How Aged Care Design is Changing: Bigger, Homelike Rooms Shaping the Future

The Problem with Traditional Aged Care Design

For decades, aged care facilities were designed like hospitals—prioritising efficiency and clinical care over comfort and dignity.

The results were predictable and heartbreaking:

• Small, cramped rooms that barely accommodated a bed and chair
• Shared spaces that eliminated privacy and personal territory
• Long, institutional corridors that felt more like hospitals than homes
• Clinical aesthetics with harsh lighting and sterile finishes
• Limited personal belongings due to space constraints

These environments didn’t just fail to feel like home—they actively undermined residents’ sense of identity, autonomy, and wellbeing.

Research consistently shows that institutional environments contribute to depression, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. The physical space itself became a barrier to dignified ageing.

Bigger Rooms: Space for Life, Not Just Care

One of the most significant changes in modern aged care design is the dramatic increase in room sizes.

Traditional aged care rooms averaged 12-15 square metres—barely enough for a bed, small wardrobe, and chair. Today’s standards are transforming this reality.

The New Standard: Homelike Aged Care Rooms

Contemporary aged care facilities are creating rooms that average 20-25 square metres or larger, with some premium facilities offering even more generous proportions.

This additional space enables:

• Separate sleeping and living areas within the room
• Personal furniture from residents’ previous homes
• Meaningful possessions that tell life stories
• Space for visitors to spend quality time comfortably
• Accessible ensuites with dignity-preserving features

The difference isn’t just quantitative—it’s qualitative. These rooms feel like bedrooms, not hospital wards.

Enhanced Ensuites: Dignity in Daily Living

Bathrooms in aged care facilities have undergone perhaps the most dramatic transformation. These spaces now prioritise dignity, safety, and independence simultaneously.

Modern Ensuite Features

Contemporary aged care ensuites include:

• Spacious layouts that accommodate mobility aids comfortably
• Walk-in showers with level access and multiple grab rails
• Adjustable-height fixtures that support independence
• Quality finishes that feel residential, not institutional
• Adequate storage for personal care items
• Natural light where possible for wellbeing

These bathrooms enable residents to maintain personal care routines with dignity and as much independence as possible.

Technology Integration: Smart, Not Sterile

The future of aged care facilities seamlessly integrates technology that enhances safety and independence without creating institutional atmospheres.

Invisible Technology

Modern facilities incorporate:

• Discreet monitoring systems that ensure safety without surveillance feel
• Smart lighting that adjusts to circadian rhythms
• Climate control that maintains optimal comfort
• Emergency call systems integrated into design rather than bolted on
• Automated systems that support staff efficiency

The best technology disappears into the background, working its magic invisibly while residents focus on living.

The Australian Context: Regulatory Changes Driving Improvement

The transformation in modern aged care design isn’t happening by chance. Regulatory changes are driving improvements across the sector.

New Standards and Requirements

Recent and upcoming changes include:

• Increased minimum room sizes mandated by regulations
• Enhanced ensuite requirements for all new facilities
• Quality standards that emphasise homelike environments
• Design principles that prioritise resident dignity and choice
• Transparency requirements that help families make informed decisions

These regulatory shifts reflect growing recognition that the physical environment profoundly impacts care quality and resident wellbeing.

The Investment in Dignity

Modern aged care design requires greater upfront investment. Larger rooms, quality finishes, and thoughtful design cost more than institutional minimums.

But this investment pays dividends in:

• Improved resident wellbeing and quality of life
• Reduced depression and anxiety among residents
• Better health outcomes through supportive environments
• Enhanced family satisfaction and peace of mind
• Improved staff morale in pleasant working environments

The question isn’t whether we can afford to create homelike aged care environments—it’s whether we can afford not to.

Creating Homes, Not Institutions

The transformation of modern aged care design represents more than architectural evolution—it’s a fundamental reimagining of what ageing with dignity looks like.

Bigger, homelike aged care rooms aren’t luxuries. They’re recognition that people don’t stop being individuals with preferences, histories, and the need for personal space when they require care support.

The shift from institutional to residential design acknowledges that environment profoundly impacts wellbeing. That autonomy and choice matter at every age. That home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling of belonging, comfort, and dignity.

Key Takeaways

As you consider the future of aged care facilities:

• Room size matters: Adequate space enables personalisation and dignity
• Design impacts wellbeing: Homelike environments support better outcomes
• Personalisation is essential: Spaces should reflect individual identity
• Communal areas create community: Varied spaces support connection and activity
• Outdoor access is vital: Nature connection enhances physical and mental health
• Standards are improving: Regulations are driving sector-wide enhancements
• You have choice: Demand facilities that prioritise dignity and person-centred design

Whether you’re planning for your own future or supporting a loved one, understanding these design principles empowers you to make informed decisions and advocate for the standards everyone deserves.

The aged care facilities being built today will serve Australians for decades to come. By demanding and supporting person-centred design, we create a future where ageing doesn’t mean losing dignity, autonomy, or the comfort of home.

At BASSCARE, we believe every day holds a little magic—and that magic should continue throughout every stage of life, in environments designed to support wellbeing, honour individuality, and feel like home.

The transformation is underway. The future of aged care is brighter, more dignified, and more homelike than ever before.

What will you look for when the time comes?