How to Sign Kitchens & Catering Areas
Guidance on kitchen and catering area signage that balances safety requirements with clear identification, supporting both staff efficiency and resident safety.
Kitchens and catering areas in care homes require a carefully considered signage strategy that serves multiple audiences. Staff need clear identification of storage areas, preparation zones, and hygiene stations. Residents need to understand that the main kitchen is a restricted area while still being able to locate smaller kitchenettes or tea-making facilities that they may use independently. The Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) recommends that kitchen signage explicitly balances safety communication with wayfinding, avoiding the institutional feel of warning-heavy signage while still clearly marking restricted zones.
Distinguishing Kitchen Types#
Most care homes have at least two types of kitchen area: the main commercial kitchen where meals are prepared by catering staff, and smaller kitchenettes on each floor or wing where residents and visitors can make tea, coffee, and snacks. These two types of space require very different signage approaches. The main kitchen should be clearly identified as a staff-only area with restricted access, while kitchenettes should be signed as welcoming, accessible spaces that residents are encouraged to use. Confusion between these two types of space is a common safety concern in care homes.
Signage requirements for kitchen and catering areas:
- Main kitchen door sign identifying the space as 'Kitchen - Staff Only' with clear typography and iconic imagery
- Kitchenette signs on each floor using welcoming language such as 'Tea Room' or 'Kitchen' with kettle or cup imagery
- Food hygiene and safety notices inside the main kitchen as required by environmental health regulations
- Allergen information displays in both main kitchen and kitchenette areas
- Hand washing signs at all kitchen sinks
- Clear labelling of cupboards and storage areas in kitchenettes to support independent use
Pro Tip
For kitchenettes that residents use independently, label cupboard doors and drawers with both text and images showing their contents. A cupboard labelled 'Cups' with an image of a cup, and a drawer labelled 'Teaspoons' with an image of a spoon, enables residents to find what they need without staff assistance. This simple environmental adaptation supports independence and dignity.
Safety Without Institutionalisation#
The challenge with kitchen signage is avoiding an environment that feels overly clinical or restrictive. While safety is paramount, excessive warning signs and 'Do Not Enter' notices create an institutional atmosphere that undermines the homely feel a care home should provide. Instead, use positive language on signage. Rather than 'Danger - No Entry', a sign reading 'Kitchen - Our chefs are busy preparing your meals' communicates the restriction while maintaining a warm tone. The DSDC recommends this positive language approach across all restricted areas in dementia care settings.
Recommended Products
Our kitchen and catering area signs balance safety with warmth. Manufactured from 5mm solid white acrylic with textured 3D print, they are completely hygienic, waterproof, and resistant to cleaning chemicals. DSDC-accredited with a 1A rating, each sign features high-contrast typography and iconic kitchen imagery. Available in multiple colour options to differentiate main kitchens from resident kitchenettes.
Environmental health compliance
Kitchen signage must meet food safety regulations including the display of food hygiene ratings, allergen information, and hand washing instructions. Your dementia-friendly door sign works alongside these regulatory signs, not as a replacement. Ensure both wayfinding and compliance signage are present and maintained.
Regular review of kitchen signage is essential, particularly when menus change, staff roles shift, or room usage is reconfigured. A kitchen that has been converted into a kitchenette, or vice versa, requires immediate signage updates to prevent confusion and potential safety incidents. Include kitchen signage in your quarterly environmental audit to ensure all signs accurately reflect current usage and remain in good condition.
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