By Jane Sandwood
If you are designing a new home for a child or adult with ADD or ADHD, you may be surprised to know that many of the same designs principles apply across ages and genders. Space, organization, and gentle colors continue to be the fundamentals around which design is based. When it comes to ADD and ADHD, it isn't just about reducing clutter or distraction. It is also about functionality; as noted by Steve Jobs, "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
If a child will be using his/her room to study (or an adult will be using the room to work or read), it is important to leave empty space in which to move if required. A 2015 study by researchers at the University of California-Davis Health system revealed that the constant movement of those with ADHD may be distracting, but it may also improve their cognitive performance. Minimalism does not mean plain white or sparse furniture. It means including furniture that has a purpose in the room (think storage, rest, a quiet space) rather than decor without purpose. As noted by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
A 2016 study from Aarhus University has shown that children with ADHD can have more difficulty falling asleep (and have poorer quality sleep) than those without ADHD. They sleep on an average for 45 minutes less, but also have a tendency to fall asleep faster during the day than children in control groups. It is therefore key to pay special attention to the type of bed opted for. The ideal firmness of a bed depends on how your child sleeps. Thus, if they sleep on their side, a soft bed is fine, but if if they sleep on their back they will need more support. The bed should ideally be in a far 'nook' of the bedroom, away from storage furniture containing toys and other possible distractions. The mattress is just one ingredient of the equation; if you have the budget for it, you might consider a custom made bed area comprising a semi-enclosed space; i.e. the bed can be fitted into a little nook with a roof yet be easy to step out if; this may heighten your child's sense of security.
Trish Buscemi, a specialist who creates calm interiors for those with cognitive learning challenges, recommends blue, green, and muted brown towns for bedrooms of children with ADHD. These gentle hues actually work well with people of all ages seeking a space that inspires rest and calm. Although you can always hang artwork (representing gentle images and colors, ideally of nature) on the walls of the bedroom, if there is a study area, the wall directly in front of the desk should ideally be bare and subdued in tone.
A bedroom of a person with ADHD should be divided into various spaces without creating awkward separation. Thus, the desk (and its contents) should not be close to the bed. If possible, there should be a 'quiet corner' a child or adult can retreat to in order to read or play with a toy, perhaps overlooking natural scenery. Distractions belonging to one activity (e.g. playtime) should be out of reach of the tools and equipment required for another activity (such as study).
A study of over 400 children diagnosed with ADHD found that those who regularly play in green or outdoor settings had milder symptoms than those who play indoors. Ideally, your child's (or your own) bedroom should overlook calming scenery, perhaps even a garden one can sit in when life gets a little overwhelming. If you live in a city and do not have access to a garden, bring nature imagery indoors through one or two stickers, paintings or murals representing beautiful land or seascapes. Before designing a room, think carefully about the specific needs and likes of the person who will be living in it. Interior design is as subjective as one's appreciation of art, The room should always be designed around the person in order to be the purposeful place of rest it was destined for.