Renovating a facility is a big project. Several things should be considered to ensure the best possible outcome. Finding the right balance between resident needs and aesthetics is important. Long-term care furniture should look good and be well made, it needs to be comfortable to sit in for long periods of time, and it must be easy to get in and out of. Other important factors are light, color, textures and materials, and how they can affect long-term care facility residents’ well-being. Sounds can agitate or disorient the hearing impaired; therefore, selecting furnishings that absorb unwanted sounds is helpful. Incorporating design ideas that respect independence, provide clear way-finding, deliver helpful functionality to meet residents’ needs, and combine style with safety and comfort is invaluable.

What Should I Look for in Resident Room Furnishings?

Some qualities to look for in resident room furnishings are quality wood veneer, high pressure laminate tops, or thermally-fused laminate. Some styles have profiled or flat molding drawer fronts. The inset drawers can be vinyl wrapped for durability, making them easy-to-clean. They can have positive stop drawer guides or side mounted, epoxy-coated metal glides. The undersides of the drawers should be moisture sealed to help prevent damage from humid environments and spills.

For aesthetic purposes, they may have several drawer pull options to pick from. Solid wood doors can be available for durability and have raised panel detailing. Toe kick panel options that may be available are arch, flush, scallop, transitional, rectangular, open, and recessed. A ventilated, tempered back can increase air circulation to help eliminate odors and reduce the build-up of moisture. Resident room furnishings can come in a variety of finishes. Options that may be feasible are African walnut, amber cherry, Biltmore cherry, Kensington maple, Montana walnut, Monticello maple, and solar oak to offer an added level of customization.