6 Ways To Style A Rental

Furnished or unfurnished? The big question. Often a furnished rental is a positive thing because it allows more freedom when moving house. Plus, it means you needn’t spend a fortune on furniture you probably won’t use in your next home. However, unless you’re lucky enough to find a rental with beautifully decked out interiors, the odds are you’re stuck with less-than-lovely furniture. To help you out, we’ve created a list of our favourite tips for making your rental feel more like home. Whoopee, cushions Disguise a tired sofa with your favourite cushions and a sumptuously smooth throw. This will bring a touch of your personality to a bland rental property. Cover up worn carpets or add intrigue to floorboards using large rugs and runners. Be careful not to buy rugs that fit your space exactly as they could soon become redundant when you move next. If your rental is plagued by unattractive blinds or windows, a pair of curtains could do the trick. Thick curtains will not only lend your home a luxurious look but keep it nice and warm too. A lick of paint Many renters stay away from painting in order to avoid angering their landlords. However, a fresh coat of paint, even if it’s in a similar colour, will do wonders for a room. Existing paint in rental flats is often basic white or magnolia and may bear marks left by previous tenants. Giving key rooms a lick of paint using a white hue that’s right for you will make the space feel more welcoming. As every white paint is different, we recommend applying a few sample coats to help you decide the right colour. A light touch People can be very specific about lighting so not having any say in a rental’s fittings can be frustrating. Replacing an old lampshade with a new one can make an instant change. Select one that it more suited to your tastes and diffuses the light around the room. If you find spotlights too bright, then invest in lamps to create a more familiar ambience. If using lamps then we recommend positioning them at various levels for a welcoming glow. For example, place one on a side table, one on a higher shelf and another on the floor. Urban jungle If you’re living in a home with no garden, plants are a great way to bring the outdoors in. Air-purifying plants like Japanese Peace Lilies, Aloe Vera and ferns will make your room feel fresher. The addition of taller houseplants will add depth to your décor and carefully selected plant pots will bring a touch more character into the space. Sweat the small stuff Gently remove existing drawer pulls and cabinet knobs (making sure to store them somewhere safe) and replace them with something more to your taste. The same can be said for light switches and plug sockets. New fixtures are often quite affordable and can make a big difference to a room. Make sure to enlist the help of an electrician rather than attempting to remove fixtures yourself. If your kitchen cabinets are looking a little tired then changing the doors could be a simple fix. Remember, you’ll need enough space to store the old doors as they’ll need refitting when you moving out. Otherwise, a fresh coat of paint could rejuvenate painted doors. Deck the rental walls If you’re uncertain about drilling lots of holes into the wall, why not make use of a picture ledge? This way you can display multiple artworks using just two screws. If you’re happy to put multiple prints up, a gallery wall will add even more personality to the space. Delve further into the blog and find out how to create your own picture wall.

Styling

4 Ways To Upgrade Your Workspace

Decorating your workspace can be a challenging task when you consider all the storage, lighting and decorative options. To help you avoid getting stuck in a rut, we’ve complied four simple tips for creating a motivating workspace. Start decluttering They say a clean house helps to clear your mind. Well the same can be said for your workspace. Take some time to declutter and organise your desk so that returning to your desk feels as calm as possible. Use baskets, shelves and integrated desk storage to streamline your space. If you’re short on room, make use of all space by transforming the wall into clever storage. We love Vitra’s Uten.Silo for its unique design and creative possibilities. Hang inspiring art Your workspace should be a source of inspiration for you, so upgrade it by hanging some of your favourite artwork. To help retain a calming ambience in the room, we recommend soothing hues of blue and grey. However, if you find vibrant artwork more inspiring, then opt for that instead. A magnetic or cork memo board can also be a useful addition to your workspace depending on your needs. Find out more about creating a picture wall here. Light bulb moment Finding the right lighting for your home office is essential as it can change the mood of a room in an instant. Home-based workspaces often lack harsh office lighting, so keep it this way by using lampshades to diffuse and reduce glare. Position your desk as close to the window as possible to make the most of natural light. If you’re low on space, then fitting a task lamp to the wall will help provide targeted lighting when needed. Invest in comfort If you’re working from home then the odds are you’ll spend a lot of time sitting in your office chair. So why not make your workspace as comfortable as possible? Look out for chairs that have been ergonomically designed to keep your posture aligned during long seated periods. If you don’t want a traditional swivel chair, there are plenty of modern designs to choose from. Shop our collection of contemporary office chairs here. SHOP HOME OFFICE

Buying Guides

Everything You Need To Know About Lead Times

Ordering a new piece of furniture often involves lots of research, preparation and organisation. To help you along the way, we’ll dissect one of the most commonly used terms. Lead times include the time taken to order, make and deliver something to your door and it can be a confusing term. Why is my lead time so long? When you buy a piece of luxury furniture it’s often made especially for you and won’t be available immediately. The timeframe is carefully calculated based on the speed of a suppliers’ workflow, material availability and shipping. Take our Designed By You sofas for example. On receiving your order, the frame is built, padded, the upholstery sewn on and sent to our warehouse before we can deliver it to you. It takes time to craft exquisite design, but it’s worth it. Why is a lead time important? If you are moving home or need your furniture by a specific date then you should time when you place your order. Use lead times as rough guides for when the furniture will be ready for delivery. If you’re under time pressure then you may be better opting for stocked furniture that is ready for delivery. Most design houses and furniture retailers will have a collection of pieces that are available for swift delivery. Can lead times change? Here at Heal’s, lead times are always quoted in good faith, however some things are beyond our control. If one of our suppliers falls behind schedule or traffic delays delivery to our warehouse then timings can vary. If your lead time changes, we’ll let you know as soon as we do. Can you speed it up? Unfortunately, once your order is with our suppliers there is very little we can do to hurry it along. Each lead time is fully optimised to show you the most realistic timeframe and avoid disappointment. Please make sure you take your time to do a comprehensive access check before placing your order. There’s nothing more disappointing than waiting two months for a sofa to discover it won’t fit through your front door. Check out this guide on how to complete an access check.

Styling

Christmas Decoration Ideas

We’ve handpicked some of our favourite Christmas decoration ideas to help you style your home this winter. Combine your favourite accessories from years gone by with contemporary pieces from out collection. From contemporary wreaths to festive table displays, we hope you’ll be inspired by our Christmas style guide. Christmas Tree Upgrade Lose the tinsel and opt for traditional baubles with a contemporary twist this year. As one of the simplest Christmas decoration ideas to achieve, simply leave the tinsel in the attic. We’ve gone with a multi-coloured harlequin theme for this year’s tree, with lots of gold accents and fairy lights. Alternative Wreaths One of our favourite Christmas decoration ideas this year is to replace the traditional wreath with a posy of baubles. It’s probably best to save this decoration idea for sheltered doors, at risk of baubles shattering in high winds. If you’re looking to add a contemporary touch to your wreath, why create one using a minimalist brass hoop? These can be found in local craft shops and look festive when finished with foliage and lights. Serving Up A Feast Whilst traditional yuletide colours of red and green make an appearance in our take on Christmas table décor, we’ve given them a contemporary edge. Think vibrant textiles, playful crackers and a trail of fairy lights and ivy running through the centre. The gold accents found adorning the crockery and in the accessorising baubles lend the trend an opulent finish. Festive Florals This year, festive bouquets have found a new look. Over at Heal’s, we’re opting for sprigs of fragrant eucalyptus and natural green foliage. Whilst holly, ivy and poinsettia still hold a special place in our hearts, plants like eucalyptus offer a contemporary touch. However, if you do opt for more traditional foliage, displaying individual sprigs will update it to a modern aesthetic. Shop Christmas

Buying Guides

Best Christmas Gift Shops In London

From particular parents to fussy friends, finding the perfect gift for that special someone can be a trying task. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of our top ten Christmas gift shops in London. The best part is that each one of the Christmas gift shops is also online, so you can master gifting from across the UK. V&A Gift Shop Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge Nearest Tube: South Kensington South Kensington’s Victoria and Albert Museum boasts four gift shops, with its main store located on the ground floor. It features jewellery, prints, toys and crafts, each inspired by pieces in the museum’s collection. So, if you’re shopping for an art lover or fashion follower, the V&A is the place to go.Shop Now Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly Street, St. James’s Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus If you’re looking to indulge this Christmas, Fortnum & Mason is the place to go. Head down to Piccadilly and you’ll find hampers packed with delicious nibbles and feast-worthy treats. Plus, Fortnum & Mason also has a store in St Pancras train station for last-minute gifting.Shop Now Heal’s Tottenham Court Road, Fitzrovia Nearest Tube: Goodge Street The Heal’s Christmas Circus is out in full force at our Tottenham Court Road store. Visit the Heal’s Christmas market on the ground floor and find luxurious gifts for all members of the family. Whilst you’re here, take a snap of the festive Cecil Brewer Stairs – London’s most photographed staircase.Shop Now Design Museum Shop Kensington High Street, Kensington Nearest Tube: High Street Kensington As a hub of contemporary design, it’s only right that the Design Museum’s shop is a must for creative gifts. From architecture books to covetable designs by some of the best-loved designers, you’re sure to find the right gift. Located on the museum’s ground floor, there is also a free permanent exhibition to enjoy whilst doing your Christmas shopping.Shop Now Present & Correct Arlington Way, Clerkenwell Nearest Tube: Angel Present & Correct’s collection of contemporary stationery makes the perfect stocking filler or gift. One of London’s most unique Christmas gift shops, Present & Correct also boasts stationary suited to gifting all year round. Select from notepads, pens, calendars and much more.Shop Now Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop The Market, Covent Garden Nearest Tube: Covent Garden Founded in the 1880s, Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop must be one of the most festive Christmas gift shops on our list. Its collection of toy theatres, shadow boxes and games serve nostalgic style without missing out on functionality. Plus, you can enjoy it all in the festive surroundings of Covent Garden.Shop Now Daunt Books Marylebone High Street, Marylebone Nearest Tube: Regent’s Park Take a trip back in time at Daunt Books’ Marylebone store and stroll through the original Edwardian building to find the perfect literary gift. With stores across London, you needn’t miss out if the Marylebone store is a little out of your way.Shop Now Native & Co. Kensington Park Rd, Notting Hill Nearest Tube: Notting Hill Gate Notting Hill-based home-ware shop Native & Co. boasts a spectacular selection of designs from Japan and Taiwan. As a champion of traditional crafts, Native & Co. the perfect places to find a unique gift. Its refined collection ranges from pared-back slippers to clay rice pots.Shop Now Circus Brixton Village, Brixton Nearest Tube: Brixton You’ll find Circus tucked away in the hustle and bustle of Brixton Village. The boutique is a colourful extravaganza of hand-picked vintage and contemporary pieces. From Picasso prints to vintage Fritz Nagel candleholders, the world is your oyster at Circus.Shop Now Kitchen Provisions Coal Drop’s Yard, King’s Cross Nearest Tube: King’s Cross Gifting white appliances is a thing of the past. This Christmas think Japanese hand-forged chef knives, bespoke gin sets and stylish leather aprons. Located in Coal Drop’s Yard, King’s Cross’ latest shopping destination, Kitchen Provisions is in good company.Shop Now

Buying Guides

Which Mattress Is Best For My Sleeping Position?

Whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side, the right mattress is essential to getting a good night’s sleep. Finding the best mattress for your sleeping position isn’t a speedy process. With thousands of different types out there, you’ll want to be sure of your decision before making a purchase. To help you decide, we’ve created a practical guide, showing which of our mattresses may be best for you. Whilst this guide represents most sleeping positions, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. So, if you suffer from difficulty sleeping or neck and back pain, we recommend seeking medical advice before purchasing. Back Sleeper Sleeping on your back is a great way to ensure your spine remains in a neutral position when sleeping. As all your weight is resting on one plane, your mattress should be especially supportive. A firm mattress, such as the Latex Pocket 3000 Mattress or the Memory Supreme Mattress, should do the trick. For added support, we recommend sleeping with a firm pillow beneath your knees to reduce tension on your lower back. Side Sleeper As the majority of adults in the UK sleep on their side, there is plenty of advice on finding the right mattresses. This sleeping position exposes more pressure points so it is better suited to medium soft mattress. Softer mattresses should provide more comfort to side sleepers by contouring to the body’s form. If you have already invested in a firmer mattress, a mattress topper will add a little softness. Top Tip: Consider your sleeping companion when choosing your mattress. If you or your partner are a restless sleeper, it might be wise to invest in a wider bed. This way you can stretch, move and turn without waking them. Stomach Sleeper A front sleeping position can lead to overarching the spine, so it’s important to choose a mattress that provides proper support. There is a fine line between a mattress so firm it restricts the natural curve of the spine and a soft mattress that offers little support. A medium firm mattress is often the right choice. For front sleepers, it is advised you visit one of our stores and try out the mattress in person. Restless Sleeper Many people don’t fall into one sleeping position category and finding a mattress to suit can be a challenge. Take time to consider which positions you sleep in most and err towards a mattress that suits them best collectively. Shop Mattresses