In People’s Homes

The Five Best Sofas For A Small Home

Finding the perfect sofa for your home is hard enough without the additional constraint of space. If your home is on the small side, there are few sofa features that you can look out for that will help maximise the space. Below we round up five of the best sofas for a small home. Brunel Let’s start with Brunel, our industrial-style bestseller. Designed by John Jenkins with small homes in mind, this sofa is perfect for city dwellers that need a comfy place to relax after a hard day’s work. When furnishing a small space you should avoid designs that are ‘visually heavy’ i.e. those that are flat to the ground or skirted. Brunel has tapered black feet that raise it effortlessly off the ground giving it less visual weight creating the illusion of space. It is also very adaptable which is important for a space that requires its furniture to work twice as hard. The chaise has a removable footstool that can be switched from either side of the sofa or used as additional seating for visiting guests. Morten Next up is Morten, a scandi-inspired design upholstered in a light grey wool. New for AW17, we again commissioned John Jenkins to design a sofa that was suitable for smaller homes. It has a surprisingly spacious seating area despite its small footprint, which is largely thanks to its plump shape that makes it seem much larger than it is. Fixed seat and back cushions also cut down on excess cushions, and give scope to layer with lots of luxurious textures, cushions and throws. Balmoral If your taste is a little more traditional look no further than Balmoral. A contemporary take on traditional Chesterfield design, the Balmoral sofa blends neat proportions with decorative upholstery to create the ideal piece for sophisticated living spaces. It’s high back and arms give the illusion of being large in size when in fact it is fairly petite at only 90cm deep. Featuring generous deep button detail, sleek arms and hardwood feet, this comfortably appointed sofa comes complete with a wide lumbar cushion for added support Pendel Compact yet comfortable, the Pendel sofa was expertly designed by Russell Pinch. Pendel features his signature high backrest and curved arms making for an elegant and understated design. The frame is filled with a pocket sprung base as well as foam and wadding cushioning which means, despite its lack of seat cushion, it remains comfortable. As just 79cm in depth, the Pendel is the smallest sofa on our list and can slot into the tightest of spaces. Togo Instantly recognisable and impossibly comfy, the Togo sofa by Ligne Roset makes a real statement in any modern home. At just 131cm wide, the Togo two seat won’t take up a lot of room but will give plenty of comfort and flexibility. Whether you love or hate it, the Togo sofa has remained a cult classic for over 40 years, meaning its wonderfully versatile shape won't ever go out of style

In People’s Homes

Tips To Create A Cosy Home This Winter

With the nights drawing in and the weather on the turn, we begin to spend more time sheltering in the comfort and warmth of our homes. If your space isn’t as inviting as it could be there are small changes you can do that make all the difference. Our advice in a nutshell? Add plenty of layers, warm colours and soft lighting to update your space and create a cosy home. Layer up Let’s start with the obvious: winter is cold. Many evenings are spent huddled up on the sofa with a warm beverage rather than outside in a sunny beer garden. Adding chunky throws and blankets to your space not only provides a practical source of warmth, but also give a luxuriously layered look that adds texture and visual intrigue. Opt for pieces that incorporate wool, sheepskin, faux fur or velvet that will encourage you to cuddle up and get cosy. Choose colours that complement your existing scheme or, if your space is lacking in colour, choose a hue that will add warmth. This year jewel tones are dominating winter colour palettes so consider teals, cherry reds and deep blues. The Morten 3 seater sofa Get the light right Have you ever bought a bulb home to find that it emits a bluey-white light that makes you feel like you’ve just taken a trip to the dentist? You’re likely to have bought a bulb that has a high Kelvin temperature. The colour of a bulb is measured on the Kelvin scale, which is actually a measure of temperature. To create a warm and calming atmosphere, find a bulb with a temperature close to 2,700 Kelvin which emits a warm yellow light. This temperature is similar to the light at sunset or sunrise, which is around 2,500 Kelvin. Make sure you have multiple sources of light that will give plenty of different options for different moods and settings. We suggest having a mixture of overhead lighting, pendants, floor-standing lights, and table lamps meaning you can layer your lighting. Tala have a beautiful selection of decorative bulbs that have a temperature of around 2,200 Kelvin, giving off the perfect light for a cold winters evening. Style it dark If you’re looking to make a more dramatic change for the winter months, why not follow the trend (and the popular Instagram hashtag) and style it dark? Dark paint on the walls are striking, make a statement, and ultimately create a cosy space to spend the winter evenings. Our tip? If you’re going dark, go dark. Make it look like you meant it. Don’t settle for a mid-shade on just one wall. Dark neutrals like greys and navy's go with pretty much any colour giving you the freedom to spread it around your room. Metallic accessories and rich textures pair beautifully with dark colours and are bang on trend for the season. Alternatively, make your sofa, bed or bedding dark to create a striking focal point in your room.

In People’s Homes

3 Creative Spare Room Ideas For Your Home

If your home has a spare room that you’re not sure what to do with then you’re in luck. We put the question to a few members of the Heal’s team, asking them what they would do if they found themselves with a spare room in their home. Here are a few creative ideas for you to consider... Home cinema If you’re a movie buff, then having your very own home cinema will allow you to make every night movie night. Technology has never been better, which means you can actually exceed the audio-visual quality on offer at your local cinema in your very own home. If your space is on the smaller side, opt for a couple of contemporary armchairs that allow you to get cosy. If you have a bit more room to play with, choose the most comfortable sofa you can afford. Tom, our user experience consultant, recommends the Togo sofa by Ligne Roset: “Its modular design lets you configure a shape to your needs and it’s just so comfortable. You can’t beat it.” Meditation room If you’d rather dedicate your spare room to your wellbeing, consider a meditation room to help you find your zen. It sometimes feels as if we’re permanently plugged into something, whether it’s a TV, laptop, tablet or mobile. Creating a back-to-basics space where you can tune out from the stresses from everyday life could be just the thing you and your home needs. Our online merchandiser, Rachel, is a self-confessed yogi: “Use natural materials underfoot, such as coir, sea grass or sisal carpet. A few leafy yet low maintenance house plants and a scented candle also wouldn’t go amiss.” Image source: Fantastic Frank Home office or studio If you have an awkwardly sized spare room – one that’s not quite big enough to be a full-sized bedroom perhaps - it could be the perfect home office. Start by finding a desk that you love and build from there, only opting for things that will make it a more productive space. Perhaps only a chair and modern side table or two. If you’d rather use the space for something more creative, consider converting it into a studio or art space. Our in-house photographer, Victoria, says “it’s such a luxury to have a spare room that I would have to dedicate it to something I love. I’d turn it into a creative space where I could develop design ideas.” Image source: Ilse Boersma

In People’s Homes

Mellow Yellow: Sunny Shades For Every Space

Yellow is the shade of sunshine, the hue of happiness and the tone of optimism that will instantly brighten your home. From lemon to mustard, amber to gold, the variety of finishes on offer means that even the most minimal of spaces has no excuse not to incorporate some citrus shades into its scheme. So when it comes to livening up your interior or even outdoor space, don't be a yellow belly and instead show your true colours with our guide to this most vibrant palette. We could not agree more with Verner Panton when he said that ‘you sit more comfortably on colours you like.’ For one thing, the man was a design genius but when you really stop to think about it the shade of your seat will no doubt have an effect on your comfort levels in the same way that a well-cut suit gives you added confidence when strutting into the office. His eponymously named Panton chair is as beautifully shaped as any Saville Row number with each piece innovatively moulded from polypropylene to create its continuous line that joins the base to the arched seat and backrest. This also makes the Panton perfect for outdoor use, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the chairs official manufacturer Vitra who have released this new limited edition version in Sunlight yellow - just the thing for those rare days spent lazing in the garden. One of the common reasons why there is a weariness toward using yellow in the home is the fear that it will drown out a space (true, a lemon yellow dining table could be seen as something of an eyesore). In which case, why not experiment with using accents of yellow to provide a sculptural feature to the room ala the Anglepoise Giant 1227 pendant. Finished in a 'citrus' tone, this lampshade takes the iconic silhouette of the Original 1227 desk lamp and blows it up to a playfully oversized proportion. The bright, glossy finish becomes a real focal point when hung within a contemporary space consisting of natural and dark wood furniture but without taking away any of the peaceful feel of the surroundings. Another design icon, the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen has been produced in all manner of colours and finishes since its introduction all the way back in 1955. We, however, have a hot spot for this 'Egyptian yellow' version whose mid-century shaped seat is pressure moulded from ash and rests atop chromed steel legs. While some prefer to celebrate the iconic form of the Series 7 by keeping it as an occasional chair in the corner of the living room, we feel this piece should be used as the designer intended around a dining table. Try mixing within a rainbow of colours or as the odd colourful note in a row of black or white chairs. Let's face it when it comes to your living room the sofa is always going to sit at its centre and while we are all for the adaptability of dark or neutral upholstery, sometimes it's worth taking a walk (or should we say seat) on the wild side by opting for something a bit more eye-catching. Case in point, our Balmoral sofa pictured here in a vibrant varese velvet 'alchemilla' yellow fabric. What we love about this piece is its postmodern pairing of traditional proportions, deep button cushion detail and velvet upholstery with a more modern palette. Set against a backdrop of navy and natural wood, the elegant yellow Balmoral sofa is sure to provide more than just a talking point to the room - pair with matching ottoman for added effect. The bedroom may be the place we seek solace at the end of a long day, but that's no reason not to inject a bit sunshine. A great way to do so without overpowering the space is through soft accessories - we're talking yellow cushions and throws that can be laid out in the day and easily stowed away when you need some rest. After all, why nap on the sofa when you could snuggle up on top of the duvet and handmade mattress with our Petal throw in 'sun' yellow?

In People’s Homes

Modern Pastels To Soften Your Living Room

Modern pastels bring that injection of colour a space needs without being too overwhelming. In fact, quite the opposite, these light but mighty tones are a soothing remedy for stressful commutes and rainy days. Because let's face it, the English summer is hardly renowned for being nothing but blue skies so why not let your living room be the silver lining to those clouds. So how does one achieve modern pastels perfection? Well, besides giving those walls a fresh lick of paint, allow us to demonstrate with the latest in our 'one room, three looks' series, which this week focuses on the heart of the family home, the living room. At the centre of each shot is our dynamic Adapt sofa bed, an exclusive Danish design whose modern Scandi style, light grey upholstery and ability to switch from day to night encapsulates the versatility one can achieve by investing in a piece of furniture from Heal's and updating the room simply through the use of lighting and accessories from season to season. Any visitor to Heal's will know that we are big fans of using soft accessories to stamp some personal style on a space, not to mention add a textural contrast. Try mixing and matching pink and green modern pastels from our Linen and Islington cushion ranges to create a soft aesthetic for spring that is just calling out to you to sit down and put your feet up. In a primary palette the geometric tiled rug by Linie Design would be too loud, but the use of neutral and navy tones with the odd dash of green and grey (mirroring the colours of the sofa and accessories, naturally) helps take the edge off the contemporary pattern while still maintaining the "floor filler" status of the piece. We find that the metallic tones of rose gold and copper are also the perfect complement to pink hues - see the Mini Lounge floor lamp and the Swole small table by Blu Dot - with the Brunel range of furniture adding to the subtle industrial feel. Natural finished solid wood furniture is the only way to go when using modern pastels. Ok, so that may be an overstatement, as we are certain any interiors savvy stylist could work wonders with some walnut and a washed out palette but there is certainly no denying that the rich mix of timbers used in Sebastian Cox's Oak and Hazel sideboard are a natural fit within this pink paradise (Ercol's Svelto lamp table in matt oak would not go amiss either we have to say). Of course, some will argue that too much of a good thing can become unpleasant but in this context, we know for a fact that more modern pastels can only be a bonus. Case in point, the beautifully lustred Almeria rug by Linie Design gives the appearance of water reflecting the pink walls off its shimmering surface. As you may have also noticed, in each of these shots green is most definitely an ongoing theme. We say embrace the "outdoors in" approach and give your fresh Spring palette extra vitality by incorporating our new range of Dual Tone vases. It is no secret that a mirror can help make a room appear larger and lighter but when teamed with modern pastels you have the perfect antidote to a small, stuffy space. We've opted for the Loop floor mirror by Case as it is in keeping with the Scandi style of the sofa bed, looks great when flanked across the room from the Baxter floor lamp base (which is topped with the Lohko shade by Scion) and has contemporary curves in keeping with the Bowl extra large occasional table by Mater - arguably the centrepiece of the space. Discover our colourful collection of furniture, lighting and accessories by shopping online or in store.

In People’s Homes

Our Top Task Lighting For The Home Office

No job is too big or small when it comes to our collection of task lighting. Bringing light to your Monday morning and energy to an otherwise dull deadline, we’ve rounded our best desk lamps to get the job done providing styling tips and pairings along the way to ensure your home office looks and feels the part. When George Cawardine first developed his innovative, Anglepoise lamp using Herbert Terry & Sons springs back in 1933, he would have had little idea just how big an impact his design would go on to make. Though his lamp may have undergone numerous reincarnations, most notably the Type 75 by a close friend of Heal’s Sir Kenneth Grange, the Original 1227 desk lamp still stands as the most iconic example of Anglepoise task lighting. This miniature version is ideal for a desk as it takes up less of your valuable workspace and effortlessly directs light where needed - small wonder it’s still much loved by architects, designers and creatives around the world. Team your Anglepoise lamp with the Contemporary Desk by Matthew Hilton, Hal Office Chair and Sunburst Clock both by Vitra. The Bend table lamps scandi-style wooden frame and conical metal shade evoke the classic designs of Dieter Rams while the clean white palette will match the designer aesthetic of your gadgets. Glaring illuminations aren’t always the best option, so teaming this geometrically framed lamp with muted shades will allow the light to reflect off the surrounding surfaces and provide a more natural light. Style your Bend table lamp with the Stash desk and Hot Mesh chair, both by Blu Dot, before finishing with a Marble clock from Menu. A contemporary twist on the classic desk lamp, the Crawford table lamp swaps green glass for a metal shade and polished brass for brushed copper (without question, the modern metallic of choice). The refined design looks elegant set alongside walnut furniture and copper accents, giving warm, down lighting to the tabletop that’s great for when you need to burn the midnight oil. The Crawford table lamp looks dapper combined with the Orson Desk by Matthew Hilton, 675 chair by Robin Day and Solid Copper wall clock. Another icon of articulation, the Tolomeo table lamp by Artemide relies on a clever cantilevered design to angle its flat shade around the desk. Designed by Italian masters Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the exposed mechanics are a conscious decision to celebrate the functionality of the design with a poppy red finish adding a playful feel to its otherwise high-tech look. In keeping with the bold red theme, we’ve paired the Tolomeo table lamp with the Stash Desk by Blu Dot, Eames DSW chair and Pantry clock by Newgate. Discover the full collection of task lighting and table lamps for your home office by shopping Heal’s in store or online.