INCLUSIVE COLOUR (CONT) . DEMENTIA
Design Principles:
Colour can be used to create homely, welcoming spaces. When considering a colour scheme it is best to see the bigger picture and include all items in the equation.
Tonal contrast is essential to help a person understand the space, and in large buildings it can assist navigation by helping to differentiate between floor levels. Level one is purple, level two orange etc and the floor and walls can change for each floor. In this way colour can be used to zone a specific area or activity. Dining room is green, living room is brown etc. Colour can provide tonal contrast and critical areas being: —Doorways against the walls (especially toilet doors) —Camouflage doors that are off limits (store cupboards etc) by painting them the same colour as walls —Walls against the floor —Handrails against the walls — Steps and Stairways. Achieve contrast by bands of colour such as BS 08E51 Tivoli Gold or by changing the flooring to highlight a change in floor level. —Chairs and chair arms should contrast against the floor
Flooring, furniture, soft furnishings and wall colour all contribute to the finished result and themore successful colour schemes result when all these elements harmonise with one another to create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing scheme. The Colour Service recommends that long term items such as flooring and furniture are kept quite neutral and that splashes of colour are added by way of items that tend to be changedmore frequently such as the walls or cushions. Neutral furniture or flooring can work withmany colours, whereas a blue carpet for example will provide fewer options. As the eye ages, colour becomes duller, a yellowing of the lens can occur. Stronger, richer colours aremore easily recognised and remembered, while pastel shades become harder to distinguish. Warmer colours such and reds and oranges aremore prominent than blue and green hues for someone living with dementia.
— Kitchen work surfaces should contrast against the floor and work surfaces that contrast with the units —Toilet seats should contrast against the toilet —Taps should contrast against the sink units. If feature walls are used to highlight a change of direction, it is best practise that they contrast tonally by 20 points with themain wall colour
— Promote independent living andcreate a safe space
— Create awelcoming, homely space — Tonal useof colour for way finding — Careful useof lighting. — Keep lighting levels high, avoid shadows and glare — Careful useof patterns and texture — Keepfloor coverings similar colour — Reduce visual clutter — Focus on important signage — Makeeveryday items easy tofind — Ensure the toilet is easy tofind — Ensure the space aids carenot hinders it — Consider outdoor space
Economix 3890 297 Image courtesy: Danfloor UK Ltd
Vibrant furniture is more noticeable to the ageing eye. Tonal contrast against the floor helps define the space.
Image courtesy: Housing 21
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