By Mackenna Moralez, Associate Editor

Moving is often ranked as one of the top stressors in life, but many use it as an opportunity to start fresh. This is especially apparent in senior care facilities as many residents are leaving their long-time homes and downsize significantly. As many residents begin their new lives in these facilities, they often leave their own furniture behind, instead opting for places that are already furnished. It is imperative that designers approach these spaces with care by selecting furniture that boasts comfortability and durability. 

Healthcare Facilities Today recently spoke with Laurel Tommarello, project manager and interior designer for Kolano Design on what designers need to consider when selecting furniture for senior care facilities.  

HFT: What are the key factors you consider when selecting furniture for senior care facilities? 

Laurel Tommarello: There are five main things to focus in when selecting furniture for senior care facilities: safety, hygiene, durability, comfort, and aesthetics. All are equally important, however it’s important to remember this space is a home just as much as it is a care facility. Creating a spaces that are homey and intimate will be key to resident comfort. 

HFT: How do you balance aesthetics, comfort, and functionality in furniture choices? 

Tommarello: While senior care facilities need to incorporate healthcare design principles—prioritizing durability and hygiene—focus also be on creating a warm, inviting, and home-like atmosphere. This can be achieved by selecting soft, comfortable fabrics, adjustable and customizable seating (such as recliners and lift chairs), and subtle safety features like rounded tables to prevent injury. Additionally, warm and neutral color palettes, such as earth tones, combined with natural-looking materials like wood, help establish a soothing, familiar environment that enhances both comfort and well-being. The style of furniture should match that of the resident age-group. Putting ultra contemporary furniture in a space that is meant for a generation that is used to more traditional/transitional styles, will be jarring and discomforting. 

Related Content: How Can Senior Care Facilities Attract Families to Visit?

HFT: Do you follow any specific design principles or guidelines for senior-friendly furniture? 

Tommarello: Yes, several key principles and guidelines should be considered when designing senior living spaces. Universal Design and ADA Guidelines are essential in creating environments that accommodate individuals of all ages and abilities, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for everyone. These standards should be integrated into all spaces, regardless of their function. 

Equally important is dementia-friendly design, a large portion of residents in senior care facilities are living with dementia (Alzheimer’s Association). Furniture designed for memory care should help reduce disorientation by incorporating high-contrast colors to differentiate seating from floors and walls, as well as non-reflective surfaces to prevent visual distortions that can cause confusion or distress. 

Another principle to practice when space planning is creating smaller, more intimate grouping of lounge furniture. Residents are most likely to sit with 1-2 friends to have an intimate conversation unless in a group specific activity. Typically, people gravitate towards chairs over sitting side-by-side on a larger couch – groups of 3-4 chairs is ideal. 

HFT: How do you ensure the furniture supports the physical needs of elderly residents? 

Tommarello: Understanding the specific needs of both residents and the care facility is crucial. Partnering with furniture companies specializing in healthcare and senior living is a great way to achieve this. Their extensive research and development ensure furniture and finishes are thoughtfully designed to support residents' well-being. Trust the experts and prioritize the most demanding needs when making design decisions. Electronic reclining and lift chairs will assist residents and reduce the effort needed to utilize mechanical furniture. Controls for mechanical furniture should be integrated into the chair to prevent loss of a remote, and functions should be minimized for ease of use. Overly complex controls will distress and confuse residents. 

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor for the facilities market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.