11th July 2025 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn The SBID UK Interior Design Icons were selected to recognise leading design practices throughout the UK who have consistently displayed exceptional standards within our esteemed industry network. This week’s instalment of the SBID Icon Insights series features Catalyst Interiors. Catalyst Interiors is the UK’s leading design and fit-out company in the healthcare sector, with 25 years’ experience of transforming healthcare environments. Catalyst Interiors What steps do you take to stay at the forefront of the design industry? At Catalyst Interiors, we stay at the forefront of the Healthcare Design industry by continually embracing innovation and staying closely attuned to the evolving needs of the care sector. We invest in research and development to explore the latest trends in experiential design, sensory technologies, and well-being-focused interior design. Our team regularly attends industry seminars, conferences, and workshops to keep up with new methods, materials, and practices. Additionally, we collaborate with experts in neuroscience, psychology, and dementia care to ensure that our designs are informed by evidence-based research and always prioritise the emotional and sensory experiences of residents. By consistently expanding our knowledge and expertise, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of holistic design in care homes. Staying ahead in the dynamic world of healthcare interior design is a commitment we take very seriously. Engaging in industry events, conferences, and workshops to absorb emerging trends and insights, ensures that our work remains at the cutting edge of both innovation and design. We also collaborate with academic institutions and thought leaders, which enables us to integrate the latest technological advancements and design methodologies into our projects. We also invest in the ongoing professional development of our team, fostering an environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. This proactive approach allows us to deliver spaces that are not only aesthetically exceptional but also meet the highest standards of functionality, sustainability, and technical precision. Catalyst Interiors What trends do you see shaping the future of interior design? At Catalyst Interiors, we are always looking ahead at the trends shaping the future of interior design, particularly within the healthcare sector. While eco-design in interiors has been widely embraced in other industries, it is still catching up in healthcare, though we are seeing a growing shift towards more sustainable solutions. Similarly, the evolution of safety technology is becoming more prevalent, and integrating these advancements into our designs in a seamless, non-invasive way is a challenge we are actively working to overcome. Another key focus for us is experiential interior design, a technique we fully embrace and continuously push further. Scientific research has shown that our surroundings can trigger emotional responses, and by understanding these psychological effects, we can design spaces that create a more meaningful experience for the end-user. This is particularly vital in care environments, where residents may be at the most vulnerable times in their lives. Our goal is always to design with empathy, ensuring that every space we create not only meets practical needs but also provides comfort, reassurance, and a true sense of home. Catalyst Interiors How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs? Catalyst Interiors Limited is a Carbon Neutral Company. Sustainability is a cornerstone of our design ethos. We integrate environmentally friendly practices into every phase of our projects, ensuring that each space is not only beautiful but also responsibly crafted. Within dementia communities, we place meaningful but decorative items such as retro food signs, as well as ‘rummage items’ for example old car signs, hats/scarves/bags or music records that are used to provoke memories and meaningful conversation with residents who have cognitive impairments. These items are all sourced by our team from local charity shops to ensure they are relevant to the demographic and authentic to the era. For specific items that cannot be found in local shops, we also use re-sell websites such as Ebay and Vinted. We also prioritise natural light and ventilation to enhance energy efficiency and create healthier environments for residents. We also work alongside other professionals on projects to maximise sustainable building practices and continually learn and refine our approach. For example, together with architects and engineers we will design in facilities to create bottled sparkling and still water for residents, visitors and team members. Then within each communal space we ensured glass fronted fridges were designed into coffee bars or serveries to promote the use of these reusable bottles. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond reducing environmental impact—it’s about creating spaces that support long-term well-being and resilience for the communities we serve. Catalyst Interiors How do technology and innovation influence your work? At Catalyst Interiors, technology and innovation are integral to every stage of our design process. With our in-house CGI & 3D Visualisation team, using cutting edge technology to bring our projects to life with precision and clarity. This digital approach not only enhances our technical accuracy but also streamlines collaboration with clients and stakeholders, ensuring everyone shares a clear vision of the final outcome. During the Furniture & Electrical Layout stage of the design, our interior designers meticulously plan and incorporate any necessary electrical outlets for safety technology within care homes. By carefully addressing and integrating these essential elements into the design right from the outset in a way that remains both non-invasive and visually appealing, ensuring seamless functionality without compromising the homely aesthetic. Over the past 25 years, we have been recognised as innovators in the industry, setting standards that others follow. By incorporating spaces such as ‘Technology Hubs’ and ‘Media Suites’ into care homes, we are ensuring residents have the opportunity to integrate technology into their daily lives if they chose to do so. Ultimately, by continuing to push boundaries, we are delivering environments that truly enhance the quality of life for residents. Catalyst Interiors What sets your work apart in the industry? At Catalyst Interiors, we stand apart in the healthcare design industry by embracing a broader approach to interior design—one that goes beyond simply creating visually pleasing spaces. We are not confined by the traditional design conventions that are often associated with care homes, based on assumptions about age. Instead, we are passionate about pushing the boundaries to design braver and bolder environments that retain familiar, comforting elements while challenging the notion that care home interiors should be dictated by someone’s age. Our goal is to create spaces that stimulate the senses, encourage interaction, and promote socialisation across a range of ages. We design interiors that everyone wants to visit, and more importantly, that residents will be excited to move in to. Over the past 25 years, our forward-thinking approach has set industry benchmarks, establishing us as recognised innovators whose designs inspire and lead the way. By continually redefining the care home experience, Catalyst Interiors is leading the way in creating functional and engaging spaces that evoke feelings of comfort, safety, and belonging, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all who experience them. Catalyst Interiors Are you involved in mentoring or education within the interior design industry? At Catalyst Interiors, when expanding our team, we intentionally hire recent graduate junior designers who can grow within our company by shadowing experienced designers and assisting on projects. Through this mentorship-driven approach, we ensure that each junior designer gains industry hands-on experience, and develops the skills and confidence needed to take on their own projects. This process allows us to instil our passion and commitment to enhancing the lives of our older generation from the very beginning of their careers. By nurturing talent in-house, we create a team that not only understands the technical and creative aspects of healthcare design but also shares our deep-rooted belief in designing spaces that improve well-being, comfort, and quality of life for residents. We take great pride in sharing our expertise and mentoring the next generation of interior design professionals. We actively mentor emerging talent through educational workshops, and guest lectures, maintaining close relationships with academic institutions. In addition to these initiatives, we regularly deliver a one-day CPD accredited workshop on Interior Design for the Elderly, covering specialist design requirements for general ageing as well as for those living with dementia. This commitment to education ensures that our industry not only evolves but continues to uphold the high standards we have set over the past 25 years. Catalyst Interiors How do you collaborate with other professionals, such as architects and engineers? At Catalyst Interiors we firmly believe that collaboration is key to creating exceptional spaces. We work closely with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to ensure that every aspect of a project comes together seamlessly. No project would be possible without a unified team, all working towards a shared goal of creating functional, beautiful, and user-focused spaces. We take the initial architectural plans and engage in open discussions with the architects on how we may refine them to better suit the needs of the end user, ensuring that the interior design enhances the space rather than simply fitting within it. This process also involves input from engineers and the build team, allowing us to develop solutions that are not only aesthetically and functionally appropriate, but also practical in terms of construction, budget, and environmental impact. We believe that there is something to learn on every project, and that learning extends beyond interior design—gaining insight from architects, builders, and engineers helps us continuously refine our approach and push the boundaries of what is possible in care home design. This collaborative ethos not only enriches our design process but also enables us to exceed industry standards and consistently create spaces that enhance the well-being of residents. About Catalyst Interiors Catalyst Interiors is the UK’s leading design and fit-out company in the healthcare sector, with 25 years’ experience of transforming healthcare environments. Our passion for creating thoughtfully designed interiors goes beyond visual aesthetics, our design team are consumed by a desire to positively impact the life and well-being of residents – focusing on their emotional and psychological needs to create vibrant, immersive, and nurturing interiors. Our goal is to create spaces that stimulate the senses, encourage interaction, and promote intergenerational connections, creating spaces where people of all ages can interact and engage with one another. We design interiors that everyone wants to visit, and more importantly, that residents love to live in. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.