For seniors: Year-round ideas for wall decorations
Wall decorations that brighten up the walls of senior care facilities.
Many facilities likely include them as part of craft-based recreation.
While seasonal wall art that lets residents feel the time of year is lovely even when spending time indoors, pieces that seniors can make at their own pace—and that can be used year-round regardless of season—have their own special appeal.
So this time, we’re sharing ideas for “wall decorations you can use all year round.”
Craft recreation helps stimulate the brain by using the fingers, and it also sparks conversation with other residents, promoting communication.
Be sure to try out the ideas introduced here!
[For Seniors] Year-Round Use! Wall Decoration Ideas (1–10)
chrysanthemum flower
There are many varieties of chrysanthemums, aren’t there? Because there are so many types, their peak viewing season lasts throughout most of the year, except during the cold winter months.
Chrysanthemums have long been familiar flowers in Japan, so many older adults likely feel a close connection to them.
Here, we’ll introduce a wall decoration made with origami chrysanthemums.
Fold the origami paper and cut it so that it forms petal shapes.
Open and refold the paper, tie a string at the center, and adjust the petals to finish.
The number of petals will change depending on how you fold the paper.
You can also make beautiful chrysanthemums by creating petals from strip-shaped construction paper and gluing them together.
Let’s decorate with various kinds of chrysanthemums to brighten up the facility.
Being in a room with chrysanthemums is sure to bring a sense of calm to older adults.
A flower wreath made with origami and copier paper
How about making a floral wreath for a wall decoration using round-cut origami or copy paper? Use a cup to trace and cut circles from the paper, fold each circle in half and open it, then fold it in half the other way to create two soft, cute petals.
Stack three identical pieces, staple the center, and glue the open sections together to complete one flower.
Then, attach the flowers evenly onto a sheet of construction or copy paper cut to the size of your preferred wreath base.
It’s a craft that’s likely to be appreciated even in seasons when there aren’t many flowers in bloom.
collage letters
In the collage letters activity, each person designs their favorite letter in a large format and decorates it colorfully.
You can choose any letter you like and decide freely how to color it, so you can really express your originality.
First, choose a typeface, print the letter in a large size, and trace the outline on the back.
Then freely paste magazine clippings or pieces of origami paper on the front to create a colorful design, cut along the outline on the back, and attach it to a backing sheet while considering the balance to finish.
It’s a detailed task of making and layering paper scraps, which also makes it perfect for exercising the hands and fingers.
spiral hanging ornament
It’s a decorative piece with uniquely beautiful curves, created by twisting and joining long, thin strips cut from origami paper.
First, fold the paper to make creases, then cut along those creases; fold the top into a triangle so it’s ready for gluing later.
Next, glue the triangular folds together, twist each strip, and finally glue the bottom ends to finish.
The impression will change depending on the color of origami you choose and how tightly you twist it.
Combining multiple colors also gives it a more luxurious look, so it’s highly recommended.
Heart garland
Heart-themed decorations are cute and suitable for any season.
Try making them with reversible crepe sheets or textured paper, which you can even find at 100-yen shops.
Fold the paper, cut it, and create heart shapes.
Using an accordion fold adds a three-dimensional feel and gives the piece a bumpy, eye-catching accent.
You can connect the finished hearts with string to make a garland, or link four heart pieces together to form a flower-like shape.
Adding string to hang them also looks lovely.
Because it involves a lot of fine motor movement, this craft is also recommended for recreational activities with seniors.
a flower wreath
Let’s try arranging flowers made with paper quilling into a wreath! You don’t need any special tools, so it’s easy for seniors to try as well.
Make the wreath base by cutting thick paper (cardboard) into a donut shape.
For the petals, wrap thin strips of paper around a ruler.
Make four petals and glue them together.
Adding a rhinestone or pearl sticker in the center gives it a luxurious look! Create lots of petal pieces, lay them out on the wreath base, and you’re done.
It’s perfect for crafting at home or for day-service activity sessions, so be sure to give it a try.
Paper pom-pom butterfly
A cute butterfly wall decoration made with tissue paper pom-poms.
First, stack several sheets of tissue paper in two colors and fold them in an accordion.
Unfold once, then fold in half perpendicular to the creases, and cut with scissors to form a butterfly shape.
Return it to a fine accordion fold, secure the center with wire, and gently fluff out the tissue paper to create a three-dimensional butterfly.
Make them in various colors and decorate an entire wall—the room will instantly look bright and festive!
