Client projects: Ranagård care home

Interior design that interacts with its surroundings

When the newly built Ranagård care home was furnished, the focus was on the people who would be spending time there. Primarily the residents, but also their relatives and staff. The challenge was to meet everyone’s needs without compromising on hygiene and care needs.

Ranagårds care home in Halmstad Municipality was built with the vision of creating a modern and homely care home that also welcomes pets. The 5,616-square-metre building, home to 60 apartments, communal areas and a generous courtyard, was completed in January 2024.

"Our vision was to create an attractive and sustainable home for the elderly, while maintaining our reputation of being a good employer. We want everyone who spends time in the building to perceive it as warm, cosy, pleasant and attractive," says Claudia Håkansson, space planner at the Home Care Administration in Halmstad Municipality.

In planning the project, the Ranagård staff and various functions from Halmstad Municipality were involved. They were tasked with assessing furniture based on their function and aesthetics. For inspiration for the interior design, they went on study visits to other homes.

“We wanted an interior design that was homely and sustainable over time,” says Claudia.

Once it was clear that Kinnarps would be supplying the interior design solution, they began to collaborate on the design. Kinnarps’ task was to create the layout and furnish the home in line with the project’s objectives. Since hygiene was an important factor, they predominantly chose furniture with removable and washable upholstery. To create a cosy feeling, they chose furniture in tactile materials and earthy colours, which help to create a calm and harmonious feeling.

Much of the interior design is in green and earthy tones, which together with wooden details, create a homely, warm and natural feel. In order to meet the desire that the workplace be ergonomic, they chose furniture with smart functions that make everyday life easier for residents and staff.

One such piece with such smart functions can be found in the dining area – that is, the stackable armchair Jackie. The sturdy handle on the back and castors on the front legs make it easy to push the chair toward and away from the table, even when someone is sitting in it. This feature not only helps residents remain independent, but also improves the ergonomics for the staff.

A smaller lounge was furnished with the practical and comfortable Humlan armchair. Thanks to its removable upholstery and a gap between the seat and back, a person can sit comfortably, relax and eat, without the fear of spilling.

"Kinnarps helped us develop a solution that met all our needs and also had added value. Above all through the interior design’s many functions that make life easier for both residents and staff. It’s a matter of having furniture that supports the independence of the elderly while providing the staff with better ergonomics in their daily work," says Claudia.

In the lounge, we are greeted by the comfortable, functional John chair and its accompanying trolley. The foldable ends of the armchair make it easy to help the user get in and out, improving staff ergonomics. We also find the Kurbits armchair in a deep green hue as well as a sofa with armchairs from the Scandinavia series. With its classic design, removable upholstery and reversible pillows, Scandinavia is an excellent choice for care environments where you want to create a homely feeling.

Since the home was completed, Halmstad Municipality has held several meetings at Ranagård. Claudia tells us that many visitors have returned with a feeling of awe at how cosy and homely it is.

"I think it's greatly due to the materials we chose for the interior design. How wood, textiles and other materials interact with the building and the interior design. The interior design solution that Kinnarps supplied was the finishing touch that created a harmonious whole," says Claudia.

The staff at Ranagård are also very satisfied with the result. "Those of us who work here really enjoy having such nice surroundings. The harmonious colours and comfortable furniture create a homely feeling," says Sofie Klarker Wester, unit manager at Ranagård.