When designing care homes, the focus rightly begins with safety, accessibility, and comfort but to truly elevate these environments into spaces where residents feel connected and at home, we must dig deeper.
Every design project we take on starts with a period of research. We explore the area’s history, its people, and its culture. We speak to locals, read articles, examine old photographs, and dive into community narratives. Our aim is always to find a visual language that feels authentic. The stories we uncover can shape themes, colour palettes, and material choice and overall give our designs a direction.
For one of our most recent proposed designs, we drew heavily on the surrounding landscape, guided by a client brief that emphasised a strong countryside aesthetic and the idea of “bringing the outdoors in”. Through research, we uncovered a fascinating connection between the local church and iconic designer William Morris. This was an unexpected discovery that aligned perfectly with the project’s vision and provided a rich, authentic design direction. The colour palettes was carefully developed using imagery of nearby fields, woodlands, and local architecture. Each bedroom scheme was thoughtfully named after local events, flora, and notable figures, adding another layer of personal connection to the design. Artwork proposals also featured scenes from the local area landmarks, views, and familiar moments ensuring that the design not only reflected but celebrated its location.
Sample proposed corridor artwork
Example bedroom scheme – inspiration taken from local landscape and Morris design included.
Example bedroom scheme – inspiration taken from local church and Morris’s style.
The Importance of Meaningful Art
One of the most powerful yet often unused tools in care home interiors is locally inspired artwork. Local artwork transforms a building into a home. It bridges past and present, sparking recognition, memories, and conversation. It becomes a companion to the residents, helping them stay connected to the community they may have known for decades or helping them feel welcomed into a new one.
This deep sense of belonging is particularly important in communal areas. Corridors, lounges, and dining rooms benefit immensely from art that speaks directly to the experiences of the people who live there and it makes the space personal. In new developments, it can also help establish a cultural identity and connect the building to its surroundings from day one.
Bespoke art doesn’t need to come with a high budget, what matters most is intention. Much of our best work has come from creativity, and thorough research and sourcing.
As part of a recent refurbishment project, we created a dedicated pub and lounge area designed to foster social connection and a strong sense of community within the home. Located in Manchester, close to the airport, the setting naturally inspired our design direction. We developed the concept of the Aviator’s Lounge, a space that captures the spirit of travel, nostalgia, and fun. The aviation theme offered a rich and engaging narrative to explore, and our research revealed a wealth of visual inspiration. We incorporated vintage airport magazines, retro flight timetables, and classic airline graphics into the artwork, adding layers of authenticity and charm. The result is a space that feels both distinctive and meaningful. It’s an inviting space within the home that encourages residents to connect, have fun, and relax.
The ’Aviator’s Lounge’
Vintage magazines & retro flight timetables.
A framed photo of a well-known street, a piece showcasing a local famous face, or even a montage of vintage magazines and posters can ignite memories. It can remind someone of their younger years, encourage a story about a favourite local shop, or bring up a shared community event from decades past.
This kind of engagement is especially powerful in environments supporting memory care. Familiar visuals can provide gentle cognitive cues, support orientation, and invite reminiscence in a non-confrontational way, while prompting conversations that deepen the connections between residents and their space.
We recently witnessed the meaningful impact of locally inspired design during a refurbishment project in Falkirk, Scotland. A touching moment unfolded between one of our decorators and a resident, reminding us just how powerful these details can be. The resident was drawn to a photograph of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, taken during the official opening of the iconic Falkirk Wheel in 2002. With the care home located right next to this landmark, the image held particular significance for those familiar with the area, sparking memories and a strong sense of pride. It was a simple yet powerful example of how thoughtfully chosen artwork can resonate deeply with residents and help them feel truly connected to their surroundings.
Another idea is to incorporate interactive and sensory elements to enrich the experience even further. Textures, materials, and forms that invite gentle touch or visual exploration can be invaluable for residents with sensory impairments or cognitive challenges. Carefully chosen pieces that include textile art, layered collages, or even 3D elements offer more than just a visual interest. In previous projects, we’ve incorporated interactive artwork in the form of framed jigsaw puzzles. From a distance, these pieces appear as traditional art, but up close they offer residents a fun and interactive activity, making them a great fit for activity rooms.
At the heart of it all, creating locally inspired design is about honouring identity. It creates a connection between the home, its surroundings, and the people who live there. In doing so, we create not just environments that look good, but places that feel right, warm, familiar, and alive with stories.
Through this storytelling approach, we’ve learned the value of listening closely to what a place has to say and we see the impact every day. From residents pausing to smile at a photo from their youth, to care staff sharing their stories, the art becomes a thread that weaves together past and present, community and care. In care home design, those stories matter, and it’s our privilege to help tell them.