create a boundary between work and everyday life. Some considerations for these spaces include noise reduction or soundproofing for virtual meetings and focus, ergonomic furniture, adequate lighting, color choice, and biophilic design, all of which can contribute to creating a mindful workspace.

A living room mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features a custom concrete fireplace mantle and bespoke wooden slab coffee table

When we consider our home spaces as reflections of ourselves, interior design can integrate aspects of our personalities, personal histories, ethics, and values. These considerations may include sustainable or vegan design or a home that reflects our desires for socialization or privacy. They may also include home spaces that reflect cultural histories or find ways to integrate important memories or personal milestones.

A primary bedroom mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout through incorporating biophilic design elements such as a dried floral artwork above the bed made from native Californian flowers and plants

A holistic approach to vegan design moves beyond simply excluding materials made from animal products, creating a home that reflects a mindful connection and awareness of our place within the planet's broader ecosystem. Eco-friendly, ethically sourced materials such as bamboo silk or textiles and wallpapers made from cruelty-free plant-derived materials are free from animal products, can have low or no VOCs, and are environmentally conscious in their manufacturing. Re-wilding our yards with drought-tolerant indigenous plants is a great way to nurture and support our home's natural ecosystem by creating an environment that attracts and sustains local wildlife and pollinators. Biophilic design is a great way to enjoy the serenity of this natural environment within our homes. Incorporating materials and patterns that reference natural imagery can encourage mindful connectivity between ourselves and our surrounding natural environment. Also, incorporating technology that works with our local ecosystems, such as rainwater storage, greywater systems, and solar panels, is a small contribution that has the potential to make a positive environmental impact collectively while creating self-reliance at home.

A hallway displaying a vast art collection, this space was mindfully designed to showcase onjects that bring joy and support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout

Our home can also be designed to incorporate objects and collections that are important to us or reflect our cultural identity. Including these objects in a beautiful, functional, healthy home creates a self-portrait that reflects our uniqueness. Being surrounded by objects that contain cultural significance, happy memories and bring us joy has the potential to make a restorative, joyful space where we can authentically be ourselves.

A mindfully designed dressing room featuring glass wardrobe doors, marble countertops and boucele seating inspires joy and creates a supportive space for individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout

Unique, one-of-a-kind home attributes can also be a valuable way to turn our home spaces into havens of joy and comfort. For those who find serenity in botanical spaces, a custom glass greenhouse that doubles as a wellness space can become a favorite retreat that adds a sense of wonder to the home. Having an indulgent space for privacy, like a personal dressing room, screening room, or in-home spa, can feel like a personal oasis.

A Wellness room mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features yoga mats and meditation pillows, custom wood furniture and adjustable lighting

A dedicated wellness space, such as a yoga or meditation room, encourages a daily practice of mindfulness and self-care that can benefit mental and emotional health. Sensory details such as color, texture, lighting, and noise can influence a room's emotional effect and comfort. Color has the ability to energize or soothe us; a cool neutral palette, such as soft earth tones, can contribute to a feeling of calm. Adjustable lighting, lamps, and automated shades can regulate light levels within a space. Soft-closing doors and drawers, high-pile carpeting, and rugs can be utilized to minimize environmental noise and help create a calm and quiet space. Custom storage solutions can also be used to declutter a space and create calm.

Having areas slightly separated from the home can also create room for a design departure, adding to the feeling of variety. Many may be interested in creating opportunities for connection in their home, with spaces for education or gathering. Rooms for meditation or sound baths with friends and neighbors or music and creative spaces designed to share with close friends and loved ones can help create feelings of connection for those who enjoy their homes as social spaces for gathering.

A primary bedroom mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features soothing dark purple walls, plush carpet and a curved bedframe to create a cozy environment

Slow design is a deeply personal design process that allows us to slow down, truly consider, and discover how our home can support us in living our best and most joyous lives. A holistic approach to interior design, slow design takes time to create a layered and highly personalized home design that considers how our home can support our day-to-day needs, creating a space where we can thrive.

A bathroom mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features a custom wood vanity and soothing blue handmade tiles

Creating a home that profoundly reflects ourselves can be an enriching and fulfilling experience. Custom-made objects and designs for our home can be sourced from quality, eco-conscious materials intended for lifetime use. These highly personalized one-of-a-kind objects exude luxury through their superior quality; slow design fosters connectivity with the materials and craftsmanship of these heirloom objects and our home. Slow design is often better for the environment as materials can be ethically sourced, and objects that are made with intentionality can incorporate waste reduction into the process. Building relationships with local skilled artisans and craftspersons also creates positive connections and support within our local community.

A kitchen mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress anxiety and burnout features a beautiful marble countertop custom made wood cabinetry and large windows that connect with the natural landscape outside

Slow design also utilizes 3D rendering to help visualize how the home design will look and feel. While renderings take time to develop, they help alleviate stress or indecision when considering multiple options or directions for the design.

This living room was mindfully designed to support individuals experiencing stress, anxiety and burnout features beach inspired decor in blue and white, bird artwork and oak flooring.

A holistic approach to designing personalized spaces can help create home interiors that feel like an extension of self, a space that promotes personal growth and fulfillment. Exploring opportunities to make home changes or incorporate customization can expand our ideas around restorative spaces to create a home environment that enriches our daily lives and brings us joy. Embracing personalized home space can offer room for exploration and peace, where we can celebrate ourselves, our loved ones, and our environments.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Expanding our Senses: Designing Positive Spaces Where Neurodivergent Individuals can Thrive.

Designing interiors that are sensitive to the needs of neurodivergent individuals places emphasis on the sensory experience of a space, taking a deep dive into the objects and components of a room, examining how each of them works together to create inclusive, supportive, and healing spaces that encourage better living. A wellness-based and empathetic approach integrates design concepts informed by an understanding of the characteristics of the autism spectrum and sensory processing challenges to create environments that nurture the development of independence and enrich individual lives.

A  guest bedroom featuring neurodivergent home design overlooking the ocean with custom nightstands  and weighted blanket for ultimate comfort.

Sensory Processing Challenges affect how the brain processes sensory information, making an individual more sensitive to stimuli that others are not. It can affect one or all of the senses. "Current estimates indicate that 5% to 16.5% of the general population"(1) and 1 in 20 children(2) experience Sensory Processing Challenges. Individuals within the autism spectrum can be hypo-sensitive to stimuli (sensory seekers) or hyper-sensitive (sensory avoiders). Sensory seekers are less sensitive to sensory input than neurotypical individuals and often create their own sensory stimuli. In contrast, sensory avoiders are more sensitive and usually experience sensory input more intensely than neurotypical individuals.

Living area full of organic, textural and lush materials. A wall sculpture by Renae Barnard, titled ‘Aggregate Liberty’ sits above a custom furniture piece that was commissioned for the homeowner.

A recent publication, "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders," written by academics and educators Kristi Gaines, Angela Bourne, Michelle Pearson, and Mesha Kleibrink "draws on the latest research in the fields of environmental psychology and education to show how architecture and interior spaces can positively influence individuals with neuro diversities.”(3) Many studies and theories investigate the built environment's effect on us. Environmental Preference Theory is based on the idea that people prefer engaging and involving spaces rather than simple and boring ones. Engaging environments are essential for the self-actualization of individuals on the Autistic spectrum.

The Environment Behavior Theory states that behavior is a function of the person and their environment. This theory suggests that behavior comes from within an individual and is heavily influenced by the environment. This stresses the point that individuals on the Autistic spectrum should live in environments that are designed to support them positively. Architects and designers can help ease stress and irritation caused by incoming stimuli by creating organized, well-defined spaces that modify factors such as color, lighting, texture, sense of closure, acoustics, and ventilation, depending on the individual's needs.

A childs bedroom featuring lilac and white contrasting walls and custom bed with built in storage.

In 2019, the architectural firm HKS conducted a research project where they developed a sensory well-being hub for adolescents with developmental disabilities. One of their outcomes was that "Design should support a range of sensory stimulations, from active to respite, and across modalities."(4) "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(5) explores some ways in which spaces designed for children on the autistic spectrum can foster and encourage independence. The ideal home environment for a child on the autistic spectrum considers how to accommodate sensory needs and help prepare them for challenges they may face in everyday life as they grow. Including children in the decision-making and consulting about their preferences and needs is an important part of the process that helps them self-actualize and consider incorporating particular objects/subjects they are interested in into some aspects of the design of their home. Design elements that improve an individual's ability to navigate a space can foster empowerment and independence. Some of these include: Clear sight lines for wayfinding, definable forms, and surfaces; Contrasting colors or textures to indicate the intersections of spaces; Clarifying the intent of visibility through color, contrast, and placement; Creating a sequencing of spaces.

"Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(6) suggests that spaces laid out in orderly and predictable ways can create an environment that enables individuals within the autism spectrum to thrive. For sensory-seekers, creating spaces that encourage play in which they can touch, feel, taste, and smell that contain open spaces with unobstructed views for easy parental/adult supervision creates a space where they can learn what is safe while still being themselves.

Bedroom design for an autistic child which features a custom built in bunk bed that can be closed off by curtains for extra privacy.

The compartmentalization of spaces is also recommended because dedicated space for specific activities can help maintain daily routines. Think about dividing areas into zones, each with only one function or activity, so that individuals begin associating activity with a particular area, easing the transition between activities, protecting routine patterns, promoting predictability, and improving wayfinding. Open spaces can be organized using furniture arrangements, colors, and finishes. Consider creating a distinguishable difference between sleeping/study and play areas. For example, "inactive" spaces are bedrooms or quiet living areas where a child can sleep or do homework. "Active" spaces allow the child to explore and play freely. Also, consider making adequate storage available in every room to ease stress over environmental changes, such as when an item is moved from one place to another. Items can be stored in bins, baskets, boxes, or drawers instead of open shelves.

Butterfly decals on a window looking out at a garden, providing ample natural light to the space

A child with hypo-sensitivity (sensory seekers) can frequently only see the outlines of objects, cannot visually perceive the texture or weight of objects, and often loves bright colors and sunlight.(7) Some design practices suggested in "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders" concerning space planning for sensory seekers include considering the use of contrasting colors to increase visibility. For example, painting walls in different colors can help the individual distinguish the room's corners. Walls can also be a different/contrasting color than the furniture, etc., to help the child to see them in space. Painting borders around a door a different color from the walls can also help distinguish doorways and improve wayfinding.

Lighting systems that incorporate different/changing colors and the quality of light selected can benefit individuals with photosensitivity. Consider the impacts of LED or fluorescent light and utilize indirect light within the space. Window coverings or window films can help to regulate light effectively and create a calming space.

Autistic child bedroom design featuring a stuffed toy sitting on a series of pillows made from different textured fabrics.

Engaging in "hands-on" work is also important for sensory seekers because it provides tactile connections and positive sensory feedback, helping individuals develop a deeper connection to what is happening in the environment around them. Furniture with different textures can provide tactile sensory satisfaction, as do soft environments. Factor in furniture and finishes that are durable and easy to clean. Weighted blankets can aid in creating a calming experience and be custom designed in natural and organic materials.

Autistic child bedroom design featuring  a shag pile rug which helps to insulate the space from environmental noise.

It is also important to consider the acoustic qualities of a space when designing for children on the autistic spectrum. Think about using soft materials that absorb noise in an area designed for children with hypo-sensitivity. Soundproofing and avoiding hard surfaces on walls, floors, and ceilings can reduce noise and reverberation. Acoustic wall tiles could also be helpful.

Stairs with a custom, laser cut railing, designed with a Queen Anne’s lace pattern, a plant beloved by butterflies and bees.

It is also essential for designers to think beyond the five senses. Proprioceptive and Vestibular senses are often described as "hidden" or "inside" senses. Proprioceptive senses relate to our body awareness, where our body parts are, and how to coordinate them with actions such as holding, pushing, pulling, or lifting(8), while Vestibular senses relate to balance and bodily position, which help us move smoothly through space.(9) "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(10) suggests ways in which neurodivergent experiences of the Proprioceptive and Vestibular senses can be accommodated through design. Ensure that stairs are easy to navigate by applying different materials, textures, and senses that will help the individual connect their thoughts and feelings to where they are in space. Consider including only rounded edges within the space and making transitions between different floor levels and surfaces obvious using contrasting floor materials such as carpet, wood, contrasting finishes, and colors. Interiors made up of defined forms and shapes that profile the perimeter of a space can also help a person overcome these challenges. Floor and ceiling moldings to outline the perimeter of the space at the floor and ceiling level can provide spatial clarity. Hammocks, rocking chairs, and swings can also accommodate a hypo-sensitive individual's desire to move constantly.

Creating an environment that manages and eases stress is essential. Biophilia is our innate desire to connect with nature. Studies have shown that incorporating natural elements into the home (through color, material, imagery, etc.) makes them more appealing to us and brings some of the health benefits of spending time outdoors into the home. Natural imagery such as clouds, a bright blue sky, or bright yellow sunlight can appeal to hypo-sensitive needs. Access to nature, healing gardens (plants/garden activities on patio/balcony), and symbols of nature can contribute to reducing stress, and studies suggest that direct experiences of nature can enhance cognitive processing.(11) Creating a small garden can contribute to the child's well-being by improving a sense of self-worth, providing different tactile and visual experiences, and acting as a direct source of nature. A water fountain or bird feeder can also contribute to the child's development, providing sensory or tactile satisfaction through natural elements.(12)

An empathic, holistic, and mindful approach to interior design encourages us to expand our sensory understanding of the world, reconsidering our experience of space, color, and material to promote authentic living, empowerment, and wellness amongst diverse individuals.

Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited designer and creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

References

  1. Miller, Lucy Jane, et al. “Identification of Sensory Processing and Integration Symptom Clusters: A Preliminary Study.” Occupational Therapy International, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Nov. 2017,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733937/#:~:text=Current%20estimates %20indicate%20that%205,(ADHD)%20%5B4%5D.
  2. Lumiere Children's Therapy. “Child Therapy: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder.” Lumiere Children's Therapy, Lumiere Children's Therapy, 26 Feb. 2018, https://lumierechild.squarespace.com/lumiere-childrens-therapy/2017/02/06/child-therapy-understanding-sensory-processing-disorder.
  3. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
  4. Nanda, Upali, et al. “Sensory Well-Being for Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Creating (and Testing) a Sensory Well-Being Hub.” HKS Architects, 26 Oct. 2022, https://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/reports/sensory-well-being-for-adolescents-with-developmental-disabilities-creating-and-testing-a-sensory-well-being-hub/.
  5. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
  6. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
  7. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
  8. SC;, Proske U;Gandevia. “The Proprioceptive Senses: Their Roles in Signaling Body Shape, Body Position and Movement, and Muscle Force.” Physiological Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23073629/.
  9. The Vestibular System - Neuroscience - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10819/.
  10. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
  11. Stenfors, Cecilia U D, et al. “Positive Effects of Nature on Cognitive Performance across Multiple Experiments: Test Order but Not Affect Modulates the Cognitive Effects.” Frontiers in Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 July 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6616085/.
  12. Yanez, Ruddy E., and Bronwyn S. Fees. “Preschool Children’s Biophilia and Attitudes toward Nature: The Effect of Personal Experiences.” International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, vol. 5, no. 1, 2017, pp. 57–67.

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