Traditional interior design focuses on the visual and functional aspects of the design, considering how the space will look and function. But this is just part of the story and is the reason why most people are unaware of experiential design.

Our five senses play a critical role in how we experience a space. When we only design for the eyes, we miss out on the richness and depth that a multi-sensory space can offer.

In today's issue, we explore how sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste can be used to create immersive, comfortable, and memorable interiors, beyond their look and feel.

Because when you learn how to intentionally and creatively engage all five senses in a space, you can begin to design experiential spaces that inspire emotion, memory, and connection.

Let's dive in!

Imagine having a blueprint that reveals the secret language of spaces – how they can touch your emotions, spark memories, and enhance your daily life.

The "Essential Guide to Experiential Design" is more than just an eBook; it's your roadmap to understanding how design can profoundly impact your lived experience.

It introduces you to a powerful idea:

Design isn’t just about how a space looks; it’s about how it makes you feel.

Think about a place that you never wanted to leave. The scent in the air, the textures under your fingertips, the mood of the lighting, the way it made you feel. That’s experiential design in action.

Unlike traditional interior design, which focuses on beauty and function, experiential design goes a step further. It considers how every element of a space impacts your mood, memory, and sense of belonging.

In this eBook, you’ll discover:

Whether you're working on your home, a commercial property, or just love interiors that feel right, this guide is your entry point into a more meaningful approach to design.

Let's begin with a question: Why do some spaces linger in your mind long after you leave?

Think of a place you love. It could be a cosy coffee shop, a boutique hotel, your childhood home, a calming spa, or a friend's apartment. What do you remember most about it? I bet it's not just the way it looked.

Maybe it was the smell of your mum's cooking when you got home from school; The soft, warm sunlight streams through the window as you read a book; The warm throw blanket over the arm of the sofa as you prepare for the evening; The faint jazz music in the background as you enjoy an aperitif with friends.

The more senses you engage, the more memorable your space becomes. All of these sensory layers work together to create an emotional experience. If your space is not resonating emotionally, you may be making the following mistakes in your interiors.

It's like reading a novel solely because you like its cover art. It might be impressive at first glance, but the emotional resonance often fades fast.

Similarly, when you design your space with only the visual effect in mind, the result can look stunning on Instagram and Pinterest but flat and disconnected in real life. Trends go out of style, and your design aesthetic will begin to feel dated and out of touch with your personality.

What's soothing for one person might be irritating for another. Lavender may be relaxing to one person but headache-inducing to another. Texture, sound, and lighting needs vary from person to person.

When design ignores this, it can create a dissonant environment that doesn't meet the needs of its users. For example, a kitchen with cold lighting and hard surfaces might look sleek and functional. However, it lacks the sensory cues that make cooking communal and joyful.

Trying to engage all the senses at once without intention or hierarchy can lead to sensory overload. For instance, pairing strong scents with bold patterns and loud music can make a space feel chaotic rather than comforting.

When all the design elements compete for attention, the brain overworks to process it all. This can lead to mental exhaustion, feelings of irritability and anxiety. Plus, it can also hinder focus and the functionality of a space.

We make these mistakes because we are taught to think of interior design as a visual discipline first. As a result, we create interiors that are visually appealing but emotionally flat. Aesthetic but forgettable.

So, how do we fix this? Here's the blueprint:

The first step to designing an experiential space is to rethink how we approach interior design.

We tend to associate visual appeal with colour palettes, trendy furniture, and perfect styling. However, sight is also about how we see a space: layered lighting, varied textures, visual rhythm, and breathing room.

Instead of obsessing over matching cushions or the perfect gallery wall, consider how your eye moves through a room. Does it rest? Does it wander? Is there a focal point? What story is the mise en scene telling?

Here's an example:

Rather than centring your living room around a TV, create zones. This can be a reading nook or a vignette in the corner. Add visual balance of varying heights, such as a floor lamp, a low pouffe, and artwork at eye level.

Consider the tactile experience of the decor items by mixing natural and synthetic materials. Finally, let natural light shape the daytime experience and layered lighting at night.

We are in constant touch with the surfaces around us, and the textures you choose will affect how you feel in that space.

The tactile experience is more than furniture and decor items, such as rugs and finishes. Think about the small moments, like pulling a thick velvet curtain, wrapping yourself with a knitted throw, and leaning against a worn leather armchair.

We can be tempted to focus on visual texture but ignore how it feels against the skin. For example, a boucle fabric might look soft in photos, but feel scratchy in person. A minimalist bathroom might look clean and shiny, but feel cold and slippery underfoot.

Instead, curate various textures that invite touch. Mix smooth surfaces like leather with knitted throw pillows or blankets. Pair cool ceramic with warm wood. Use natural fibres like rattan and cotton to soften the space.

We often forget how significantly these senses can impact our memory and emotions. They are the fastest route to creating an emotional connection to a place. Think about your favourite meal when you were a child. What comes to mind when you smell that food, even if perhaps it's no longer your favourite?

Our sense of smell is directly tied to our memories. That's why hotels typically have a signature scent that reminds you of them every time you come across that smell. You, too, can create a signature using smell, taste, or sound to remind you of your space and how it feels.

Similarly, everyone who visits your space will have the same emotional reaction to your scent long after they've left.

Even taste plays a role. My aunt used to keep cashews and macadamia nuts in a silver bowl on her coffee table for snacking. I think about her place and the fun we had as kids visiting her every time I eat cashews and macadamias.

Most people design for the eyes, but that's only one part of the story. When you design sensory spaces, you create emotional resonance, which leads to lasting memories.

Here's what we covered:

Sight: Visual design is more than aesthetics. It's about what calms the eye and shapes the experience.

Touch: Comfort is a physical sensation. Texture is what makes a space feel intimate, tactile, and grounded.

Sound, smell, and taste: The invisible design elements are often the most memorable. Together, they can elevate a space from functional and aesthetic to experiential.

Our brains respond positively to sensory cues that align with our identities, values, and preferences. It could be a scent that reminds us of home, colours that uplift our moods, or materials that invite us to linger.

The beauty of experiential interior design is that it allows you to feel your space.

When we design beyond the aesthetics, we design for the person. Without these, our spaces became a stage for others to see instead of a sanctuary for us to retreat.

What’s one sensory detail in your space that makes you feel most at home?

Wondering how experiential design can shape your space?

A single no-obligation, FREE consultation could change the outcome of your entire project.

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Until next week, stay inspired!