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Product guideSensory Booths for Inclusive Offices: How to Choose One
Booth, pod or quiet room? How to choose and specify a sensory booth for an inclusive office, with a supplier checklist.
A sensory booth is an enclosed, acoustically insulated retreat where employees can step away from noise, bright light and movement, then return to work. To choose one for an inclusive office, decide first whether you need a booth, a pod or a quiet room. Then check five things: sound insulation, ventilation noise, lighting control, space and safety.
Key takeaways
- In an office, a sensory booth is a quiet, restorative space, not a stimulation room: users should be able to reduce input, not just add it.
- Decide between a purpose-built sensory booth, an acoustic pod and a quiet room before comparing products.
- Ask every supplier for the ISO 23351-1 test result, the noise level of the ventilation and the internal dimensions.
- Check fire performance, weight, power and delivery access before you order.
What is a sensory booth?
A sensory booth is a self-contained space that reduces what reaches the senses: sound, light, movement and people. In a workplace it is used for short breaks to calm down, recover from overload or focus, rather than as a permanent desk.
It is not the same as a multi-sensory room. Multi-sensory rooms in schools and care settings, sometimes called Snoezelen rooms, often provide stimulation with lights, sounds and textures. A workplace booth is usually a low-arousal space instead: it reduces input. BSI's PAS 6463:2022, Design for the mind, frames these as quiet and restorative spaces. We summarise the standard in our guide to PAS 6463 and neuroinclusive workspaces.
Who uses a sensory booth at work?
Acas estimates that around 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent. That includes autistic people and people with ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia. Many can find busy open-plan offices hard to work in. So can colleagues with anxiety, migraines or sensory processing differences, and anyone recovering from a difficult call or meeting.
That is why a sensory booth works best as a shared resource rather than a space for named individuals. For the specific needs of autistic employees, see our guide to sensory pods for autistic employees. For wider neurodiversity support, read about office pods for neurodivergent employees.
Sensory booth, acoustic pod or quiet room: which do you need?
The right option depends on your space, how often the booth will be used and how much control users need. All three can work.
| Option | Best for | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose-built sensory booth | Regular sensory breaks; employees who need a calm, controllable space | Designed around lighting, comfort and safety, not only acoustics | Usually needs more floor space; plan location and access |
| Single-person acoustic pod | Small offices; focus work and short resets | Compact; doubles as a focus or call booth | Check lighting, ventilation noise and space before using it as a sensory space |
| Quiet room | Buildings with a suitable spare room | Can be larger and more varied | Depends on the room's own acoustics; often gets booked for meetings |
If you choose an acoustic pod, check that its lighting and ventilation suit sensory use. Consider adding privacy film to the glazing to reduce what the user can see of the office.
How to choose a sensory booth: a supplier checklist
Product pages tend to describe booths in general terms. These are the questions that separate a calming booth from a quiet box.
| Requirement | Why it matters | What to ask the supplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sound insulation | Determines how calm the booth feels inside | The tested speech level reduction (DS,A) to ISO 23351-1 |
| Ventilation noise | A loud or cycling fan can be worse than office chatter | The noise level inside the booth with the fan running, and the air change rate |
| Lighting | Bright or flickering light is a common trigger | Is it flicker-free, dimmable and adjustable by the user, and can it be turned right down? |
| User controls | Users need to reduce input, not add it | Can every optional feature (screens, sound, scent) be switched off from inside? |
| Interior finish | Gloss, glare and strong colours add visual load | Which colours and finishes are available, and are surfaces soft or matt? |
| Size and door | A cramped booth adds stress; people must be able to leave easily | Internal dimensions, door width and how the door opens from inside |
| Safety | Someone may use the booth while distressed | Non-slip floor, emergency call option and how the door is released |
| Fire performance | The booth must fit your fire risk assessment | The reaction-to-fire classification of the materials, for example to BS EN 13501-1 |
| Power and weight | Affects where the booth can go | Socket requirements, total weight and the space needed for delivery and assembly |
| Design input and aftercare | A booth designed with its users in mind, and supported after installation | Who was involved in the design? What installation, servicing and warranty support is included? |
Key insight: ISO 23351-1 measures how much speech is reduced when someone talks inside the booth. It does not measure the fan. Ask for both figures, because the ventilation noise inside is what a sensitive user hears all the time.
Can a sensory booth help with anxiety at work?
It can help some people manage anxious moments. A booth offers a predictable, private place to step away, breathe and reset without leaving the building. That can make a busy office easier to cope with.
It is not a treatment, and it works best alongside other support. That might include occupational health, an employee assistance programme, flexible working or adjustments agreed with a manager. Keep access simple: if people have to book the booth or explain why they need it, they are less likely to use it when they are struggling.
What if a wheelchair user needs the booth?
Do not assume a sensory booth is wheelchair accessible. Check the internal floor space, the door width, the threshold height and where the controls sit. If accessibility is part of the brief, read our guide to accessible office booths for wheelchair users before you choose.
The Soundbox Store Sensory Booth
Our Sensory Booth is designed primarily for calm and sensory regulation in schools, hospitals, public buildings and workplaces. The product page lists customisable LED lighting, a soft, cushioned interior and optional pressure-relieving seating. It also lists non-slip flooring, safety rails, an optional emergency button and controls for the lighting and ventilation. It also lists white noise and optional extras such as aromatherapy and interactive screens. For office use, agree with your users which features they actually want.
Its internal space is listed at 204 cm wide, 150 cm deep and 214 cm high, with room to stand or move. It comes in black or white. If you need a smaller footprint, browse our acoustic phone booths or the full range of office pods.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sensory booth?
A sensory booth is an enclosed, acoustically insulated space where someone can step away from noise, bright light and movement. In a workplace it works as a quiet, restorative retreat rather than a stimulation room. Typical features are sound insulation, adjustable lighting, quiet ventilation and a calm interior. People use it to reset during the day, then return to work.
What is the difference between a sensory booth and a sensory room?
A sensory room, common in schools and care settings, is often designed to provide stimulation with lights, sounds and textures. A workplace sensory booth usually does the opposite: it reduces input so the person can calm down and recover. Some booths offer optional sensory features, but in an office these should always be easy to switch off.
What is the difference between an acoustic pod and a sensory booth?
An acoustic pod is designed mainly to keep sound in, for calls and meetings. A sensory booth is chosen to keep the busy office out, so lighting control, quiet ventilation and a calm interior matter as much as acoustics. Some acoustic pods can work as sensory spaces if they meet those criteria, but many standard phone booths do not.
Is a sensory booth better than a quiet room?
Not always. A quiet room can work well if your building has a suitable room that stays quiet and is not taken over for meetings. A booth is often easier to add in an open-plan office. It usually needs no building work, controls its own sound, light and air, and can go exactly where it is most useful.
How much does a sensory booth cost?
Cost depends on size, specification and options such as lighting, seating and accessories, plus delivery and installation. When comparing quotes, check that each one includes ventilation, lighting, power, delivery, assembly and any optional extras you need, so you are comparing like for like. For current pricing, see the product page or request a quote.
Can you get funding for a sensory booth at work?
Sometimes. In Great Britain, Access to Work can help an eligible employee with the cost of specialist equipment beyond what the employer must provide as a reasonable adjustment. The employee applies, and the scheme does not fund adjustments the employer has a duty to make. Northern Ireland has its own scheme. Check current rules on GOV.UK.
The bottom line
The best sensory booth for an inclusive office is the one that is genuinely calm inside and easy to use. Decide between a booth, a pod and a quiet room first. Then hold every supplier to the same checklist: tested acoustics, quiet ventilation, controllable lighting, enough space and clear safety and fire information. Explore our Sensory Booth or browse the full range of office pods.
