When you’re managing an aged care facility, hospital, or retirement village in Australia, furniture often takes a back seat to more urgent priorities like staffing, compliance, and resident care. But the furniture you choose has a direct impact on safety, comfort, wellbeing, and even regulatory compliance. Updating your furniture isn’t just about style — it’s about meeting modern standards, reducing risks, and creating environments where residents and patients can thrive. Here are seven clear signs it’s time to refresh your spaces, along with practical tips you can act on right away.

1. Furniture No Longer Meets Current Aged Care Standards

The standards for aged care in Australia have shifted significantly in recent years, with the new Aged Care Quality Standards placing more emphasis on dignity, comfort, and a home-like environment. If your furniture looks outdated, lacks support features, or no longer aligns with expectations for safety and resident-centred design, it could put you at risk of non-compliance.

Tips:

• Audit your current furniture against the Aged Care Quality Standards, focusing on comfort, accessibility, and safety.

• Replace low or unstable chairs with fit-for-purpose armchairs that meet seat height recommendations and include armrests for easier sit-to-stand transitions.

• Consult with suppliers experienced in aged care to ensure new purchases align with legislation and accreditation requirements.

2. Residents Struggle with Comfort or Mobility

If residents frequently complain about chairs being too low, too firm, or difficult to get out of, your furniture isn’t supporting their physical needs. Poorly designed furniture can reduce independence, increase falls risk, and negatively impact overall wellbeing.

Tips:

• Choose seating with firm cushioning, correct seat height (typically 480–520mm for aged care), and sturdy arm supports.

• Introduce a mix of furniture types — some with higher backrests, some with extra lumbar support — to accommodate varying needs.

• Ask physiotherapists or occupational therapists for input on ergonomics to match furniture with resident mobility levels.

3. Surfaces Show Visible Wear and Tear

Furniture that’s scratched, peeling, or stained doesn’t just look unappealing — it can compromise hygiene and safety. Cracked laminates, chipped timber edges, and worn upholstery create areas where bacteria and moisture can accumulate, breaching infection control standards.

Tips:

• Regularly inspect surfaces for cracks, splits, and moisture ingress that could harbour bacteria.

• Replace timber finishes with durable commercial-grade laminates that are easy to clean and maintain.

• Opt for high-performance upholstery fabrics with antimicrobial properties and easy-clean finishes.

4. Infection Control is Difficult to Maintain

In healthcare and aged care environments, furniture must support strict cleaning regimes. If your current pieces absorb spills, trap odours, or can’t withstand hospital-grade disinfectants, they put residents at risk.

Tips:

• Invest in healthcare-rated fabrics designed to resist stains, odours, and harsh cleaning chemicals.

• Choose sealed or seamless designs that prevent fluid penetration and make cleaning quick and thorough.

• Establish a furniture maintenance schedule aligned with your infection prevention and control program.

5. The Space Feels Institutional Rather than Homely

Modern aged care and retirement living facilities aim to create warm, inviting environments that feel more like home than a hospital. If your spaces still rely on generic beige tones, hard seating, and clinical-looking finishes, it’s time for a rethink.

Tips:

• Introduce residential-style furniture with soft textures, warm timbers, and patterned fabrics to create comfort and familiarity.

• Use colour strategically — for example, contrasting fabrics to support wayfinding and reduce confusion for residents with dementia.

• Work with interior specialists who understand aged care to balance homeliness with regulatory requirements.

6. Furniture No Longer Fits the Space or Resident Demographics

Facilities evolve over time, and so do resident needs. If your dining chairs are too heavy for older residents to move, or your lounge furniture doesn’t accommodate wheelchairs and walking aids, it’s a sign your furniture is out of step with your community.

Tips:

• Select lightweight yet sturdy chairs that residents can reposition themselves, fostering independence.

• Incorporate flexible layouts with furniture that can be easily reconfigured for group activities or private time.

• Ensure tables provide adequate clearance for mobility devices and support inclusive use.

7. You’re Experiencing More Repairs Than Replacements

If your maintenance team is constantly repairing broken chair legs, tightening bolts, or reupholstering worn fabric, the long-term costs may outweigh replacement. Frequent repairs can also create downtime and safety hazards for residents.

Tips:

• Track repair frequency and costs to identify when replacement becomes more cost-effective.

• Invest in Australian-made furniture with proven durability and long-term warranties (FHG offers a 10-year structural warranty).

• Consider lifecycle planning — setting a budget for regular furniture updates to spread costs predictably.

How FHG Project Consultants Can Help

At FHG, we’ve worked with Australian aged care, healthcare, and retirement living providers for more than 25 years. Our Project Consultants help managers navigate the complexity of furniture projects — from selecting fit-for-purpose furniture designs to ensuring compliance with Aged Care Quality Standards. With manufacturing in Brisbane, a wide range of fabrics and finishes, and a commitment to comfort, safety, and style, we provide tailored solutions that balance function with homeliness.

👉 Ready to assess your furniture? Book a free discovery call with an FHG Project Consultant today and discover how we can help you create spaces that meet compliance, enhance wellbeing, and truly feel like home.