Seating Nooks and Memory Shelves: Dementia-Friendly Design Transforms 18th‑Century Cottage by the River Earn

Perthshire, Scotland — July 2025

An enchanting 18th-century riverside cottage in Perthshire has been sympathetically remodelled by its owners to be dementia‑friendly, combining historic charm with thoughtfully modern adaptations. The result is a warm, practical, and reassuring family home—ready to support residents and visitors living with memory loss.

Blending Heritage and Well‑Being

The cottage, nestled on the banks of the River Earn, retains its traditional stone walls, low-beamed ceilings, and period fireplaces. Yet within its walls, the couple who live there have created a comforting environment, tailored to minimise confusion and stress for someone living with dementia.

Seating Nooks Offer Calm and Comfort

Throughout the house, intimate seating nooks have been incorporated—under sloping eaves, in bay-windowed alcoves, and beside warm hearths. These cosy corners:

• Provide spontaneous retreats for reflection or quiet conversation.

• Reduce sensory overload by offering calm, semi-private zones.

• Encourage movement, as family members can drift between informal areas without pressure.

Memory Shelves Root Identity

One of the home’s most notable design features is the use of memory shelves:

• Carefully curated display alcoves hold familiar objects—family photographs, pottery, or keepsakes—with clear labelling.

• Positioned in frequented areas like hallways and living areas, they act as gentle memory prompts, offering comfort and recognition in daily moments.

Smart Zones Facilitate Orientation

The cottage is deliberately zoned for practical clarity:

• Rooms are colour-coded—a soft green for the kitchen, warm ochre for living spaces.

• Doors feature distinct handles and subtle markers, aiding location awareness.

• Lighting has been engineered to minimise glare and shadows, crucial in aiding visual perception.

Safety Meets Subtlety

While closed off pathways are prevented, safety adaptations have been integrated discretely:

• Non-slip flooring, flush thresholds, and well-lit corridors reduce the risk of trips and falls.

• Bathrooms and the kitchen feature grab bars and raised seating, all styled to blend with the historic interior.

Location Helps, Community Supports

Set within a peaceful riverside landscape, the cottage offers calm views that promote well-being. It is also within walking distance of nearby Perthshire village services, local shops, and community dementia-support programmes—reinforcing a sense of continuity and connection.

A Model for Future-Proofing Heritage Homes

This renovation highlights how historic homes can be thoughtfully adapted to meet the needs of ageing or cognitively impaired residents—without compromising their character.

Architect Emma MacLaren, who worked on the project, comments:

“We’ve taken practical dementia-care principles and woven them into every corner of this cottage, preserving its soul while adjusting its function. It’s about dignity—allowing someone to age safely and happily at home.”

Conclusion

In transforming this 18th-century cottage, the Perthshire couple have created far more than a house—they’ve built a living home that honours the past while safeguarding its future. Through thoughtful dementia-friendly design—from seating nooks to memory shelves—they demonstrate how every era can be future-proofed with care, respect, and love.