When deciding whether to build a sensory room there is one question that will likely be at the top of your list to ask: how much will it cost? Further, what equipment is needed? There is no one answer to these questions! The costs of a sensory room are largely based on what kind of equipment you include and the size of space you are coordinating, so you’ll often be able to adjust the cost to fit within your budget needs.

At SensoryOne, we realize no two clients have the same needs. From space dimensions, target group needs, to budgets – we build sensory rooms to suit. Importantly, our sensory space design services are complementary. Get your design today!

The cost can vary considerably

From a few hundred to several thousand, the cost of a custom sensory room varies widely depending on several factors. The cost of building a sensory room will vary quite a bit depending on what tools, equipment, toys and furniture you’d like to include in it.  As well, the size of the room, the materials used, the complexity of the equipment and technology, and the location of the project will all play a significant role in the cost. On average, the cost can range from $5,000 to $100,000 or more.

Sensory room design experts can make a difference

Choosing a service provider that is willing to work with you in order to create the perfect sensory space for your needs can make all the difference. They are better able to understand the needs of your intended users, and are able to recommend tools and equipment that will suit your goals.

Once you’ve decided on kind of the space you’re dedicating to your sensory room, a service provider can use this information to provide a more accurate quote before you get started. They will also offer you advice on how to design the space for optimal usability. This support can help you form a plan, keeping your budget and wants in mind.

Interactive technology is a worthwhile addition

Interactive technology tools like virtual realty games and interactive projectors systems can really elevate your sensory room. Although they can end up adding costs to the project, the investment is well worth it. The more activities and games that you include in your sensory room, the longer kids will be engaged during their visits.

There are a variety of interactive tools that you could include in your space, including:

Virtual reality systems – The Broomx projector turns an entire room into an immersive experience, without needing a bulky headset or other equipment.

Interactive projectors – The OMI interactive projector takes visitors on an immersive and interactive journey through a variety of games and visual adventures.

A projector system – The Budii projector system is a tabletop or floor projector that invites users to play games and interact with the projected images. These are excellent for at-home, residential use.

Sensory carts are a budget-minded option

If budget and space are a concern, creating a sensory cart is a great option to start with. These portable units take up less space and can have a much lower initial cost, while still offering a sensory experience to settings that may benefit from one. With the ability to include a projector, virtual reality system and other interactive and technology-based tools, a sensory cart can provide sensory engagement even with a smaller budget.

Set a budget before you start

When building a sensory room, the costs can vary quite a bit based on the tools and equipment you install, the space you have to fill, and the design elements you want to include. From hundreds of dollars to well into the thousands, there is no limit to what you can invest into your sensory space. Including more expensive options like a projector or virtual reality can boost your budget while providing more activities for visitors, while forgoing these activity centers can keep costs lower. Deciding ahead of time how much you’d like to spend can help your sensory room be the best it can be.

Creating a sensory room can provide immeasurable benefits

The benefits that a sensory room can have for people who are experiencing sensory overload are numerous. The ability to take a time out from a stressful situation can help both kids and adults to manage their emotions and regain control.

The cost of creating a sensory room can vary significantly for multiple reasons. If budget is a concern, you can always start smaller and relatively low-tech, and build out your space in phases.

Sensory room providers that help you plan your space typically have the in-house expertise, rather than just being equipment resellers. For what may be a project costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, proper expertise and support is imperative.

Creating a sensory space for children with special needs is a growing trend in many different settings. From doctor’s offices to schools, the ability to offer a child that may struggle with sensory issues a place to decompress and focus can improve their experience immensely. Many parents of children with special needs may struggle with knowing what kind of equipment would benefit their child the most, but creating a sensory space at home doesn’t have to be a difficult process.

At-home sensory equipment ideas

At SensoryOne, we provide exclusive sensory room design and equipment to educational, health and care facilities in the USA and Canada. In-home therapy equipment is also available for special needs children and adults.

There are endless options for what kind of equipment is best suited for an at-home sensory space. Whether you are able to dedicate an entire room to your child’s sensory needs or are working with a smaller area, there are many tools that can help create a great experience.

A projector

One of the easiest pieces of equipment to include in a sensory space is a projector. These basic tools can project a variety of lights, stars or scenes onto walls or ceilings, providing a calming distraction from many situations.  

A sensory cart

Ideal for small areas that can’t accommodate a permanent sensory space set up, a sensory cart is a great option. Often portable, this unit can be purchased done-for-you, or can be something you put together yourself with a variety of different sensory activities and toys.

Budii interactive projector

This interactive projector system is very compact and can be set up on a table or ground, and used with little to no adult supervision. The Budii projector is designed to encourage sensory exploration and stimulation while also improving motor skills and communication, as well as reducing anxiety.

Tactile wall panels

Sensory rooms and spaces thrive on encouraging visitors to hone in on specific senses. A tactile wall panel or tile offers kids the ability to focus on the sense of touch, giving their other senses a break. This is especially beneficial if the child with special needs child experiences sensory overload in some situations.

Fun lighting

Bubble tubes, fibre optic lighting and dimmable lights are both fun and functional in a sensory space. Bright lights can often be distracting and too intense for a child with special needs and sensory issues. The ability to reduce the brightness and provide an interactive option can help reduce anxiety, stress and stimulation.

Interactive floor or wall panels

Interactive panels that are installed on a floor or wall allow children to connect, engage and play with an interactive, light up panel that responds to their touches and movements.

A virtual reality system

The Broomx VR system is a fully immersive experience that doesn’t require headsets, making it an excellent option for at home sensory spaces. The video experiences it can project around a room allow the child to fully immerse in a unique setting, encouraging benefits like mood boosts, feelings of relaxation, memory stimulation and increased cognitive function.

The new Budii projector system

The Budii interactive projection system turns any table top or floor space into an interactive play area. The ability to use it without the need of a parent or caregiver means that a child can engage with the technology on their own, anytime they’d like.

Some of the benefits of the Budii system include:

• Offers fun and engaging support to physio and occupational therapy
• Activities have been created by educational professionals
• Can help calm children during high sensory experiences like a meltdown
• Encourages social interaction
• Can be used without direct parent or caregiver supervision
• Engaging for kids of any age, both for independent play and while playing with others
• Sensory activities can be adjusted according to the age and interest level of the child

Creating a sensory focal point

Choosing one central piece of equipment to invest in can help make your job a bit easer. A scalable tool that can grow and adapt with the needs of the child can help your sensory space remain relevant, dynamic and fun, even as the child’s interests change.

Creating a sensory space that can grow and adapt with the child as their interests and needs change can help ensure that they will continue to benefit from its presence. Rather than having to constantly adjust and recreate the space as the child ages, a tool that can grow and adjust with the child’s interests helps keep their sensory space unique and interesting.

As sensory spaces increase in popularity, we are learning even more about the kids who enjoy and benefit from their use. In particular, children that benefit immensely from having access to a sensory centered environment are those who coping with ADHD and learning disabilities. These disorders can create an overwhelming environment for kids. The ability to retreat, refocus and expend energy can be helpful for both the children with the disorders, and educators and/or caregivers that support them.

At SensoryOne, we support health, education and caregivers create environments that provide stimulation and calming environments. Those with ADHD respond positively to interactive offerings afforded by a multi-sensory space.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological disorder that is most often diagnosed in children. However, as more becomes understood about the disorder and its symptoms, adults are getting diagnosed with increasing frequency as well.

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, most commonly presents as an inability to sit still or pay attention. While it is normal for kids to have difficulty doing this at times, those with ADHD will not grow out of this behaviour.

The severity of this disorder can vary quite a bit from one child (or adult) to the next, and can create problems throughout their lives at school, at home and with friends.

Benefits of sensory stimulation for kids with ADHD

Sensory environments in schools, doctors’ offices and at home can have a number of positive effects on kids who have ADHD or other learning disabilities. The opportunity to remove themselves from a situation in which they are overwhelmed, or are overwhelming those around them, can help kids to learn how to manage their ADHD, which will allow them to thrive as they get older.

Some benefits of creating a sensory room or space for kids who have ADHD or learning disabilities can include:

Helps focus attention

One of the hallmarks of ADHD is the inability to focus, so sensory activities that draw in a child’s attention can help them learn ways to apply this skill in the outside world. Wall panels and interactive projectors are a great way to draw a child’s attention to a task or game and encourage their focused participation.

Helps them expend energy

Children with ADHD often have excess energy that they aren’t sure what to do with, especially in settings like a school classroom where the expectation is to calmly sit in a desk and pay attention. A sensory room with activities like a small trampoline, a swing or climbing rope, interactive floor panels and other more physical activities can teach kids to use these dedicated spaces as an energy release, in order to return to the classroom somewhat calmer.

Helps filter stimulation

For many children living with a sensory disorder, their day-to-day surroundings can be a bit of a sensory overload. The constant stimulation, especially in a school or other public space, can make it difficult to focus and find peace. A sensory room allows users to choose the level of interaction and stimulation that they can manage, and alter their environment to be one that they can thrive in. Soft & dimmable lights, quiet music, comfortable seating and relaxing games are all excellent features to include in a sensory space.

Develop learning techniques

Kids with learning disabilities often don’t naturally thrive in a typical classroom environment. For many, this traditional style of teaching makes learning objectives difficult to absorb and benefit from. A sensory room allows children to experiment with different learning techniques to help them figure out ways in which they do learn well. Some kids with ADHD or learning disabilities will do better with a hands-on approach, while others may thrive with more visual cues. A sensory environment can provide a varied and unique experience that is tailored to each individual student.

Reduce distraction for other kids in the classroom

Kids who feel overwhelmed, over stimulated or who have an abundance of energy that is hard for them to control will often react by causing distractions for the kids around them. The ability to remove them from the classroom and give them a sensory environment to immerse in can help reduce the distractions to their fellow students while still meeting the needs of the student.

Sensory stimulation an important factor for kids with ADHD

Sensory rooms and portable carts are important tools in helping kids learn how to manage their ADHD and learning challenges. Offering a safe space for them to spend time, manage stimulation and learn about their needs and interests will help kids have the best experience possible.

Creating a sensory space is becoming a fairly common practice in many public areas, especially ones that are catered to children. The ability to retreat to a space that is focused on sensory engagement can help both children and adults to manage difficult situations and work through their emotions in a safe environment.

While it’s often most common to dedicate a whole room or a piece of one to the creation of a sensory space, there are many situations where this just isn’t feasible. This is where sensory carts come in! These compact and portable units make having a sensory space possible, no matter how much room you have available.

Sensory carts, or trolleys, are transformative for institutions requiring the ability to take the therapeutic benefits of a sensory environment to patients or users. For schools, hospitals, eldercare facilities or even private homes. At SensoryOne, our sensory equipment specialists can customize a sensory cart to meet your needs.

Benefits of a Sensory Cart

Building a sensory cart isn’t a difficult task. There are many benefits to building one, even if it is being added to an already existing sensory room.

1. Portability

The most significant benefit to having a sensory cart is the fact that it is portable. A sensory space that can move around to wherever it is needed is helpful for any environment. Whether it gets moved from one school classroom to another, between exam rooms at a medical center or to different rooms at a seniors’ facility, a portable sensory cart is very convenient.

2. Adaptability

A portable sensory cart is designed to be adaptable to the needs of those using it. Whether you’re able to create a large cart packed with sensory items or are more restricted by space or budget, there are few limits when it comes to putting together an effective sensory cart.

3. Variety of sensory activities

Much like a sensory room, a sensory cart can include a wide variety of activities in order to be adaptable to anyone that will use it. From electronic features like an interactive projector or fibre optic lights to tactile experiences like kinetic sand or finger paints, a sensory cart can offer a unique experience for any user.

4. Small footprint

A sensory cart takes up considerably less room than most other sensory space options. It can be easily moved around from room to room, tucked in a corner for later use or put away for another day without taking up too much space. This means even the smallest places can benefit from a sensory cart.

Ready made or DIY?

Once you’ve decided that a sensory cart is the best option for your situation, the next question is whether you’d like to build it yourself or buy one that’s already made. The ability to create or buy a sensory cart that meets the specific needs of the people who will be using it helps maximize its value and effectiveness.

Ready made:

Buying a ready-made sensory cart that comes equipped with a variety of different sensory items takes a lot of the guesswork out of choosing the right activities. With a number of different done for you sensory cart options to choose from, you’ll be able to get one that suits your exact needs.

Create your own:

If you already have ideas of what you’d like to include on your sensory cart, putting together your own is a good choice. You can buy a cart that is already outfitted with a sound system and electronic connections and add the sensory items you’d like, or start completely from scratch. This method allows you to cater the cart to the setting in which it will be used.

Sensory carts are useful in a variety of settings

Much like a sensory room, sensory carts are very useful in a variety of different settings. Schools are the most common place to find a dedicated sensory space, however they are quickly appearing in a number of places. Sensory carts are the perfect tool for creating an immersive sensory experience in a setting that isn’t equipped for a dedicated room.

Hospitals, schools and day care centers, senior centers & programs, and doctors offices will all benefit from their use. A sensory cart can be used as a standalone sensory experience, or as an addition to a sensory room that is already in use. They are a great way to contain a number of different sensory tools in one central location, especially when you are short on space or want to move it around.