Senior living homes

Living room Colour Palette for Senior living homes

Choose colour against the surfaces that will stay. Test it on a large sample at the room's brightest and darkest points.

Explore the ideas
Living room with a television wall, wood shelving and a glass partition
Living room inspiration: media storage beside a glazed divider.

Compare the options

Set the brief
Collect samples of permanent finishes, upholstery and hardware before picking a paint or laminate.
Compare
Assign a background colour, one wayfinding or feature colour, and contrast where people need to distinguish edges.
Before buying
Check painted or laminated samples vertically beside the same light source the finished room will use.
Worked example

A north-facing lounge makes a cool gray sofa and wall paint appear flat through the day.

Test large paint and textile samples in morning and evening light, keeping the permanent floor visible beside them.

How to test it

Compare the samples in daylight and artificial light, and check that handles and door edges remain easy to distinguish.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Keep a direct path between seating, entry and bathroom; place chairs where rising is comfortable.
Detail
Use stable furniture, high-contrast edges and layered glare-controlled lighting.
Trade-off
More open floor improves movement but may reduce the number of seating choices.
  • Walk routes with usual mobility aids
  • Check light levels and reflections at seated height
Living room arranged with an L-shaped sofa and wall shelving
Living room inspiration: seating grouped around a shared focal point.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Open living and dining area with a wood partition and television unit
Living room inspiration: a visual boundary between shared zones.
Living room with green and rust-colored seating around a low coffee table
Living room inspiration: conversation seating with a clear central table.

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