Refurbishments


bedrooms are free - and adjacent to each other - it is worth considering whether they would be better utilised as one larger, possibly double or twin room. Although there is undeniably a cost attached to such work, I would argue that this will pay for itself over time by attracting premium fees and maximum occupancy. Part of the charm of having a care home that started life as a private house is that no two bedrooms are the same. Although it is arguably much easier to order large quantities of the same soft furnishings for bedrooms, it does not allow the individuality of the rooms to be shown to its best advantage for prospective residents and their families. It also risks making your home look like a budget hotel or a hospital – not the impression you want to give! My advice here is to look at each room


separately and select furnishings and décor to best reflect the space available. For example, small ‘cubby’ areas or bay windows can be used to have a seating area or a desk. Make the most of original features. In one of our bedrooms, a fireplace had a surround of tiles with a blue kitten motif, which we retained. We were glad we did. A lady who lived at Elliscombe as her family home in the 1950s came to visit, and said she remembered those tiles from when the room had been her brother’s bedroom. In terms of colour, neutral bases for walls with and plain fabrics for chair coverings and curtains are best. This is because bedrooms must be suitable for both male and female residents, and the neutral colours can be teamed with brighter soft furnishings and accessories, which can be moved around and interchanged to suit


When we go to a beauty salon or spa, the walls and décor are rarely, if ever, white – so why should a resident bathroom be devoid of colour?


personal taste. We imported some lovely block-printed quilts, cushions and lampshades from India, which look stunning and which our residents certainly wouldn’t see elsewhere! Don’t forget that residents may wish to bring their own items with them, so the less clutter, and the simpler the scheme, the better.


Bathrooms Assisted bathrooms in care homes usually look the same – a large bath in the centre of the room, a sink and toilet in other areas of the room, and an expanse of white – tiles, paintwork, bathroom fittings. While this is undeniably practical - and there is a limit to what you can do with these rooms - it


is often this area of a home that is most reminiscent of a hospital. Again, it doesn’t have to be this way.


When we go to a beauty salon or spa, the walls and décor are rarely, if ever, white – so why should a resident bathroom be devoid of colour? Although the main equipment has to be white, you can detract from it with clever use of colour elsewhere – think coloured tiles - not hospital green! - pretty wallpaper, and pictures. At Elliscombe House, we combined


traditional elements such as tongue and groove panelling and wallpaper from Morris & Co and Colefax & Fowler with a modern air-spa system and calming lights for a truly luxurious ‘spa’ experience. While in all wet rooms and bathrooms


we have used the functional speckled flooring - which is so useful and safe - in the cloakroom and in the old house we have selected a more characterful vinyl designed to look like Mediterranean tiles.


Staff accommodation The staff room is always the bridesmaid – the last to have any attention, and yet your staff are your most valuable asset and deserve somewhere pleasant in which to take their well-earned breaks.


Comfortable furniture, a nice view, tea


and coffee facilities - these things show your staff that they are valued, and give them somewhere to relax before resuming their shift. As I have said before, location and


reconfiguration are key - so if your current 36 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com January 2022


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