For years now I’ve been designing homes and every project is different. Every client has their own personality and needs. Whether it’s banishing the beige for a new bright orange color palette, or making sure they have a home movie theater and dance space, I’m always working hard to curate elements and redesign the space to be exactly what the client needs and wants. But there’s something I do for every single client: incorporate all five senses. This might look different for each, but I’m always finding ways to use all five senses to not just create a room, but an experience, not just a home but a haven.

Why Five Senses

To put it simply, the five senses are shared by nearly everyone. It’s something that all of my clients so far have had in common. The senses are what make spaces memorable and grab us when we walk through the door.

Think of this quote as the primary inspiration:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

And that really gets at the heart of it. Through interior design we aren’t just putting paint on walls or picking fun fabrics, we’re creating environments that make people feel something: relaxed, loved, comfortable, excited, home.

Incorporating the Five Senses in Home Design

So how do we go about it? How do we romanticize life through the very rooms we occupy on a daily basis? And how do the five senses come into play? Some of these are introduced through the very objects we choose for the space, others are introduced through more temporary things like the gifts I always leave behind. 

Sight. First and foremost, we want to make a room fun and lovely to look at! Everything contributes to this goal, from the curated furniture, to the placement of that furniture, all the way down to the colors, art, and even the light management of the custom window treatments. Refreshing a room always delights the sense of sight because we, as humans, love the simple things—like new sights and a change of scenery (even if it is, technically, the same living room we’ve always occupied). 

Sound. This one might be a little more temporary and something I can’t always control. But on reveal day, I love using music to create atmosphere for my clients. I put on a fun soundtrack that helps set and inspire the mood for the room. It plays softly in the background when clients walk in, and it’s a magical moment. 

Another sound aspect to consider is with insulation, window treatments, and other sound-proofing techniques. This is something we can chat about at your initial consultation, because we want noise pollution to be at a minimum in your home.

Taste. Another of my favorite aspects of reveal day: the presents! I’ve mentioned before that I love to leave a housewarming gift of sorts for my clients. As part of their design questionnaire when first coming on board, I ask all sorts of questions about their favorite things. It might seem arbitrary at the moment, but I’m locking that info away to surprise them with their favorite chocolates, wine, snacks, and more as a thank you after each project.

Smell. This is a complicated one sometimes; how do we banish the smell of new paint and ensure there isn’t a dusty haze after a remodel? First things first, make sure the space gets a good airing out. Throw open those windows for a few minutes. Then incorporate a candle (I’m obsessed with Hemlock Park right now), diffuser, and fresh florals. These simple additions provide an aromatic experience that says welcome home!