Elm Lodge
Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
New build – 60-bed residential care home, full interior scheme from planning through to furnishing and installation
We’re delighted to see Forest Care’s Elm Lodge included in the Knight Frank Luxury Care Home Guide 2026, recognised as one of the UK’s top 100 care homes.
Thank you to Forest Care for their continued trust in us, and to our partners and suppliers whose input helped bring the project to life.
Elm Lodge is a purpose-built 60-bed residential care home in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. Our involvement covered interior planning from early stages through to furnishing procurement and installation coordination.
The interior scheme was developed to create a calm, welcoming setting for residents and visitors, while supporting the operational needs of the care team.
Project Overview
Working alongside the client’s architectural team from the earliest planning stages, we contributed to the development of the interior layouts to support intuitive flow, visual clarity and a welcoming first impression.
Early space planning and furniture coordination informed door positioning, room proportions and key features, ensuring environments felt coherent and easy to navigate for both residents and staff.
Lighting and power provisions were integrated at design stage to allow for layered illumination, combining soft ambient lighting for comfort with feature elements that enhance presentation and reinforce the overall quality of the home.
Project Summary
Type: New-build
Location: Hartley Wintney, Hampshire
Sector: Residential Care
Size: 60 Beds
Scope: Full Interior Planning, Specification & Furnishings Coordination
Programme: 18 months
Client: Forest Care Ltd
The Brief
The client sought an interior scheme that would present a strong, high-quality first impression for prospective residents and families, while remaining robust and practical for long-term care use.
The design needed to balance visual appeal with durability, cleanability and infection control considerations, alongside the creation of varied communal spaces to support resident choice and everyday comfort.
The objective was to deliver an environment that felt welcoming and reassuring, yet commercially aligned with the positioning of the home within a competitive market.
Our Approach
From the outset, we worked closely with the architectural team to align interior planning with the wider building strategy. Early coordination of space layouts, furniture planning and lighting ensured that practical requirements were resolved before construction progressed.
Material palettes and finishes were developed with careful consideration of durability, maintenance and infection control, while also supporting a cohesive visual identity throughout the home.
Communal areas were intentionally differentiated to provide variety in atmosphere and function — from quieter lounges to more sociable gathering spaces — encouraging resident choice and ease of navigation.
Attention to detail extended to joinery elements, feature lighting and layered illumination, ensuring the overall presentation of the home felt considered and complete without compromising operational efficiency.
Key Interior Features
Reception & First Impressions
A welcoming entrance sequence designed to create immediate reassurance for residents and visiting families, combining accessibility with refined, durable finishes.
Layered Lighting Strategy
Ambient and feature lighting were coordinated from early design stages to enhance atmosphere while supporting operational performance and energy efficiency.
Varied Communal Settings
A range of lounge and activity spaces provide both sociable and quieter environments, encouraging resident choice and flexibility in daily routines.
Material Palette & Cohesion
Finishes were selected to balance durability and maintenance requirements with a cohesive visual identity that reinforces the overall quality of the home.
Bespoke Joinery & Detailing
Custom joinery elements and considered detailing contribute to a complete and consistent interior presentation throughout.
Connection to External Spaces
Internal glazed elements and considered sightlines maximise natural daylight and strengthen visual links to landscaped gardens.
Project Outcomes
Elm Lodge was delivered as a cohesive and carefully coordinated interior environment that supports both day-to-day care delivery and the overall presentation of the home.
The completed scheme provides varied communal settings, intuitive circulation and durable finishes, ensuring long-term practicality without compromising visual quality.
The result is a welcoming and professionally resolved care environment that strengthens the home’s market appeal while supporting operational efficiency and resident wellbeing.
Early interior coordination was instrumental in achieving a cohesive and commercially aligned outcome for this development.
Considering a new care development or refurbishment project?
We welcome early involvement to support coordinated interior planning from concept through to installation.