Multisensory Design
6 Ways to Create with Every Mind in Mind
Design is no longer just about how a space looks—it’s about how it makes people feel. As we become more aware of the diverse ways individuals experience the world, inclusive design has taken on new meaning, especially when it comes to sensory sensitivity. Whether someone is hypersensitive to sound or light, or hyposensitive and in need of more sensory input to feel grounded, thoughtful design has the power to support and uplift every experience.
By selecting materials that foster calm, comfort, and focus—such as acoustic wallcoverings, low-glare surfaces, customizable digital prints that support a range of sensory preferences, and temperature-regulating textiles—we can create environments that are not only beautiful, but also deeply supportive. In an age of constant stimulation, the need for spaces where people can slow down, feel safe, and reconnect with themselves has never been more urgent.
A well-designed and considered space should look good while also taking into account all feeling good as well. Here are three design approaches—and six material solutions—that help meet a wide range of sensory needs, supporting inclusion in commercial interiors.
1. Sound Control
Acoustic Comfort, Tuned for Every Space
From hospitality settings to cafés and studio workshops, sound control is essential for focus and relaxation—especially for neurodiverse individuals. WGSN highlights the rise of "social wellness spaces," where acoustics create intimate yet interconnected environments that prioritize well-being, offering moments of peace for individuals while fostering a physical and social community hub feel.
Hyposensitive Focus
The Challenge: In busy school corridors or common areas, students with hyposensitive auditory systems may struggle to focus or engage without enough sensory input—leading to restlessness or lack of connection.
The Solution: For hyposensitive learners, acoustic solutions—paired with bold upholstery and vibrant visuals—help reduce echo, support dynamic conversations, and reinforce a strong community identity.
One standout approach: dimensional acoustic panels (seen in left composition center far left: Zuri in Ash woodgrain, Suna in Beige, plus Tranquility wallcovering in Iceberg blue) help manage sound while adding natural texture and warmth. Paired with lively upholstery in painterly dots, grids, and multicolor stripes, the mix creates an energizing zone where sound is softened and everyone feels supported (and free to engage).
Feel Stimulated with Eye-Catching Surroundings
Hypersensitive Focus
The Challenge: In open public spaces, thin walls and standard wallcoverings amplify sound, making privacy and natural conversation challenging—and creating overstimulating environments, a critical concern for those with anxiety or sensory processing sensitivities.
The Solution: Acoustic panels and acoustic tiles—plus textured upholstery—help absorb sound and reduce background noise, all while enhancing aesthetics.
An example of this is Momentum's work at McKinney, Texas’ Children's Advocacy Center (CACCC), where trauma-informed design was essential to helping children feel safe, heard, and protected. Crosscut acoustic panels installed outside and within the medical rooms help absorb sound and lend calming visual structure. Made from recycled PET felt with a 0.45–0.9 NRC, they reduce reverberation and offer soft relief from hard, flat surfaces.
Feel Serene with Soft, Sound-Absorbing Design
2. Visual Engagement
Custom Prints for Stimulation & Serenity
Aesthetics are the first impression when a person enters a space, and immediately evoke a feeling or emotion—whether energized or at ease. WGSN highlights the rise of joyful functionality in spaces that inspire and engage, while wellness and healing design remain central to fostering calm and rejuvenation. In 2025, customization will allow businesses to create pockets of both for all, offering stimulation and serenity where needed.
Hyposensitive Focus
The Challenge: Designing spaces for hyposensitive individuals means finding the right balance between vibrant "eye candy" and sensory comfort. Maximalist patterns and bright colors need to stimulate without visually overwhelming the senses.
The Solution: For hyposensitive users, pops of dynamic pattern and bold color can inspire engagement and joy—especially when paired with intentional flow and a cohesive design framework..
Momentum’s donation of custom fabrics, cushions, and furniture to nonprofit Mobile Makers Chicago’s Humboldt Park space highlights this lively approach. Yinka Ilori’s vivid textiles—rich with pattern and multicultural stories—add dopamine decor throughout the design-forward space, reinforcing a mission of creativity, inclusion, and support for all sensory needs.
Feel Energized with Lively Prints & Vibrant Palettes
Hypersensitive Focus
The Challenge: In healthcare environments like dental offices—where anxiety and sensory sensitivity are common—creating a space that feels calm and restorative is essential. Cold, clinical interiors no longer meet the emotional needs of patients.
The Solution: WGSN’s “Resi-Medical” aesthetic replaces sterile design with home-like comfort—soft lighting, greenery, and soothing tones—helping care spaces feel more welcoming and less clinical.
An example of this is at North Pointe Dental Care, where a custom digital wallcovering—designed and produced by Momentum—transforms the space into a serene retreat. Designed exclusively for their office, the turquoise wave pattern adds an airy, easy feeling to the treatment room. Paired with mint seating, soft lighting, and light woodgrain, the space is now a welcoming, sensory-friendly experience for patients of all ages.
Feel at Ease with Refreshing Hues & Rejuvenating Patterns.
3. Tactile Comfort
Feel-Good Textures for Sensory Well-Being
From offices to wellness centers, commercial design is redefining sensory experiences, both literally and psychologically. High-tech elements like glass and sleek lines merge with tactile fabrics, natural light, and greenery to create a nature-meets-nurture environment. Additionally, the use of temperature-regulating, eco-friendly fabrics promotes wellness for neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, and the planet alike.
Hyposensitive Focus
The Challenge: High-performance spaces, like office breakrooms or cafés, rely on cool air to stay comfortable yet often miss the cozy, welcoming touch that makes a space feel inviting. Standard materials can also trap heat, making it hard to strike the right balance in climate-controlled areas.
The Solution: Temperature-regulating materials like wool, hemp, cotton, and linen ensure year-round comfort and offer a sustainable alternative to polyester blends. Heavier textures, ribbed fabrics, and mohair also enhance sensory input, creating a comforting aura in bustling spaces—ideal for hypersensitive individuals or those with ADD or autism.
In a cozy café scene, Finnegan wool-blend upholstery on chairbacks (right) helps regulate temperature, adds comforting texture, and a timeless plaid aesthetic. The moisture-wicking properties of wool create a balanced environment, offering comfort and warmth year-round. With longevity, flame resistance, and eco-friendly benefits, it’s a durable, sustainable option for commercial spaces.
Feel Comforted with Cozy Textures & Temperature-Regulating Materials
Hypersensitive Focus
The Challenge: Designing spaces for hypersensitive individuals requires a careful balance. While bright pops and sleek minimalism are on-trend, overly bold hues or crisp finishes can feel overwhelming to those with sensory sensitivities, such as PTSD or ADHD.
The Solution: For those seeking calm, soothing environments, smooth textures like vinyl, silk, and cotton offer a gentle tactile experience. Natural elements—like woodgrain, stone finishes, and other earthy textures—then add a grounding touch. These thoughtful design choices help reduce sensory overload and create a peaceful, more inclusive atmosphere.
Picture a quiet lounge or café corner featuring these elements (left): Miro, a bio-based Circon wallcovering with a painterly torn-paper texture, evokes the feeling of rippling water in soft blue. Paired with streamlined seating upholstered in Renew—a subtly crosshatched textile in forest green with over 50% bio-based content—the space becomes a serene retreat from stark (or overstimulating) palettes.
Feel Grounded with Organic Influences & Eco-Mindful Materials
No matter your market or design aesthetic, customization (or intentional curation) is the future of commercial interiors. With options like our Digital Art Gallery of customizable wallcovering designs and tailored upholstery, we create sensory-smart, high-performing spaces aligned with your vision—and your visitors' experiences.
For more inspiration, explore our news and product launches, follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or visit us online at momentumtextilesandwalls.com.
Sources
HOK. "Designing a More Inclusive Workplace Through Sensory Experiences" https://www.hok.com/ideas/research/inclusive-workplace-uses/
WGSN. "Interiors Key Trend: Social Wellness Spaces." https://www.wgsn.com/interiors/article/67bdbd50c1bc409b30be97a6
WGSN. "Key Trends: Aesthetic Evolution 2025." https://www.wgsn.com/interiors/article/668698e4b561a28a01030285?lang=en&product=li&reportId=668698e4b561a28a01030285
WGSN. "Key Trends: Restorative Wellness Spaces." https://www.wgsn.com/interiors/article/669930f5c813a0021138559b
WGSN. "Wellness: 5 Key Trends for 2025." https://www.wgsn.com/interiors/article/677d8391f8ca34ee5e18e093?lang=en&product=li&reportId=677d8391f8ca34ee5e18e093