The sparkle of Christmas may be just around the corner, but ahead of that is autumn, a season that provides a chance to cosy up our spaces for the colder, darker months.
Less stressful than decorating for the festive period, autumn is when we spend more time indoors and start to entertain friends and family at home, making it a perfect opportunity to layer up and add comfort. Here, we round-up easy ways to get that autumn aesthetic (not a pumpkin or wreath in sight).
Layer on velvet
Whether in fashion or furniture, nothing looks and feels more appropriately autumnal than velvet, that irresistibly luxurious and tactile fabric. If you’re looking to invest in a new sofa ahead of the festive season, the time really is now, so get inspired by the likes of Devon – characterised by its scroll-armed profile and high-cushioned back – or Flora, comprising soft, undulating curves and sumptuous, plump cushioning.
Choose upholstery in dark, warm hues like mulberry, rust, espresso or cognac to complete the look. All available to order and get delivered to your home in time for Christmas. For a simple update, add a smattering of velvet scatter cushions in ochre, green or claret to your existing sofa, or a velvet quilt in blue, terracotta or grey.
Just add flowers
While flowers may seem more appropriate to spring or summer, seasonal varieties can add autumnal style in an instant, particularly when a generous bunch is displayed somewhere prominent such as a dining table, sideboard or fireplace mantel.
We love the foraged and wild aesthetic of the faux blooms from Abigail Ahern – particularly these wintery pine branch stems – paired with the rustic Massin vase. Add further elements of the forestcore trend, which takes inspiration from nature, with the Still Life 01 print of yellow drumstick flowers, the Faunacation cushion featuring a jungle print in green and black, and Serax’s Pure Seagreen dinnerware with its unique hues.
Bring on bronze
Gleaming metallics and shimmering surfaces can add much-needed glamour to your home, but bronze and copper are your friends when it comes to warming up spaces for autumn, from furniture to lighting and accessories.
These warm hues really cosy things up for the season, so consider pieces such as the Flash side table by self-taught British designer Tom Dixon, our Ryde table lamp, and these simple photo frames for adding a personal touch. Opulent and sumptuous.
Layer your rugs
Nothing helps to make your home more comfortable during the cooler months than a textural rug underfoot, so why not layer different styles for added warmth, depth and interest? For maximum impact, layer a colourful, patterned or textured rug over a simple neutral style, such as the New Zealand curly sheepskin or Heal’s + LF Markey rug on the Astral Spiral rug or Mae cream rug.
Get light right
Mixing and matching different lighting can also help to achieve an autumn aesthetic, providing much-needed illumination throughout the home as it gets darker and the luxurious look of a boutique hotel at home, so read our guide to layering your light here.
Remember, white LED bulbs provide a bright light that’s crisp and cool, while yellow LED bulbs wash the walls with a warm glow that’s just right for autumn.
Browse our furniture, lighting, accessories and textiles to get inspired for your autumn aesthetic.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Trends & Lifestyle
There’s a seasonal shift in the air, from the shorter days to the cooler nights, as we finally bid farewell to summer and say hello to autumn. But fear not. There’s still plenty to look forward to, whether ordering your first pumpkin-spiced latte of the season or kicking leaves on a Sunday walk, not to mention cosying up at home.
Good news, then, that Heal’s is home to all the creature comforts your need for the months ahead. Lighting that can be layered to provide a glow on each surface and in every corner. Throws and cushions that can add texture and warmth to your sofas, beds and more. And tableware that welcomes guests with open arms. After all, sometimes it can be the little touches that make the biggest difference. Just call autumn your secret favourite season…
Glow up
There’s no quicker (or easier) trick in the book than lighting to add an instant autumnal update to your interiors. As daylight falls, it can be used to lighten and brighten even the darkest of spaces, while layering adds interest and depth.
Mix ceiling and wall lights such as Carta and Wave with floor and table styles like Bolha and Confetti to create a look that’s as interesting as it is inviting. As well as being bang on-trend, a portable light is a great way to create illuminated pockets where there are no plug sockets, whether by the front door or on the landing.
Try this oversized style from Kartell or this compact design by Flos. While you may not be taking things outside again before spring, string lighting such as the Tobias LED set by Sirius is a smart way to avoid looking through the window at a blanket of darkness, especially if you don’t have lights wired into your garden. Wind them around trees or drape them over a fence.
Material world
From textured bouclé to soft cotton and luxurious velvet, textiles are your secret weapon when it comes to getting a space ready for the season, from a couple of new scatter cushions (such as the Bouclé velvet, Lay and Alice check) that transform a sofa, to a throw or two (like our Chunky cord, Artic faux fur or Pure alpaca) that cosy up the bed.
Think about warming fabrics and seasonal colours, too – browns, rusts, yellows, greens – to really nail the look. Our Velvet cushion in ochre and Mohair check throw in green are just the thing. Alternatively, why not swap out your quilt for the season? The textured cotton, hand-embroidery and beautiful colours of our Amechi quilt will immediately transform your bedroom into a place you want to hunker down.
Top table
Sunday lunches gathered around the table. Pulling up a chair for late-night cocktails. Or dinner parties with loved ones over good food and wine. Entertaining can be one of the best bits about autumn with no pressure to leave the comfort of home. So, why not make it count and invest in a new dining table, such as our all-new Riga? It’s sure to steal the show with signature slats while combining veneered walnut and elegant ceramic (pair with the chair to complete the look). Otherwise, a few simple additions to your tableware collection will do the trick, whether crockery, glassware, textiles or accessories.
Inspired by the natural beauty of its namesake town, our St. Ives dinnerware brings winter coastal to any tablescape, featuring a two-tone colour palette in calming greys and blues. Smart glassware always seems better suited to winter, as opposed to the casual and rustic styles for summer, in which case these wine glasses and Champagne saucers from The Vintage List certainly fit the bill. Making a splash year-round, the tablecloth and matching napkins in our collaboration with independent fashion brand L.F.Markey are sure-fire conversation-starters, as is the Thyra vase, sure to draw the eye (along with a collection of candles) in the centre of the table.Get inspired by more seasonal refreshes from our New Collection
Summer is here and with it long, languid evenings spent outside. Whatever your outdoor space, from country garden to city balcony, lighting can make all the difference, not just in how it looks, but how it feels. Think atmospheric festoon lighting wrapped around trees, draped over fences or winding through pergolas.
Statement pendants casting a flattering glow over stylish dining tables. Or discreet uplighters leading the way down a darkened garden path. Now, more than ever, your outdoor space is an extension of your home – some even call it ‘the fifth room’ – so lighting should be as carefully considered and curated as your interiors.
Here, we round-up the brightest garden light ideas to help you create the most beautiful of schemes, and all just outside your back door.
The wall light
It all begins with clever garden wall lighting ideas. Not only do classic wall lights highlight the architectural features of your home – from windows to doors and walls – but they provide added security, too.
Even the simplest of features, such as plain red brickwork, can be given much-needed drama with a wash of warm, upward light. Uniformity is key to keeping things smart and sophisticated, so pick a style and replicate it across the outside of your home, allowing you to get creative and mix-and-match elsewhere.
Think of the style of your house – period property or new-build? – and find something sympathetic or completely contrasting (a clash is good, as long as it looks like you’ve done it on purpose).
We’ve got all kinds of designs to peruse and choose from: consider the IC W1 outdoor wall light with its sleek and contemporary brass finish; the industrial-style Bellhop LED wall light for an edgy look; or the MOON LED wall light with its traditional base.
The pendant light
Entertaining outside is one of the single biggest joys of the summer, whether a barbecue with family or aperitivo with friends, but how can you ensure the fun extends beyond after dark? A pendant light hung above the table is the easy answer, providing enough light so you can see your food (and each other!) without being too harsh or unflattering.
Choose a contemporary style in the Tempo Vivace pendant, crafted from two layers of stainless-steel pleated mesh, or select a model that’s more rustic in the Dou Rattan lampshade, made from this season’s ‘it’ material and evoking serious Mediterranean vibes. You’ll think you’re in Greece.
The portable light
The single biggest trend in lighting for summer 2023? Portable lighting. No longer just functional, portable lights have evolved in recent years to combine both form and function to spectacular effect, from the Stone LED portable outdoor table lamp by Tom Dixon to the Balad LED outdoor table lamp from Fermob.
Cordless in design, you’re able to charge them up and place them where you choose, whether in the middle of a table, a corner of your patio or even in the furthest part of the garden. In short: they offer flex without a flex.
When it comes to outdoor entertaining, a series of portable lights in a line down the centre of the table creates a focal point, and all without the fuss or mess of candles. Elsewhere, they enable you to illuminate parts of the garden you didn’t even know you had, making your space feel bigger.
Plus, by placing portable lights at different levels, you’re adding depth and interest at the same time. Garden light ideas don’t get much brighter.
The festoon light
Think fairy lights are just for Christmas? Think again. A supersized take on the seasonal favourite, festoon lighting adds a little magic to your al fresco, featuring glass bulbs attached to a garland that can be wound, draped or hung.
As well as adding ambience with a soft, diffused glow, they also enable you to make accents of features, whether highlighting the height of a tree, illuminating the length of a fence, or drawing attention to the underneath of a parasol.
Better still, because they’re easy to add or remove, you can change how you style them whenever you want (a clever garden fence lighting idea is to drape them between panels on either side of the garden to create a star-studded ‘sky’).
Try the sophisticated Tobias LED outdoor string lights in clear glass to get you started, then add the supplement set to create an even longer festoon, or go colourful with the Luke LED outdoor string lights for a more whimsical aesthetic. Garden fairy light ideas with a grown-up spin.
Three more tips
Wind festoon lighting – such as the Lasse – around outdoor mirrors to make a feature of them and bounce light off their surface.
Hang a portable light, like the Balad with its handle, on the branch of a tree for added illumination and interest.
Finally, consider adding ground-level lights on the patio and in the lawn to create another layer: a collection of Aston jar lights should do the trick.
Looking for more garden light ideas? Browse and buy from our full collection of modern outdoor lighting.
From sunning yourself to hosting friends, your outdoor space sets the scene for all kinds of activities throughout the summer, but what to do if you don’t have a large garden?
With a few clever tips and tricks, you can turn even the smallest space into the biggest opportunity, making it feel bigger and work harder.
Here, we round-up the best small garden ideas for the season ahead, whether you’ve got a garden, patio, terrace or balcony. It’s time to have some fun in the sun.
Zone the space
Despite what you may think, dividing up your outdoor space can actually make it feel bigger rather than smaller, while adding visual interest, more depth and increased functionality.
Much like inside, zoning can be done in a number of ways, from painting to screening and planting, not to mention using different textures, materials or garden furniture to designate separate areas.
Think about how you want to use your outdoor space to plan your zones: somewhere to entertain, curl up with a good book, enjoy a cocktail or three, cordon off the kids or grow your own vegetables, perhaps?
The garden really is your oyster. Small garden designs benefit from creating ‘rooms’ with multifunctional uses across a single scheme. Have fun and get imaginative.
Add flexible furniture
Small garden style requires compact or flexible furniture that doesn’t take up too much space when in use or can be stored conveniently away when not in use.
Look for extendable tables (like the Pelagus dining table which can be made longer when entertaining with the extension panel), stackable chairs (such as the Eos outdoor side chair), modular sofas (our pick is the Kodo modular sofa that can be configured according to your space), compact footprints (the Tanso dining table doesn’t take up a lot of room) and lightweight designs (see the visually light Eos outdoor side table).
The key is to create a sense of openness that enables freedom of movement and clean lines of sight.
Take the indoors out
The garden is sometimes referred to as ‘the fifth room’, which alludes to its potential of becoming just as functional and as beautiful as the inside of your home.
By considering small garden ideas as much as you would your interior, you can make it feel like a continuation of your indoor space, effectively turning it into an extension of the house.
Think about soft furnishings, including an outdoor rug, such as the Diamond Kilim outdoor rug, and a scattering of cushions (we love the Cabana stripe cushion and Heal’s + LF Markey cushions), as well plenty of decorative touches (vases, objects and even artwork). Remember, you can always take everything back inside if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Level up (or down)
Modern small garden ideas can also come in the form of creating different levels. Not only do they add visual interest, but a sense of space, too, whether a raised dining area or a sunken seating zone. Think about ascending steps, raised beds or even an elevated lawn.
These will also help inform how you use each space while giving you varying platforms for different outdoor furniture. 5. Take cover Let’s face it: the British weather can be unpredictable.
Which is why adding a cover for your outdoor dining table is not only clever, but necessary. To save on space, consider an awning that attaches to the wall and extends over your table; or simply an outdoor umbrella with a slim stand and compact base to shelter you and your guests from the elements without encroaching on valuable square-footage.
When you’re able to dine al fresco come rain or shine, your outdoor space will work even harder, and feel that much bigger. Genius small garden style.
More garden inspiration
Hang or lean on a garden wall or fence to create a ‘window’ that works magic on your outdoor space. Save on precious floor space by making the most of vertical surfaces, from walls to fences. With a little imagination, these can be used to display lush plants, pretty flowers and decorative pieces, or indeed act a backdrop to al fresco lighting.
We’re fans of festoon lighting, such as the Lucas solar outdoor string lights, to add a little ambience. Only got a corner to play with outdoors? From carving it out for dining to creating a relaxing oasis, we’ve got a host of inspiration for even the tightest nook. Finally, why not tap into this summer’s hottest trend – the garden bar – by creating your own for serving up sundowners?
It doesn’t have to be complicated: simply group together bottles of spirits and mixers, bowls of ice and garnishes and smart glassware on a side table – the Loop outdoor side table has just three legs with a small footprint – and tell guests to help themselves. Even a tiny balcony can become the hottest spot in town.
Searching for more small garden ideas? Peruse and choose from our full garden collection.
Hazy, lazy days. Long, languid evenings. Summer is here and with it the spirit of holiday. But if you’re not jetting off for a while – or, indeed, at all – then worry not: we’ve got everything you need to recreate a stylish, sun-soaked break from the comfort of home.
Think rustic Mediterranean tablescapes. Glamorous LA pool party scenes. And cocktails befitting of the South of France. It’s a one-way ticket to the best of travel-inspired design. Care to join us?
A long Mediterranean lunch
From Greece to Spain and Italy, arguably the best bit about a Mediterranean break is the lunch menu after a lazy morning at the beach, where friends gather around piled-high sharing plates of ocean-fresh seafood and generous carafes of crisp white vino.
Good news, then, that we’re something of an expert when it comes to serving up stylish tablescapes that evoke all the relaxed glamour of a European retreat.
Set the stage for a convivial feast with our casual Lisbon dining table in a white-washed oiled oak flanked by a set of similarly-hued CH24 Wishbone chairs with their signature rounded back that will ensure you’re sitting comfortably well into the late afternoon.
Next, cover your table in an effortless but elegant linen tablecloth – natural linen is both timeless and on-trend while blue stripes recall all the beauty of the Cyclades – and ensure it’s just a little bit crumpled for that ‘thrown-together’ look.
Then, it’s all about setting the table. The Fiddle set comes in a vintage satin finish that looks like it’s been handed down from generation to generation; while the colourful Sintra set, made from quality stoneware in Portugal, means everyone can be invited.
But for a real conversation-starter, there’s nothing quite like the showstopping plates by Harlie Brown Studio, including Fig, Crevettes, Radicchio and Citron. No wonder they’re this summer’s cult buy.
Finally, what would a Mediterranean lunch be without washing all that delicious food down with a glass or three of something refreshing? You’ll need vessels, and Late Afternoon has crafted some truly special glasses, including the Allegria tumbler and the Terrazzo jug (both hand-blown on the Balearics, no less).
Whether indoors or outside, a little Mediterranean styling can transport you to far-flung shores this summer without stepping foot on a plane, so mix and match vibrant colours, fun patterns and rustic textures to recreate the vibe.
A wild LA party
From Palm Springs to Downtown LA, there’s nowhere quite as cool as California when it comes to a summer party, while a backdrop of swaying palms and sleek furniture is almost as beautiful as the people. Luckily, there’s more than a little bit of Americana in our sophisticated collection of furniture and accessories, guaranteed to help you recreate all the splendour of a star-spangled bash in your very own back garden.
The centrepiece of such a soirée is undoubtedly the Eos outdoor sun lounger by Case. With contemporary good looks, a lightweight design and award-winning credentials, it’s the perfect addition for poolside socials, whether enjoying a drink or two, basking in the sun or having a deep and meaningful.
Complement with the other pieces in the collection – from a side table to a lounge chair – to complete the look.
For when day turns to dusk, the Stone LED outdoor table lamp ensures the party can keep going with up to nine hours of battery life from a full charge, together with a luxurious finish in a semi-precious stone; while a basket of Bergstaden throws, made from sustainably-sourced Norwegian lambswool and featuring a striking abstract print, will take the chill off.
And what about a nightcap? Sure to shake things up ‘til late is the Sky cocktail shaker, an asymmetrical and ergonomic objet d’art by Georg Jensen that also makes a killer martini, and the mouth-blown Tank high ball glasses from Tom Dixon, which turns every social occasion into a special occasion.
The finishing touch, however, is this Los Angeles-inspired artwork by Paper Collective, evoking a Golden State of mind. From the pool to the patio, a dash of California chic will jet to directly to La La Land. Browse and buy modern design and neutral colours to wave the flag.
A relaxed evening in the Riviera
There’s something so romantic about the French Riviera in the summer. Movie stars rubbing shoulders with models and moguls. Open-top vintage cars rip-roaring down coastal roads. Yachts bobbing up and down beside star-studded harbours. Fortunately, we’ve got the pieces you need to add a little panache to an evening in your space at home.
Hand-woven from paper cord and featuring a distinctive shape, the CH25 armchair calls to mind relaxed, convivial days spent in Cannes, while providing a comfortable perch for any cocktail party. Why not add a pop of sunshine with the Brisa cushion in golden yellow paired with the SDO 04 print in vibrant stripes?
To cast the kind of flattering glow visiting rock stars and royalty would demand, the Hawkins tripod floor lamp is just the thing, crafted from solid wood and inspired by Mid-Century aesthetics. The natural linen shade is the secret to its soft, diffused light that reduces harsh shadows.
Cocktail hour, meanwhile, comes courtesy of The Vintage List, which offers all manner of gleaming retro-style glassware for intimate gatherings. Who not make like they do in St Tropez and invest in some Champagne saucers for celebratory fizz or cocktail glasses for a French martini? Toast-worthy vessels, indeed.
For a little French flair in your home, go light and bright with your colour palette, and consider elegant shapes and materials. Passport not required.
Wish you were here
Three more tips for vacation style.
Planters
Green foliage, tropical plants and colourful flowers create the lushness of a luxury getaway, so accessorise your space with a collection of Tallo planters filled with your favourites.
Lighting
Recreate all the style of a five-star resort with a dramatic lighting scheme: the Moon LED outdoor triple pendant lights will certainly do the trick above a dining table.
Rugs
Not only are outdoor rugs one of this summer’s hottest trends, but they also provide warmth and texture underfoot, such as the terracotta Romilly recycled rug – pure Morocco vibes.
While the King’s Coronation may have been and gone, the historic event provided a timely reason for Heal’s to look back on the way the modern home has evolved over the years, and examine the specific influences that have caused it to change so significantly.
To help, we commissioned an exclusive piece of consumer research and enlisted the expertise of British historian, broadcaster and filmmaker Professor David Adetayo Olusoga OBE, whose partner's mother, Diane, was rather fittingly part of the Heal’s design fabric team back in the ‘60s. He explains: “When we talk about history, we are taught to understand the role of past wars and the previous kings and queens on contemporary society.
Often overlooked is the way that these have influenced the fabric of the way we live, and the impact this has had within our home. As the first major televised event in Britain, the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 was a historic moment, and one that changed the dynamic of the home overnight. It led to millions buying their first television, which replaced the fireplace as the focal point of the room, and the concept of positioning our sofas around the TV screen for the best vantage point remains to this day.”
Fast-forward to 2023, and the rise of remote working – triggered by a series of lockdowns during the pandemic – has had a similarly influential effect on our interior design, with the desk now crowned as the most practical piece for today’s home by three in four households. Seemingly, working at the dining table or on the sofa aren’t good enough for regular hybrid-workers, and our backs will likely thank us for it.
Elsewhere in the home, 97% of the population now considers the fridge as essential – perhaps as we get more discerning about the quality of our food and continue to prioritise our physical health? – while a king-sized bed is a must-have for one in four (sleep has never been more conducive to health and success while there’s even an annual Sleep Awareness Week) and 42% of those surveyed can’t live without a smart TV (an increasingly vital, and varied, source of inspiration and information). Interestingly, ice machines are out in the cold along with home cinemas, with 92% of us considering them unnecessary luxuries.
Global pandemics and royal coronations haven’t been the only influences on our interiors in the past 100 years, either. David says: “Globalisation has allowed for international schools of thought to cross our borders. Founded in 1919, the Bauhaus spearheaded a wave of experiential design through the introduction of modernist tubular furniture, which focused on an elegant balance of form and function. More than a century later, it’s not hard to see how the Bauhaus continues to shape contemporary interiors, with the UK’s most recognisable designs including pieces like the Barcelona chair.”
He adds: “As one of the first in the UK to bring this new international style to a wider audience, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the part that Ambrose Heal played in introducing revolutionary design to a whole new generation. His pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to innovation continues to drive the brand’s successors today, as Heal’s carries on supporting innovative work and collaborating with established designers and up-and-coming talent.”
Pre-Bauhaus, the British famously decorated their homes conservatively, characterised by Victorian and Edwardian influences in dark colour schemes and highly ornate furnishings. That’s all changed. “The need for design aesthetic and functionality have clearly become embedded within today’s homes,” David says, “as these notions are the biggest influences for three in five of us when purchasing furniture, closely followed by the need for comfort.”
One thing that hasn’t changed at all during the passing years? Longevity. David concludes: “As coveted furniture icons stand the test of time, transcending not only evolving trends and wider societal influences, but also changes in the demands placed on our interiors, the nation’s respect for quality craftsmanship and unique design is clear.” Good news for customers of Heal’s, then, as we were one of the first to bring design classics and future heirlooms to British customers.
For David, the Anglepoise lamp by George Carwardwine represents the “epitome of elegant yet functional design” and remains “the UK’s most recognisable product for the home”, while the 1958 Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen is still “the nation’s most sought-after piece” with “a shape so iconic and likeable it would sit proud in most homes across the country.”
It's not the first time Heal’s has invested in customer behaviour. Back in 1960, we were among the only retailers to commission consumer research, and it informed the design of the Fitzroy Robinson extension at our flagship store on Tottenham Court Road – from the clever use of lighting to highlight collections to greater space for leisurely browsing and a permanent display of no less than 11 kitchens.
More than 40 years after vacating the Mid-Century space, we’ve just reclaimed it as part of our all-new extension, increasing our footprint to 49,000-square-foot across two floors. So, why not visit to discover an extended edit of curated designs and Heal’s curations for the way you live in your house today?
Browse and buy from the best of classic – and contemporary – design at Heal's.
Discover more
-
Behind The Design
-
At Heal's
-
Tips & Advice
