Ways to support tactile and material-related sensitivities in the home environment.
29 May 2025
BY NEUROKIND DESIGN
Our home environments are full of different textures and tactile experiences which we encounter daily, both directly and indirectly. From the floor we walk on to the bedding we sleep in; these all make up part of our daily sensory experience. Our sense of touch is an important part of how we interact with and perceive our physical environment; so when we find certain types of tactile input dysregulating or are not getting the right levels of tactile input for ourselves, it can have a huge impact on how we function and feel in our spaces.
The Research
So how does our tactile sense work? Our sense of touch is experienced through receptors located in our skin. It allows us to process external and internal sensations such as pressure, movement, vibration, temperature, pain and shape. Its integration with other senses - like sight, sound and thermoception - enhances our ability to perceive and interact with the world around us.
Tactile perception refers to the overall ability to sense and interpret touch stimuli. Tactile discrimination helps us identify what the sensation is based on our initial perception of stimuli and our previous lived experience. It also helps us differentiate between ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ tactile sensations, protecting us from harmful stimuli by alerting our nervous system to a potential threat [i]. Those with sensory processing issues may have differences in tactile perception and discrimination, or experience something called tactile defensiveness. This is when sudden, unpleasant or uncontrolled tactile input causes distress and/or avoidance [ii]. Alternatively, you might find yourself seeking certain types of input for comfort or sensory regulation.
There are many dimensions of the tactile environment and how we interact with it in our homes. One dimension is the tactile experiences we interact with directly (e.g. through physical touch, both initiated and received). Another is the material and textural qualities, experienced indirectly, and how they can affect other sensory systems, such as sound and visual noise. We discuss both in this article as we believe they are important components of our tactile experience in space - refer to Figure 1 below for further explanation.
Figure 1: Some of the different dimensions of tactile experience in space (click or tap on the diagram to get a closer look).
Autistic individuals may experience heightened responses to tactile stimuli, particularly light touch or uncomfortable textures, leading to avoidance behaviours that impact social interactions and daily routines. Research on tactile hyper-sensitivity is currently varies in its conclusions. A 2017 study by Fukuyama et al. tested whether autonomic or perceptual differences were responsible for tactile hyper-sensitivity in autistic adults. Based on the results it was found that atypical autonomic processing (nervous system response) was linked to increased hyper-sensitivity rather than differences in perceptual abilities [iii]. However, a different study, also in adults with autism, found enhanced perception in some areas, including detection of vibration and temperature [iv]. Regardless, tactile hyper-sensitivities are a common aspect of neurodivergent life, particularly for those with autism, and can impact day to day functioning if not supported in our physical environments.
Conversely, individuals experiencing hypo-sensitivity to tactile stimuli may seek out deep pressure or touch pressure to regulate their sensory input. Research suggests that deep pressure, applied correctly, can reduce anxiety, improve bodily awareness and increase feelings of happiness [v, vi]. Occupational therapy group OTFC explain: "Deep pressure is commonly used by occupational therapists to help reduce arousal levels and anxiety or support “sensory modulation”. This is because this type of touch to the body can cause the release of certain brain chemicals (such as dopamine – the “pleasure” neurotransmitter), creates a parasympathetic response in the body (more relaxed, neutral state) and can reduce cortisol levels (the “stress” hormone)." [vii].
So, how can we design for sensitivities to tactile input and materiality in our home environments? Below, we suggest simple strategies and provide examples that consider texture and materiality in your home environment. [1]
1 Eliminate potentially dysregulating tactile input.
Creating a sensory-friendly home environment starts with identifying and eliminating dysregulating tactile input. This will look different for everyone depending on your unique sensory needs, as well as the needs of others living in the home. However, harsh or unpredictable textures — such as rough, scratchy or sticky surfaces — can heighten discomfort and stress for many. In this case, avoid materials like course plaster or stone, rough fabrics, or plastic or vinyl which might become sticky in warm weather.
Prioritizing soft, breathable, smooth fabrics (such as cotton or plush fabrics) for furniture and bedding can help maintain a soothing tactile landscape. Flooring choices matter too; swapping rough rugs for plush options or prioritising smooth, cool surfaces can minimize overstimulation.
We recommend considering the most sensitive member of the household first, starting with a low sensory baseline. Then you can integrate more heightened tactile input in ways that can be introduced or removed from the space more easily, or are confined to certain zones of the home.
2 Seek out the tactile input that you find regulating.
Some types of tactile input can be regulating, particularly the those that we seek out. This can include things like somatosensory tools (fidget toys) and different types of touch pressure. To incorporate this into your home environment and daily routines, you might like to use object-based solutions that you can use as needed. Movement-based solutions might include fidget toys, dynamic furniture, or even a kit of everyday objects that you like to fidget with (e.g. a spoon, a pen, etc.). Pressure based solutions might include weighted blankets/vests, lap pads, or therapressure brushes. You might also use elements of the environment to provide this touch pressure, like safely squeezing yourself between cushions.
You also like to be strategic about the type of materials you incorporate into your home and choose the types of textures and materials that bring you joy and regulation. For example, if you enjoy the feeling of walking barefoot on uneven surfaces, such as stone, so you might choose this as a flooring material. If you like running your hands over a piled material like velvet, you might like to line a space with it. However, be mindful of the potential impact on the other sensory systems, or how your material choices may impact the sensory experience of others within the home.
3 Consider how materiality can contribute to visual noise.
Aside from our physical interaction with textures, the visual quality of textures should also be considered. Shiny and highly reflective textures, such as glossy tiles or glass, can often create glare, reflections and shadows which may be distracting or overwhelming. Smooth, slippery floor surfaces may also be difficult to walk on or cause you to feel uneasy. If this applies to you, we recommend prioritising matte finish materials and applying smooth, shiny textures thoughtfully.
Another consideration is the physical colour or texture pattern of a material. For example, a stone surface with a bold grain or speckle may contribute to visual overwhelm, or a tile with high contrast grout. For more information on this topic, check out our ‘Visual Noise’ blog here.
4 Consider how materiality can affect sound.
It is also worth considering how the materiality of our home affects your acoustic comfort. Soft, absorbent materials like plush rugs, carpet, soft furnishings, and heavy curtains can help to dampen excess noise, making for a quieter sound environment. In contrast, hard surfaces such as tile, glass, or bare walls tend to reflect sound, amplifying echoes and contributing to a noisier sound environment.
We recommend prioritising natural, textured materials (such as timber, unpolished stone, brick) and soft textiles to not only enhance spatial comfort but also influence how sound travels. To reduce noise, try to break up large areas of bare wall with curtains, canvas artworks or wall tapestries. If you don’t have carpet, use rugs and runners to add soft texture to large areas of bare floor. To learn more on the topic of sound in the home environment, check out or ‘Sound’ blog here.
Endnotes:
[1] We recognise that environments are rarely occupied by one, and some of the strategies we suggest may not address opposing needs. However they are intended to inform, empower and create conversations about how neurodivergence can be supported and celebrated in our physical environments. In the case of differing sensory needs in environments occupied by multiple people, we recommend prioritising adaptability, control and flexibility as much as possible.
References:
[i] Occupational Therapy Helping Children. n.d. “The Tactile System.” Occupational Therapy Helping Children, Accessed 15 April 2025. https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/the-tactile-system/
[ii] Griffin OT. 2024. “What is Tactile Defensiveness, or Touch Sensitivity?” Griffin OT. https://www.griffinot.com/what-is-tactile-defensiveness/
[iii] Fukuyama, Hiroshi, Shin-ichiro Kumagaya, Kosuke Asada, Satsuki Ayaya and Masaharu Kato. 2017. "Autonomic Versus Perceptual Accounts for Tactile Hypersensitivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder." Scientific Reports, 7 (8259). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08730-3
[iv] Cascio, Carissa, Francis McGlone, Stephen Folger, Vinay Tannan, Grace Baranek, et al. 2007. "Tactile Perception in Adults with Autism: a Multidimensional Psychophysical Study." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38 (2008): 127–137. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-007-0370-8
[v] Lara Bestbier, and Tim I. Williams. 2017. “The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences.” Occupational Therapy International, 2017. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7534972
[vi] Edelson, S.M, M.G Edelson, D.C Kerr, T Grandin. 1999. "Behavioral and physiological effects of deep pressure on children with autism: a pilot study evaluating the efficacy of Grandin's Hug Machine." The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53 (2):145-152: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.53.2.145
[vii] OTFC Group. 2024. "Deep Pressure." OTFC Group (blog), October 11, 2024. https://otfcgroup.com.au/our-approach/resources/deep-pressure.
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