A home that supports well-being and is free of sensory barriers—expert tips on reducing visual clutter and noise pollution

Photos of beautiful homes in interior design magazines and on social media can create the impression that you simply must choose whatever is in style to be considered trendy or credible. If you only opt for popular interior solutions for your home, it may look great—but it may not feel that way.

Interior designer Eevi Vihinen hopes that anyone decorating their home would ask themselves: “Why do I want this? Is this really my style, or is it just a pretty space I’ve seen? What do I truly need from my home?”

Here’s a good example of how external pressure can arise:

“One of my clients, with whom I was working on an initial interior design plan, mentioned a frequently used design element these days. She admitted she didn’t actually like it but wondered if it had to be included. I always try to gently challenge that kind of thinking and encourage my clients to consider who they’re really decorating for. Often the issue is that people don’t dare to stay true to their own style or haven’t discovered it yet,” says Vihinen.

Another thing Vihinen believes cannot be emphasized enough is that interior design should start by considering all members of the household. This is particularly important if any of them have sensory sensitivities.

Since 2018, Vihinen has specialized in designing for sensory sensitivities, ever since she first encountered the term “sensory barrier-free” at a housing fair.

“I was so excited! Is there really a term for something I’d been naturally trying to achieve around me since I was a child? I myself am highly sensitive, and as an adult I was diagnosed with ADHD. Looking back, I realize that as a child I was constantly overwhelmed by various sensory stimuli. I couldn’t influence everything at home, but I did what I could so I’d feel good and safe in my own room.”

Vihinen wants to create a world where sensory barrier-free design is one of the starting points in how we build our surroundings. She especially hopes to see this in public building projects.

“I dream of a situation where people with sensory sensitivities don’t have to adapt to built environments that fail to consider their sensory needs. I want to do my part to raise awareness about this.”

For someone who is sensitive to sensory input, the central nervous system doesn’t adapt normally to prevailing stimulus conditions, so they become overstimulated more quickly and intensely. This trait is congenital or can be caused by a brain injury, for instance from a concussion.

“Often the sensory experiences of sensitive individuals build up, and there is no typical adaptation—or it happens more slowly.”

Awareness of sensory sensitivities is growing all the time, but many people might not recognize that their feelings at home stem from a sensitivity to certain things. It’s common to be bothered by lighting that’s too bright or too dim, which can then amplify other sensitivities. At home, there can be a great deal of visual clutter: no storage solutions, or items piling up in the wrong places. Noise pollution is also a problem in many modern homes, as everyone has their own devices playing sounds or videos.

“I have discussed this topic at industry events and on podcasts, trained students, designers and architects, and written a book about it. My understanding and concern have increasingly grown over the fact that this issue is still not well recognized.”

Still, Vihinen believes some degree of change is underway. A good example is the city of Turku, which apparently was the first in Finland to update its guidelines on accessibility last year to include sensory accessibility.

Sensitive individuals can become overwhelmed by intense sensory stimuli, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or in the worst case, depression.

“People with sensory sensitivities make up about 20 percent of the population—a sizable group. It’s important to remember that sensory barrier-free design brings benefits to everyone else, too. When your senses can’t properly reset and your nervous system is in overdrive, it’s extremely draining. And it’s not just draining for the sensitive individual but for everyone else, too.”

For years, Vihinen has worked with people who have sensory sensitivities and clients dealing with neuropsychiatric challenges. A good interior design plan starts with acknowledging all residents, their opinions, and their wishes, to identify everyone’s needs.

It can be particularly difficult for those who are not themselves sensory sensitive to grasp the existence of something invisible. That’s why Vihinen believes it’s essential to explain the phenomenon from a scientific perspective, too: what happens on a physiological level when someone with a sensory sensitivity becomes overwhelmed?

When designing spaces that support well-being and sensory barrier-free homes, Vihinen says a trusting relationship is key to achieving a good result.

“It’s not enough for me to simply know a client’s favorite colors and budget. I need information on highly personal matters: sensitivities, challenges, feelings, and the constraints of their environment. That’s where we move beyond fluffing throw pillows to issues that require deeper reflection. It takes courage and trust for clients to share their sensitivities and daily struggles with me so I can help in the best possible way. But it’s worth it.”

In sensory barrier-free interior design all of the primary senses except taste are taken into account. People’s sensitivities manifest in different ways: one person is bothered by sounds, another by smells, and a third might be overwhelmed by all of them. Disorder and visual clutter are a major source of stress at home for many. Sometimes the visual distractions can be so much that it feels as if the items and mess are shouting.

“I often come across the assumption that a sensory barrier-free environment must be very monochromatic, even boring. The key is how the individual elements come together as a whole. By all means, use color! Just make sure they’re colors you love, and that the overall mood is balanced and calming to your senses.”

To get closer to a sensory barrier-free environment, it is equally important to minimize stressors and increase elements that promote well-being. While certain stimuli can overwhelm the senses, others provide good stimulation. You can also use the senses to recover and bring in positive energy.

Work communities also include individuals with a wide range of personal characteristics. One person may need a quiet space to work, while another’s nervous system thrives on more stimulation.

“Spaces should be adaptable, offering the right conditions for each employee. For instance, the multi-space offices that have replaced traditional open-plan designs serve different people better. When spaces are built to accommodate everyone in a work community, they support more lasting well-being.”

Vihinen says that her own background allows her to easily relate to many of her clients who struggle with sensory overload.

“Challenges stemming from sensory sensitivities are part of my everyday life, and I’ve also dealt with severe burnout. My experiences help me understand a wide range of difficulties and situations.”

According to Vihinen, a supportive atmosphere of trust and empathy together with a client always leads to wonderful results: homes and spaces where the residents feel safe and supported in their daily well-being.