Sensory Design in Architecture and Spaces – how scent impacts emotion
Sensory Design in Architecture and Spaces – how scent impacts emotion
Author
TracyPepe
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Author
TracyPepe
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Sensory design uses scent, colour, touch, and sound to create better spaces. Discover how this approach improves care, branding, and user experience.
Why Sensory Design Matters More Than Ever
Designing for the senses is no longer just an artistic choice—it’s a science-backed approach that improves how people feel, think, and interact in a space. From international airports to long-term care homes, sensory design is changing how we build for wellness, function, and memory.
Table of Contents
- What Is Sensory Design?
- How Smell, Colour, and Touch Influence Experience
- Sensory Design in Commercial Spaces
- Using Scent in Long-Term Care
- FAQs on Sensory Design
- Book a Consultation
What Is Sensory Design?
Sensory design is the practice of engaging multiple senses—smell, touch, sound, taste, and sight—in the built environment. Architects and designers have used this technique for decades to create emotional impact and improve spatial outcomes.
One notable example is Dej a vu, a sensory design exhibit I ( Tracy Pepe) curated. This installation explored how scent, colour, and sound can shift perception and mood. These same design principles were applied to major projects like Toronto Pearson International Airport’s “Smelling Colours”, and signature scent branding for hospitality spaces like the Trump Toronto Hotel, including the famed Champagne & Caviar scent.
How Smell, Colour, and Touch Influence Experience
The Power of Colour in Design
Colour psychology has long been integrated into interior design and branding. For example:
- Red and orange tones stimulate appetite and energy—ideal for dining spaces.
- Blue hues tend to suppress hunger and promote calm—often used in spas or bedrooms.
The Science of Scent and Colour Pairing
Pairing scent with colour is a well-researched sensory cue used in everything from product packaging to marketing. Would you expect a pink laundry detergent to smell like eucalyptus? Likely not—because our brains are trained to associate certain colours with specific scents.
Sensory Design in Commercial Spaces
The Rise of Scent Marketing
Scent Marketing is the science of using fragrance to tell a brand’s story. You’ll find it in:
- High-end retail stores
- Luxurious hotels
- Dynamic office lobbies
- Engaging public installations
These spaces rely on scent to connect emotionally with visitors and influence behaviour—lingering longer, buying more, or simply feeling welcome.
Using Scent in Long-Term Care
Unlike retail or hospitality, applying scent in healthcare or long-term care settings requires thoughtful consideration. Overpowering aromas can be triggering, leading to discomfort or adverse reactions. That’s why we often work with organizations to update outdated “scent-free” policies to more inclusive and evidence-informed “Scent-Friendly” policies—allowing residents and staff to use scent as a therapeutic tool in a safe, practical, and respectful manner.
That’s why Smelling Pink has developed a science-based approach to introducing scent therapy safely and effectively. We train existing care teams to:
- Understand the chemistry of essential oils
- Learn the psychology behind scent and memory
- Implement gentle scent layering techniques into daily care
- Monitor outcomes using sensory engagement tools
This ensures the use of scent becomes therapeutic, not overwhelming.
FAQs on Sensory Design
What is the difference between scent marketing and sensory design?
Scent marketing focuses specifically on branding through story telling using scent. Sensory design integrates more than one of the senses into a built space to improve human interaction and emotional response.
Is scent safe to use in healthcare?
Yes—with proper training and scent selection. Smelling Pink ensures low-risk, non-triggering scent applications specifically tailored to senior and medical environments. Our results have been remarkable:
- Increased sense of smell after just seven scent therapy sessions
- Noticeable reduction in anxiety medication
- Improvements in appetite and sleep
- And most importantly, staff love it too—because it enhances care and creates a more calming, engaging environment for everyone.
How Do I Match Scents with Colours in Design?
We use neuroscience-backed techniques to pair colours with scent profiles that evoke specific emotional and physical responses. For example, citrus scents naturally align with yellow and orange tones—stimulating energy, optimism, and alertness.
Want to learn more?
Join us for our free webinar on July 29th at 1:00 PM EST
or watch it later on YouTube as we explore how to use scent and colour together to transform spaces in healthcare, design, and beyond.
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