Short answer

Incorporate multi-sensory elements, cultural relevance, natural components, and thoughtful spatial morphology into interior designs to positively impact the emotional experience of older adults.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Buildings (2025)
Method: Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Analysis
Evidence: Strong effect

By integrating emotional design principles into interior spaces, designers can create environments that better support the psychological and emotional needs of older adults, moving beyond purely functional considerations. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Systematic literature review and thematic analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate multi-sensory elements, cultural relevance, natural components, and thoughtful spatial morphology into interior designs to positively impact the emotional experience of older adults.

Study

User-Centred DesignNew This WeekStrong effect

Interior design strategies can significantly enhance the emotional well-being of older adults.

Buildings · 2025

Key Findings

01Traditional interior design often overlooks the emotional needs of older adults, prioritizing physical functionality.
02Key design features influencing emotional experience include multi-sensory attributes, morphological characteristics, cultural elements, and natural components.
03A conceptual framework for architectural interior design strategies, incorporating a dynamic feedback mechanism, can systematically address the emotional needs of older adults.

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate multi-sensory elements, cultural relevance, natural components, and thoughtful spatial morphology into interior designs to positively impact the emotional experience of older adults.

How to apply

When designing residential or care facilities for older adults, actively consider and integrate the identified key design features and employ a strategic approach that prioritizes emotional outcomes.

Project actions

01When researching design for older adults, explicitly look for studies that discuss emotional or psychological impacts.
02Consider how different sensory inputs (sight, sound, touch, smell) can be used to create positive emotional responses in your design.

Method & Evidence

AimTo evaluate the impact of interior design on the emotional experiences of older adults and to construct a conceptual framework for architectural interior design strategies that address their multidimensional emotional needs.

MethodSystematic Literature Review and Thematic Analysis

ProcedureA systematic search of academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Mendeley) was conducted using rigorous selection criteria to identify 39 relevant studies. Thematic analysis using ATLAS.ti 9 was performed to distill core themes, identify key design features, and propose a conceptual framework for design strategies.

ContextInterior design for older adults, focusing on emotional well-being.

Variables

IV["Interior design features (aesthetics, use/function, multi-sensory attributes, morphological characteristics, cultural elements, natural components)","Design strategies"]

DV["Emotional experience of older adults (e.g., happiness, comfort, security, loneliness)"]

CV["Age range of older adults","Socioeconomic background","Health status"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive thematic analysis of a significant number of studies.
+Development of a conceptual framework and identification of key design features.

Limitations

The scope of the literature review might not cover all possible cultural contexts or specific sub-groups within the older adult population.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings is enhanced by the systematic review process and thematic analysis. Validity is supported by the rigorous selection criteria for studies and the triangulation of themes from multiple sources.

Think critically

To what extent do individual preferences for emotional responses vary within the older adult population, and how can design accommodate this diversity?

Design Principles

"Design spaces that are emotionally resonant, not just functionally adequate, especially for aging populations."

As populations age globally, the demand for living spaces that foster emotional health is increasing. This research highlights a critical gap in traditional design practices, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that considers the emotional experience of users, particularly vulnerable demographics.

What This Means for Your Design

Older people need homes that make them feel good emotionally, not just ones that are easy to move around in. Designers can achieve this by using things like nice colours, textures, sounds, and connecting them to nature and their culture.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of specific design features aimed at improving emotional well-being in your design project.
2.Reference the identified key design features as a basis for your design decisions and user testing.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need to integrate emotional design principles into interior spaces for older adults, moving beyond purely functional considerations. By incorporating elements such as multi-sensory attributes, cultural relevance, and natural components, designers can create environments that significantly enhance emotional well-being, as supported by a systematic review of 39 studies.

Source

Buildings

Evaluating Trends in Interior Design Strategies and Their Impact on the Emotional Experience of Older Adults

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about interior design strategies can significantly enhance the emotional well-being of older adults?: Incorporate multi-sensory elements, cultural relevance, natural components, and thoughtful spatial morphology into interior designs to positively impact the emotional experience of older adults. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
Why does "Interior design strategies can significantly enhance the emotional well-being of older adults." matter for design?: As populations age globally, the demand for living spaces that foster emotional health is increasing. This research highlights a critical gap in traditional design practices, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that considers the emotional experience of users, particularly vulnerable demographics.
How can designers apply this research?: Incorporate multi-sensory elements, cultural relevance, natural components, and thoughtful spatial morphology into interior designs to positively impact the emotional experience of older adults.
What were the main findings?: Traditional interior design often overlooks the emotional needs of older adults, prioritizing physical functionality.. Key design features influencing emotional experience include multi-sensory attributes, morphological characteristics, cultural elements, and natural components.. A conceptual framework for architectural interior design strategies, incorporating a dynamic feedback mechanism, can systematically address the emotional needs of older adults.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review and Thematic Analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing residential or care facilities for older adults, actively consider and integrate the identified key design features and employ a strategic approach that prioritizes emotional outcomes.
What are the limitations?: The findings are based on a review of existing literature, and direct user testing of the proposed framework was not conducted.