Colour & Contrast in Dementia-Friendly Design
Dementia reduces contrast sensitivity, making it harder to distinguish between similar colours. This guide explains Light Reflectance Values (LRV), recommended contrast ratios, and how to choose sign colours that remain visible to residents with advancing dementia.
Colour and contrast are arguably the most important factors in dementia-friendly sign design. As dementia progresses, the brain's ability to process visual information deteriorates. Contrast sensitivity -- the ability to distinguish between two adjacent colours -- is one of the first visual functions affected. A sign that appears perfectly readable to a person with normal vision may be almost invisible to a person living with moderate dementia.
Understanding Light Reflectance Value (LRV)#
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a standardised measure of how much light a colour reflects, on a scale from 0 (pure black, absorbs all light) to 100 (pure white, reflects all light). The DSDC recommends a minimum LRV difference of 30 points between any foreground element (text, image, or icon) and its background. For optimal visibility, an LRV difference of 40 points or more is preferred. This is a measurable, objective standard -- not a subjective judgement about whether colours "look different enough."
Practical colour contrast guidelines for care home signage:
- Dark text or images on a light background provides the strongest contrast
- Avoid placing mid-tone colours against other mid-tones (e.g., medium blue on medium grey)
- The sign background should contrast with the wall it is mounted on (minimum 30-point LRV difference)
- Avoid relying on colour alone to convey meaning -- always pair colour with text and imagery
- Test colour combinations under the actual lighting conditions in your care home
- Matt or satin finishes reduce glare that can wash out contrast under fluorescent lighting
Common Colour Mistakes#
The most common mistake is choosing sign colours based on interior design preferences rather than contrast performance. A pale duck-egg blue sign on a magnolia wall may look elegant but provides almost no contrast for a resident with dementia. Similarly, a dark sign on a dark door frame becomes invisible. Always check LRV values before finalising your colour scheme. Your signage supplier should be able to provide LRV data for every product in their range.
Pro Tip
Take a black-and-white photograph of your sign against the wall. If the sign is clearly distinguishable from the wall in the monochrome image, the contrast is likely sufficient. If it blends in, the contrast needs improvement.
Choosing Sign Colours for Your Care Home#
The best approach is to select a sign colour scheme that provides high contrast against your specific wall colours, while also creating contrast between the sign background and the sign content. Our DSDC 1A-accredited signs use a white acrylic base with textured 3D-printed imagery in carefully selected colour palettes. The white base provides maximum contrast against most wall colours, while the 3D imagery is rendered in bold, saturated colours that stand out clearly against the white background.
If your care home has different wall colours in different areas, you may need different sign colour schemes to maintain adequate contrast. A single colour scheme that works everywhere is ideal, but not always possible in older buildings with varied decor.
Recommended Products
Our signs are available in multiple high-contrast colour schemes, each validated to meet DSDC 1A colour contrast requirements. The 5mm solid white acrylic base ensures maximum contrast against most wall colours. Order a free sample to test against your specific walls.
Getting colour and contrast right is not optional in dementia-friendly design -- it is foundational. Every other design decision builds on the assumption that residents can see the sign. If the contrast is insufficient, nothing else matters.
Related Articles
Choosing the Right Sign Colour for Your Care Home
The right sign colour depends on your wall colours, lighting conditions, and design preferences -- but contrast always comes first. This guide helps you choose a colour scheme that looks great and meets DSDC accessibility standards.
The Complete Guide to Dementia-Friendly Signage
A comprehensive introduction to dementia-friendly signage: what makes a sign effective for people living with dementia, why DSDC 1A accreditation matters, and how to plan a complete signage system for your care home.
How to Sign Corridors & Hallways
A guide to corridor and hallway signage that creates effective wayfinding routes, reduces disorientation, and supports independent navigation for residents.