Artwork is rarely the first consideration in an aged care project. Compliance, clinical functionality, accessibility and operational efficiency understandably dominate the brief. But once those foundations are in place, artwork is one of the most effective tools available for transforming a clinically necessary environment into a place that feels genuinely like home.
Specifying artwork for aged care is a different discipline from specifying artwork for a hotel, a workplace or a private residence. The audience is different. The sensory and cognitive needs are different. And the stakes — for resident dignity, wellbeing and quality of life — are considerably higher.
This guide is for architects, interior designers, operators and project teams working on residential aged care, retirement living and supported living projects. It covers what to consider when choosing subject matter, colour, scale and placement, and how to build an artwork program that genuinely supports the people who will live with it every day.
Why Artwork Matters in Aged Care Design
For many residents, an aged care facility is not a place they visit — it is the place they live. The environment needs to do more than function. It needs to feel like somewhere a person genuinely belongs.
Thoughtfully chosen artwork contributes to that sense of belonging in ways that few other design elements can:
• It softens clinical environments and reduces the institutional feel that can make residents and families anxious
• It supports a sense of dignity and individuality, particularly when residents are involved in its selection
• It gives residents and visitors something to talk about, look at and connect over — a genuine conversation starter in communal spaces
• It can support orientation and wayfinding throughout a facility
• It shapes the first impression for prospective residents and their families during a decision that is often emotionally difficult
A growing body of evidence-based design research supports the idea that calm, nature-based imagery can have a measurably positive effect on stress and mood in healthcare environments. Artwork in aged care is not decoration — it is part of the care environment itself.
The Shift Towards Hospitality-Inspired Aged Care Design
Across Australia, many new aged care developments are moving away from traditional institutional aesthetics. Operators, architects and interior designers are increasingly drawing inspiration from luxury residential and hospitality environments — with one simple goal: create spaces people genuinely enjoy spending time in.
This shift can be seen in boutique-style lounges, hotel-inspired reception areas, dedicated wellness spaces, considered dining environments, resident libraries and activity rooms, and landscaped outdoor areas. Artwork becomes a key part of this design language — introducing warmth, personality and visual depth while helping establish a stronger sense of identity throughout the facility.
Rather than filling walls as an afterthought, artwork in these projects is increasingly specified early in the design process, working cohesively with architecture, finishes, furniture and lighting from the outset.
Designing With Empathy: Understanding the Resident Experience
Good artwork specification in aged care begins with understanding how residents actually experience a space — which is often quite different from how a younger, fully sighted, cognitively unimpaired designer might experience the same room.
Vision and Perceptual Changes
Most residents in aged care are living with some degree of age-related vision change. As the eye ages, the lens yellows, contrast sensitivity reduces and depth perception becomes less reliable. Practically, this means:
• Cooler colours — blues, purples, greens — become harder to distinguish from one another
• Warmer tones — reds, oranges, yellows — tend to remain easier to perceive clearly
• High-gloss or reflective surfaces can create glare that obscures the artwork entirely for some residents
• Low-contrast artwork against a similarly toned wall can become very difficult to see
Cognitive Changes and Memory
Many aged care residents are living with some level of cognitive change, including dementia. Subject matter that might be perfectly appropriate in a hotel or workplace can be genuinely confusing or distressing in this context.
• Highly abstract or ambiguous imagery can occasionally be misread as something concerning — a dark shape mistaken for a hole, a pattern mistaken for movement
• Busy, complex compositions can be overstimulating for residents who benefit from a calmer visual environment
• Familiar, recognisable imagery — landscapes, gardens, animals, everyday scenes — is generally easier to process and more likely to provide comfort
• Nostalgic imagery connected to a resident's generation or cultural background can support positive memory association and conversation
Mobility and Viewing Position
Residents experience a facility from a different vantage point than an able-bodied visitor. Many residents spend significant time seated, in a wheelchair or in bed. Artwork specification needs to account for this:
• Hang heights that suit a standing adult may sit too high for someone viewing from a seated or reclined position
• Artwork visible from a bed should be considered as carefully as artwork visible from a communal lounge
• Corridor artwork should be legible to someone walking slowly with a mobility aid, often at a closer viewing distance than in other commercial settings
Choosing the Right Subject Matter
Subject matter is the single most important decision in aged care artwork specification. The right imagery can bring genuine comfort, joy and connection. The wrong imagery — even if beautifully executed — can cause confusion or quiet distress that may never be reported back to the design team.
Nature and Landscape Themes
Nature-based imagery is consistently the most reliable subject matter across aged care environments. Gardens, coastlines, bushland, skies and water all tend to be calming, broadly familiar and easy to read regardless of cultural background or cognitive ability.
• Local landscapes can create a sense of place and connection to the surrounding community
• Garden and floral imagery performs particularly well in dining rooms and communal lounges
• Coastal and water imagery is often well received but should avoid overly dark or turbulent water, which can occasionally read as unsettling
Nature-based subject matter does not need to be literal. Abstract works that reference natural forms — waterways, vegetation, horizons, changing light — can create a subtle connection to the Australian landscape without becoming a traditional landscape painting. This sense of familiarity can help residents feel grounded and connected to their surroundings, while still allowing for genuinely contemporary, sophisticated artwork.
Nostalgic and Familiar Imagery
Imagery that connects to a resident's earlier life — the era they grew up in, the landscapes they are familiar with, the activities they once enjoyed — can provide genuine comfort and serve as a meaningful conversation point with family and staff.
• Consider the generational context of current residents when selecting historical or nostalgic imagery
• Local heritage imagery can strengthen a facility's connection to its community
• Avoid imagery that might be associated with difficult historical events for the relevant generation
What to Avoid
• Highly ambiguous or heavily abstract works that could be misread as something distressing
• Busy, high-contrast patterns, particularly in corridors and circulation spaces
• Imagery with dark, cave-like or void-like areas that can be misperceived as holes or hazards by residents with visual-perceptual changes
• Subject matter that could be perceived as frightening, violent or unsettling, even subtly
• Mirrors or highly reflective surfaces in corridors and resident rooms, which can occasionally cause confusion or distress for residents with dementia
None of this means artwork needs to be generic or overly safe. Strong, contemporary artwork can still create real impact in an aged care setting — the goal is work that feels uplifting, balanced and approachable, not work that feels muted for the sake of it.
Colour Palette Considerations
Colour does more in an aged care environment than set a mood. It affects legibility, wayfinding and emotional regulation in ways that are well documented in healthcare and dementia-friendly design guidance.
Softer, layered palettes tend to perform particularly well in aged care settings — colours that feel natural, grounded and balanced, without becoming visually flat. Popular tones include warm whites, soft greens, earthy neutrals, muted blues, clay and sandstone tones, and gentle blush or ochre hues. The objective is never to eliminate colour — it is to create visual harmony with the broader interior environment.
• Warm tones are generally easier for ageing eyes to perceive clearly than cool tones
• High contrast between an artwork and the surrounding wall can aid visibility for residents with reduced vision — but contrast within the artwork itself should be used carefully to avoid disorientation
• Calmer, more muted palettes tend to suit corridors, resident rooms and quiet lounges
• Slightly more vibrant palettes can be appropriate in dining rooms and active communal spaces, where they can support appetite and social engagement
• Avoid stark black and white or high-contrast geometric patterns in dementia-specific areas, where they have been associated with disorientation
The goal is not a uniformly muted palette throughout the entire facility. The goal is a considered palette strategy — calmer in some zones, warmer and more social in others — that matches the function and emotional tone of each space.
Using Artwork for Wayfinding
In larger aged care facilities, particularly those with multiple wings or floors, artwork can play a genuinely practical role in helping residents orient themselves and navigate independently.
• A distinct, memorable artwork at the end of each corridor or wing can help residents identify and remember their location
• Consistent placement of a 'landmark' piece near lifts, dining rooms or nursing stations supports residents who rely on visual cues rather than signage
• Varying the artwork subtly between floors or wings — while maintaining overall palette cohesion — helps residents distinguish between similar-looking corridors
• Avoid repeating the exact same artwork at every junction, which removes its usefulness as a wayfinding cue
This approach is particularly valuable in memory care and dementia-specific wings, where residents may rely heavily on visual landmarks rather than written signage to navigate their environment.
Scale and Placement in Aged Care Environments
Scale principles in aged care follow similar fundamentals to other commercial environments, with some important adjustments for viewing position and context.
• Hang artwork lower than typical commercial hang height to account for seated viewing — consider a hang height that suits both standing and wheelchair-seated residents
• In resident rooms, position artwork to be visible from the bed, not only from a standing position at the doorway
• In corridors, scale artwork generously enough to be legible from a distance, but avoid works so large they dominate a narrow circulation space
• In dining rooms and lounges, artwork can be scaled similarly to a residential living room — occupying roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of the furniture or wall feature beneath it
[Read our full Artwork Size Guide for detailed measurements →]
Framing, Surfaces and Safety Considerations
Aged care environments carry safety and hygiene requirements that go well beyond standard commercial specification. Framing and installation decisions should always be made in consultation with the facility's compliance and clinical teams, but general principles include:
• Use secure, tamper-resistant fixings, particularly in resident rooms, dementia wings and any area accessible without supervision
• Avoid fixings or frame styles that could be used as a climbing aid or could be pulled from the wall
• Specify non-glare or matte glazing where glazing is used, to reduce glare and avoid reflective surfaces that can cause confusion
• Choose washable, easy-to-clean surfaces and framing materials in clinical or high-touch areas
• Avoid heavily textured fabric matting or porous materials in areas with stringent infection control requirements
• Confirm structural wall loading for any larger or heavier original works, particularly in communal areas
Always confirm specific compliance, infection control and safety requirements with the facility's own clinical and compliance team — requirements can vary between aged care providers and between general living areas and clinical or memory care zones.
Mapping Artwork Across an Aged Care Facility
Different zones within an aged care facility serve different purposes and call for different artwork approaches. A structured approach to mapping artwork across the facility helps ensure consistency without monotony.
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SPACE
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ARTWORK APPROACH
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Entry & Reception
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First impression for prospective residents and families, often during an emotionally difficult decision. Warm, welcoming, high-quality work that signals care and quality.
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Corridors
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Calming, familiar subject matter at intervals. Consider use as wayfinding landmarks. Avoid high-contrast or disorienting patterns.
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Dining Rooms
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Warmer, more social palette. Garden, floral or still-life themes often perform well and can support appetite and conversation.
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Communal Lounges
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Calm, restful imagery. Comfortable viewing from multiple seated positions. Good opportunity for a larger feature work.
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Resident Rooms
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Personal and individual where possible. Visible from the bed. Consider involving the resident or family in selection.
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Memory Care / Dementia Wing
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Familiar, nostalgic, unambiguous imagery. Use as wayfinding landmarks. Avoid abstract, reflective or high-contrast works.
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Outdoor & Courtyard Spaces
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Weather-appropriate materials. Nature themes that complement the garden setting itself.
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Staff & Administration Areas
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Often overlooked, but contributes to staff wellbeing, morale and retention. Calmer, considered spaces support staff during a demanding role.
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Artwork in Resident Rooms
Of every space considered in this guide, the resident’s own room deserves the most individual attention. It is not a space residents pass through — it is the one space that is genuinely theirs, and decisions made here carry more weight than artwork choices anywhere else in the facility.
Most facilities provide a base level of artwork in each room prior to move-in, simply so the space feels considered and complete from day one. This provided artwork should sit comfortably alongside whatever a resident or their family brings with them — photographs, sentimental pieces, gifts from grandchildren — rather than compete with it. The goal is a room that feels warm and finished from the outset, with plenty of room left for it to become genuinely personal over time.
Practical Considerations for Room Artwork
• Favour lighter, more easily changed pieces over large commissioned originals — rooms are personalised, residents sometimes relocate within a facility, and family frequently bring additional artwork and photographs over time
• Specify simple, secure fixings — such as a picture rail or French cleat system — that allow artwork to be added, swapped or removed without specialist installation
• Offer a small curated selection of base artworks for residents or families to choose from at move-in, rather than a single uniform piece repeated in every room
• Keep provided artwork and personal photographs visually distinct but harmonious, so neither competes with nor overwhelms the other
• Position artwork to be visible from the bed as well as from a chair or doorway
Why Resident and Family Involvement Matters Most Here
Of all the opportunities to involve residents in artwork selection, the bedroom is where it matters most. A resident’s own room is one of the few remaining spaces where they retain real autonomy, and a say in what hangs on their own wall is a small but genuine act of dignity. Where a resident is unable to express a preference themselves, family members can often provide valuable insight into the person’s history, taste and what would feel most like home to them.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Rooms used for palliative or end-of-life care call for particular sensitivity. Calm, comforting and familiar imagery matters here more than anywhere else in the facility — and flexibility matters just as much. Artwork should be simple to temporarily move or remove to allow space for medical equipment, additional seating for family, or a different configuration of the room altogether. Fixed or heavy installations are best avoided in these rooms in favour of lighter, easily adjustable pieces.
A resident’s room is the one space in any facility that is genuinely theirs. The artwork on its walls deserves the same care and consideration as every other decision made on their behalf.
Original Artwork vs Premium Prints for Aged Care
As with most commercial projects, aged care artwork programs typically use a combination of original works and premium prints.
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USE ORIGINAL ARTWORK FOR...
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USE PREMIUM PRINTS FOR...
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The entry and reception area — the first impression
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Corridors and circulation spaces across multiple wings
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A signature communal lounge or feature wall
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Resident rooms, where consistency and budget matter
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Commissioned works reflecting local landscape or community
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Dining rooms requiring multiple consistent pieces
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Spaces with high family and visitor exposure
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Large facilities requiring scale and budget efficiency
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A commissioned original work reflecting the local landscape, history or community can be a particularly meaningful choice for a primary communal space — helping residents and families feel a genuine connection to the facility's place and identity.
[Read our full guide to Original Art vs Art Prints →]
[Read our full guide to How to Commission Artwork →]
Involving Residents in the Process
Where possible, involving current or future residents in the artwork selection process can meaningfully increase their sense of ownership, dignity and connection to the space — a principle that matters across the whole facility, but most of all within the resident’s own room.
• Simple preference exercises — showing a shortlist of options and asking residents which they respond to — can be incorporated into the specification process
• Family members can sometimes provide insight into a resident's personal history, interests or cultural background that informs artwork selection for their individual room
• Resident art groups or activity programs can occasionally contribute original works for display, which can be a meaningful addition to a communal space
• For new developments, engaging future residents or community representatives during design development can provide valuable insight into local landscape, heritage and identity
This is not always practical at scale, particularly for large new developments where residents have not yet moved in. But for individual rooms, and for facilities undergoing refurbishment with existing residents, it is one of the most meaningful steps available.
Procurement at Scale
Aged care artwork programs often involve specifying artwork across dozens of resident rooms as well as multiple communal spaces — requiring a similar systematic approach to a multi-residential development.
• Develop an artwork schedule mapping every space, with dimensions, medium and budget allocated per area
• Establish a palette framework early so that variation across the facility feels cohesive rather than disjointed
• Plan lead times carefully — commissioned works for hero spaces should be briefed well ahead of the broader print and procurement program
• Confirm installation timing with the facility’s operational team, particularly in areas occupied by current residents, to minimise disruption
[Read our full guide to How to Specify Artwork for Multi-Residential Projects →]
Working With a Specialist Art Partner
Aged care artwork specification benefits from a partner who genuinely understands the unique requirements of the sector — not simply a supplier of generic commercial artwork.
• Experience selecting subject matter and palettes appropriate for ageing vision and cognitive considerations
• Understanding of safety, hygiene and installation requirements specific to aged care environments
• Ability to develop and manage an artwork schedule across a large facility
• Capacity to commission original works that reflect local landscape, heritage or community identity
• Sensitivity to the emotional context of the sector — for residents, families and staff alike
At Emma Street Studio, we work with aged care providers, architects and interior designers across Australia to deliver artwork programs that genuinely support resident wellbeing — from individual room artworks through to complete facility-wide programs.
[Enquire About Your Project →]
Aged Care Artwork Specification Checklist
SUBJECT MATTER & PALETTE
□ Subject matter reviewed for ambiguity, busy patterns or unsettling imagery
□ Nature, garden or familiar themes prioritised in communal and circulation spaces
□ Colour palette considered for ageing vision — warmer tones prioritised where appropriate
□ High-contrast or disorienting patterns avoided in dementia and memory care areas
SCALE & PLACEMENT
□ Hang heights consider seated and wheelchair viewing positions
□ Resident room artwork visible from the bed, not only from the doorway
□ Corridor artwork scaled appropriately for a slower walking pace and closer viewing distance
□ Wayfinding opportunities considered for larger or multi-wing facilities
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
□ Secure, tamper-resistant fixings specified for all areas
□ Non-glare or matte glazing specified where glazing is used
□ Washable, easy-to-clean surfaces specified for clinical and high-touch areas
□ Structural wall loading confirmed for larger or heavier works
□ Facility compliance and clinical team consulted on safety and infection control requirements
PROCUREMENT
□ Artwork schedule developed across all rooms and communal spaces
□ Palette framework established for cohesion across the facility
□ Lead times confirmed for commissioned and print works
□ Installation timing coordinated with facility operations to minimise resident disruption
□ Opportunities for resident or family involvement in selection considered
□ Resident room artwork uses easily changeable fixings rather than permanent installation
□ Approach for palliative and end-of-life care rooms confirmed — flexible, easily removable artwork
The Difference Thoughtful Artwork Makes
An aged care facility is, for many residents, simply home. The artwork on its walls is not an afterthought or a finishing touch — it is part of the daily experience of living there, for residents, for the staff who care for them and for the families who visit.
Artwork cannot solve every challenge within a care environment. What it can do is contribute meaningfully to the atmosphere of a space — introducing warmth where a room feels clinical, creating moments of interest within everyday routines, and helping visitors feel welcome.
Getting it right requires more empathy and more specific knowledge than a typical commercial project. But the outcome — a space that feels warm, familiar and genuinely considered — is worth the additional care it takes to achieve.
The best aged care artwork programs are rarely noticed as artwork at all. They simply feel like part of a place where someone belongs.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Work With Emma Street Studio
We work with aged care providers, healthcare designers and project teams across Australia to deliver artwork programs that support resident wellbeing, wayfinding and a genuine sense of home. Enquire about your project or apply for trade access.
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Emma Street Studio · Design Journal · Artwork for Aged Care Projects
Artwork for Aged Care Projects: A Guide to Specification and Resident Wellbeing
Artwork is rarely the first consideration in an aged care project. Compliance, clinical functionality, accessibility and operational efficiency understandably dominate the brief. But once those foundations are in place, artwork is one of the most effective tools available for transforming a clinically necessary environment into a place that feels genuinely like home.
Specifying artwork for aged care is a different discipline from specifying artwork for a hotel, a workplace or a private residence. The audience is different. The sensory and cognitive needs are different. And the stakes — for resident dignity, wellbeing and quality of life — are considerably higher.
This guide is for architects, interior designers, operators and project teams working on residential aged care, retirement living and supported living projects. It covers what to consider when choosing subject matter, colour, scale and placement, and how to build an artwork program that genuinely supports the people who will live with it every day.
Why Artwork Matters in Aged Care Design
For many residents, an aged care facility is not a place they visit — it is the place they live. The environment needs to do more than function. It needs to feel like somewhere a person genuinely belongs.
Thoughtfully chosen artwork contributes to that sense of belonging in ways that few other design elements can:
• It softens clinical environments and reduces the institutional feel that can make residents and families anxious
• It supports a sense of dignity and individuality, particularly when residents are involved in its selection
• It gives residents and visitors something to talk about, look at and connect over — a genuine conversation starter in communal spaces
• It can support orientation and wayfinding throughout a facility
• It shapes the first impression for prospective residents and their families during a decision that is often emotionally difficult
A growing body of evidence-based design research supports the idea that calm, nature-based imagery can have a measurably positive effect on stress and mood in healthcare environments. Artwork in aged care is not decoration — it is part of the care environment itself.
The Shift Towards Hospitality-Inspired Aged Care Design
Across Australia, many new aged care developments are moving away from traditional institutional aesthetics. Operators, architects and interior designers are increasingly drawing inspiration from luxury residential and hospitality environments — with one simple goal: create spaces people genuinely enjoy spending time in.
This shift can be seen in boutique-style lounges, hotel-inspired reception areas, dedicated wellness spaces, considered dining environments, resident libraries and activity rooms, and landscaped outdoor areas. Artwork becomes a key part of this design language — introducing warmth, personality and visual depth while helping establish a stronger sense of identity throughout the facility.
Rather than filling walls as an afterthought, artwork in these projects is increasingly specified early in the design process, working cohesively with architecture, finishes, furniture and lighting from the outset.
Designing With Empathy: Understanding the Resident Experience
Good artwork specification in aged care begins with understanding how residents actually experience a space — which is often quite different from how a younger, fully sighted, cognitively unimpaired designer might experience the same room.
Vision and Perceptual Changes
Most residents in aged care are living with some degree of age-related vision change. As the eye ages, the lens yellows, contrast sensitivity reduces and depth perception becomes less reliable. Practically, this means:
• Cooler colours — blues, purples, greens — become harder to distinguish from one another
• Warmer tones — reds, oranges, yellows — tend to remain easier to perceive clearly
• High-gloss or reflective surfaces can create glare that obscures the artwork entirely for some residents
• Low-contrast artwork against a similarly toned wall can become very difficult to see
Cognitive Changes and Memory
Many aged care residents are living with some level of cognitive change, including dementia. Subject matter that might be perfectly appropriate in a hotel or workplace can be genuinely confusing or distressing in this context.
• Highly abstract or ambiguous imagery can occasionally be misread as something concerning — a dark shape mistaken for a hole, a pattern mistaken for movement
• Busy, complex compositions can be overstimulating for residents who benefit from a calmer visual environment
• Familiar, recognisable imagery — landscapes, gardens, animals, everyday scenes — is generally easier to process and more likely to provide comfort
• Nostalgic imagery connected to a resident's generation or cultural background can support positive memory association and conversation
Mobility and Viewing Position
Residents experience a facility from a different vantage point than an able-bodied visitor. Many residents spend significant time seated, in a wheelchair or in bed. Artwork specification needs to account for this:
• Hang heights that suit a standing adult may sit too high for someone viewing from a seated or reclined position
• Artwork visible from a bed should be considered as carefully as artwork visible from a communal lounge
• Corridor artwork should be legible to someone walking slowly with a mobility aid, often at a closer viewing distance than in other commercial settings
Choosing the Right Subject Matter
Subject matter is the single most important decision in aged care artwork specification. The right imagery can bring genuine comfort, joy and connection. The wrong imagery — even if beautifully executed — can cause confusion or quiet distress that may never be reported back to the design team.
Nature and Landscape Themes
Nature-based imagery is consistently the most reliable subject matter across aged care environments. Gardens, coastlines, bushland, skies and water all tend to be calming, broadly familiar and easy to read regardless of cultural background or cognitive ability.
• Local landscapes can create a sense of place and connection to the surrounding community
• Garden and floral imagery performs particularly well in dining rooms and communal lounges
• Coastal and water imagery is often well received but should avoid overly dark or turbulent water, which can occasionally read as unsettling
Nature-based subject matter does not need to be literal. Abstract works that reference natural forms — waterways, vegetation, horizons, changing light — can create a subtle connection to the Australian landscape without becoming a traditional landscape painting. This sense of familiarity can help residents feel grounded and connected to their surroundings, while still allowing for genuinely contemporary, sophisticated artwork.
Nostalgic and Familiar Imagery
Imagery that connects to a resident's earlier life — the era they grew up in, the landscapes they are familiar with, the activities they once enjoyed — can provide genuine comfort and serve as a meaningful conversation point with family and staff.
• Consider the generational context of current residents when selecting historical or nostalgic imagery
• Local heritage imagery can strengthen a facility's connection to its community
• Avoid imagery that might be associated with difficult historical events for the relevant generation
What to Avoid
• Highly ambiguous or heavily abstract works that could be misread as something distressing
• Busy, high-contrast patterns, particularly in corridors and circulation spaces
• Imagery with dark, cave-like or void-like areas that can be misperceived as holes or hazards by residents with visual-perceptual changes
• Subject matter that could be perceived as frightening, violent or unsettling, even subtly
• Mirrors or highly reflective surfaces in corridors and resident rooms, which can occasionally cause confusion or distress for residents with dementia
None of this means artwork needs to be generic or overly safe. Strong, contemporary artwork can still create real impact in an aged care setting — the goal is work that feels uplifting, balanced and approachable, not work that feels muted for the sake of it.
Colour Palette Considerations
Colour does more in an aged care environment than set a mood. It affects legibility, wayfinding and emotional regulation in ways that are well documented in healthcare and dementia-friendly design guidance.
Softer, layered palettes tend to perform particularly well in aged care settings — colours that feel natural, grounded and balanced, without becoming visually flat. Popular tones include warm whites, soft greens, earthy neutrals, muted blues, clay and sandstone tones, and gentle blush or ochre hues. The objective is never to eliminate colour — it is to create visual harmony with the broader interior environment.
• Warm tones are generally easier for ageing eyes to perceive clearly than cool tones
• High contrast between an artwork and the surrounding wall can aid visibility for residents with reduced vision — but contrast within the artwork itself should be used carefully to avoid disorientation
• Calmer, more muted palettes tend to suit corridors, resident rooms and quiet lounges
• Slightly more vibrant palettes can be appropriate in dining rooms and active communal spaces, where they can support appetite and social engagement
• Avoid stark black and white or high-contrast geometric patterns in dementia-specific areas, where they have been associated with disorientation
The goal is not a uniformly muted palette throughout the entire facility. The goal is a considered palette strategy — calmer in some zones, warmer and more social in others — that matches the function and emotional tone of each space.
Using Artwork for Wayfinding
In larger aged care facilities, particularly those with multiple wings or floors, artwork can play a genuinely practical role in helping residents orient themselves and navigate independently.
• A distinct, memorable artwork at the end of each corridor or wing can help residents identify and remember their location
• Consistent placement of a 'landmark' piece near lifts, dining rooms or nursing stations supports residents who rely on visual cues rather than signage
• Varying the artwork subtly between floors or wings — while maintaining overall palette cohesion — helps residents distinguish between similar-looking corridors
• Avoid repeating the exact same artwork at every junction, which removes its usefulness as a wayfinding cue
This approach is particularly valuable in memory care and dementia-specific wings, where residents may rely heavily on visual landmarks rather than written signage to navigate their environment.
Scale and Placement in Aged Care Environments
Scale principles in aged care follow similar fundamentals to other commercial environments, with some important adjustments for viewing position and context.
• Hang artwork lower than typical commercial hang height to account for seated viewing — consider a hang height that suits both standing and wheelchair-seated residents
• In resident rooms, position artwork to be visible from the bed, not only from a standing position at the doorway
• In corridors, scale artwork generously enough to be legible from a distance, but avoid works so large they dominate a narrow circulation space
• In dining rooms and lounges, artwork can be scaled similarly to a residential living room — occupying roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the width of the furniture or wall feature beneath it
[Read our full Artwork Size Guide for detailed measurements →]
Framing, Surfaces and Safety Considerations
Aged care environments carry safety and hygiene requirements that go well beyond standard commercial specification. Framing and installation decisions should always be made in consultation with the facility's compliance and clinical teams, but general principles include:
• Use secure, tamper-resistant fixings, particularly in resident rooms, dementia wings and any area accessible without supervision
• Avoid fixings or frame styles that could be used as a climbing aid or could be pulled from the wall
• Specify non-glare or matte glazing where glazing is used, to reduce glare and avoid reflective surfaces that can cause confusion
• Choose washable, easy-to-clean surfaces and framing materials in clinical or high-touch areas
• Avoid heavily textured fabric matting or porous materials in areas with stringent infection control requirements
• Confirm structural wall loading for any larger or heavier original works, particularly in communal areas
Always confirm specific compliance, infection control and safety requirements with the facility's own clinical and compliance team — requirements can vary between aged care providers and between general living areas and clinical or memory care zones.
Mapping Artwork Across an Aged Care Facility
Different zones within an aged care facility serve different purposes and call for different artwork approaches. A structured approach to mapping artwork across the facility helps ensure consistency without monotony.
SPACE
ARTWORK APPROACH
Entry & Reception
First impression for prospective residents and families, often during an emotionally difficult decision. Warm, welcoming, high-quality work that signals care and quality.
Corridors
Calming, familiar subject matter at intervals. Consider use as wayfinding landmarks. Avoid high-contrast or disorienting patterns.
Dining Rooms
Warmer, more social palette. Garden, floral or still-life themes often perform well and can support appetite and conversation.
Communal Lounges
Calm, restful imagery. Comfortable viewing from multiple seated positions. Good opportunity for a larger feature work.
Resident Rooms
Personal and individual where possible. Visible from the bed. Consider involving the resident or family in selection.
Memory Care / Dementia Wing
Familiar, nostalgic, unambiguous imagery. Use as wayfinding landmarks. Avoid abstract, reflective or high-contrast works.
Outdoor & Courtyard Spaces
Weather-appropriate materials. Nature themes that complement the garden setting itself.
Staff & Administration Areas
Often overlooked, but contributes to staff wellbeing, morale and retention. Calmer, considered spaces support staff during a demanding role.
Artwork in Resident Rooms
Of every space considered in this guide, the resident’s own room deserves the most individual attention. It is not a space residents pass through — it is the one space that is genuinely theirs, and decisions made here carry more weight than artwork choices anywhere else in the facility.
Most facilities provide a base level of artwork in each room prior to move-in, simply so the space feels considered and complete from day one. This provided artwork should sit comfortably alongside whatever a resident or their family brings with them — photographs, sentimental pieces, gifts from grandchildren — rather than compete with it. The goal is a room that feels warm and finished from the outset, with plenty of room left for it to become genuinely personal over time.
Practical Considerations for Room Artwork
• Favour lighter, more easily changed pieces over large commissioned originals — rooms are personalised, residents sometimes relocate within a facility, and family frequently bring additional artwork and photographs over time
• Specify simple, secure fixings — such as a picture rail or French cleat system — that allow artwork to be added, swapped or removed without specialist installation
• Offer a small curated selection of base artworks for residents or families to choose from at move-in, rather than a single uniform piece repeated in every room
• Keep provided artwork and personal photographs visually distinct but harmonious, so neither competes with nor overwhelms the other
• Position artwork to be visible from the bed as well as from a chair or doorway
Why Resident and Family Involvement Matters Most Here
Of all the opportunities to involve residents in artwork selection, the bedroom is where it matters most. A resident’s own room is one of the few remaining spaces where they retain real autonomy, and a say in what hangs on their own wall is a small but genuine act of dignity. Where a resident is unable to express a preference themselves, family members can often provide valuable insight into the person’s history, taste and what would feel most like home to them.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Rooms used for palliative or end-of-life care call for particular sensitivity. Calm, comforting and familiar imagery matters here more than anywhere else in the facility — and flexibility matters just as much. Artwork should be simple to temporarily move or remove to allow space for medical equipment, additional seating for family, or a different configuration of the room altogether. Fixed or heavy installations are best avoided in these rooms in favour of lighter, easily adjustable pieces.
A resident’s room is the one space in any facility that is genuinely theirs. The artwork on its walls deserves the same care and consideration as every other decision made on their behalf.
Original Artwork vs Premium Prints for Aged Care
As with most commercial projects, aged care artwork programs typically use a combination of original works and premium prints.
USE ORIGINAL ARTWORK FOR...
USE PREMIUM PRINTS FOR...
The entry and reception area — the first impression
Corridors and circulation spaces across multiple wings
A signature communal lounge or feature wall
Resident rooms, where consistency and budget matter
Commissioned works reflecting local landscape or community
Dining rooms requiring multiple consistent pieces
Spaces with high family and visitor exposure
Large facilities requiring scale and budget efficiency
A commissioned original work reflecting the local landscape, history or community can be a particularly meaningful choice for a primary communal space — helping residents and families feel a genuine connection to the facility's place and identity.
[Read our full guide to Original Art vs Art Prints →]
[Read our full guide to How to Commission Artwork →]
Involving Residents in the Process
Where possible, involving current or future residents in the artwork selection process can meaningfully increase their sense of ownership, dignity and connection to the space — a principle that matters across the whole facility, but most of all within the resident’s own room.
• Simple preference exercises — showing a shortlist of options and asking residents which they respond to — can be incorporated into the specification process
• Family members can sometimes provide insight into a resident's personal history, interests or cultural background that informs artwork selection for their individual room
• Resident art groups or activity programs can occasionally contribute original works for display, which can be a meaningful addition to a communal space
• For new developments, engaging future residents or community representatives during design development can provide valuable insight into local landscape, heritage and identity
This is not always practical at scale, particularly for large new developments where residents have not yet moved in. But for individual rooms, and for facilities undergoing refurbishment with existing residents, it is one of the most meaningful steps available.
Procurement at Scale
Aged care artwork programs often involve specifying artwork across dozens of resident rooms as well as multiple communal spaces — requiring a similar systematic approach to a multi-residential development.
• Develop an artwork schedule mapping every space, with dimensions, medium and budget allocated per area
• Establish a palette framework early so that variation across the facility feels cohesive rather than disjointed
• Plan lead times carefully — commissioned works for hero spaces should be briefed well ahead of the broader print and procurement program
• Confirm installation timing with the facility’s operational team, particularly in areas occupied by current residents, to minimise disruption
[Read our full guide to How to Specify Artwork for Multi-Residential Projects →]
Working With a Specialist Art Partner
Aged care artwork specification benefits from a partner who genuinely understands the unique requirements of the sector — not simply a supplier of generic commercial artwork.
• Experience selecting subject matter and palettes appropriate for ageing vision and cognitive considerations
• Understanding of safety, hygiene and installation requirements specific to aged care environments
• Ability to develop and manage an artwork schedule across a large facility
• Capacity to commission original works that reflect local landscape, heritage or community identity
• Sensitivity to the emotional context of the sector — for residents, families and staff alike
At Emma Street Studio, we work with aged care providers, architects and interior designers across Australia to deliver artwork programs that genuinely support resident wellbeing — from individual room artworks through to complete facility-wide programs.
[Enquire About Your Project →]
Aged Care Artwork Specification Checklist
SUBJECT MATTER & PALETTE
□ Subject matter reviewed for ambiguity, busy patterns or unsettling imagery
□ Nature, garden or familiar themes prioritised in communal and circulation spaces
□ Colour palette considered for ageing vision — warmer tones prioritised where appropriate
□ High-contrast or disorienting patterns avoided in dementia and memory care areas
SCALE & PLACEMENT
□ Hang heights consider seated and wheelchair viewing positions
□ Resident room artwork visible from the bed, not only from the doorway
□ Corridor artwork scaled appropriately for a slower walking pace and closer viewing distance
□ Wayfinding opportunities considered for larger or multi-wing facilities
SAFETY & COMPLIANCE
□ Secure, tamper-resistant fixings specified for all areas
□ Non-glare or matte glazing specified where glazing is used
□ Washable, easy-to-clean surfaces specified for clinical and high-touch areas
□ Structural wall loading confirmed for larger or heavier works
□ Facility compliance and clinical team consulted on safety and infection control requirements
PROCUREMENT
□ Artwork schedule developed across all rooms and communal spaces
□ Palette framework established for cohesion across the facility
□ Lead times confirmed for commissioned and print works
□ Installation timing coordinated with facility operations to minimise resident disruption
□ Opportunities for resident or family involvement in selection considered
□ Resident room artwork uses easily changeable fixings rather than permanent installation
□ Approach for palliative and end-of-life care rooms confirmed — flexible, easily removable artwork
The Difference Thoughtful Artwork Makes
An aged care facility is, for many residents, simply home. The artwork on its walls is not an afterthought or a finishing touch — it is part of the daily experience of living there, for residents, for the staff who care for them and for the families who visit.
Artwork cannot solve every challenge within a care environment. What it can do is contribute meaningfully to the atmosphere of a space — introducing warmth where a room feels clinical, creating moments of interest within everyday routines, and helping visitors feel welcome.
Getting it right requires more empathy and more specific knowledge than a typical commercial project. But the outcome — a space that feels warm, familiar and genuinely considered — is worth the additional care it takes to achieve.
The best aged care artwork programs are rarely noticed as artwork at all. They simply feel like part of a place where someone belongs.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
Work With Emma Street Studio
We work with aged care providers, healthcare designers and project teams across Australia to deliver artwork programs that support resident wellbeing, wayfinding and a genuine sense of home. Enquire about your project or apply for trade access.
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Made for Spaces. Collected for Life.
Emma Street Studio · Design Journal · Artwork for Aged Care Projects