Decoration
progress and that people who live and work in the setting are positive about changes are also paramount.
Updating heritage buildings There is a wider movement taking shape across the care sector. As developers and operators increasingly look to repurpose buildings with existing character and history, the challenge for decorating contractors is not simply to refresh a space, but to honour what was there before while also making it fit for modern care. There’s a real responsibility that comes
with working in a building that carries meaning for the local community or carries the mantle of being a listed building. You’re not just applying paint to walls – you’re helping to write the next chapter of a building’s story, and that requires a level of sensitivity that goes beyond technical skill. Each adaptive reuse project demands
a unique approach. It’s important to understand the building’s identity and history before beginning a redecoration project, especially when using a colour palette related to it’s heritage. Done right, the redecoration project
becomes something that people who live and work in a home can feel genuinely proud of – rather than just a backdrop that they hardly notice. This is a sentiment that applies equally to purpose-built care facilities, and one that underpins every project Bagnalls takes on, regardless of scale.
A strategic approach to redecoration Redecoration is not solely about improving appearances; it’s a strategic decision that can influence the long-term success of a care home. The physical environment plays a significant role in shaping first impressions, and for many families, it is one of the most immediate indicators of quality. A well-maintained and thoughtfully
designed space can enhance resident satisfaction, support staff morale and strengthen a provider’s reputation within a competitive market. It can also contribute to compliance with evolving regulatory standards, ensuring that facilities remain fit for purpose in the years ahead. In this context, redecoration becomes less of a periodic necessity and more of an ongoing investment in both people and place.
Collaboration at the core Underlying each successful redecoration project is a foundation of collaboration.
Case study: Chocolate Works Care Village
Few projects illustrate the transformative potential of redecoration more vividly than the Chocolate Works Care Village in York. Once the headquarters of a historic chocolate factory, as the name suggestes, the building has been transformed into a pioneering care environment that balances heritage with modernity. The result is an environment that feels dynamic and engaging, offering residents a greater sense of independence and community. It reflects a broader shift within the sector, where care homes are increasingly seen not just as places of support, but as places to live well. We utilised the specified Johnstone’s
products to carry out the full internal redecoration of the care site. Working closely with an extensive supply chain ensured colours used throughout
Contractors, care home managers and on- site teams must work in close partnership, aligning their efforts to ensure that both operational and design objectives are met. Open communication is key. By
maintaining a continuous dialogue, project teams can respond quickly to challenges, adapt schedules where necessary and ensure that the needs of people who live in the setting remain central throughout. In order to lift a space and make it feel
welcoming and positive, a team must understand not only the needs of the residents and staff, but also the multi-faceted
the building exactly matched the historic colour palette. This tied the space into its fascinating heritage, while also ensuring it felt warm and welcoming, making it appropriate for its new purpose as a high-quality care facility. The project also included an external refresh for the care village. This work was
carried out in increments during warmer weather, ensuring comfort for people living and working there – for example window redecoration was only carried out on sunny days, so the windows were only open when it was warm outside. Two talented painters were able to
complete this refresh project within this gorgeous building over a period of five weeks. Again, the care village remained fully operational throughout, and operatives ensured all working areas were kept clean, tidy and safe at all times.
purposes of the space, beyond the cosmetic. In live care environments, this collaborative approach is not simply beneficial; it is essential. Care home redecoration isn’t a cosmetic
exercise; it’s an opportunity to reimagine spaces in ways that support wellbeing, foster community and future-proof facilities for the demands of modern care. n
SCAN HERE
https://www.bagnalls.co.uk/services/ nationwide-painting/
Joe Brett
Joe Brett is national painting division manager at painting contractor Bagnalls.
June 2026
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 29
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