Creating Sensory Spaces in School Libraries: A Guide for Librarians

Creating Sensory Spaces in School Libraries: A Guide for Librarians

What Is a Sensory Space?

School libraries have always been spaces of discovery, comfort, and learning — but for students with disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, or those with sensory processing disorders, the traditional library environment can sometimes feel overwhelming. That's where sensory spaces come in.

A sensory space is a designated area designed to help students self-regulate, concentrate, and reset. Ray (2017) notes that "a sensory room can be used to meet multiple objectives, depending on each student's needs." For students with special needs, these spaces offer a refuge from the stimulation of a standard classroom — a place to decompress, refocus, and return to learning feeling grounded.

You may also hear sensory spaces called a Zen Den or a Hygge Hub — two concepts that capture the spirit of what these spaces are meant to provide.

Zen Dens and Hygge Hubs

Zen Dens draw from the concept of meditative, serene attentiveness. As Janosz (2022) explains, "bringing elements of Zen into a library space means that students and staff will have a place in which expectations, while not necessarily lower, are at least low-key." It's a space where the pressure lifts — and students can simply be.

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Scandinavian philosophy centered on coziness, contentment, and comfort. A Hygge Hub in a school library brings that same warmth — soft textures, gentle lighting, and an atmosphere that says you belong here.

"This is our opportunity for everyone like Olmstead and boxes to welcome everyone to a space where differences don't matter." — Chad Kennedy

Elements of a Sensory Space

When designing a sensory space, location matters as much as what's inside it. Choose a spot away from doors, noise, and high-traffic areas. The goal is calm — and the environment should reflect that from the moment a student steps in.

Recommended elements include:

  • Soft, dimmable spotlights (switch or remote-controlled)
  • Color projectors in calming tones like midnight blue or dark green
  • Durable, wheelchair-accessible flooring
  • Yoga pose illustrations on the walls
  • Beanbag chairs and weighted lap pads
  • Fiber optic light strands and bubble tubes
  • Sensory kits with varied textures (sandpaper, fabric, feathers, leaves)
  • Calming music
  • Toy chests and well-organized, clutter-free shelving
  • Ear defenders or over-ear headphones for sound-sensitive students

Project Enable recommends consulting service providers, special educators, parents, and students with autism when designing the space — and bringing in an occupational therapist during special events to guide students through the experience.

🧩 Where Puzzles Fit In

Jigsaw puzzles are a natural fit for sensory spaces — and an often-overlooked one.

Puzzles offer quiet, hands-on engagement that is self-paced and non-competitive. For students who are overstimulated or struggling to regulate, the repetitive, tactile nature of sorting and placing puzzle pieces can be deeply calming — similar to the effect of a weighted lap pad or a textured sensory kit.

Here's why puzzles work so well in a sensory environment:

  • Tactile input — Handling puzzle pieces provides gentle sensory feedback through the fingertips, which can be grounding for students with sensory processing needs.
  • Focus without pressure — Puzzles invite concentration without a right-or-wrong performance dynamic. Students can work at their own pace, step away, and return — no stress.
  • Visual calm — Nature and landscape puzzles in particular — think forest scenes, wildlife, open skies — reinforce the calming visual environment you're already creating with lighting and color.
  • Co-regulation opportunity — A puzzle can be a shared, low-stakes activity between a student and a teacher, SNA, or librarian, supporting the co-regulation that the National Council for Special Education (2021) identifies as essential in sensory spaces.
  • Transition tool — Puzzles can serve as a structured wind-down activity before a student transitions back to the classroom, helping them shift gears gradually rather than abruptly.

For school libraries building out a sensory corner, consider keeping 2–4 puzzles on hand at varying piece counts (24–100 pieces works well for most elementary and middle school students). Choose imagery that is soothing — nature scenes, animals, soft color palettes — rather than busy or high-contrast designs.

How and When to Use a Sensory Space

Sensory spaces work best when integrated into a student's routine rather than used reactively. The National Council for Special Education (2021) emphasizes that "it is important that the teacher/SNA is calm and regulated to provide co-regulation, self-regulation and emotional wellbeing to the student when using the sensory space."

Structured activities might include treasure hunts, nature trails, hopscotch, crawling tunnels — or a quiet puzzle session. The key is intentionality: the space should feel purposeful, not like a timeout.

Sensory corridors — transitional spaces between rooms — can also extend the sensory experience, helping students shift between environments more smoothly.

After the Sensory Space: Checking In

After a student uses the sensory space, take a moment to observe and reflect. Did the desired outcome occur? Is the student able to focus when they return to the classroom? The National Council for Special Education (2021) recommends checking in with both the student and their class teacher following the activity.

Use what you learn to refine the space over time — what's working, what's missing, and how individual students are responding.

Learn More

  • Medcalf, L. (2016, November 16). 8 things to consider when designing a sensory room. Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads. Read here
  • Sensory spaces in schools. (2021). National Council for Special Education. Read here
  • Ray, B. (2017, June 28). Sensory room 101. Edutopia. Read here
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