In many ways, technology makes life easier and better. Heck, placing your coffee order on the app or video-chatting with loved ones from thousands of miles away is pretty wonderful.
Conversely, there are also lots of ways that technology can drain creativity and productivity. “Technology is everywhere and it is overwhelming,” says Sarah Storms, founder and principal of Styled by Storms. “Technology addiction is a real thing and too much of something is just that—too much.”
That’s why having a restorative space in your home where technology feels as if it’s a world away has become a priority for people. In an era where technology reigns, “analog rooms” are becoming all the rage.
“Having a place of calm and a place of play is really important to leading a balanced and happy life,” says Storms. “Having a schedule with your friends for board game night, puzzling with your kids, or enjoying morning coffee with your partner are rituals that actually can heal you through the dopamine release.”
Sounds appealing, right? Discover how to create your own analog room at home.
What Is an Analog Room?
An analog room is a space designed for connection rather than screens, whether that’s reading, listening to music, playing games, or simply having a conversation, explains Sarah Tract, owner and designer at Sarah Tract Interiors.
“The concept isn’t new, but it’s trending because we’re all craving a break from screens and spaces that encourage us to slow down and connect with one another,” says Tract.
For interior designer Leanne Ford, analog rooms are spaces that are about “returning to what our homes have always been meant to be: a sanctuary from the outside world.”
“The difference today is that we're all living with a level of constant stimulation and accessibility we've never experienced before,” says Ford. “Technology has made us available all the time. We're endlessly connected to work, the news, notifications, other people's lives, and our own endless scrolling. We're craving places that help us disconnect, exhale, and let our nervous systems finally catch a break.”
In an analog room, “you have to get up and flip the record or change the CD,” she says. “It has an end to it. I think there's something really healthy about that. We need more things in our homes that ask us to participate instead of just consume endlessly.”
How to Create an Analog Room
✔️ Set the tone. “The space itself becomes a vibe,” says Storms. “There should be an energy shift when you walk in. I love using art and color to help achieve this.”
✔️ Design it with conversation in mind. An analog room should be designed to naturally encourage conversation and connection, according to Tract. “I like to arrange furniture so seating faces one another rather than a television, creating an intimate conversation area around a central coffee or game table,” she says. Storms adds that swivel chairs can be great additions since they can move side to side and follow conversations.
✔️ Soften lighting. You’re likely wanting to create a calm atmosphere. This is why Tract recommends warm, layered lighting from table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces rather than bright overhead lighting.
✔️ Incorporate multitasking pieces. Bring in pieces that can do a lot more than their intended purpose. For instance, a game table allows for multifunctional interaction of games, socialization, and more, says Tract.
✔️ Include (less) technology. If it wasn’t obvious, skip the T.V. “Instead of a Bluetooth speaker, maybe it's a record player,” says Ford. “Better yet, put in a jukebox. Choose objects and experiences that require a little participation instead of endless scrolling.” Additionally, you can encourage engagement with others by including books, art, games, and tactile materials, suggests Tract.
✔️ Embrace your own version of an analog room. “I think there are as many versions of an analog room as there are people,” says Ford. “It shouldn't be one specific aesthetic—it should reflect what naturally slows you down. For me, that's my basement art studio with a painting room and a ceramics room complete with a kiln. For someone else, it might be a library, a pub room, a music room, or even a kitchen that naturally gathers people together. What they all have in common is that they encourage a slower, more intentional way of living.”
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.
