4 Simple Ways To Make Your Home More Sensory-Friendly
Karlie Froseth,
Occupational Therapist
When I talk with parents about sensory processing, one thing I might ask is, “What does your home environment look and feel like for your child?”
Kids who process the world differently, their surroundings can either help them stay regulated—or make it harder. Bright lights, loud noises, cluttered spaces, strong smells… all of it adds up. And when a child’s nervous system is already on high alert, that overload can lead to meltdowns, avoidance, or shutdowns.
There are tips to help your home become sensory friendly without completely redesigning your home. I have four simple, practical changes I often recommend to families I work with—easy to adjust, and surprisingly impactful.
1. Declutter the play space
I see this a lot—well-meaning, toy-filled spaces that are supposed to invite creativity, but end up creating chaos. For many kids, especially those with sensory sensitivities, too much visual input can be overwhelming. Instead of sparking play, the room can make it hard to focus or choose anything at all.
Clearing out the excess helps a child’s brain rest. It allows them to engage more fully—and often for longer periods of time.
What helps:
Rotate toys weekly to keep options fresh but manageable
Use bins and baskets that hide visual clutter
Keep shelves and wall space simple when possible
Think of it as setting the stage for deeper, calmer play.
2. Create a calm corner
Every child needs a place to regroup. Not as a consequence, but as a comfort. A calm corner gives them a predictable, safe spot to go when their body feels dysregulated, or their emotions are running high.
This doesn’t have to take up much room—a small nook with a few cozy items can do the trick. The key is consistency and helping your child see it as a positive, soothing space.
Simple additions:
A soft seat or blanket to curl up in
Fidgets, sensory bottles, or a favorite book
Headphones or a white noise machine if sound is a trigger
I’ve seen kids use these spaces not just during tough moments, but to prevent tough moments, too.
3. Build in big movement
Movement is one of the best tools we have to help kids regulate their bodies and emotions. When children seek out jumping, crashing, spinning, or deep pressure, they’re often looking for proprioceptive input—something their nervous system craves to feel grounded and safe.
You don’t need specialized equipment. You just need ways to move.
Try this:
Make an obstacle course by crawl under tables or through tunnels
Push heavy laundry baskets
Hop like a frog from room to room
Jump on a small trampoline or over couch cushions
Even five minutes of big movement can make a huge difference before transitions, meals, or focus-heavy tasks.
4. Minimize strong scents
Smells are sneaky. You may not even notice them anymore—but for some kids, strong scents are an instant overload. Candles, air fresheners, even certain soaps can trigger headaches, dysregulation, or avoidance behaviors.
Sensory-friendly homes often start with simplifying scent.
Easy switches:
Use unscented or low-scent cleaning products and detergents
Skip plug-ins and heavily perfumed sprays
Let in fresh air when weather allows
This is one of those changes that feels small… until you realize how much calmer your child seems without that sensory interference.
No space is perfect, and this isn’t about doing everything at once. But small shifts in your environment can have a big impact on how your child feels—and how your family functions day to day.
If you’re ever unsure where to start, we’re here. We can work with families to create real-world solutions that support your child’s sensory needs without making life more complicated.
