Senior living homes

Dining area Storage Design for Senior living homes

Plan storage around frequency of use and the route between use and return. Measure the actual items, including handles and cases.

Explore the ideas
Open dining and living area separated by a wood partition
Shared-space inspiration: distinguish dining and lounge zones with a light divider.

Plan in this order

  1. Sort items into daily, occasional and surplus stock, then measure each group's largest pieces.
  2. Place daily items at the point of use and reserve a separate area for overflow or refills.
  3. Choose shelf spans, pull-outs and closures only after checking how items are loaded and removed.
Worked example

Board games, chargers, and serving pieces all occupy the coffee table before guests arrive.

Give games a closed cabinet near the lounge and serving pieces a separate dining-side cupboard. Check each item’s retrieval and return path while the room is arranged for visitors.

How to test it

Put the largest item into a mock-up and remove it with the adjacent doors or work surfaces in use.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Keep chair pullback and a direct kitchen route clear; orient the table toward familiar views.
Detail
Choose stable chairs with arms if useful and provide even table lighting without harsh reflections.
Trade-off
Armchairs support standing but may not tuck neatly under the table.
  • Test sitting and standing with usual chairs
  • Check access around each table side
Two lounge chairs and a sofa arranged around a shared coffee table
Gathering inspiration: varied seats oriented toward a shared center.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Entry corridor opening toward a dining area with a glass-front cabinet
Arrival inspiration: keep the route into a shared dining space legible.
Dining area with a six-seat table and pendant light
Dining inspiration: a central table beneath focused pendant lighting.

Related design guides

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