The role of colour in interior design for dementia communities
Colours can have a significant effect on any interior and therefore selecting the right colour can help influence the mood and wellbeing of residents. Here’s what Victoria Croft, Founder of Juniper Partnership Interior Designs, had to say:
Green
Green promotes a sense of nature and energy. The incorporation of nature into interiors through biophilic design can help increase a sense of calm and promotes a good sense of balance. This is why features such as living walls and planting are increasingly used across office environments and other often sterile interiors to promote calm productivity. Green is a particularly good colour for use in bedrooms.
Red, Gold and Orange
Reds, golds, and oranges are cognitively stimulating and help increase brainwave activity. These colours work well in dining room environments because they promote sociable feelings and can help stimulate the appetite.
Yellow
Yellow represents sunshine and energy and when used in a controlled way, through the use of a painted feature wall, artwork or accessories, it can be excellent at making many people feel happy. Too much yellow can be seen to enhance feelings of emotional distress in some people however and so yellow is best used combined with other colours.
Blue
Blue is associated with serenity; it can help evoke memories of cloudless skies and crystal seas. Blues work well for use in bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas, but selecting the right tones are essential. With failing eyesight as we age, light blue / grey shades are one of the first colours we lose and so selecting mid tones with good levels of contrast is essential.
