Traditionally a sensory room was a designated room with equipment designed to create a specific mood. This could be anything from very relaxing to stimulation. Although most sensory rooms are dedicated spaces they need not be and there has been increasing use of special areas and especially of mobile ones.

The TFH Vecta was the first mobile sensory room and has spawned many copies.

Typical equipment in a room sensory room are: bubble columns, fibre optics, projectors, tactile and other wall mounted features, sound light panels, soft furniture and padding, frequently fitted with resonance, music and aroma diffusers.

In the very early days of sensory rooms, much of the equipment originated in the disco industry and it was often said a sensory room resembled a gentle disco. Over the years the equipment has become quite sophisticated and designed to elicit different responses.