Our homes are meant to be sanctuaries—places where we can escape the hustle of daily life and recharge. But experts say the way we shape our spaces goes beyond aesthetics: It can support our mental health and help ease challenges associated with neurodivergent conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism, and dyslexia.
Neuroinclusive design, sometimes called sensory-inclusive or neurodiversity-affirming design, is quickly moving into the mainstream, focusing on adjustable lighting, intentional organization, sensory-friendly materials, and more. At its core, neuroinclusive design “is the practice of creating environments that support the full range of human nervous systems,” says Anita Yokota, a licensed therapist turned interior designer and the author of Grounded Living. Jill Croka, principal designer of Jill Croka Designs, has a background in psychotherapy, and adds that neuroinclusive design is all about “ease of use, use of the space, and overall satisfaction on every level.”
My introduction to the concept came when YouTube recommended a video to me of Paris Hilton, who has ADHD, designing a neuroinclusive home office. The video series, with more than 6 million views, makes it clear that many people are curious about how their homes might better support the way their brains work.
So what does this look like in practice, and how can these principles work in any home? We tapped a group of neurodivergent homeowners—including Paris herself—for ideas to reduce overwhelm, boost creativity, increase focus, and appeal to the senses. Of course, what works for one person may not be universal. The takeaway: What makes a space feel best is about more than a diagnosis.
Boost Creativity
The Power of Color
“As someone with ADHD, I design my home to support both stimulation and calm,” says Kelly Bach, a pattern designer and the owner of RetroBabeCo, a clothing and accessories brand known for its playful approach. For Kelly, home design is all about finding the middle ground.
“I’m energized by bold colors and patterns, which help keep me engaged and inspired,” she says, “but I rarely use overhead lights and instead rely on layered lighting, so I can control how a space feels depending on my energy level.” She’s strategic about organization too: Throughout her home, a mix of open and hidden storage keeps things “visible without feeling chaotic.”
Mindful Design
Simple ideas for common neurodiversity challenges
✔️ Reduce clutter. Keep counters clear and set up organization zones.
✔️ Add color. Use hues in areas where focus or energy is needed, such as reading nooks and homework desks.
✔️ Adjust lighting. Bright light supports daytime focus; warm light at night signals the body to relax.
✔️ Layer textures. Use soft blankets, nubby pillows, or textured wall hangings for soothing sensory input.
✔️ Limit noise. Install sound-dampening elements such as rugs, drapes, or insulation to soften distracting sounds.
✔️ Bring in nature. Add plants, branches, or other natural materials to create a calming, earthy atmosphere.
Optimize Order
Style Minus Stuff
Anxiety and ADHD haven’t stopped Alisa Bell from creating a welcoming family home designed around a minimalist aesthetic. Her craft room is the perfect example. “I like spaces to be clean, clear, and calming,” says Alisa, the mother of two neurodivergent children and a special educator. She also relies on a neutral color palette and thoughtful lighting choices (such as candles and uplighting) to put her family at ease.
Design Without Labels
It’s a common misconception that people with OCD are always ultra-tidy or that those with ADHD naturally thrive in messy spaces. In reality, neurodivergent experiences vary widely—and design needs to as well. Neuroinclusive design moves beyond one-size-fits-all assumptions, focusing instead on what actually helps individuals feel calm, focused, and supported in their own environments. “I encourage people—especially those whose brains work a little differently—to see design as a powerful tool for joy, accessibility, and self-expression,” says Kelly Bach.
Create Calmness
Sensory Sanctuary
Kristine Palmer had her daughter’s sensory-processing disorder and autoimmune condition in mind when it was time to redesign her child’s sleeping quarters. “During a flare, she becomes so physically uncomfortable that the sensation of anything touching her skin becomes intolerable,” Kristine says.
Interior designer Rachel Jackson worked with Kristine and her daughter to outfit the bedroom with soft fabrics and weighted items that provide grounding pressure when needed. She also added a comfortable rug and draperies to help dampen sound (heightened auditory sensitivity is often part of Kristine’s daughter’s condition). “I’m thrilled that my daughter has a bedroom that feels grown-up and supportive,” Kristine says.
Spaces That Soothe
Photographer Brittney-Elizabeth Williams reveals the sights and sounds she uses to produce a serene, grounding home.
✔️ Sound bowls
The instruments are placed throughout her living space so she can play them whenever the mood strikes.
✔️ Fireplace
“The color and sound are deeply regulating and grounding,” Williams says.
✔️ Water
“I always choose homes that are high up and overlooking water,” she says. “Looking out at it is very regulating.”
Work Smarter
The Office of Her Dreams
Paris Hilton’s ADHD diagnosis led to her creation of a dynamic and thoughtfully designed workspace.
Recently Paris Hilton, who rose to fame during the 2000s and is now the CEO of 11:11 Media, has taken on a new role: mental health advocate. She was diagnosed with ADHD in her 20s, and since then she has gained new understanding about “environments that weren’t designed for the way my brain works,” she says.
When she moved into a new home last fall, she partnered with Understood.org, a national nonprofit committed to empowering neurodivergent individuals, to highlight the benefits of neuroinclusive design by leveling up her office, the headquarters for her company.
The office includes standing desks, “quiet zones,” and what Paris calls “an ADHD sanctuary” that’s filled with natural light, fidget tools, and “a chair that moves in multiple directions so you can sit however feels comfortable.”
“Neuroinclusive design is just another way to magnify my strengths,” says Paris.
Brain Boosters
Consider these ideas that can help stoke creativity and productivity.
✔️ Try a standing desk to support movement and comfort while working.
✔️ Designate quiet/calm zones to minimize distractions and let your mind reset.
✔️ Add plants and wood for greater restfulness.
✔️ Label and color-code items so they’ll be easy to find.
✔️ Use hands-on tools such as magnetic blocks for focus.
✔️ Let in natural light for increased energy and team morale.
How to Bring Neuroinclusive Design Into Your Home
✔️ Evaluate your home. “A wonderful first step is an honest evaluation of how our spaces make us feel,” designer Sarah Barnard says. “Are we drawn to light and bright expanses? Or is a hug-like cave a more inviting retreat? What are our current pain points or future aspirations?”
✔️ Decrease overwhelm. Yokota says that to temper overwhelm, you can start by clearing counters and setting up simple organization zones to give the brain room to breathe.
✔️ Reduce noise. Barnard says that if noise is a primary irritant, upgrades such as soundproof insulation or triple-pane windows may be a consideration.
✔️ Bring the outdoors in. This is called “biophilic design,” and it’s something that readily ties into neuroinclusive design. Yokota recommends weaving in natural elements (this can be things like a bowl of seashells or a vase filled with branches from your backyard). “Natural textures, plants, and organic materials calm without dulling the senses,” she says.
✔️ Add intentional color. You can bring color to places “where focus or energy is needed,” as Yokota says. She recommends creating “micro zones with a clear purpose, like a reading nook, a homework desk, or a soft landing space by the entry.” She also says that it’s a common myth that neuroinclusive spaces must be white, beige, or stripped of visual energy or color. “Many ADHD and neurodivergent brains are under-stimulated by bland environments,” she says.
✔️ Include thoughtful lighting. “Lighting is important,” Yokota says. “Warm light at night signals the body to settle while brighter lighting during the day supports focus and follow-through.”
✔️ Think about sensory stimulation. If you’re someone who enjoys a fidget spinner or worry beads, Barnard suggests integrating “diverse surface textures” into your space, which “may be desirable to increase the range of tactile experiences.” Think: nubby throw pillows, soft blankets, and visually-stimulating wall textiles.
A version of this story appears in Good Housekeeping’s May/June 2026 issue.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
