How to Make Your Care Home Room More Homely
Moving into a care home is a big transition, whether it is for a short respite care stay or as a more permanent move into residential care. For many older people, leaving their own home can be an emotional experience, so making their care home room feel personal, warm, and familiar is essential. Creating a space that reflects a person’s past, interests, and identity can provide comfort and a sense of belonging, helping them settle into their new environment.
A well-decorated and personalised care home room can make all the difference in ensuring residents feel comfortable, secure, and valued. Whether you are a family member helping a loved one settle in, or an individual preparing for the move yourself, there are plenty of ways to make a room feel like home.
Choosing the Right Furnishings to Create Comfort
Furnishings can create a sense of familiarity and warmth which turns a standard care home room into a personal retreat. Many care homes encourage residents to bring items from home, such as a favourite chair, small furniture pieces, or even a bedside table with sentimental value. These familiar pieces not only make the space more comfortable but also serve as reminders of their life and memories before beginning their new chapter.
For those in nursing care, smaller furnishings that provide comfort—such as a supportive armchair or a footstool—can be beneficial as it can make it easier for residents to relax and enjoy their room. A well-arranged space with treasured possessions can help ease the transition, particularly for those living with dementia, as it provides a strong link to their past.
The Importance of Personal Items
Personal items hold sentimental value and can make all the difference when adapting to care home life. Pictures of family members and friends, framed photographs of special occasions, and memory-filled keepsakes can help maintain emotional connections. Some residents find comfort in displaying pictures of their mum, daughter, or other close relatives, creating a sense of closeness even when loved ones are not present.
Bringing familiar items such as a CD player with favourite music, a cherished book collection, or even decorative pieces that have always been part of their home can reinforce a feeling of identity. These items remind residents of their past, their achievements, and the people they love which makes their care home room a truly personal space.
Making the Room Cosy with Soft Furnishings
Soft furnishings are another excellent way to add warmth and comfort to a care home room. Many residents find that using their own sheets or own bedding makes their space feel much more like home. Familiar textures and scents can be deeply comforting for those adjusting to a new environment.
Adding cushions, throws, and curtains in colours and patterns that reflect personal taste can help a room feel inviting. A welcoming care home on the Wirral will always encourage residents to personalise their space, ensuring that every room feels like a place where someone truly belongs.
Decorating with Meaningful Touches
The way a room is decorated can significantly impact how comfortable and peaceful a person feels. Choosing soft, calming colours for walls, or adding wallpaper that reminds them of their own home, can create a soothing atmosphere. Flowers, artwork, or ornaments that have emotional value can also make the space feel more familiar and less clinical, particularly for those who may have recently come from a hospital setting.
For green-fingered residents who enjoy nature or have fond memories of specific places, decorations that reflect these interests can be a wonderful addition. Whether it is a photo of the River Mersey or a cherished family holiday, these decorations can spark fond memories and help residents settle in quickly.
Creating a Space for Socialising and Connection
Keeping in touch and spending time with loved ones is an important part of care home life, and a well-arranged room can support these interactions. Ensuring there is a comfortable place for visitors to sit and interact can encourage family members and friends to enjoy themselves more and have more frequent visits.
Having a small table for tea and biscuits, a comfortable armchair for a relative to use, or even a small radio playing in the background can create a welcoming and homely atmosphere. All the staff in a high-quality nursing home will understand the importance of maintaining strong family connections and will support residents in making their space as accommodating as possible for visitors as well as themselves.
The Role of Familiar Scents and Sounds
Scent and sound can have a powerful impact on memory and mood. A favourite perfume, a lavender pillow, or a room spray that smells like home can make a care home room feel instantly familiar.
Music can also be incredibly comforting. Bringing a CD player and playing a resident's favourite tunes can help to create a peaceful atmosphere. Whether they enjoy class hits, hymns or songs from their youth, it is also a great conversation starter with team members and like-minded residents. Care homes understand the emotional benefits of music, particularly for those with dementia, as it can trigger positive memories and provide a sense of calm.
Finding the Right Balance Between Practicality and Comfort
While personalising a care home room and including memories throughout their lifetime is important, it’s also necessary to balance this with practicality. The space needs to remain safe, accessible, and suited to the resident’s care needs.
The care home team will work with residents and their families to find the best ways to personalise a room while ensuring it remains easy to navigate and free from trip hazards. For those receiving nursing care, ensuring there is enough space around the bed and essential medical equipment is a key consideration.
The Benefits of a Homely Care Home Environment
A welcoming, well-decorated room can have a transformative impact on a resident’s well-being. It not only provides a sense of continuity from their past home to their new environment but also reinforces their sense of identity.
For respite care residents, having a comfortable and familiar space can make a short stay much more enjoyable. It ensures that, even though they may be away from home for a little while, they still have a space that feels like their own.
A care home that encourages personalisation reflects a commitment to high-quality care. Families should always feel confident in bringing items from home, knowing that their loved one’s comfort and happiness are a priority. A care home's CQC rating can provide insight into the level of care and support available, but seeing in person how a care home allows residents to create a personal space is just as important when assessing the quality of life it offers.
Making the Right Choice for a Loved One
If you are helping a loved one move into a residential care home, taking the time to decorate their room with meaningful items can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a special blanket, a favourite armchair, or a collection of treasured photographs, these touches help maintain a sense of self and continuity.
It is important to research and visit several care homes when deciding to transition, and see which one can best support the needs of your loved one. If you ever have any questions or require support, the team are on hand to provide reassurance, a better understanding of the care services they offer and what in-house facilities are included in their care packages.
Your Home Away From Home at The Hazelwell
At The Hazelwell Care Home in Liverpool, we understand the importance of creating a warm and welcoming space where residents feel truly at home. We encourage residents to personalise their rooms in a way that reflects their past, their interests, and their sense of comfort. Whether someone is joining us for a few weeks of respite care or long-term residential care, nursing care, low-level dementia care or palliative care we are committed to providing a supportive environment where every person feels valued.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can assist you or a relative in making a smooth transition into our luxury and boutique care home, please contact us. We are always happy to provide peace of mind and discuss how we can provide comfort, high-quality care, and a truly homely environment to each individual who resides with us.
