By Jemma Saunders, Colour Specialist, Crown Paints

Healthcare spaces are where we’re often at our most vulnerable – seeking comfort and healing. For neurodivergent people who may experience heightened sensitivity to colour, light, sound and spatial change, the physical environment can be integral to recovery.

But when it comes to designing for neurodiversity, it’s crucial to understand that it’s never one-size-fits-all. Every neurodivergent person experiences the world differently. What calms one individual may overstimulate another. That’s why designers should engage directly with end users wherever possible.

With around one in seven people in the UK estimated to be neurodivergent*, healthcare settings must go beyond clinical functionality. Yet our Designing for Neurodiversity report found that 79% of architects and specifiers acknowledge a knowledge gap when designing for neurodivergent users – even as 62% report neurodiversity being referenced more prominently in briefs.

The challenge? Bridging that gap between awareness and confident implementation.

Learning from practice: Cygnet Kenney House

We’ve worked with Cygnet Health Care on numerous mental health facilities, including Cygnet Kenney House in Oldham – a hospital for women with mental health needs. The vision was clear: create a “home away from home” rather than an institution.

Working with Cygnet’s interior lead Hannah Cooper, we developed a thoughtful colour strategy. Rather than brilliant white – which can feel clinical – we used Organic Cloth throughout as a warmer neutral base. Different areas were given distinct identities: reception in “Cygnet Blue” with Gentle Olive accents, a café-style dining area, and purposefully neutral bedrooms that patients could personalise.

Key principles for inclusive design

Colour as a clinical tool

Low-intensity colours work best where focus and calm are essential. Avoid pure whites or highly chromatic primary hues. Consult end users where possible – colour is personal.

Prioritise lighting

Many sensory sensitive people struggle with artificial light, particularly fluorescent. Maximise natural light, use softer diffused lighting, and incorporate dimmable controls.

Address acoustics

Sound reverberation can overwhelm. Acoustic treatments and thoughtful material selection create more manageable environments.

Balance durability with design

At Cygnet Kenney House, we used Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme range – defending against bacteria while maintaining warmth. High-performance doesn’t mean clinical.

Making it standard practice

Inclusive design shouldn’t be a specialist niche. It’s simply good design that considers how all users experience a space.

The healthcare environments we create should foster dignity, comfort and hope. For neurodivergent patients, that means spaces that work with their sensory experiences, not against them.

The question isn’t whether we should design inclusively – it’s how quickly we can make it the standard of care.