The 11 trends identified by StudioSIX5 in a June 3, 2019 Building Design + Construction article still form a useful design brief: residential eclecticism, flexible plans, stronger color, warmer finishes, personalization, lighter woods, community-connected amenities, outdoor rooms, resilient flooring, self-service bars and better staff spaces. They are not proof of what every community is building in 2026. Treat them as options to test against resident safety, dementia-friendly planning, staffing, maintenance, neighborhood connection and budget.
The need for that disciplined approach is substantial. The AARP Public Policy Institute reported in 2026 that assisted living serves nearly 1 million people and that 44% of residents have an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis. A separate AARP Research survey conducted August 15–18, 2025, found 68% of older adults consider universal-design features important in their homes. Those figures favor attractive spaces that are also legible, accessible and easy to operate.
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What the original “11 trends” article actually tells you
The source is a practice-based account from StudioSIX5, which reported completing more than 400 senior-living projects in 34 states and the District of Columbia at the time. It is valuable for seeing how one specialist firm approached design in 2019, but it is not an independent survey of operators, residents or architects. The material trends below should therefore be used as a decision menu, not a market ranking. The original article is available from Building Design + Construction.
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Some context has changed. HHS ASPE’s 2019 review documented a long-term decline in the share of older adults living in nursing homes, a rise in traditional housing and a stable share in community-based residential care; it was historical analysis, not a 2026 population estimate. Affordability also remains a constraint: AARP’s 2026 assisted-living summary notes limited Medicaid coverage and high out-of-pocket costs. A design that adds visual appeal but creates excessive staffing, replacement or energy costs may be the wrong investment for a particular project.
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1. Eclectic residential style
Instead of giving every room one traditional motif, combine furniture periods, textures and finish families so a community feels collected and domestic. A lounge might pair a contemporary sofa with a wood sideboard, patterned chair and locally relevant artwork. Repetition of a few colors and wood tones keeps the mix coherent while avoiding an institutional “matched set.”
How to apply it
- Create a finish and furniture palette with two or three anchor materials, then vary upholstery, lighting and art within that framework.
- Use residential-scale pieces, but specify commercial construction, cleanability and replacement access.
- Keep circulation clear and seating heights consistent enough for transfers and standing.
Eclectic does not mean visually busy. Excessive pattern, glare or furniture density can make wayfinding harder, particularly for people with cognitive impairment.
2. Open, multipurpose floor plans
The 2019 concept links dining, family, activity and theater areas so one room can support meals, classes, visits and entertainment. Flexible planning can increase utilization, but an entirely open room can become noisy, visually confusing or difficult to supervise.
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- Map the daily schedule and identify which activities overlap.
- Use partial-height screens, shelving, curtains or acoustic treatments to define zones without permanent walls.
- Provide nearby storage and power so furniture can be reconfigured without long setup times.
- Check sightlines from staff work points and preserve unobstructed routes to exits, toilets and elevators.
Specify acoustic absorption early. A movable partition that improves flexibility but fails to control reverberation may reduce participation for residents with hearing loss.
3. Jewel tones and saturated colors
Deep blue, green, amber, plum and similar saturated colors can give common areas a memorable identity through upholstery, drapery, accessories and art. Use them strategically rather than coating every surface. Strong color contrast at doors, handrails and room destinations can support recognition; contrast that is decorative only may not.
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Use color with vision changes in mind
StudioSIX5 described testing color relationships with yellow glasses to simulate age-related corneal changes. The firm’s president, B. Dean Maddalena, said, “We wear yellow glasses to simulate how the changes in seniors’ corneas affect how they see colors.” Treat that as a design-testing idea, not a clinical standard. Review samples under the actual project lighting and confirm contrast with an accessibility professional.
4. Warmer neutrals and metallic accents
The article describes a move away from cool gray schemes and silver accents toward warmer neutrals and selected metallics. Beige, sand, taupe, warm white, brass or bronze can reduce a cold appearance, while a limited metallic accent can help a destination stand out.
Prevent glare and false cues
- Use matte or low-sheen surfaces where residents approach, sit or handle objects.
- Keep polished metal away from locations where reflections could resemble wet floors or obscure signage.
- Coordinate color temperature, daylight and finish samples; a warm wall can look different under a cool LED.
Warmth should support, not replace, measurable visual contrast and clear wayfinding.
5. Digitally printed personalization
Custom digital imagery can be printed on laminate, countertops, pillows, upholstery and carpet. A community might use a local landscape, neighborhood map or archival photograph to make a dining area distinctive and to prompt conversation.
Specify the image as a building product
Obtain written information on cleanability, slip resistance where applicable, fire performance, colorfastness, replacement method and image ownership. Avoid floor graphics that look like holes, steps or spilled liquid. In memory-care settings, choose familiar, calm imagery and test whether repeated patterns create visual confusion.
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6. Lighter wood tones
Mid-tone and natural woods—such as walnut, birch, ash and rift-cut oak—were presented as alternatives to very dark finishes. Lighter woods can make corridors and social rooms feel brighter while allowing darker, contrasting elements to mark important edges.
Balance appearance with maintenance
Compare veneer, laminate and solid-wood applications by impact resistance, repairability, moisture exposure, lead time and replacement matching. A beautiful finish that cannot be patched after a wheelchair strike may cost more over its life. Keep a labeled sample board and maintenance specification with the facilities team.
7. Amenities that connect residents with the surrounding community
The 2019 examples include public-facing salons and rentable gathering spaces. The underlying idea is permeability: residents can participate in neighborhood life without surrendering security or support.
Plan the boundary deliberately
- Place public amenities near a monitored entrance with a clear transition to resident-only areas.
- Provide accessible toilets, reception, storage and after-hours locking.
- Model delivery, waste and event traffic separately from resident circulation.
- Write an operating plan covering reservations, cleaning, staffing and emergency access before construction.
B. Dean Maddalena described the shift this way: “Senior communities used to be about seclusion and security,” he said. “Now, seniors want to be in the city, integrating with the surrounding community. It’s a huge, positive shift.” The quote expresses a design direction, not evidence that every resident prefers an open campus.
8. Outdoor amenity destinations
Outdoor areas should support dining, gardening, entertainment, exercise and informal visiting rather than functioning as leftover landscaping. Claire Richards, a StudioSIX5 senior associate, called the goal “making that another living space.” Visibility between activities can make it easier for residents to notice and join an event.
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Build an all-season outdoor room
- Connect doors to level, slip-resistant routes with seating and rest points.
- Provide shade, wind protection, lighting, drinking water and accessible tables.
- Separate quiet garden zones from grills, performances and service traffic.
- Specify planting that avoids toxic, thorny or high-maintenance species and plan irrigation access.
Check local code for guards, ramps, egress, outdoor electrical equipment and cooking appliances. Outdoor programming also needs a weather cancellation and supervision procedure.
9. LVT and porcelain tile
StudioSIX5 characterized luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and porcelain tile as durable, stylish and affordable materials it used in senior-living work. That is a general practice view, not a test result for a particular product. Select flooring by the actual use zone.
Verify the performance criteria
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Slip resistance in wet and dry conditions | Entrances, kitchens and bathrooms require different risk controls. |
| Acoustics and rolling comfort | Hard surfaces can increase noise and affect walkers, carts and wheelchairs. |
| Seams, grout and transitions | Uneven edges create trip hazards and complicate cleaning. |
| Fire, infection-control and commercial-use requirements | Compliance depends on the assembly, jurisdiction and care setting. |
| Repair and replacement plan | Facilities staff need spare material, compatible adhesive and a method that limits closure time. |
Before approval, the project team should verify accessibility, slip resistance, fire performance and commercial-use suitability against the specification and local requirements. Do not assume a product’s residential label answers those questions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Self-serve point-of-service bars
A self-serve snack or drink bar can let residents choose refreshments and charge them to an account, complementing staff-served events. It may improve autonomy and reduce queues, but it introduces food safety, payment, replenishment and supervision work.
Define the operating model first
- Decide which residents can use the bar independently and what support is available.
- Choose chilled, shelf-stable and allergen-labeled offerings that fit dietary orders.
- Specify accessible counter heights, reach ranges, spill control and cleaning stations.
- Integrate point-of-sale, inventory checks, cashless security and outage procedures.
- Test the route from seating to bar with mobility devices and confirm staff sightlines.
If staffing cannot support daily sanitation and replenishment, a scheduled staffed station may be safer than an unattended installation.
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11. Improved employee amenities
Better-designed staff rooms recognize that retention and resident experience are connected. A useful amenity is more than attractive furniture: it provides a genuinely restorative break, secure storage, daylight where feasible, lockers, charging and a place for confidential communication.
Include staff in programming
Interview every shift about break timing, uniform storage, meals, documentation and travel through the building. Locate staff amenities so a break is realistic, not a long walk from the care area. Angie Erickson, general manager of The Carillon at Belleview Station, said, “I’ve been in the residential industry 17 years, and this is the most conducive environment I’ve ever worked in.” Her observation is a project-specific testimonial, not a workforce benchmark.
Accessibility and dementia-aware priorities for 2026
The aesthetic choices above should sit on a universal-design baseline. AARP Research reported that 67% of surveyed older adults considered wider doorways and hallways important, 64% cited nonslip flooring, 57% cited step-free showers and 55% cited grab bars and handrails. The survey concerns older adults’ homes, not a direct evaluation of senior-living facilities, but it is a useful signal about expectations.
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How to choose among the 11 options
Use a simple project scorecard rather than adopting every trend. Rate each proposed feature from low to high against the criteria below, then document the reason for the final decision.
| Criterion | Key test |
|---|---|
| Resident accessibility and usability | Can people with varied mobility, vision and cognition use it safely? |
| Flexibility | Can the space support more than one activity without complex setup? |
| Durability and maintenance | What fails first, who repairs it and how long is the area closed? |
| Staffing and operations | Does the feature add cleaning, supervision, inventory or security work? |
| Community connection | Does it create meaningful access to neighbors without compromising privacy? |
| Total project cost | What are capital, replacement, energy and lifecycle costs? |
A construction-ready implementation sequence
- Set the resident brief. Document acuity mix, dementia support, mobility devices, cultural preferences, programs and desired degree of public access.
- Audit the existing building or site. Record daylight, acoustics, routes, structural limits, utilities, drainage, fire protection and maintenance capacity.
- Prototype critical decisions. Mock up flooring transitions, color contrast, bathroom layouts, signage, seating and point-of-service equipment at full scale.
- Cost the whole life. Include installation, phasing, temporary protection, cleaning products, replacement stock, staff time and utility demand.
- Write performance specifications. Name measurable requirements instead of relying on trend labels such as “durable” or “senior-friendly.”
- Commission and train. Walk operators through movable partitions, outdoor equipment, flooring care, payment systems and emergency procedures before opening.
- Measure after occupancy. Collect incident reports, maintenance tickets, participation rates, resident feedback and staff feedback, then adjust furniture, programming or operating rules.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Copying a style board: Replace visual imitation with a resident-and-operations brief.
- Making everything open: Add acoustic zoning, visual landmarks and supervised thresholds.
- Using contrast as decoration: Test door, stair, toilet and handrail contrast under installed lighting.
- Choosing flooring by sample alone: Require project-specific slip, fire, acoustic and maintenance documentation.
- Adding amenities without an operator: Assign ownership, hours, cleaning and budget before construction.
- Ignoring staff circulation: Map every shift, delivery and waste route alongside resident paths.
Bottom line
The 11 senior-living trends remain most useful as a balanced toolkit: make spaces feel residential, flexible and connected while treating accessibility, cognition, maintenance and staffing as non-negotiable design inputs. The 2019 list supplies ideas; 2026 evidence from AARP reinforces the need for universal design, but neither source establishes a universal specification or a ranking. Select only the combinations your residents, operators, site and budget can support, verify each product and detail, and evaluate the results after occupancy.
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