The 5 Senses Approach to Interior Design: How to make your home feel as good as it looks
Most of us design with our eyes first.
We scroll Pinterest, we bookmark beautiful rooms, we obsess over paint colors (well, I definitely do anyhow…) and stress about coordinating the cushion stack to the art. And look—there's nothing wrong with that.
Visual beauty matters.
But here's the thing: a home that only looks good can still feel... flat. Cold. A bit "showroom, not lived-in." You walk in and think, It's nice, but it doesn't feel like me.
That's because we're missing the other four senses.
A truly great home doesn't just look beautiful—it feels beautiful. It smells like home. It sounds calm, or alive! It invites you to touch, to settle, to stay. And yes, even taste plays a role (we'll get to that).
So let's break down how to engage all five senses in your space so this weekend you can play with creating a home that delights not just your eyes, but your whole self — mind, body, and soul.
Fresh flowers and crusty bread on the table. That's it. That's the whole vibe. Smell, taste, texture — all working together to make a meal feel special, even when it's just a Wednesday.
1. Sight – Colour, Light, and the Mood You're Actually Creating
Your eyes take in more than you realize. Colour isn't just about what looks pretty—it's about how it makes you feel when you're in the room.
Color Psychology (The Cliff Notes Version)
Soft blues and greens = calm, grounded, a nod to nature
Earthy tones (terracotta, ochre, warm browns) = cozy, inviting, makes you want to settle in
Pinks, reds, oranges = energizing, appetite-boosting, great for social spaces
Neutrals (whites, greys, beiges) = timeless and flexible, but can feel flat without texture
Black = bold, dramatic, luxurious—but needs to be used intentionally (used strategically on one feature wall can make it ‘disappear’, wrap a room in it and BOOM, you’ve got drama!)
Lighting Is Everything (Seriously)
You can have the perfect color palette and still have a room that feels "unalive" if the lighting's wrong. Here's how to fix it:
Natural light: Maximize windows, use sheer curtains, and place mirrors strategically to bounce light around
Artificial light: Layer it. You want ambient light (overhead), task light (reading lamps, kitchen bench lights), and accent light (candles, wall sconces, a lamp in the corner)
Warm vs. cool lighting: Soft white (warm) for cozy spaces like bedrooms and living rooms. Bright white (cool) for work areas like home offices or kitchens.
💡 Quick Fix: If your room feels "dead" but you can't pinpoint why, add an extra lamp and change the light bulbs to warm white. Instant coziness.
2. Smell – The Sense That Sneaks Up on You
Scent is deeply tied to memory. One whiff of something familiar can transport you back to your mumma's kitchen, a beach holiday, or that one Airbnb where you slept better than you have in years.
You can use this to your advantage.
Natural Scents That Actually Make a Difference
Fresh flowers or greenery (roses, lavender, jasmine) = instant calm
Herbs in the kitchen (basil, rosemary, mint) = practical and fragrant
Essential oils and natural cleaners = healthier, simpler, and they don't give you a headache like synthetic sprays
The "Grandma's Cookies" Effect
Some smells just work:
Baking bread / cookies or brewing coffee = instant homely vibes
Fresh laundry smell in bedrooms = relaxation mode activated
Fresh flowers in entryways, bathrooms, or guest rooms = grounding first impression
💡 Quick Fix: Make your own vinegar and citrus peel spray to wipe down surfaces. It's cheap, it's natural, and it instantly lifts the mood when you walk through the house.
3. Touch – Because Comfort Isn't Just About How It Looks
Ever walked into a beautifully styled room that felt... cold? Uninviting? That's probably a lack of texture at play.
Your home should invite you to touch it. To sink into the couch. To run your hand along the sofa. To kick off your shoes and feel the rug under your feet.
Fabrics That Feel as Good as They Look
Linen and cotton = breathable, cozy, timeless
Chunky knit throws and high-pile rugs = instant hygge vibes
Leather, fur and velvet = refined, luxury, warmth
Contrast Is Key
Don't make everything soft. You need balance:
Cool metals (brass, steel) against warm wood
Soft fabrics next to hard surfaces (a velvet cushion on a leather chair)
Matte finishes paired with glossy accents
💡 Quick Fix: Add a textured or woven woolen rug over hard timber or tiled floors. Instant coziness without a full makeover.
Smooth leather, carved timber, textural hide, and overflowing greenery — this masculine country living room nails it. Multiple textures for touch, greenery for scent and life, and enough visual interest to keep your eye dancing around the room. Sensory design in action.
4. Sound – The Sense We Ignore Until the Room Feels "Echoey"
Sound affects how we feel in a space, even when we don't consciously notice it. A room with too much echo feels cold and unfinished. A room with soft, muffled sound feels calm and inviting.
Acoustic Tricks for a Less Echo-ey Home
Rugs, curtains, and bookshelves = sound absorption superheroes
Soft furnishings (cushions, throws, upholstered furniture) help dampen echoes in large rooms
Art layering the walls = another great sound absorption hero
Music for the Right Mood
Don't underestimate the power of a good playlist! Figure out the mood you want to create, and match the music to it - morning, noon or night.
💡 Quick Fix: If your space feels stagnant, add background music when you're entertaining or working from home. Dust off the ‘ol record player, or of course, Spotify has a playlist for every vibe.
5. Taste – Yes, Really!
Okay, we're not literally licking the salt off the leather lounge, but taste sneaks into interior design in surprising ways—especially in dining spaces and kitchens.
Color & Appetite (It's a Real Thing)
Warm tones (red, orange, terracotta) = stimulate hunger (great for dining rooms and kitchens)
Cool tones (blue, grey) = appetite suppressors (useful in home offices or bedrooms where you want calm, not snacking)
Green = fresh, organic, energizing—there's a reason salad bars and health-food cafés love it
Now—this is general color theory. So remember: your body gets the final say. If blue makes you feel cozy and grounded instead of cold, trust that. If red energizes you instead of overwhelming you, use it.
The "rules" are just a starting point… an awareness.
Your nervous system, your energy, your lived experience? That's the real intel I want you focusing on.
Dining Spaces That Make You Want to Stay
The best meals happen in rooms that feel as good as the food tastes. Here's how to create that:
Comfortable seating = longer, more enjoyable meals (don't skimp on chairs)
Warm lighting over the table = groovy restaurant-like ambiance without leaving home
Natural elements (wood, linen, ceramics, fresh flowers) = food somehow looks and tastes better surrounded by these. And never be afraid to load up the table with endless small vases of flowers!
💡 Quick Fix: Swap out harsh overhead lights for a pendant light or candles at dinner. Your meal instantly feels fancier (even if it's just pasta and pesto).
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Impact
You don't need a full renovation to make your home feel more immersive, more you…You just need to start paying attention to more than what you see.
Add a beautiful rug. Light a candle. Change your light bulbs. Put on a playlist. Bake some bread, smell the roses and open the windows.
Small, intentional shifts. That's all it takes.
Now go on—pick one sense to focus on this week and see what happens.
I promise, you'll notice the difference!