Multi-Sensory Rooms
A multi-sensory room brings light, sound, touch and movement into one space that people can explore at their own pace. Here's what goes into one, what it costs and how we design them.
What is a multi-sensory room?
A multi-sensory room, also called a multi-sensory environment (MSE) or Snoezelen room, is a space set aside for exploring the senses. The lighting can be dimmed and coloured, things move slowly, and sound and vibration can be felt as well as heard. Most of the equipment responds to the people in the room: press a switch and the bubbles change colour, step on a floor pad and the projection changes.
It's the all-round sensory room. Where a sensory integration room is built around movement and a de-escalation room around calm, a multi-sensory room brings a bit of everything together, and nothing in it has to be achieved. See all the types of sensory room.
Where does the name Snoezelen come from?
Snoezelen started in the Netherlands in the 1970s. The word joins two Dutch verbs, snuffelen (to sniff or explore) and doezelen (to doze): time to explore and time to relax. TFH has been making equipment for these rooms since the early days of Snoezelen.
What goes into a multi-sensory room?
Every room is different, but most multi-sensory rooms are built from the same families of equipment.
Sensory bubble tubes
Usually the centrepiece: rising bubbles and changing colour, made by TFH in Britain.
Fibre optics
Strands of soft, colour-changing light to hold, drape or lie under.
Projectors
Moving colour, stars or scenes across the walls and ceiling.
Interactive panels
Wall panels that light up or react to touch and sound.
Sound and vibration
Resonance seating and platforms, so the music is felt as well as heard.
Soft play and padding
Made-to-measure floor and wall padding, so it's safe to sit, lie and move anywhere.
Switches and controllers
So the person using the room can change it themselves, not just watch it.
How much space and budget do you need?
A bespoke multi-sensory room
Usually between £8,000 and £30,000 exc. VAT, and £8,000 is the minimum we recommend for a room we design and fit. You need a room with some clear, uncluttered areas.
Smaller spaces and budgets
Our Sensory Corners start at £1,187 exc. VAT and are designed to work together, so you can start with one and add more later. For buildings with no room to spare, the portable Vecta range runs from £1,500 to £7,000 exc. VAT.
How long it takes
A free 3D design and quote within a week, usually sooner. Made-to-measure padding takes around four weeks, and we install across the UK, or your site team can fit it.
Funding
Schools and charities often fund a room through SEND budgets, grants or fundraising. Our funding and grants guide covers what's available, and we can supply visuals to help with a bid.
Get your free designTry the price guide
Case study
Park Lane Special School
Park Lane had plenty of space, so we split the room into two areas: one built around interactive projection, the other a classic multi-sensory space. We worked out which features mattered most to the team and fitted them all in.
The room brings together a Bubble Column, a Hurricane Tube, the Chromatheme projector, a Pixels panel and made-to-measure padding. We fitted the equipment first, then measured up and came back to fit the padding.
Multi-sensory room FAQs
Is a multi-sensory environment the same as a sensory room?
Yes. Multi-sensory environment (MSE), multi-sensory room, sensory room and Snoezelen room all describe the same kind of space.
Who is a multi-sensory room for?
Anyone who enjoys it. Most are built for schools, care settings, hospitals and family homes, for children and adults with a wide range of needs, and used one to one as well as in small groups.
How much training do staff need?
Very little. Most staff pick it up quickly, and further training is available if you want the whole team confident using the room.
Can we install it ourselves?
Yes. Our equipment is easy to fit, though made-to-measure items such as padding rely on your measurements being accurate.
Can we add to it later?
Yes. Tell us at the start if you plan to expand, and we'll plan the whole room in the first design so nothing needs moving later.
How long will the equipment last?
TFH sensory equipment comes with a one-year guarantee, and we offer a service package to keep the room in good order.