Wishes for Furniture Design among Persons in the Third Age - Interviews with Users in their Homes

Designers’ work sometimes originates from a simplified view of human demands and needs, which may result in furniture that does not fulfil the user requirements. If we consider old people as one group with fairly similar needs and demands rather than have realistic images of old people as a heterogeneous group there is a tendency that it will result in misguided efforts to design for wellbeing. The aim of the present study was to get understanding and insight in modern ageing and individual needs, wishes and aspirations for interiors and furniture, by thematic interviews of users in their homes. Eighteen persons aged 53-82 took part in the study. A thematic interview guide was used, covering themes such as comfort, pleasure, interaction and ideas of improvement of furniture and interior design. The results demonstrate that products perceived as comfortable, flexible and pleasurable leads to attachment and emotional experiences as dignity, meaningfulness and freedom. It is also the case that different kinds of relations to furniture and interior design are valued and prioritized differently depending on the situation and the individual’s preferences.