At last….Spring!

Victoria bellerby

bellabe design

After last year there has never been a greater need to create optimism in care homes and turn a new leaf. Spring will feel special this year, leaving behind the dark winter months and there are things which can be done in every care home without too much cost.

Clear up and declutter

One of the easiest things to do is, to clear up and declutter, a typical spring clean. If this is linked with a coat of paint for worn out or darker spaces the home will start to feel brighter. Spring is a time for flowers so bring some into the homes; does every room have a plant to be nurtured and are there cut flowers in reception and the lounges. Light, air and nature are key to our wellbeing, and plants in our homes help us to connect with nature, lifting our mood and sense of wellbeing, but they also provide a great way to clean the air removing unwanted and unhealthy chemicals that we breathe in, for instance the Peace Lily, Rubber Plant and Bamboo are some of the most active air-toxin cleaning plants.

Replace furniture

With lockdowns there has probably been extraordinarily little furniture replacement and with the spring clean it is probably time to replace broken, worn out and unwanted furniture. When you replace furniture this year why not make it a bit brighter than usual, think of floral prints and summer colours for fabrics to bring the outside in.

Bright, optimistic, cheerful yellows will feature in 2021, combined with soft, reassuring, warm greys, this is just a starting point and building on with colours that you have in your home already is a great way to refresh the look! see Pantone colours of 2021

Spruce up the garden

If you have a garden it will be the preferred venue for residents to meet family and friends again this year and making it more beautiful and appealing will probably be the best investment you can make in 2021. Again, more flowers will bring colour to the garden and provide cut flowers for inside. Vegetables grown in the garden provide a well-known and fun activity as well as food for the kitchen. Seating areas with appropriate social distancing should be created to attract back visitors who will feel they are in a safe space. Maybe on warmer days cakes and drinks can be served in the gardens.

Room with a view

Not all residents will be able to visit the gardens and not all days are suitable, but a view of nature and the surrounding community is especially important. Comfortable and inviting seating areas with a view are some of the most important spaces in a home and this year it is worth checking if the seating requires an update and a bit of extra attention and that the view is optimised – think about placing a bird feeding table outside of these windows for interest, activity and interaction with nature.

New resident first impressions

Spring and summer will also be the time to attract in new residents to care homes. First impressions are made very quickly by a potential resident and their families. How does your reception look, and does it need a refresh? A statement settee, or a couple of cosy armchairs can brighten up the entrance and create a good impression of the quality of the home. An entrance table is a neat hand sanitation location, with side tables and attractive table lamps to add interest and warmth. Artwork illustrating the local area or scenes of particular interest to the residents of the home, create a welcoming atmosphere, fresh cut flowers and well-tended plants will add freshness and delight.

Marketing Suite

Many prospective residents will be keen to visit a bedroom or enjoy a virtual visit, this is an opportunity for the home to really stand out from the crowd, creating a standard of excellence with a “show bedroom or marketing suite” which truly reflects the home, outfitted with new furniture and furnishings, accessories, and artwork, that is light and airy, in suitable finishes and styles. This can be featured in promotional material, a great way to demonstrate the standard for the home and attract new residents. This is often the first step in updating your brand and when new residents join this style of furniture and standard finish can be introduced into the home as furniture packs.

If you think parts or all your home require a spring revitalisation this year and you would like further guidance on the furniture selection, interior design, design for dementia and finishing touches, give us a call….

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Victoria Bellerby is the founder of BellaBe Design Consultancy Ltd, specialising in combining wellbeing and sustainability in interior design, design for dementia, design standardisation and commercial drivers through innovative and creative solutions for accommodation of the older age group. Contact- victoria@bellabedesign.com