What is a Sensory Room? 

Learning SPACE has been designing and installing Sensory Rooms since 2007, giving us over a decade of expertise in creating inclusive environments for schools, hospices, leisure centres, and homes. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about sensory rooms—what they are, how they support children and adults with additional needs, and the essential products that make them effective. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, this guide will help you understand how sensory rooms can transform learning, play, and wellbeing.

Sensory Rooms are specially designed spaces that provide calming or stimulating experiences to support emotional regulation, focus, and development. They are widely used in schools, therapy centres, healthcare settings, and even homes to help children and adults with sensory processing needs.

A Sensory Room is a controlled environment filled with equipment and tools that stimulate or soothe the senses. These spaces are tailored to meet individual needs, offering a safe place to explore, relax, or re‑energize. 

They are particularly beneficial for individuals with:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Sensory Processing Disorders
• Anxiety
• Developmental delays

 

How Do Sensory Rooms Help Children with Additional Needs?

Children with additional needs often struggle with everyday sensory input - bright lights, loud sounds, or busy environments can feel overwhelming. A Sensory Room offers a carefully designed space where these children can explore or retreat, depending on their needs. By controlling sensory experiences, these rooms help children feel calm, safe, and focused.

Sensory Rooms support:

•    Self regulation: Sensory rooms give children tools to calm down when overstimulated or energize when under stimulated.
•    Reduced anxiety and stress: Gentle lighting, soothing sounds, and tactile play can ease frustration and promote relaxation.
•    Improved focus and learning: By managing sensory input, children can return to classrooms or therapy sessions more ready to learn.
•    Developmental growth: Activities in sensory rooms enhance balance, coordination, communication, and social interaction skills.
•    Inclusive support: They provide safe spaces for children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges to thrive.

 

What Makes a Good Sensory Room?

A good sensory room is more than a play space - it’s a carefully designed environment that promotes emotional regulation, learning, and wellbeing. By combining safety, adaptability, inclusivity, and intentional design, sensory rooms become powerful tools for children and adults with additional needs.

Essential Qualities:

Safe and controlled - free from hazards, with soft furnishings and secure equipment.

Adaptable - able to provide both calming and stimulating experiences depending on the user’s needs.

Inclusive - accessible for children and adults, including wheelchair users.

Balanced - offering a mix of visual, auditory, tactile, and movement‑based activities.

 

Products Commonly Found in Sensory Rooms

Sensory equipment in a room generally includes:

Lighting – fibre optics, bubble tubes, star projectors.

Sound – calming music, interactive sound panels.

Tactile tools – textured walls, fidget toys, sensory mats.

Movement equipment – swings, trampolines, balance boards.

Visual aids – projectors, mirrors, colourful displays.

Calming accessories: - Soft padding, beanbags, weighted blankets.

Commercial or School Sensory rooms may also have immersive interactive wall and floor projectors. 

We have a loads of helpful information and ideas on product so we have a whole other blog that goes into more detail of Products Commonly found in Sensory Rooms.

 

How to Use a Sensory Room

A sensory room is most effective when it is goal‑driven, supervised, and tailored to the individual’s sensory needs. Whether calming or stimulating, it should provide a safe, engaging environment that supports emotional regulation, learning, and development.

1.Set the Purpose

• Decide if the session is for relaxation, stimulation, or therapy.
• For calming, use soft lights, gentle sounds, and tactile resources.
• For stimulation, choose interactive tools like spinners, swings, or bright visuals.

2. Prepare the Space

• Keep the room safe and clutter‑free.
• Adjust lighting, sound, and equipment levels to match the child’s sensory needs.
• Get familiar with the equipment before introducing it.

3. Guide and Support

• Always supervise children, especially those with additional needs.
• Use the room for structured interaction - turn‑taking, communication, or imaginative play.
• Remember: your presence and guidance are key to shaping the experience.

4. Encourage Choice

• Let children explore and pick what interests them—bubble tubes, fibre optics, swings, or tactile walls.
• Offer chances for control and independence, like operating switches or selecting activities.

5. Adapt Activities

• Match activities to individual needs:
• Calming: weighted blankets, soft seating, dim lighting.
• Stimulating: trampolines, interactive panels, colourful visuals.
• Adjust intensity gradually to avoid overstimulation.

 

 

Examples of Where Sensory Rooms are used

Schools – quiet spaces for children to reset during the day.

Therapy centres – structured environments for occupational therapy.

Hospitals – calming rooms to reduce patient anxiety.

Public spaces – airports and malls increasingly offer sensory rooms for families.

 

Looking to create your own Sensory Room or Space?

Thinking about building a Sensory Room or Sensory Space? Learning SPACE can help! Explore our wide range of multi-sensory equipment and Sensory Toys, with options for schools, commercial settings, and home use.

📞 Call us today at 02890 319360 or email info@learningspaceuk.co.uk—our product specialists are ready to guide you.