How good design makes a difference in dementia care

The care home sector plays a vital role in supporting our aging population, particularly those living with dementia. While challenges like staff shortages and rising costs persist, a growing focus is being placed on improving the resident experience. This goes beyond just medical care – it extends to creating a comfortable, stimulating environment, writes Tony Huggins, managing director of David Bailey Furniture Systems Ltd.

Research shows that thoughtful design contributes positive aspects to a care home environment, with good fitted furniture playing a crucial role in creating a safe, stimulating and comfortable space for all residents, particularly those with dementia.
It can also be shown that colourful and functional fitted furniture can help to create calming and stimulating environments. For example, residents’ bedrooms can be furnished using soothing blue or green tones, while activity areas benefit more from brighter colours like yellow or orange, which we discuss in more detail later in this feature.
Dementia care facilities require fitted furniture that can withstand frequent use and rigorous cleaning protocols, which is why it is essential to use high-quality, easy-to-clean materials that are also resistant to wear and tear. This ensures that fitted furniture maintains its aesthetic appeal and functionality over time.
Our experience has also shown that care homes require ample storage space for residents’ belongings, medications and equipment. This means there is a need to provide a range of storage units, including cabinets, drawers and shelving, that is designed for optimal organisation and accessibility.
Promoting independence through good design can encourage residents to be more confident in their surroundings, so fitted furniture with rounded corners and smooth surfaces to minimise the risk of injuries from falls is essential. Additionally, features such as easy-grip handles on drawers and cabinets are needed to make everyday tasks easier for residents with limited dexterity.
Getting it right for care homes is critical, which is why we, at David Bailey Furniture, understand the need to go that extra mile. We offer collaborative design expertise, working closely with care home operators, architects and designers to create dementia-friendly living spaces. This collaborative approach ensures that furniture selections effectively integrate with the overall design plan, to maximise the positive impact on residents.
Good design also means storage units with contrasting colour-coded labels that can help residents easily identify and access their personal belongings and personalised living spaces with a wide variety of colour options to allow residents to be more comfortable. Research has shown that residents can feel a greater sense of ownership when their surroundings reflect their preferences.
As already mentioned, David Bailey Furniture, with more than 40 years of extensive experience in providing fitted furniture to the healthcare sector, understand the impact and use of colour and how dementia care can benefit from the right choices.
Blue and green tones are known to promote relaxation and lower blood pressure, fostering a sense of peace within a care home. For residents with dementia who may struggle with sight and perception, contrasting colours for furniture and furnishings can also make them easier to distinguish. This reduces confusion and helps residents navigate their surroundings.
Care home operators, architects and fitted furniture manufacturers like us are working together to implement these design principles. This collaborative approach ensures that care homes are not just functional, but also therapeutic and welcoming.
This particularly applies to care homes that may have furniture and décor that reflects past design trends. However, with the growing understanding of the impact of design on dementia care, updating interiors with colour, texture and user-friendly furniture is significantly altering for the better – the resident experience.
This is particularly important, as the positive impact of design on dementia care is not just anecdotal. Neuroscience research is now providing a deeper understanding of how our brains interact with their surroundings.
We know that dementia can affect a person’s ability to process sensory information. Overly stimulating environments can be overwhelming, while overly simplistic ones can lack engagement. Strategic design creates a balance that promotes calmness and cognitive stimulation.
People with dementia may also struggle with spatial navigation. Clear layouts, wayfinding signage and consistent colour schemes can help residents orient themselves within the care home.
Colour, lighting and even the arrangement of furniture can influence mood and behaviour. Understanding these connections allows us to design spaces that promote a sense of security, belonging and emotional well-being.
The field of dementia care is constantly evolving. As our understanding of the disease and its impact on individuals grows, so too will our ability to design spaces that foster well-being. This means that care homes willing to embrace a design-centric approach can expect to see several benefits such as improved resident outcomes. This may include improved mood, reduced agitation and a greater sense of independence.
Equally as important, well-designed care homes are not just beneficial for residents, they can also improve working conditions for staff. Clear layouts, efficient workflows and readily available resources can reduce stress and improve staff morale. Care homes that prioritise resident well-being through thoughtful design are also likely to be more attractive to families seeking care for their loved ones. This can lead to increased occupancy rates and financial stability.
The future of dementia care lies in ongoing collaboration between various stakeholders. Architects, designers, fitted furniture manufacturers like us, healthcare professionals and dementia care experts must work together to continue developing innovative design solutions. Additionally, involving residents and their families in the design process can create spaces that are truly responsive to individual needs and preferences.
Looking to the future, we expect technology to play a key role in the development of dementia care design. As wearable sensors, virtual reality experiences and artificial intelligence applications continue to expand, their integration into care home environments can further enhance resident well-being and safety.
The ultimate goal is to create care homes that feel less like institutions and more like supportive communities. By prioritising person-centred design, we can create spaces that promote dignity, independence and a sense of belonging for people living with dementia – and we, at David Bailey Furniture, are proud to be part of that process.