Directional Signs: Wayfinding That Works
Directional signs with arrows guide residents through corridors and past decision points. Learn where to place them, how many you need, and how to create a coherent wayfinding system that supports independent navigation for people living with dementia.
Directional signs are the connective tissue of a care home wayfinding system. While door signs identify rooms and projecting signs mark key locations, directional signs guide residents between those points. They answer the question every person living with dementia asks when they step into a corridor: "Which way do I go?"
The Role of Directional Signs in Dementia-Friendly Design#
The DSDC emphasises that wayfinding is not about a single sign -- it is about a system. Directional signs are the navigational backbone of that system. They feature a destination name, a pictogram matching the one used on the destination's door sign, and a clear directional arrow. Consistency between directional signs and destination signs is critical: if the dining room door sign shows a blue plate icon, the directional sign pointing toward the dining room must show the same blue plate icon.
Where to place directional signs in a care home:
- At every corridor junction where residents must choose a direction
- At the exit from communal rooms (lounge, dining room) pointing toward toilets
- At stairwell and lift entrances showing which floor holds which facilities
- At the main entrance pointing toward reception and key communal areas
- Midway along long corridors to reassure residents they are heading the right way
- Outside bedroom wings pointing toward the nearest toilet and communal spaces
Arrow Design and Placement Strategy#
Arrows should be large, bold, and unambiguous. An arrow pointing left should clearly point left -- avoid angled arrows that could be interpreted as pointing diagonally. Mount directional signs at 1.4 to 1.5 metres centre height, consistent with all other signage. At T-junctions, a single sign with two arrows (left and right) listing different destinations can be more effective than two separate signs, as it presents all options at the decision point.
Pro Tip
Limit each directional sign to a maximum of three destinations. More than three creates visual clutter and cognitive overload for residents with dementia. If a junction leads to more than three destinations, prioritise the three most commonly needed by residents.
Building a Complete Navigation System#
Map your care home as a series of decision points. Starting from the most common origin (the resident's bedroom), trace the route to every key destination: toilet, dining room, lounge, garden, and reception. At each point where the resident must make a navigational choice, a directional sign is needed. Walk the route yourself, noting where you hesitate or where the correct direction is not obvious. Those hesitation points are exactly where directional signs deliver the most value.
A useful test
ask a first-time visitor to find the dining room from a bedroom corridor using only the signs. If they hesitate at any point, that location needs a directional sign.
Recommended Products
Our directional signs are DSDC 1A accredited, manufactured from 5mm solid white acrylic with textured 3D imagery and bold directional arrows. Optional Braille and tactile elements are available. Matching colour schemes ensure visual consistency with your door signs and projecting signs.
Directional signs are the most frequently underused sign type in care homes. Many facilities invest in excellent door signs but neglect the wayfinding links between them. Adding directional signs at key decision points is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve resident independence and reduce staff time spent escorting lost residents.
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