How to Design an Assisted Living Apartment
As people are living longer, the percentage of seniors (age 65 and older) in the total population of many countries is rising. This is positively influencing housing design and decorating trends for seniors. New products and features are appearing that support safer, more comfortable, and more stylish senior living.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of residential care for individuals who need help with everyday activities but still want to maintain a sense of independence. This can include assistance with bathing, dressing, managing medications, and preparing meals. Unlike nursing homes, which focus on intensive medical care, assisted living facilities feel more like home.
Residents typically have their own apartments or rooms but also enjoy access to communal areas and services. The goal is to strike a balance between providing necessary assistance and allowing residents to live as freely as possible.
Extra Navigation Space
Many assisted living facilities are “designed for accessibility”. This means that the design incorporates features to make it usable for people with a disability, whether it be limited mobility, sight, or hearing.
Safety and accessibility are top priorities in assisted living. Here are some important design elements often included:
- Grab bars in bathrooms and near beds for added stability
- Emergency call systems monitored 24/7, giving residents quick access to help
- Wide corridors to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs
- Non-slip flooring and level thresholds to reduce fall risks
- Bright, even lighting that helps prevent accidents and creates a welcoming atmosphere
One of the first things you may notice on the floor plan above is a dotted circle called a “wheelchair circle.” It shows the space needed to turn a wheelchair 360 degrees.
The example floor plan includes three of these circles to demonstrate that the layout is fully designed for wheelchair use if needed.
Key Accessibility Details:
- Wide hallways and pocket doors: Easier to move through than swing doors.
- Standard wheelchair width: 24–27” (about 600–690 mm).
- Recommended door width: At least 32” (815 mm), ideally 36” (915 mm).
- Level thresholds: Smooth transitions between rooms for walkers and wheelchairs.
💡Accessibility Standards:
For more detailed accessibility guidelines, see the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It includes recommended measurements, turning radiuses, and clearance zones that can help ensure your design meets accessibility needs.
The image below shows one of the wide doors in this apartment. Additionally, the transition between the wood and tile flooring is flat, or a level threshold, to make it easier to roll a walker or wheelchair through the door.
Kitchen Functionality
The kitchen area in an assisted living apartment is usually small since most assisted living facilities provide some or all meals. This kitchen features a quartz counter and large stone tiles on the walls and backsplash. The storage cabinets are shown in the popular shaker style and are all lower so that items are easily accessible.
The built-in mini-refrigerator blends into the decor because it uses a custom front shaker-style panel. A microwave and coffee maker are also provided – there is no oven or stove since most full meals are provided in the shared dining area of an assisted living facility.
Design and Style Elements
The design elements for this assisted living apartment show that senior living can be stylish as well as safe and accessible.
Bathroom
The vanity sink in the image below uses a beautiful quartz countertop. It has space to roll a wheelchair underneath if needed. The stylish mirror is large to accommodate users who are standing or sitting. Plus the room features bright lighting which is another consideration for seniors whose eyesight may not be as good as it was.
The bathroom uses a medium-size format tile. Smaller tile with more grout is generally less slippery than large format tile. The toilet area has a higher toilet, as well as fold-down grab bars which can be used if needed. Additionally, the space next to the toilet has been left open, in case a helper is needed for transfers.
The shower area has a roll-in shower with wide doors for easy access. It also includes a fold-down bench, and a handheld shower, which allows a user to shower while seated.
The shower is large enough that a helper could be in the shower if needed. Notice the multiple grab bars which allow a user more stability and help to avoid slips. It’s also a good idea to choose a non-slip tile or add a non-slip surface for extra safety.
Living area
The living room uses wide and open spaces for accessibility by a walker or wheelchair. Additionally, most storage is low so that items can be in easy reach.
This apartment provides large windows for natural light. Notice the comfortable sitting area next to the window, complete with a floor lamp, for extra visibility while reading at night.
Bedroom and storage
As elsewhere in the apartment, the bedroom has plenty of open space and wide walkways for easier navigation.
An important consideration for any bedroom area is clothing storage. This unit’s closet has built-in lighting, to make it easier to locate items. There are plenty of shelves to store folding items and most are between shoulder height and knee height – seniors can struggle to place items too high or to bend too low. Hanging rods are hung at a middle height to make access to clothing easier.
For even more specific guidelines on the design of assisted living facilities, see the Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, from the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI), which provides direction on programming in nursing homes, and assisted living.
How to Design an Assisted Living Floor Plan
These floor plans and 3D Photos were made with the RoomSketcher app.
View the full Project Presentation or create an account to start designing your own assisted living floor plan today.
Recommended reads
How to Make Your Home Wheelchair Accessible
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How to Create a Universal Design Apartment
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