For Shackletons, Clerkenwell Design Week was an opportunity to explore how these wider design movements can inform care home and senior living environments, where interiors must be stylish, practical, durable and supportive of everyday life.
A warmer approach to colour
One of the strongest trends was the shift towards muted, nature-inspired colour palettes. Aubergine, cassis, deep plum, terracotta, soft blush pinks, olive, sage, muted yellows, warm neutrals and pale blues were all prominent.
In care home design, colour is more than a visual choice. It can support wayfinding, comfort, recognition and confidence. The key is using colour and contrast thoughtfully, creating interiors that feel warm and residential while still meeting the needs of residents.
Designing for wellbeing
A key theme throughout the event was the role of design in supporting wellbeing. Jacqui Smith’s presentation, The Power of Colour in Care Home Design, highlighted the importance of understanding how our senses change as we age.
Good design should consider visual perception, sound, mobility, energy, touch, smell and dementia-friendly principles. This reinforces the need for interiors that are not only attractive, but genuinely supportive for residents, visitors and care teams.
Sustainability beyond trends
The discussion around The Ethics of Fast Trends explored how trend-led design can still be sustainable when supported by responsible material choices, lasting quality and long-term relevance.
For senior living interiors, this is especially important. Furniture and finishes must feel current, but they also need to perform over time. Longevity, durability and timeless design remain central to reducing waste and creating better value.
Furniture inspiration
Across the showrooms, soft curves, generous upholstery, textured fabrics, bouclés, mohair velvets and nostalgic forms were key highlights. These details reflect a move towards comfort, tactility and warmth.
Curved seating, moulded wall panelling and playful acoustic solutions all showed how interiors can feel more residential, characterful and emotionally engaging, while still remaining practical.
Cabinetry reflected a more layered and tactile approach to interior design. Textured finishes, timber effects and nature-inspired coloured boards were prominent, offering new ways to bring warmth, depth and personality into fitted furniture.
Q&A with Gill Reed, Head of Creative & Elisabet Esteva, Head of Product Design at Shackletons
What stood out at Clerkenwell Design Week 2026?
The opportunity to discover new materials, products and design ideas across the showrooms was a key highlight. The talks on specifying bravely and the ethics of fast trends were particularly relevant, offering valuable insight into the challenges shaping commercial interiors.
Which trends are most relevant to care and dementia-friendly design?
Warm, nature-inspired palettes, tactile surfaces and familiar materials have direct relevance. There was also a more considered use of contrast, helping support navigation and perception without making spaces feel clinical.
How important is material innovation?
Material innovation is essential. Designers are looking for finishes that are durable, sustainable and easy to maintain, while still offering warmth, texture and visual appeal.
Why does Shackletons attend events like Clerkenwell?
Events like Clerkenwell help us stay connected to the wider design community. They inform our product development, material selection and design thinking, ensuring our furniture and services continue to meet the evolving needs of senior living environments.
Looking ahead
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 reinforced the importance of thoughtful, human-centred design. For Shackletons, the key takeaway is clear: senior living interiors should combine comfort, quality, sustainability and considered design to create spaces that enhance everyday living.
