New Interior Leather Choices Can Reduce Stress And Anxiety On Your Daily Commute

When it comes to automotive interiors, color, texture, and even scent can evoke some very powerful responses. Luxury leather supplier Bridge of Weir is working to harness that, recognizing that some, especially those who are neurodivergent, are exceptionally sensitive to the choices made inside each vehicle.

Bridge of Weir has supplied leather to cars from the Ford Model T to the Rolls-Royce Phantom. With the help of sibling company Muirhead and inclusivity organization Visible Inclusive Accessibility, and by speaking with people who actually suffer these issues, it has created a series of interior concepts. The Conscious Collection explores how its choices can reduce stress and enhance comfort for drivers and passengers.

Color Selection Can Add To Or Reduce Stress

“Bright, highly saturated colors and complex patterns can contribute to sensory overload, making the environment feel overwhelmed rather than soothed,” said Bridge of Weir Design Manager Debra Choong. Bright colors, including reds and neons, can increase stress when used widely, she said. But small bursts of colors and simple shapes can boost mood and well-being.

Through its research, the Scottish leather supplier explored color palettes that it says promote balance, well-being, and relaxation. Those include soft tones that give occupants “sensory comfort.” Monotones and tonal color schemes, especially greens, are “particularly effective in reducing visual stress” and “especially beneficial for autistic individuals.”

Bridge of Weir said that one in seven people is neurodivergent, which refers to conditions where the brain processes information in an “atypical” way. The same lessons learned to reduce stress and anxiety for people with neurodiversity can work to reduce stress and enhance comfort for everyone.

Muirhead, which was involved in the project, is a leading supplier of leather to the aviation industry. It delivers to more than 160 airlines and features its Sensation Collection, which is designed to enhance sensory-friendliness and reduce stress during air travel. Bridge of Weir said this helped it with developing its in-car concepts.

One Goal Is To Inspire Automotive Designers

The goal of the concepts and research was not to deliver a new car interior, but to give automotive designers a starting point. To show how small changes could help designers create their next generation of vehicle interiors in ways that would make being in the car a more pleasant experience. Even scent can be used. Bridge of Weir says that for many, the smell of natural materials brings with it a sense of nostalgia and comfort. Curating the right scent, along with the right interior, can make for a “holistic, multisensory experience that enhances emotional well-being,” the company said.

“The ‘Conscious Collection’ is designed to inspire automotive designers to think beyond aesthetics,” said Choong, “and consider how multisensory design can transform occupants’ experiences. From material selection to colour psychology, we envision designers integrating our insights to create bespoke, human-centred spaces that cater to individual needs.”

The company said it would be touring this collection to the numerous automakers it supplies.

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Bridge of Weir is already on the forefront of adapting leather to a changing environment. In 2023, along with Jaguar, it initiated a process to track leather from farm to car, monitoring and ensuring the lowest possible carbon footprint.

The company offers leather tanning that replaces all harmful chemicals, including chrome, with biodegradable alternatives. Its processes save up to 82 percent of energy and 42 percent of water versus traditional methods. The company also sources hides from the UK and Ireland, from farms that ensure high standards of animal welfare.