Improve Your Memory by Building a Memory Palace

A memory palace is a mnemonic technique you can use to improve memory retention and recall. It involves mentally placing information to be remembered in specific locations within an imagined physical space, such as a palace or building, and then mentally "walking" through that space to retrieve the information when needed.

While the invention of the internet has brought endless amounts of information to our fingertips, many professions require us to remember related details. Many people rely on memories while taking exams, completing projects and job-related tasks, or even swinging by the grocery store. 

While making lists and writing physical reminders can be helpful, written text is not always accessible. For example, if you were studying for a professional certification exam, you likely could not bring in notes or reminders. Memory techniques like a memory palace can help you keep important information close.

Read on to explore what a memory palace is, why it is a powerful memory technique, and how you can use it in your everyday life.

What is a memory palace? 

A memory palace is a memory technique that associates items or topics with locations within a room, route, or other specified location. Memory palaces help speed recall, and simple words or phrases can represent complex concepts or higher volumes of information. For example, you may associate “blue” with your blue bedding, which helps you remember the phrase, “In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”  

This technique goes by many names, such as the Roman Room system, the journey method, and the method of loci. You may have even heard it referenced in popular media, such as the “mind palaces” referred to in the Sherlock Holmes story "A Study in Scarlet." 

Learn more about the memory palace technique with this video from Deep Teaching Solutions:

Who invented the memory palace?

Simonides of Ceos, a Greek poet, invented the memory palace technique after narrowly escaping a roof collapse at a dinner party. By mentally reconstructing where each guest had been sitting, he was able to identify the bodies of the victims. This experience inspired the creation of the memory palace method.

Why should you use the memory palace technique? 

Memory palaces are a powerful memorization practice shown to significantly improve information recall. By learning this technique, you may be able to “encode” information more quickly into your long-term memory. This can help you master professional skills more rapidly and give you the potential to expand your knowledge base and learn new skills. 

One great attribute of the memory palace method is that you can use it for several types of information. For example, a medical student could build a memory palace for a different topic in each room of their home or workplace. This helps to organize high volumes of information. In one study, researchers found that participants using a virtual memory palace simulation recalled 20.4 percent more words on average the first time. When they used the system a second time, their recall improved by 22.2 percent over conventional study methods [1]. 

How to create a memory palace: Step-by-step guide 

You can build a memory palace in several ways, but the key is to develop spatial associations between information pieces and physical locations. When creating a memory palace, follow these key steps:

1. Decide what you want to memorize. 

First, determine what you would like to memorize. Before starting, decide how you would like to split concepts or information into separate entities to associate with different locations.

2. Choose a place. 

The location you choose for your memory palace should be somewhere you are very familiar with. You will not usually construct a new location but instead associate ideas and words with an existing place. Somewhere you often go, such as your house and yard, may be an ideal first choice. Other options include a set of your favorite TV show, a workplace, a video game setting, or another scene you can see clearly in your mind.

3. Plan a route. 

In your memory palace location, you will plan a route around the room or space in your memory palace location. You can revise this later, but pick an order of locations that makes sense. For example, you might start at the door to your living room and move clockwise around the room. If you follow a routine frequently, such as making a cup of coffee in your kitchen, you can also choose to follow this route in your mind.

4. Assign the information to locations. 

After you have your location and route, it is time to assign the information. Creating clever mnemonics—patterns of words or ideas that help you remember information—can increase the efficacy of your memory palace. 

Making overly exaggerated mental images in your mind can help to improve recall. Suppose, for instance, you are trying to remember the items you need to pack in your suitcase and are creating a memory palace with your kitchen. You could start at the sink and associate the sink with your T-shirts. You could imagine washing your T-shirts in the sink and lying them on the side to dry. Try to make the image vivid, and imagine small details such as using soap to wash the shirts and squeezing them to get out the excess water. 

You can also create silly and bizarre associations. For example, picture the next item you are remembering to pack as your toothbrush. If you associate it with the fridge, imagine it coming to life with a big smile and brushing teeth like a cartoon character. Or use similar-sounding words, like associating your spice rack or saucepan with your shoes and socks. The more detail you put into your mental image, the more you are likely to remember it later.

5. Visit your palace regularly. 

A key to making your memory palace work is repetition. If you visit your memory palace often, you give more time for the information to solidify in your memory. Try spaced repetition, which means you will gradually increase the intervals between visiting your memory palace. It is okay if you consult your notes a few times, and you may notice that your route slightly changes. Be flexible with your memory palace to find the way it works best for you.

Enhance your learning skills with Coursera

The memory palace technique relies on the mental imagery of familiar spaces to help with recall. Develop your capacity to learn with Learning How to Learn: Powerful Mental Tools to Help You Master Tough Subjects, a beginner-friendly course from Deep Teaching Solutions. You can also opt for Arizona State University’s Learning How to Learn for Youth course to gain insights into the learning techniques professionals use in art, music, literature, maths, science, and more.