Whether it’s a traditional setting, opulent interior or modern space, the diversity of leather fits right in. A hardwearing choice of upholstery, caring for your leather furniture is fuss free.
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Tips & advice
Moving home, restyling your space or simply looking to invest in a new design piece are all reasons you might be looking to buy a new sofa. Read on if you’re looking to upgrade your sofa, are worried about its structural integrity or just can’t tell if you need a new one.
Plus, discover some of the ways you can recycle your old sofa. How Long Should a Sofa Last? There’s no hard and fast rule with how long a sofa should last, but a well-made sofa will typically last at least 15 years. You may notice the sofa deteriorating after it passes the seven-year mark, but it still has plenty of good years left in it.
That isn’t to say all sofas will last this amount of time. A cheaply made sofa will probably need replacing sooner, whereas a premium sofa could last a lifetime. In fact, we offer a lifetime guarantee on all our sofa frames, that’s how confident we are in their quality.
How to Tell If You Need a New Sofa A creaking frame, tired upholstery and long-gone support will all have you hunting for a new sofa. However, there are plenty more reasons you might be looking for a replacement. Read on to discover some of them.
If your sofa doesn’t fit your home properly
When people move home, they tend to take their sofas with them. After all, the sofa was probably an investment, it suits their style and there’s plenty of memories associated with it. But for all the same reasons, many people cling onto their old sofa, even when it isn’t right for their space. Perhaps the old sofa is too large for your new living room.
Or a growing family could mean you need an even larger sofa. Maybe your old sofa is so deep it leaves little space to walk past it. Or perhaps you found yourself with one-too-many sofas and it’s time to whittle down your collection. Whatever the reason, if your old sofa isn’t cutting the mustard then it may be time to invest in a new one.
If your sofa doesn’t offer enough support
When you bought your sofa, it was probably ergonomically designed and offered brilliant padding and support. However, this tends to get worse over the years and can make your sofa uncomfortable. Not only is this bad for your body and posture, but a supportless sofa also makes for unpleasant sitting. If this is the case with your sofa, you might need a new one.
If you still like your sofa and its upholstery is in good condition, then you could always get it restuffed. Going to a specialist upholsterer is by far the best way to do this. Not only do they know their craft, but they’ll also know the best materials to use. You can always try refilling it yourself if your sofa has removable covers, but we’d definitely suggest finding a specialist.
If your interior design tastes have changed
Trends and tastes change over time, so it’s no wonder your sofa might feel outdated now. Perhaps it’s got a huge floral pattern that was fashionable in the 80s but not today. Or maybe you opted for a colour that was ‘in’ ten years ago that you can’t stand in 2021.
Either way, if you really don’t like your old sofa anymore, it’s probably time for a new one. When choosing your next sofa, we recommend taking your time to find one that you know you’ll love for years. Once you’ve found the perfect sofa, you could even sleep on the idea for a week or so, just to be sure.
Don’t just take your old sofa to the skip, there are plenty of second-hand shops or resale websites where it can find a new home. Just because it isn’t to your taste, that doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it.
If your sofa’s upholstery has seen better days
If your upholstery is looking a little worse for wear, that suggests you may need a new sofa. Sofas go through a lot; from kids bouncing on it to years and years of pets snuggling up with you. Repairing the odd fray or repadding it can help in the short term, but both could be signs your upholstery is on the way out. And potentially your sofa with it.
If you still love the silhouette and style of your sofa, then reupholstering it is a great option. We’d highly recommend enlisting the services of a specialist reupholstery company to take on the task. Sure, you can give it a go yourself, but since upholstery fabric can get quite pricey, any mistake you make could be pretty pricey.
Once you’ve invested in a new sofa or reupholstering your existing sofa, there are ways to keep it looking as good as new. For example, direct sunlight can fade your sofa’s upholstery and weaken the fabric’s structure. One way to prevent this is to move the sofa to a new position every year or so.
This helps to make sure the sofa gets an even amounts of sunlight. Spillages are also big concerns for upholstery. To prevent staining, spot clean each spillage as soon as possible. Then, a professional upholstery cleaning every few years will keep the sofa in good nick and help with any odours.
If your sofa won’t stop creaking
If you sit down on your sofa and hear it creaking or making popping noises, its structure might be damaged. If possible, take a look under the sofa to check everything looks ok. Or you could enlist the services of a furniture specialist to offer their professional opinion.
Unfortunately fixing a sofa’s structural damage can be a costly process so a new sofa might be on the cards. If you have a new sofa that’s already creaking, don’t panic. New furniture will often creak or squeak to begin with. That’s because it’s adjusting to use, the room’s temperature and the sofa’s suspension system. It should subside in a few weeks or so. Investing in a new sofa?
Check out our collection.
Need help removing your old sofa? We can help, in partnership with Clearabee and British Heart Foundation.
So, you’ve invested in a new piece of furniture that you absolutely love, but unfortunately your cat does too. From sofas and armchairs to the dining table, scratching furniture is perfectly natural behaviour in cats.
Typically, cats with access to a garden will scratch on outdoor objects like fences or trees. However, plenty of indoor cats and even some outdoor cats will still scratch the sofa or your carpet. Luckily, it can be stopped. We have a bunch of tips and tricks to help stop your cat scratching the furniture. Interested? Then read on…
Why your cat is scratching furniture
Before we begin trying to fix the behaviour, it’s important to understand why cats scratch furniture.
There are four popular reasons:
Claw maintenance: A cat’s claw has an outer part called the husk that can sometimes be painful. Scratching a carpet, post or table leg helps to loosen the husk and remove it. Once it’s been removed, the sharper surface of the nail underneath will be revealed, a bit like a snake shedding its skin. The pros call this process stripping.
Muscle building: If your cat’s scratching a lot then it might be to build muscle in their upper body. No, that doesn’t mean they’re a gym bunny, it’s a natural instinct. Cats need strong pectoral muscles and limbs so that they can be the best hunters and stay fit.
Attention seeking: If your cat suddenly starts scratching the carpet, they may be trying to get your attention. They may also be scratching to mark their territory. Believe it or not, scratching leaves a scent to warn other cats to stay off their territory.
Anxiety: One often-forgotten reason for cats scratching is anxiety. This can happen for many reasons. Perhaps you’ve just moved house, had extensive building work done or live in an area with lots of cats. If you suspect your cat is anxious, get in touch with your vet for help finding a behaviour specialist.
How to stop your cat scratching furniture
It’s important to remember that scratching is a natural instinct and necessary for all cats. Punishing your cat for scratching furniture won’t help because it’s a very normal behaviour for them.
Unfortunately, they just don’t know what surface is acceptable or unacceptable to scratch. So, it’s important to offer them a different surface to scratch that ticks all of their boxes.
The perfect scratching surface will be a much better place to scratch than your sofa or chairs. Scratching posts are a great alternative, and you can find them in most pet stores and online. Cat posts have a reputation for being a bit of an eyesore, but not anymore.
Have a hunt around and you’ll find plenty of cat scratching posts that look stylish. Most tend to be made using sisal, cardboard or wood but the designs vary across the board. There are also many with multiple levels for your cat to play, sleep and scratch. These are normally called cat trees. If you’re short on space, then a scratching board could be the answer to your prayers.
You can attach these space-saving boards to the wall or floor for your cat to scratch. Plus, since they’re often made using sisal or seagrass, then they won’t look horrible in your home. It’s important to invest in a scratching board or post as soon as possible.
Not only will it prevent further damage to your furniture, but the sooner the cat uses it, the more pheromones they’ll leave on it. Together with their scratching marks, these pheromones will encourage your cat to use it more and more. So, time really is of the essence.
How to pick the right scratching board for your cat
Keep these points in mind when looking for a scratching post or board:
Tall or long: Cats like to stretch their bodies as tall and as long as possible when they’re scratching. This means they get the full health benefits of scratching. When choosing a scratching post or mat, make sure it’s long enough for your cat to stretch out on.
Secure: If you have a scratching post that falls over or moves when your cat scratches, that’s where you’re going wrong. A scratching post needs to be rigid and resist the pull of a cat’s sharp claws. To make sure there’s enough tension on your scratching post you may need to affix it to the wall. For scratching boards or mats, try to find a way to secure it to the floor or wall. If that’s not possible, then choose a board that’s long enough for your cat to stand on whilst scratching. Their body weight should keep the mat in place.
Multiple cats: If you have more than one cat then it’s highly recommended that each cat has their own scratching area. That’s partly because of the pheromones cats release when scratching to mark their territory. They should be placed in different parts of the house, so they have their own dedicated scratching space.
Position: Place your scratching board or post strategically. For example, you could place it in the room the cat has been scratching in most. Or, if they like to scratch after a long sleep, position it near their favourite feline slumber spot. You could also place it somewhere they walk through lots, like a hall, doorway or by the staircase.
Board or post: To decide, consider where and what your cat tends to scratch. If they love to scratch horizontally on the carpet, then opt for a scratching board on the floor. If they prefer to scratch vertically on the sofa, doorway or table leg, then invest in a scratching post.
How to get your cat to use their scratching post
Getting your cat to use their new scratching post isn’t always as easy as it may seem. They already have a spot to scratch and they’re perfectly happy there, so you may need to do some convincing.
Here are a few ideas:
Don’t force it: Leave your cat to explore their new toy in their own time and circumstances. Since cats are naturally curious, they’ll be more likely to accept it if they find it at their own pace.
Play a game: If your cat isn’t taking to their new scratching post, then try incorporating it into a game. Play with it near the post to encourage their claws to touch the surface. That way they’ll realise it’s the perfect spot to scratch and return when the time is right.
Catnip: Catnip is a sure-fire way to get your cat scratching their post. Simply sprinkle some onto the post or attach bags of it to the top.
Deter them from their old spot: Cleaning their old scratching spots will remove the scent of any pheromones. There are plenty of sprays out there designed to remove these pheromones. However, they can smell pretty bad to humans too, so we tend to avoid them and clean as normal.
As an added deterrent, you could place some double-sided tape over the spot. This should feel unpleasant when your cat tries to scratch it and deter it. Remember, it’s important to make sure it isn’t so sticky that it damages your furniture or their claws. Good luck!
Before purchasing one, it’s worth considering how to clean sheepskin rugs. Genuine sheepskin rugs are actually very easy to care for. Washing your rug using the proper methods can make it look as good as new.
It’s important to note that every sheepskin rug is different and that submerging your rug in water normally leads to some shrinkage. So, it’s always best to consult any instructions that arrived with your rug or the brand’s website before beginning.
Prepare your sheepskin rug for cleaning
Step number one is to prepare your rug for cleaning. You want your sheepskin rug to be in the best possible condition before washing it. Start off by shaking it outside to dislodge any dust, dirt and animal hair. Give it a light ruffle using your hands as well. Don’t worry about removing every molecule of dust; this step should just remove any large pieces of dirt.
Next, use a wide-tooth comb or a sheepskin brush to remove any knots or tangles. This is also a good way to remove hair and extra dirt from the rug. Be sure to work slowly so as not to damage the sheepskin. If you have a pet, using a clean grooming brush for this step could work.
Wash your sheepskin rug
Step number two is washing your sheepskin rug. The first thing to do here is to check the instructions that accompany your rug. They might be sewn into the rug’s underside, displayed on the brand’s website or enclosed when you receive your rug.
If your rug didn’t come with any instructions on how to clean sheepskin rugs then always hand wash, just to be on the safe side. Some rugs should be cleaned by professionals only. If you are washing your sheepskin rug at home, we recommend buying a natural sheepskin detergent and hand-washing it.
Hand-washing your sheepskin rug
First, choose where you’re going to clean your rug. Depending on the size of your rug, you may use a bathtub, sink or large bucket to clean it in.
Second, fill your chosen vessel with the recommended quantity of detergent and cool or lukewarm water. Hot water could damage your rug so it’s important the water isn’t too warm. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of caution and make the water colder.
Third, use your hands to move the rug around in the water for about five minutes. This should be long enough to dislodge any dirt. Use this time to target any stubborn stains you might have using a clean rag. Do not wring it and try to be as gentle as possible so you don’t create lots of knots.
Finally, drain the water and refill the container with cool, clean water. Swish the rug around the clean water to remove any excess detergent or dirt. Repeat this process as many times as it takes until the water runs clean.
The drying process
When drying your sheepskin rug, tumble dryers are out of the question. The most important thing to do it let it dry flat. Whilst it’s drying, regularly brush out any knots that may have been created in the cleaning process. This helps your rug be as fluffy as possible once dry.
Be careful not to wring or twist the rug as this may affect its shape. Instead, squeeze it or blot it using a towel. Leave the rug to dry flat in a warm environment. It should be out of direct sunlight and not directly next to a heater.
Looking after your sheepskin rug
Once it’s clean, there are a few things to remember when it comes to everyday maintenance of you sheepskin rug. All rugs like a bit of TLC every now and then, so treat it well to get the best out of it.
Consider where you are placing your rug. Never position it on a damp surface as this can encourage rot over time. Long-term exposure to sunlight may discolour your rug. To avoid this, turn it every couple of months so that all corners are regularly exposed to sunlight.
Arrange it carefully alongside your furniture. Coffee table and sofa legs will leave indentations on rugs and crush the carpet fibres. To avoid damaging your rug, add some form of protection under the legs and move your furniture around regularly.
Protect it from insects. More specifically, protect your sheepskin rug from moths. Moths love to eat natural fibres. Lift your rug every six months or more regularly if possible. This will discourage insects from settling.
How not to care for a sheepskin rug
Don’t place heavy items of furniture on it. If you must, make sure you move both the rug and the furniture regularly to avoid damaging its natural fibres. Never use biological washing powders when cleaning a sheepskin rug. Only use specialist shampoo. Try to wash it as rarely as possible. Washing a sheepskin rug can lead to shrinkage so only wash it when it’s essential.
If there are small marks, try spot cleaning them instead of cleaning the whole rug. Never dry your sheepskin rug in hot places, like on top of a radiator, in bright sunlight or in a tumble dryer.
Our sheepskin rugs are crafted by The Organic Sheep. To discover more about the brand and its heritage, read Behind the Design: The Organic Sheep.
Houseplants and terrariums are great ways to bring some low-maintenance greenery into your home. Plants positioned on shelves and incorporated into your interior scheme will uplift the room. Design objects in their own right, houseplants are right at home in any room.
From bedrooms and living spaces to kitchens and bathrooms, a well-positioned houseplant will never go amiss. We spoke to Emma Sibley from London Terrariums to find out her top tips for looking after your houseplants.
Where do I position my terrarium?
Terrariums like to be kept out of any direct sun or heat. This is because the glass can act as a magnifying glass so any intense sun can quickly burn the plants. We suggest a bright spot away from south-facing windows and not on heated floors as this can also cook plants. As you’re dealing with living things, the plants need a certain amount of sun so they can photosynthesise. So make sure they’re in a room with natural light.
What if my home is short of natural sunlight?
The plants that we use in terrariums are all plants that like a low light anyway. But if you really don’t have much natural light, place for terrarium in the sunniest spot you have. If this still isn’t enough, you can supplement with grow lights or LEDs that simulate the rays of the sun.
How much should I water my terrarium?
When we have finished making your terrariums we give them a few sprays of water. After this our motto is ‘if in doubt, do not water’. The beauty of closed terrariums is that they generate water themselves.
As the plants photosynthesise, the heat and oxygen created condensate on the inside of glass causing stare droplets. This helps to create a really high humidity - the perfect environment for these tropical plants. You should see small water droplets gathering on the inside of the glass.
As long as you continue to see these over the next months and years then there is no need to water. If you’re worried that your terrarium is looking a little sorry then you can always introduce a little more water. Spritz it with one or two sprays from a spray bottle. It is so easy to over-water terrariums so steer clear from pouring any water in.
Is plant food necessary for houseplants and terrariums? If so, what kind?
For terrariums, plant food is not necessary, you want the plants to grow slowly and stay small. However, I would always suggest using plant food for your houseplants in spring when they all start growing again.
How regularly do I need to change houseplant pots?
Changing pots really depends on which plants you are dealing with. But once every two years for most medium houseplants should be fine. Smaller ones may need to be changed every year to ensure they don’t get root bound. You can tell is something is root bound when the roots start growing out the bottom of pots.
When houseplants get a bit larger they won’t need changing as often. You can just top up the top layer of compost with fresh compost to restore some of the nutrients. However, if you notice the plant getting bit top-heavy or root-bound then it may be worth re-potting.
Do I have to trim my houseplants?
There are two main reasons why you may want to trim your houseplants, and both are to promote new growth. Firstly, you should trim a houseplant if you notice any broken or damaged leaves or stems. Plants spend excess energy trying to repair these when it’s actually better to chop them off at the stem’s base. This energy can then be used towards strong and healthy new growth.
Secondly, you may want to trim your houseplants to train them. Something like a Rubber Plant may benefit from this. If you want it to grow tall and not bushy then trim any new side stems to promote growth upwards.
What houseplant is this?
The best thing to do is get your hands on a houseplant book. I’m going to promote my one now - you can pick up The Little Book of Houseplants and a flick through to find your plant. If it’s a bit more unusual, googling a description of the plant should also work.
What do I do if I have to change the pot but I can’t get any materials during lockdown?
There is usually not a massive urgency in changing the pot. If you are worried you can trim the plant. Most plants should be able to wait until you can get compost and a bigger pot.
Do I need special houseplant soil?
We would suggest well-draining houseplant compost for most houseplants. For desert plants we use cacti and succulent compost. We would always suggest keeping away from any compost containing peat.
I accidentally kill every plant I buy, what kind of a houseplant should I get?
We get asked this question a lot. The answer is to take time to read up on the plant you have bought. Make sure you know the conditions it likes, how often to water, how much humidity it likes and how much sun it needs.
Again, it’s easy to find this info in most houseplant books. For general easy-to-look-after plants I suggest Devils Ivy (trailing plant), Mother In Law’s Tongue (Snake Plant) or a Peace Lily.
How do I propagate plants?
There are a few different ways to propagate your plants, by division, taking cuttings and grafting. Division is the easiest but I would absolutely recommend Root, Nurture, Grow book by Studio RoCo. We also sell lots of propagating tools like these Ceramic vessels by Plantation.
Hot days can be great for sunbathing, alfresco dining and barbecues, but they can make sleeping a real struggle. Luckily there’s a few simple ways you can make your bedroom cool and comfortable – all it takes is a bit of planning!
Keeping your room cool
Before you even get into bed you should do all you can to make your room as cool as possible. If your bedroom catches a lot of the sun in the late afternoon and early evening, consider keeping the blinds or curtains drawn to make sure the temperature does not climb too high.
One of the reasons a room feels oppressively hot is a lack of airflow. Opening a window and keeping a door slightly ajar is a good way to create a through draft, making sure cool air is always blowing through your room. Investing in a fan is also worth considering. Even though noise can be a problem, they are a good way to keep cool at night.
Even when it feels like they are just blowing hot air, simply angle the fan out of an open window to pump the warm air into the cooler night.
Which mattress should you choose?
By and large, we recommend that you pick a mattress because of comfort and support rather than temperature, but if you are looking to make your sleeping area as cool then choosing your mattress carefully can really help.
Keeping cool is mostly a matter of airflow, so you should look to buy a mattress that is made of breathable material with a firmness that allows you stay above the height of the mattress. Pocket Sprung and Latex mattresses are particularly good in this regard.
What about bed linen?
Keep your bed linen cotton or, even better, linen! Woollen, silk and synthetic sheets, blankets and throws are great for keeping the heat, but when it comes to a hot sticky summer night, you may as well be covering yourself in tin foil.
Cotton is a highly breathable material and is good for keeping a controlled temperature, with organic blends being particularly good for heat regulation. On very hot nights, you should also think about ditching the heavy duvet and sleeping under cotton sheets.
As a great insulator, duvets work by keeping the heat in, which is basically the last thing you need on a sticky night.
A few extra tips
For those unbearably hot nights, utilising the ‘Egyptian method’ could prove helpful. Simply take a large towel and wet with cool or cold water. Wring it out or run it through the spin cycle on a washing machine until the sheet is damp.
When it comes to bedtime, put a dry towel or sheet on your bed underneath your body and use the wet sheet as your blanket. The damp blanket will keep you cool, while the dry towel will ensure that your sheets and mattress don’t get too drenched!
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