Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid In Senior Living Design
Over the years, as an almost exclusively senior living interior design firm, we have gained much experience and knowledge on design choices and methods that have been proven to have a positive impact on residents and staff members. However, throughout our years of design, we have also learned and encountered many design elements that can present serious hazards or negatively impact the residents and staff members' daily lives. Here are our top five mistakes to avoid when designing a senior living space.
Height Matters
Accessibility is our top concern when selecting furniture, such as chairs, tables, and countertop heights, throughout the community and especially in the resident units. It's important that residents can efficiently utilize the furniture available to them. For a person with mobility issues, getting in and out of furniture without assistance can make a big difference in their day-to-day life. A big mistake we see often is not considering the armrest heights, seat depth, and height. Armrest heights are often used to support the body out of the seat. If it's too high or there is no armrest, this feature will not be beneficial to the user, and if the seat depth is too deep and soft with a low profile, it can make it even more challenging for those with specific mobility issues to get in and out of the seats. In addition, the countertop heights are also something that must always be considered to ensure that those who use a wheelchair can also have comfortable access.
Fabric Quality Matters
It's common to see cost cuts in order to stay within a specific budget. However, one thing we always advise against is selecting lower-grade fabrics that are simply not going to hold up well throughout the years, therefore costing the client more in the long run. The cleanability factor and ensuring the appropriate materials are selected for the area will significantly impact the staff members and the overall upkeep cost.
Not Enough Lighting
Not incorporating the appropriate amount of light sources from multiple height levels is a huge mistake we often see in interior design. Lighting, whether it be artificial or natural light, is extremely important to ensure the safety of those with vision impairments and promote a balanced circadian rhythm. Well-designed lighting gives depth and can help create the desired atmosphere of a space while providing a safe environment for residents to independently explore.
Not Enough Contrast in Flooring
The transitions between varying heights of floor finishes can cause trip hazards; always consider the height of each material, adding leveler systems as necessary and providing ADA complaint transitions to protect the materials. Another common mistake to avoid is not creating enough contrast between furniture and flooring. The lack of contrast can create severe fall hazards for those with vision impairments, as they may find it difficult to correctly identify the depth perception between floor levels and furniture.
Appropriate Finishes
It's important to be mindful of where you're using certain finishes. While a stone finish may give you the look you want, it will be cold and sometimes rough to the touch and may be very uncomfortable or be a hazard to those with delicate skin if used in a frequently used space. Another thing to consider is that open-ended cabinetry hardware can also be a potential hazard, as clothing can catch on and cause falls; the rule of thumb is to always use closed-ended hardware.
