Here at Engaging Interiors we are getting more interested in inclusive interior design. In this first article will be looking at how to design for people with dementia in order to help them navigate and feel comfortable within an interior space. This article will be an interview with Occupation Therapist Fran Hamilton
Fran Hamilton
Fran Hamilton is an experienced Occupational Therapist and dementia care consultant who specialises in enabling wellbeing at all stages of dementia and later life. With over 20 years of experience across health, social care, and community settings. Fran offers practical consultancy and training for teams looking to improve dementia care and make a lasting difference. You can find out more about Fran at www.franhamilton.co.uk.
Hello Fran,
1. can we start with a question about how someone with dementia will navigating a public space differently to someone without dementia?
People living with dementia may find public spaces more challenging to navigate due to changes in memory, attention, orientation, or processing sensory input. While others may move through a space effortlessly, someone with dementia might pause often, feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar layouts, or struggle with things like unclear signs or noisy environments. A space that feels intuitive and calming to most can become disorienting or even inaccessible without the right design considerations.
2. What features can make a public space easier to navigate for people living with dementia—and for everyone else too?
Public spaces that are clear, calm, and well-signposted benefit not only people with dementia, but also older adults, people with visual impairments, learning disabilities, anxiety, or simply those unfamiliar with the setting.
Helpful features include:
- Consistent, simple layouts with visual landmarks
- Clear, legible signage that includes both words and symbols
- Good lighting that avoids glare and strong shadows
- Rest points such as benches or quieter zones
- Toilets that are easy to find and clearly marked
These design elements reduce cognitive strain and build confidence—creating spaces that feel safe and welcoming for everyone.
3. What type of finishes are best to use—and best avoided?
Supportive finishes make a real difference to both safety and comfort.
Recommended:
- Matt surfaces to reduce reflection
- Clear colour contrasts between walls, floors, doors, and furniture
- Natural or muted tones that feel calm and reduce visual stress
To avoid:
- Busy or patterned flooring, which can appear uneven or moving
- Highly reflective or shiny finishes that may cause confusion or appear slippery
- Sudden flooring changes, which can be misinterpreted as steps or obstacles
The goal is a space that’s not only safe, but also intuitively understood—without needing to stop and think.
4. What are cognitive steps—and why is it helpful to reduce them?
Cognitive steps are the mental processes involved in doing something seemingly simple—like finding a café, entering a toilet, or exiting a car park. Each extra decision or choice adds to the cognitive load.
For someone living with dementia, reducing these steps means reducing anxiety, confusion, and the risk of getting lost or stuck. When a space does some of the thinking for us—through clear design, intuitive layout, or helpful signs—it frees people to focus on enjoying their time and engaging with others.
5. Does it help to use equipment or features familiar from 30 to 50 years ago?
Yes—familiarity can offer comfort and reduce confusion. Equipment and design elements from earlier decades—like traditional taps, toilet flushes, and kettles, or even shop signage styles—can resonate with long-term memory, which often stays stronger even as short-term memory fades. This is especially valuable in community hubs or public venues aiming to feel welcoming and accessible to older adults.
6. Are there any organisations that offer guidance on dementia-friendly environments?
Yes, several UK-based organisations have developed excellent resources on dementia-inclusive design:
- Dementia Services Development Centre (University of Stirling) – Their evidence-based design guides and audit tools are widely used in health, care and public settings
- Lab4Living (Sheffield Hallam University) – A leading research centre exploring inclusive design for later life, including dementia-friendly environments through innovative co-design projects.
- Design Council – Their “Transform Ageing” and inclusive environments work includes dementia-relevant design guidance
- Alzheimer’s Society – Their Dementia Friendly Communities programme supports local areas to improve public spaces and services
- NICE (Guideline NG97) – National clinical guidance that includes environment as a key area in dementia care
These organisations share a core message: when we create environments that enable people with dementia, we also create spaces that are inclusive, respectful, and empowering for all.
Thank you Fran.
If you have have an interior that you would like to make more dementia friendly Fran Hamilton and Engaging Interiors Limited are well placed to help make a difference.