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The Best Colours for Dementia-Friendly Furniture: A Guide to Comfort, Clarity, and Calm
- 12 May, 2025
- Frederick Tomblin
When designing a space for someone with dementia, colour choice is far more than a matter of taste—it’s a powerful tool for improving quality of life. For people living with dementia, changes in vision, perception, and cognition can make everyday environments feel unfamiliar or confusing. That’s where colour comes in. When used thoughtfully, colour can aid recognition, reduce anxiety, and make furniture easier and safer to use.
In this post, we explore the best colours for dementia-friendly furniture and how they can positively impact day-to-day living.
1. Use High Contrast for Clarity
One of the most important principles in dementia design is contrast. As the brain begins to struggle with processing complex visuals, people with dementia can find it difficult to distinguish between objects, especially if they are similar in tone.
Best practice:
Choose furniture in a contrasting colour to the walls and flooring so it clearly stands out.
Use handles or drawer knobs in bold colours that contrast with the furniture itself.
Ensure seating (like chairs or sofas) is a different colour from both the floor and the cushions.
Examples:
A soft blue chair on a pale wooden floor.
A light oak wardrobe against a pastel-coloured wall.
Dark-coloured drawer handles on a cream chest of drawers.
This helps with object recognition and reduces the risk of trips and bumps.
2. Opt for Warm, Calming Tones
Certain colours can influence mood and behaviour. While bright colours may stimulate, warm and soft tones tend to be more comforting, ideal for creating a relaxing environment.
Recommended colours:
Soft blues evoke calmness and are associated with rest and serenity.
Warm neutrals like beige, oatmeal, or taupe – comforting and non-intrusive.
Muted greens – gentle and nature-inspired, these promote a sense of stability.
Avoid stark whites, very dark colours (like black), or overly vivid shades (like neon), as these can appear harsh, disorienting, or even distressing to someone with cognitive impairment.
3. Use Colour to Aid Navigation and Memory
In care homes or multi-room environments, colour can also act as a wayfinding tool—helping individuals identify rooms or personal areas more easily.
How to apply this:
Use consistent colour cues: for example, a blue wardrobe might signify the bedroom, while a green chair might be a visual anchor for a reading nook.
Add personalised colour touches to key furniture items—perhaps a favourite colour for a bedside cabinet or dressing table.
When used consistently, colour becomes a cue that helps reduce confusion and build a routine.
4. Avoid Busy Patterns and Overwhelming Designs
Pattern can often be just as important as colour. For someone with dementia, busy or high-contrast patterns can be misinterpreted as something moving or even a hazard.
Avoid:
Striped, dotted, or floral upholstery with strong contrast.
Loud prints or clashing patterns on soft furnishings or furniture.
Instead, aim for solid colours or subtle textures, which offer visual simplicity and peace of mind.
5. Respect Personal Preferences
While general colour guidance is helpful, it’s always a good idea to consider the individual’s personal tastes and history. A favourite colour can bring a sense of identity, comfort, and familiarity.
For example:
Someone who loves gardening might feel drawn to earthy greens or natural wood tones.
A person with fond memories of the seaside might respond positively to soft blues and sandy beiges.
Where possible, involve the person in choosing their furniture or fabric colours—it fosters a sense of control and helps ensure the environment feels like home, not an institution.
Final Thoughts
Colour is a quiet but powerful ally in dementia care. The right palette can enhance visibility, soothe anxiety, and help maintain independence. Whether you're selecting a dementia-friendly armchair, wardrobe, or bedside table, choose colours that combine contrast, calmness, and personal meaning.
By thinking beyond aesthetics and toward function and feeling, we can create spaces that are not just safe, but deeply supportive and dignified for those living with dementia.
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