UNDERSTANDING SENSORY TRIGGERS IN INTERIOR SPACES FOR PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY

Abstract

People with anxiety experience heightened sensitivity to sensory input, especially in interior environments that contain overstimulating elements. This research investigates how sensory triggers such as harsh lighting, clutter, loud sounds, sharp edges, rough textures, cold materials, high-contrast colours, and poor spatial planning contribute to anxiety in interior spaces. The study aims to use sensory mapping to identify these triggers, understand their psychological impact, and propose design strategies to minimize discomfort. Observational methods were used to analyse how interior elements influence emotional responses, based on established principles of sensory processing and environmental psychology. The findings indicate that unpredictable lighting, visual noise, echoing acoustics, cramped layouts, and cold materials activate the brain’s stress response by signalling unpredictability or potential danger. Individuals with anxiety are especially vulnerable due to their heightened sensory processing, which causes overstimulation. The results also show that warm lighting, natural textures, plants, acoustic comfort, soft materials, curved forms, and open circulation patterns help reduce tension, promote calmness, and support emotional well-being. This study concludes that sensory mapping is an effective method for identifying and minimizing anxiety triggers in interior spaces, enabling designers to create environments that support mental comfort and psychological safety.

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