Lifting the curtain on window dressings and soft furnishings

If you are refurbishing a site for residents living with dementia, there are some specific features that you should consider. Dementia is understood to cause a degradation of memory, visual acuity, balance, spatial awareness, and finding your way. This can manifest as confusion, disorientation, getting lost, forgetting where you are — all of which can cause distress, as well as additional risks such as falls or collisions. But there are lots of ways that good design can help make a site safer, more comfortable, and less disturbing or unsettling for those who are experiencing these challenges. And of course, inclusive design is inclusive for everyone, not just people living with dementia or other challenges.

Across a care home environment, the use of colour and pattern will have been carefully considered in the decoration, furniture, and flooring to help all residents to find their way, stay safe, and avoid disorientation. These are also applicable considerations for the window dressings and soft furnishings such as bed runners and cushions. Firstly, consider pattern. Swirls or patterns that can suggest movement may cause nausea, particularly if residents are taking some specific medications.¹ Stripes or bold geometric patterns can distort and should be avoided. Flecked patterns might be perceived as bits of dust or dirt. Similarly, realistic images, perhaps of flowers or animals could be perceived as the real thing, causing confusion and maybe distress.

In a valid attempt to avoid this confusion and distress, there is a temptation to opt for plain, pale fabrics. However, this can also cause challenges. Lots of plain colours together can make individual items harder to distinguish. It also misses opportunities for the positives that colour and pattern can bring; for example: appropriate levels of visual stimulation, the opportunity to provide a familiar and homely environment, and to help lift mood. Light-touch references of fashion and trends from decades gone by can be a reassuring connection to the past and help generate feelings of comfort and security.