Because challenging environments must occasionally withstand strong forces and pressures, the furniture and furnishings that are available for these interiors frequently give off an institutional and unhomely appearance.
Numerous research have been done on the impacts of various colours, layouts, and levels of natural light, among many other crucial elements. It is commonly recognised that an environment can have a significant impact on a person's mood.
How can we apply some of these methods and lessons in difficult circumstances to design a place that is suitable, strong, and sustainable while also giving the inhabitants a sense of peace and contentment in their home?
Introduce Colour
Reactions to colours often have both a psychological effect as well as a physical effect. For instance, red is often seen as a warning colour, whereas the cool tones of blue are more calming. This is of course subjective depending on the individual and their preferences, but adding colour to what can often be a bland space will provide visual stimulation as well as interest. Creating a neutral space may seem practical as you know it will not offend or upset any individual, but it is not normally reflective of the users’ vibrant personalities or the homes they may be used to. There are some simple ways to add colour to a space without breaking the bank:
Add soft furnishings such as cushions and throws in bright colours. These can easily be changed depending on the residents’ preference or level of risk. There are literally hundreds of options available for cushions, have a browse of the FR fabrics available here.
Bedding and towelling in different colours will add variety and also help the residents to distinguish which items are for their own use.
Wall art and noticeboards are a great way to add visual stimulation and a bright picture of a beach at sunset for instance can really lift a room. Feature paints are also handy for adding personalisation to bedrooms and helping to create a desired mood within a room.
Textiles & Texture
It can be tempting to furnish an entire property in the same faux leather for ease of both use and specification. However, there are some great opportunities to add in some texture to your sofas and chairs that are youthful and exciting.
Faux leather is a good choice for properties where there are incontinence issues. Why not think about adding a brightly coloured or patterned waterproof upholstery to the outside of the chair or sofa for something a bit different?
All textile upholsteries for the care sector are waterproof, stain resistant and FR, therefore it would be possible to use lots of different textiles in high contact areas and still be confident in their suitability.
Wallpaper, whilst adding visual stimulation, can also be tactile and provide an extra element of texture to a room.
Nature – Bringing The Outside In
Spending time outside in nature is well documented to improve mental health and general wellbeing. Unfortunately, with British weather, it’s not always possible or practical to be outside. But there are ways to bring nature into our services that will benefit the service users.
Growing herbs is great for a team activity as everyone is invested in the life of the plant, as well as providing greenery to a space and the psychological improvements this can bring.
Curtains can be made to order in a vast array of FR fabrics so why not choose something with a botanical or green colour theme?
Murals can create a really stunning focal point for a room and can be designed in pretty much any image you’d like, a calming forest or nature walk through a jungle would be a great way of creating an outdoor scene inside.
