10 Simple Ways to Design Creative Spaces that Support Wellbeing

The spaces we work in shape the way people feel and interact. A workshop or meeting room can either put people at ease or make them hold back, and that can have a real impact on wellbeing.

A calm, inclusive, and welcoming space can help people feel safe enough to express themselves and their opinions, and collaborate with others. Conversely, harsh lighting, noise, or clutter can heighten stress and make even the most well-intentioned activity feel inaccessible to some participants.

Creating wellbeing-aware spaces isn’t dependent on a budget or decoration skills. What matters is the care behind the setup; the thought that goes into helping people feel relaxed, respected, and included.

Here are ten simple, practical ways to design spaces that support both creativity and wellbeing.

1. Choose lighting that supports calm and focus

Lighting affects our mood more than we may realise. Harsh fluorescent lights can raise stress levels, while soft, warm lighting helps people to feel at ease. Natural light is even better, as it supports circadian rhythms, improves concentration, and naturally lifts our mood.

If your venue has windows, let daylight in. If not, consider lamps rather than overhead lights, and use warmer bulbs to create a sense of calm. Small changes like these can transform how people experience your space.

2. Offer flexible seating and movement

When people have a choice about where and how they sit, they’re more likely to feel comfortable and in control. Rows of identical chairs can feel rigid and formal, whereas flexible seating, such as moveable chairs, beanbags, floor cushions, or standing options, allows people to find an option that feels right for them.

In addition to comfort, the freedom to move or sit differently can help people regulate their energy and focus, and makes sessions more accessible. One person might need a quiet spot at the edge of the room, whereas another might feel more at ease nearer the middle. Offering options helps everyone take part in a way that feels right for them.

3. Think about how the room sounds

Sound can completely change the feel of a space. 

• A room that hums or echoes can make it hard to concentrate, whereas softer and quieter spaces tend to help people settle in.
• If the acoustics are harsh, a few simple changes can help. For example, fabric, rugs, or curtains can take the edge off background noise. 
• Background music should be used with caution, as what relaxes one person might be distracting for someone else. 
• When working online, remind everyone to keep mics muted when they’re not speaking or to put headphones on if background noise is creeping in.

The aim isn’t silence, just a space where conversation and creativity feel easier and more encouraged.

4. Use texture and visual warmth to create comfort

People respond instinctively to their surroundings. Bare, echoing rooms can feel clinical; adding texture, such as fabric, wood, plants, or art makes a space feel more human.

Textures can also support sensory regulation. Smooth fabrics, natural materials, and soft surfaces can help participants ground themselves when anxious. A space doesn’t have to be filled with ​‘stuff’, but should have visual cues that help people feel welcome.

5. Provide rest and regulation areas

Not everyone experiences a group activity in the same way. For some, participation can be emotionally or physically draining. Including a quiet corner or rest zone, even a chair by a window, can make a huge difference.

This small gesture encourages consent-based participation. It gives people a way to step back without leaving entirely, supporting autonomy and emotional regulation.

6. Minimise sensory overload

Sensory overload can affect anyone, but it’s particularly challenging for neurodivergent people or those with a history of trauma. Triggers might include strong smells, flickering lights, loud noises, or visual clutter.

Try to keep your environment calm and consistent. Avoid strong air fresheners or perfumes, clear unnecessary clutter, and use clear signage. If possible, preview sensory aspects in advance. For example, consider telling participants if music, bright lights, or movement will be part of the session. Transparency helps people prepare and self-regulate.

7. Prioritise accessibility

Everyone should be able to move through a space comfortably and take part without barriers. That means thinking about how people enter, where they sit, and whether toilets, exits and materials are easy to find.

But in addition to physical layouts, accessibility is also about how people take part in sessions, and making sure there are options that work for different needs. For example, captions on online sessions, space to work quietly, or somewhere to stand instead of sit can potentially make a big difference to whether someone feels included and able to contribute.

8. Balance stimulation and rest through design

Creative spaces are often full of colour and activity. Whilst this can be inspiring, too much stimulation can be overwhelming. It helps to think about the pace of a room as much as its look, and consider where people may be able to take a rest.

A mix of lively, collaborative areas and quieter corners gives people the choice about how they work or take part. This balance keeps energy levels steady and helps everyone stay focused without burning out.

9. Prioritise emotional safety alongside physical comfort

A beautiful room can still feel unsafe if people don’t feel emotionally secure. Emotional safety grows from how we welcome and interact with others, such as when we greet people, establish expectations, and invite them to feedback.

Design supports this by indicating care. For instance, chairs arranged in a circle communicate equality, and clear exits and boundaries create predictability. Physical and emotional safety coexist, and both are essential to support wellbeing.

10. Let people see themselves within the space

When a room feels personal rather than generic, people tend to relax. It suggests that their experiences and identities are welcome there, turning the space from somewhere they visit into somewhere they belong.

A piece of community art, materials that reflect local culture, or space for participants to display their work can help to create that sense of connection and encourage wellbeing.

Why this matters

Research increasingly shows that the design of our surroundings directly affects our mental and emotional health. In the UK, studies have linked poor lighting, lack of green space, and oppressive building layouts with higher stress levels and reduced wellbeing. As The Guardian reported, bad building design, from windowless rooms to cluttered, poorly lit environments, can actively contribute to mental health problems, whilst thoughtful, people-centred design can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm and safety. 

This feels especially relevant in creative and cultural settings, where people often arrive open and curious, and the spaces we offer should greet them with the same care and thoughtfulness that our work does.

Designing with intent

Supporting wellbeing through design begins with noticing how the small details in our surroundings affect comfort and focus. A few thoughtful changes, such as softer lighting, clearer signs, and space to take a break, can turn a functional room into one that feels calm and welcoming for all participants.

If you’re interested in exploring further how the environments we create can influence wellbeing, and how to design spaces that feel inclusive, supportive and creative, take a look at our new course Creating Wellbeing Aware Environments. In addition to physical spaces, we also explore emotionally safe environments using the PERMA model. It’s our most interactive eLearning course yet, packed with practical ideas, reflective prompts and examples to help you shape spaces where everyone feels supported and included.