Designing for Extra Care: 5 Key Elements to Consider

Designing for extra care environments requires designing for homes, communities, and support systems for people navigating aging, cognitive change, and sensory challenges. From retirement villages to dementia care facilities, interior design plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life and promoting independence. 

Retirement Villages: Supporting Independence and Community 

A focus on enabling residents to live independently while encouraging social connection is key.  Interior design can help balance privacy with community, ensuring residents can engage on their own terms. 

• Clear, intuitive layouts help residents navigate spaces confidently. 

• Communal areas such as lounges, dining spaces, and activity rooms should feel welcoming and flexible, encouraging spontaneous interaction. 

• Private residences benefit from age-friendly design principles, including step-free access, easy-to-use fixtures, and adaptable furniture layouts. 

Dementia Care: Designing for Clarity and Calm 

Designing for people living with dementia requires careful consideration of perception, memory, and emotion. Interior design can significantly reduce anxiety and confusion through subtle, intentional choices.  

• Consistent colour palettes help with recognition and wayfinding. 

• Avoiding visual clutter and complex patterns reduces sensory overload. 

• Familiar domestic cues such as traditional furniture styles or recognizable household elements support memory and comfort. 

Designing for Visual Impairment: Enhancing Perception and Safety 

For residents with visual impairment, interior design focuses on contrast, tactility, and spatial clarity. 

• High-contrast colour schemes between floors, walls, doors, and furniture improve depth perception. 

• Matte finishes reduce glare, while tactile materials assist with navigation. 

• Furniture placement should remain consistent to support muscle memory and confidence in movement. 

Wayfinding Without Signage Overload 

Effective wayfinding in extra care environments relies on design rather than excessive signage. 

• Changes in colour, texture, lighting, and furniture style can subtly indicate transitions between spaces. 

•  Landmarks such as artwork, feature walls, or distinctive furniture help residents orient themselves naturally, reducing reliance on written signs that may be confusing or inaccessible. 

Incorporating Biophilic Design 

Access to nature has proven benefits for physical and mental wellbeing, particularly in care environments. Biophilic elements can be achieved through: 

• Natural materials and textures 

• Views to outdoor spaces 

• Indoor planting and natural light 

  
  

These elements create calming environments that support emotional regulation and reduce stress for residents and staff alike. 

We have a breadth of experience designing for extra care schemes, for any enquires give us a call on 0121 212 9615 or email holly@thespacestudio.com