How Can You Decorate A Care Home Room To Feel More Like Home - Rosebank Care Home
As you can imagine, settling into a care home can be hard, but did you know that care homes allow you to decorate and personalise the room? This means your loved one can have a room that feels just as warm and welcoming as home.

Read on as we look at creative, practical ways to turn a care home room into a comforting and uplifting place they can make their own.

How Can You Decorate a Care Home Room to Feel More Like Home?

Maintaining your loved one’s sense of identity should be prioritised when transitioning to life in a care home. You can easily do this by personalising their bedroom. If you want your loved one to feel settled and relaxed, add personal touches that remind them of home. It’s a good idea to start with memorable items like family photos or favourite artwork to remind them that they’re loved while boosting morale. Don’t forget to make the room cosy with soft textures, like quilts and rugs, adding warmth and a homely feel.

In addition to bringing their own furniture, you could add a small reading nook or a space for hobbies to make their room more personal and purposeful.

How to Personalise a Care Home Bedroom

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Start with Memorable Items that Tell a Story

Make sure to bring meaningful items to make your loved one’s new life in a care home feel more personal and familiar. Why not create a ‘memory wall’ (especially for residents with dementia) complete with cherished photos or mementoes to provide comfort and remind your loved one of happy times and important people in their life?

2. Create a Dedicated Space

Place an armchair in a cosy corner, add a warm throw they can wrap up in and a side table with a lamp to create the perfect spot for reading, relaxing or enjoying a brew of choice. A little corner adds personality and purpose to the room, giving your loved one a dedicated space to unwind and make use of their space.

3. Bring Textures and Patterns That Reflect Their Personality

Adding beautiful fabrics and accessories is a simple way to make your loved one’s care home room feel like their own. A quilt and rug with a design they love or cushions in colours that bring out their personality can preserve their sense of identity, helping your loved one feel more settled and connected to their new surroundings.

4. Bring Nature Indoors

Does your relative have green fingers and a love of nature? Adding leafy plants and colourful flowers to their care home room is a great way to honour this aspect of their personality. Natural elements also create a calming and grounding environment, which is beneficial during this big life change.

5. Incorporate Personal Style Through Colour

The good news is that most care homes allow residents to paint their rooms in their preferred colour. As with textiles and accessories, using your loved one’s favourite colours is a great way to respect their preferences at a time when they feel out of control. Add accents like cushions and art in shades they love, whether they prefer bold, bright tones or soft, neutral hues.

6. Bring a Sense of Home with Familiar Scents

Did you know that scents are one of the most powerful ways to access memories? They’re also highly effective at calming emotions and creating comfort. Incorporate aromas into the room, like a calming spray, scented potpourri or a diffuser with naturally scented oil. Taking the time to make the room smell like home is one of the easiest ways to create a more personal space.

7. Celebrate Achievements and Passions

Showcasing your loved one’s wins from previous years is a meaningful way to individualise their care home room. A small shelf or table can display items like framed certificates, trophies, medals or artwork that have worked hard on. Reminding them of who they are gives a real sense of pride and identity while offering opportunities for social engagement in the care home and sparking conversations with caregivers, fellow residents and visitors.

8. Honour Their Faith

If your family member is religious or has strong spiritual beliefs, incorporating their faith into a care home room allows for more comfort and reassurance. Depending on their religion, you can add spiritual items on shelves or walls. For example, if your loved one is Catholic or Christian, adding items like a cross, Rosary beads and a Bible will honour their values, anchor their identity and bring much-needed peace.

9. Include Seasonal Decorations

An easy way to create a homely feel in a care facility is by incorporating seasonal decor. A small wreath, Christmas ornaments or a seasonal-coloured throw pillow can instantly brighten the space and bring a sense of celebration. Consider items like a mini tree for Christmas, a vase of spring flowers or decorative pumpkins for autumn. Keeping decor fresh and relevant helps your loved one stay connected to the seasons and traditions they cherish.

10. Stylish Storage Solutions

Stylish yet functional storage options like decorative baskets, storage boxes or a small trunk can store essentials while adding character to the space. Labelled organisers or fabric bins with their favourite colours are ideal for smaller items. Custom storage ideas keep the room tidy and make it easier for your loved one to find and access their belongings.

A Room That Reflects Who They Are

Making a care home room feel like home doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can mean the world to your loved one. It’s all about those thoughtful little items – cosy textures and bits of their personality sprinkled throughout. Utilising tips from this guide, you can create a sense of belonging, turning a new place into somewhere your loved one actually wants to be.

Ultimately, it’s the resident’s space and should be filled with the comforts and memories that make it feel like a real home.

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