Last Updated: July 24, 2026
People with dementia often experience the world differently, yet simple changes to the home environment can make a big difference. Here, Alison Hughes, Interiors Director at Coast Road Furniture, offers some practical tips on making your home more dementia friendly.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and World Alzheimer’s Day falls on 21 September each year. It’s a useful moment to think about what practical changes can be made to the home to support someone living with dementia. But the advice below is relevant year-round, not just in September.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are now an estimated 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK, close to one million, and the number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Dementia now affects 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK. Age remains the strongest known risk factor, with prevalence rising significantly in people over 80.
A variety of factors come into play when caring for someone with dementia, but there are some key areas you can address in the home itself. Making changes to the home environment can help a person with dementia remain independent and maintain their dignity for longer. Here are some of the changes you can make.
Lots of natural light
Natural light can be a great benefit for people living with dementia. More light of any sort allows people to see better, and since people with dementia are more prone to falls, making spaces lighter helps them see their way more clearly and stay steadier on their feet.
There are wider benefits too. Research published in General Psychiatry in June 2026 found a direct link between higher levels of daytime light exposure and a lower risk of dementia. The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) also notes that natural light promotes vitamin D production and helps regulate mood and sleep cycles, both of which are particularly important for people living with dementia, whose circadian rhythms are often disrupted.
In practice, this means keeping curtains open during the day, positioning chairs near windows, and considering whether any trees or structures are blocking light from entering rooms that are used most. For those who want to go further, circadian lighting systems that adjust colour temperature throughout the day to mimic natural daylight have shown promising results in care home settings, with one study recording a 58% reduction in daytime sleeping and measurable improvements in mood.
Specialist furniture for mobility
People living with dementia may need extra help from accessible and suitable furniture. Balance and mobility difficulties are common, so investing in furniture that is both comfortable and sturdy is one of the most practical changes you can make.
When creating a more dementia-friendly home, consider the following. Chairs with high backs and substantial arms can help support the lower back and shoulders, as well as giving people something to hold onto when getting up and sitting down. Chairs with tilt and lift reclining features can assist with standing and sitting, and many include controls via a remote, giving the person more independence and control over their own comfort.
Is there help available? Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are designed to help meet the cost of adapting a home for the needs of a disabled person, including people living with dementia. The maximum grant available in England is currently £30,000, £36,000 in Wales, and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. In January 2026, the government announced an additional £50 million boost to DFG funding, with total funding confirmed at £761 million for 2026-27, with the aim of helping more people stay safely at home for longer. Apply through your local council, which will arrange an occupational therapist assessment to identify what adaptations are needed.
Reduce noise and improve acoustics
According to SCIE, noise levels can have a significant impact on people living with dementia. An environment with a lot of background noise can be very disorientating.
Some noise disturbances are hard to avoid; bathrooms frequently have loud acoustics, which can make the sound of a flushing toilet or running tap feel much more intrusive. But there are practical steps you can take. Use noise-absorbing materials and think carefully about decor and furnishings. Carpets rather than laminate flooring make a significant difference. Soft furnishings such as carpeting, cushions, curtains and textured wall hangings absorb noise and improve acoustics. Acoustic ceiling tiles are also an option where noise is a particular problem.
Avoid reflective surfaces around the home
Minimising reflective surfaces can make it much easier for a person with dementia to concentrate on their environment without the confusing experience of seeing themselves unexpectedly.
It can be disorientating for people with dementia to see themselves in a mirror. Sometimes they may have difficulty recognising their own reflection, which can be emotionally distressing. The simplest solution is to remove mirrors, or to cover them when not in use. Similarly, closing curtains after dark prevents reflections appearing in windows, which can cause the same disorientation.
Use contrasting colours in your décor
People with dementia may have difficulty distinguishing different features of their environment or identifying the purpose of different objects. Using contrasting colours makes it easier to pick out the visual signals they need.
The aim is not to create an overwhelming environment, but to use contrast deliberately. Painting kitchen counters a different colour to the cupboards, for example, helps them stand out. Colour-coded grab rails in the bathroom, coloured covers on light switches, and a differently coloured toilet seat or lid can all help a person navigate their surroundings more confidently and independently.
Use labels to make the home more navigable
Labelling kitchen cupboards with their contents, and labelling rooms with clear signs such as “lounge”, “kitchen”, “hallway” and “bedroom” can go a long way towards helping a person with dementia find their way around. Labels provide a reliable visual anchor that can reduce anxiety when someone is unsure of where to go.
Make sure labels are printed in a large, clear typeface so that anyone with visual impairment can also read them easily. You can also use non-verbal indicators: taking the doors off cupboards and wardrobes makes their contents obvious at a glance, and displaying everyday objects openly reduces the need to remember where things are kept. All of these small changes add up to a more navigable and less stressful home environment.
More information
Living with dementia can be a challenge, but there are services available to help. Visit our dedicated page, Living with Dementia, for further information. We also have a number of blog posts about caring for someone with dementia, including tips on supporting a person with dementia to walk, advice on how to start a conversation about dementia, and what to do when a loved one is first diagnosed.
Sources: Alzheimer’s Society, How many people have dementia in the UK?; NHS England, RightCare dementia scenario; Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), Dementia and lighting guidance; News Medical, Higher daytime light exposure linked to lower dementia risk, General Psychiatry, June 2026; Disability Rights UK, Disabled Facilities Grants; Review Mobility, Disabled Facilities Grant £50m boost 2026.ith dementia to walk , advice on how to start a conversation about dementia, and what to do when a loved one is first diagnosed.
