People have an emotional and sometimes physical response to colour, a fact used by designers every day. Yet what happens when care home residents have very different psychological responses? Karen Burman, designer for Gradus Fabrics and Floorcoverings, explains.
Research by contract interiors specialist Gradus has shown how theories of colour and design can be applied to care home interiors to influence physical and mental well-being.
Special needs and physical disabilities
Designers can apply colour and visual contrast to an interior, not only to meet their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in respect to visual impairments, but also to influence psychological stimulation.
Strong, bold colours and designs can stimulate and energise the mind, creating positive thoughts, which contribute to the healing process and psychological development. Primary and secondary colours, such as red, blue, yellow, green, purple and orange, are often regarded as fun colours, associated with creativity and play. Red, orange and yellow also provide ‘energy’ within an interior.
A good source of natural daylight is also important, as a person’s response rate increases under brighter lighting conditions.
Mental health
Psychiatric and mental health care covers a range of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorders, personality disorders and depression.
Care homes are increasingly providing psychiatric rehabilitation and support for patients, stepping down from secure facilities or acute mental hospitals and as a result, interiors that mimic domestic environments are preferred.
Hence, design is influenced by contemporary residential trends for abstract designs, applied in neutrals, such as cream, beige and mocha, with accents of warmer tones, such as burnt orange, terracotta and burgundy. However, care must be taken to avoid certain abstract motifs, which can cause distress, for example circles, which can be interpreted as eyes.
The use of interesting textures in fabrics can also help to create a homely, comfortable environment that aids resident well-being.
Autism and Asperger's
An autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong development disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them.
ASD can also cause sensory difficulties and many people are very sensitive or insensitive to light, sound, heat, touch or smell. Such stimuli can result in increased levels of anxiety and so slatted blinds should be avoided and plain non-toxic paint should be used on walls to reduce any obtrusive smells.
The interior design should also minimise confusion and provide as little distraction as possible, with colour and pattern kept to a minimum.
The application of colour, if used at all, should be toned down. Low arousal colours, usually from the natural colour palette, such as creams and earth tones, are preferable for walls, flooring and furnishings. Blue is also a very soothing, relaxing colour and green represents nature and restfulness, so these colours work successfully, when used in the correct tone and quantity.
In terms of floor coverings, carpet should be tightly woven and installed with strong adhesive to prevent residents from pulling it up from the sub floor. However, many individuals with autism have difficulty filtering out background noise, so fabrics and carpets can be used to help reduce sound levels, creating a more relaxing environment.
The Elderly and mentally infirm (EMI)
Care homes for the elderly and mentally infirm provide 24hour care for residents who suffer from mental illnesses, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
In 2005, approximately 750,000 cases of dementia were reported in the UK. This figure is expected to increase to approximately 840,000 in 2010 and over 1.5 million by 2050, which means careful and considerate interior design will become more important in the care sector.
Many interior designers use colour for orientation in such environments and apply signage in the form of images, when designing schemes for this group.
High levels of confusing visual contrast are avoided and colour coordination is usually tone on tone or, where contrast is applied, it is very subtle. However, some degree of colour contrast, for example between walls and floors, is essential for the visually impaired and can help care homes meet their duty of care under the DDA.
Colour and design should emphasise entrances, the size of rooms and general passageways. Any extraneous detail should be de-emphasised to avoid confusion.
The aim is to create a calming and relaxing environment whilst providing a homely, domestic feel. The most popular and effective colours are soft, pastel shades of terracotta, pink, green and blue. Lilac is also in demand, particularly for bedrooms, and the trend for natural, earth tones is also evident. Detailed, intricate patterns should be avoided on fabrics and carpet and, if pattern is used, it should be simplified with subtle colour contrast.
The elderly have a more modern outlook than many perceive and rarely want to see the traditional floral and trellis patterns, commonly perceived as ‘care home designs’. In addition, the care home is often selected by a younger relative, so the interior also needs to appeal to this generation.
For further information on Gradus fabrics and floorcoverings, contact Gradus customer support on 01625 428922.
