How To Build a Sensory Room in School on a Budget

In this blog, you will learn:

• The benefits of having a sensory room in school.
• How to build a sensory room in your school that supports students' needs.
• Budget-friendly ways to set up a calming, sensory area  
• Discover more about our education recruitment services.

Creating a sensory room in a school setting can feel like an exciting prospect, but with school budgets tighter than ever before, schools are having to be more innovative. 

Many schools want to support students who struggle with sensory processing, emotional regulation, or high levels of stress, but the perception that sensory rooms require expensive equipment often stops the project before it even starts. 

The good news is that you don’t need specialised gadgets or a large financial investment to make a meaningful difference. With creativity, smart planning, and a focus on student needs, you can build a sensory-friendly space that’s both effective and affordable.

According to GovUK, in January 2025, there were 449 schools in England with SEN units, an increase from 392 in 2024. Mainstream schools provide SEN units as special provisions where they teach pupils with SEND in separate classes for at least half of their time.

Unlike SEN units, local authorities don't officially recognise or separately fund sensory rooms, but schools still use them as part of their inclusive practice or wellbeing strategy.

Throughout this blog, we’ll explore how to transform even the smallest corner of your school into a calming, functional sensory room using low-cost materials, DIY alternatives, and strategic choices.

What is a sensory room?

A sensory room is a designated area or space which has been transformed into a sensory experience through the use of lights, colours and decorations. A sensory room offers multi-sensory resources that support students’ needs and enhance learning.

Sensory spaces can increase students' ability to self-regulate their emotional and physical responses to their environments. Any child in a school can use a sensory space, particularly those who cannot identify or communicate when they need self-regulation support.

The dedicated space helps meet children's sensory needs and Teachers can use it to carry out both therapeutic activities and multi-sensory lessons. Young people can use sensory rooms, with or without staff support, to develop focus and understand sensory input.

A SEND Teacher in a mainstream school told us, “For some children, the sensory room is the one place where learning feels manageable. It helps them find calm, focus and the confidence to rejoin the classroom ready to learn.”

What are the benefits of a sensory room?

The benefits of having a sensory room in the classroom, include:

• Promotes inclusive education.
• Better engagement in learning.
• Improves overall wellbeing.

Promotes inclusive education

Sensory spaces are recognised as an essential tool for providing inclusive education, not just for children with SEND, but for individuals of all ages who benefit from sensory support.

Sensory spaces can help create a more inclusive culture by giving children access to calming tools and allowing them space to recognise and manage their emotions. This helps promote empathy and creates an understanding that helps normalise SEND differences.

A SEND Teacher told us, “Our sensory room has become more than just a calm space; it’s changed the way our pupils understand one another. When children see their peers using sensory tools, it sparks empathy and curiosity instead of separation.”

Better engagement in learning

For some students, the classroom can be overwhelming and overstimulating, making learning and engagement even more challenging. Even everyday situations can be overwhelming for children with autism or sensory processing differences.

A short session of learning in a calming, sensory space can mean the difference between a child becoming overwhelmed and disengaged in the classroom or being fully present and ready to learn. Rather than disciplining children for responding to an overwhelming classroom environment, sensory spaces can act as a pre-emptive and preventative solution, resulting in fewer behavioural issues and exclusions.

A sensory space can help students feel comfortable and engaged, as well as provide ways to comfort and calm the storm in an overwhelming environment.

One Occupational Therapist told us, “I’ve seen the power of supporting student needs with movement and sensory breaks. Tools used in the sensory room can support the dysregulation that impacts learning and social interactions.”

Improves overall wellbeing

A sensory space isn’t just useful for children and young people with SEND; it can also help support students struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. A sensory room can be a vital space for students dealing with anxiety, bereavement, trauma or social difficulties, as it gives them a calm and comforting area to process their feelings.

Sensory rooms provide space for children to manage their emotions more effectively, minimising disruptions to learning and promoting a sense of calm and balance.

What do I need to consider when building a sensory room?

Things to consider when building a sensory room on a budget:

• Assess the space.
• Create the perfect atmosphere.
• Fill it with sensory items.

Assess the space

Finding space for a sensory room can be challenging. The environment needs to be quiet and free from distractions and spare classrooms aren’t always available, especially for permanent use.

If limited space or budget means a full sensory room isn’t possible, a sensory corner can be just as effective. A sensory corner is a more affordable alternative that gives students a place to process emotions, self-regulate and refocus their attention.

Creating visual boundaries helps to ensure children understand and accept the space as an area to meet their specific needs. Teachers can use a piece of fabric, a screen or a small tent to create a defined area in the classroom where students can retreat for sensory regulation.

Whether you’re setting up a full sensory room or a smaller corner, plan carefully to make the most of your available budget and space before introducing sensory equipment.

Create the perfect atmosphere

A sensory room aims to regulate students' emotions by providing a defined, calming atmosphere separate from the classroom. It is important to create an environment that supports emotional regulation and refocuses students while still prioritising learning.

A sensory room should reflect individual needs and preferences and use calming, adaptable features to create a safe and comfortable space. The key elements of a sensory room include lighting, sound, smell, texture and organisation which can be carefully balanced to shape the atmosphere and suit different students and settings.

Simple touches like soft lighting, gentle sounds, soothing scents and a tidy layout can turn a small space into a calming retreat. Adding a rug, bean bags, or cushions helps the room feel cosy, comfortable and inviting rather than clinical.

Fill it with sensory items

A sensory room is only truly effective when it includes the right items and equipment to help students engage their senses and regulate their emotions. Using low-cost resources such as soft fabrics, fairy lights and cushions can help soften the space and create a comforting atmosphere without overspending.

Items such as fidget toys, textured mats, stress balls and weighted blankets can help students manage sensory input and stay calm. Weighted blankets and textured materials can benefit students with autism by helping them feel grounded, calm and secure.

For students with anxiety, an environment with soft lighting and gentle textures can help them regulate their breathing and emotions before returning to learning.

Tips for building a sensory room in school on a budget

Tips for building a sensory room in school on a budget include:

• Create DIY resources such as textured boxes for tactile play. Fill empty bottles with rice, glitter or beads for sound exploration. 
• Handmade items can fill a sensory room and meet diverse sensory needs without the added cost. 
• Scour charity shops and pre-loved marketplaces such as Vinted, ebay and Facebook marketplace for cheaper second hand sensory items. 
• Ask parents to donate sensory items which they may no longer need. 
• Host a raffle or non-uniform day to raise funds for sensory equipment. 
• Ask local businesses to donate items or sponsor your sensory room. 
• Print off mindfulness posters and laminate them yourself. 
• Ask students to paint artwork for the sensory room. 
• Place cotton wool balls in a container and add a drop of lavender, peppermint, or vanilla. 
• Create an Amazon wish list and ask local businesses to support your school. 
• Use online crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe or JustGiving. 

Recruit teaching staff

As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs. 

We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teachers and Teaching Assistants in the North West.

If you’re struggling to fill a teaching vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher 
• Secondary schools - Liam Jones
• SEND schools - Jamie Heath

Teaching jobs

If you’re searching for your next teaching job, why not take a look at the latest teaching vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Meet Jamie Heath

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.