The Christmas tree sits at the heart of every home’s festive celebrations, so making the right choice when it comes to a festive fir is key in creating a cohesive, stylish and balanced scene. Follow these three simple steps from Anna Sheridan, Interior Stylist at Heal’s to maximise your Christmas décor:
To choose the right size: think big, then go bigger
“A tree that’s too small will feel out of place, while one that’s too big will overwhelm the space. For the perfect balance, opt for a tree that is six inches shorter than the ceiling height. This leaves plenty of room for show-stopping accessories, so there’s no need to hold back on the tree topper! “Tall ceilings are perfect for making a room feel more spacious, but if the floor is short on square footage, it’s best to opt for a slimmer style of tree. This means you can still go higher, without having to sacrifice any of the space within your room.”
To position in the right location: take a look around
“Whilst placing your tree in front of the window may seem like the best way to show off your decorations, you risk losing a lot of natural light, leaving the room feeling dark and uninviting. Remember to keep the tree clear of doors, to avoid knocking off fir needles or breaking any expensive ornaments. “It's also important to consider the current layout of your room, and where your furniture currently sits. The optimum viewing distance from a TV is 2m, so leave at least this much distance between the screen and the tree to keep branches out of the way of your favourite Christmas films, and be mindful that the twinkle of fairy lights may be reflected round the room if placed in front of any mirrors.”
To hang your baubles perfectly: pick a method and stick to it
“The perfect number of ornaments to use on your tree will vary depending on your individual style, but as a general rule, use six baubles to every foot (30.4cm) of the tree. “To avoid clustering the same type of bauble too closely together, first group them together in different themes, such as colour, texture and shape. Hang each type in a zig-zag pattern and gradually work through the themes to achieve a balanced and considered look.”
Christmas Styling For Every Home
Whether you’ve got an eye for anything that sparkles, like to go big and bold at Christmas, or prefer to keep things calm and cosy, Heal’s has a selection of decorations to suit every type of home.
Bold and Bright
“To create a maximalist look, choose no more than three bold colours as your palette, and balance the ratio of each shade equally throughout the décor. For traditional Christmas styling, opt for red, green and gold, or for a more contemporary feel, choose a combination such as pink, blue and green.
“To avoid overwhelming the scene, offset bright colours with accessories in a neutral palette to make the bolder decorations pop. Introduce depth by mixing both matt and metallic finishes throughout the scheme.”
Festive Glamour
“To make the most impact, stick to a single colour scheme with a focus on metallic finishes, to make your decorations pop in the festive light. A gold, bronze and neutral palette will offer a luxurious warmth. “While sticking to a minimal colour palette, consider adding texture with feathers, star-shaped ornaments and beaded baubles. Complete the look with warm yellow lighting in the way of fairy lights or candles, to allow the metallic finishes to twinkle.”
Credit: French for Pineapple
Scandi-Chic
“Use a soft palette of warm neutrals as a canvas to build an inviting minimalist look. Add touches of personality with handcrafted ornaments to bring life to the tree.” “Focus on building texture – mix matt finishes with natural, raw materials from the garden such as pinecones, berries and fresh fir branches, which will add a festive scent to the room whilst creating interest for the eye.” “Connect with nature and use responsibly-sourced materials, such as FSC-certified paper origami decorations.”
Which is your favourite style? Did you discover any new tips?
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Trends & Lifestyle
Hosting Christmas dinner has earned a bad reputation for being stressful, but it needn’t be. There are plenty of ways to make hosting Christmas dinner so enjoyable, you’ll want to host next year too.
To help, we’ve compiled some of our tips. Read on to discover how to make this year’s Christmas dinner extra special.
Set the scene
Design your Christmas table scheme and compile all the napkins, decorations and crackers ahead of the big day. That way, come Christmas, you’ll know exactly what you’d like the table to look like and you’ll have everything you need.
Feeling extra organised? Then you could even lay the table the night before Christmas so it’s ready for the next day. That way you can make sure the table looks just right, rather than rushing to do it ten minutes before serving food. Check out our blog for some inspiration on decorating your Christmas dining table.
Be prepared
Prepping food ahead of Christmas Day is one of the best things you can do to make the day run a little smoother. You can prep your carrots, parsnips and potatoes the night before. To keep them fresh simply submerge them in cold water and cover with cling film or eco-friendly wrap. Chopping up all the onions the night before and storing them in an airtight container will also save time the next day. As will making your stuffing a few weeks earlier and freezing it. You can also make any dressings or sauces up to two days before Christmas.
We also suggest planning out how everything will fit in the oven. It might sound like overkill but knowing how to fit all the veg and meats into the oven in advance will help massively. This should also help you figure out timings and the order everything needs to enter the oven. Trust us, planning ahead will save you from a massive game of Tetris on the day.
Prepping ahead also means you won’t be busy peeling spuds whilst everyone opens their presents on Christmas Day. You’ll be able to enjoy more of the day and spend quality time with your guests, rather than being preoccupied in the kitchen.
Give your turkey a rest
We’ve consulted the chefs, our resident Christmas connoisseurs and our grandparents and the results are in… rest your roasted turkey for up to an hour before carving it. Resting your roasted turkey gives it time to reabsorb all the juices around it. That means you’ll end up with succulent slices of turkey, rather than a slab of dry meat. There’s no need to cover the turkey with foil, in fact, covering it may make the skin soggy. The turkey should retain its heat well so no need to worry about it getting cold.
This really is a Christmas miracle because it frees up oven space for the all-important vegetables. That means less humidity in the oven and more space for your roasties to crisp up.
Entertainment
Christmas is a celebration, after all, so remember to have fun. Thinking up some activities or games in advance will take the pressure off on the day. Get the board games out of storage so your guests will have plenty to entertain themselves with whilst you’re cooking. If games aren’t your style, then some Christmas music playing in the background will guarantee everyone feels festive. Plus, it will give your guests more time to catch up and talk.
Teamwork
Sharing the load is a great way to make hosting Christmas dinner easier. After all, there’s no fun in running a one man show. Encouraging children, partners and even some guests to help will make sure Christmas is fun for everyone.
One way to do this is by delegating tasks. For example, one person oversees decorating the Christmas table. Another is charged with serving drinks and topping up glasses. Someone else recycles all the wrapping paper and tidies up the living spaces. This means you can focus on the food, whilst still having time to entertain your guests.
Spoon stock take
If you’re hosting a large Christmas dinner this year, then it’s worth making sure you have enough glassware, cutlery and crockery. That’s everything down to serving spoons and side plates. Sure, it sounds like an obvious move, but after a year of covid-disrupted festivities, this may be the largest event you’ve hosted in a while. Y
ou may have cracked a few plates, smashed a couple of glasses or misplaced some cutlery since you last hosted. Check in advance and you’ll have plenty of time to source any missing cutlery or glassware.
Multipurpose spaces can be hard to decorate, whether it’s on the smaller side or part of a large open-plan design. That makes finding the best sofa bed to buy for your multifunctional room is a big task.
To help, we’ve created a list of our top eight sofa beds, each one transitioning from day to night smoothly.
Sofa Beds with Thick Mattress
If your guest room also doubles as a living space, then a sofa bed is a versatile addition. However, finding sofa beds that are comfortable for both sitting and sleeping can be hard. Often, they’re either too hard when seated or don’t offer enough support when sleeping.
For guests to have a great sleep, then a sofa bed with a thick mattress is essential. Plus, an ergonomic design and premium padding make sure it’s also comfy when you’re sitting down. We reckon we’ve hit the nail on the head with the Pillow 3-Seater Sofa Bed.
The Pillow Sofa Bed is perfect for everyday use whilst still offering comfort for your guests. That’s thanks to its pocket-sprung mattress. Pocket springs are the ultimate addition to a mattress as they mould to your body. This offers support and stops you rolling into your partner. It’s so comfy your guests won’t even realise they’re sleeping on a sofa bed.
When seated, the Pillow Sofa Bed’s feather-filled back cushions mean it’s easy to sink into and unwind. And since the cushions double as the headboard, they improve your night-time comfort too. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to take out and put away. Pillow features a 2-fold Cedaflex mechanism that means it folds out in a matter of seconds.
Our Favourite Sofa Bed with Arms
If you’re hunting for an elegant sofa bed with arms and comfortable cushions, then look no further than the Cane Sofa Bed. This Art Deco-inspired design is perfect for multifunctional spaces as it’s compact with plenty of design kudos. Its cane accents, metal legs and solid elmwood armrests mean it’ll be at home in a design-forward space.
It’s incredibly comfortable thanks to the individual pocket springs in the cushions and base. Additional feather padding in the cushions make for an even deeper night’s sleep. Plus, the sofa bed’s foam casing means it’s breathable throughout the night, so no overheating. It’s also remarkably simple to transform the Cane Sofa into a double bed. All you need to do is slide out the seat, unfold the metal legs and lay down the backrest. Voila. Your sofa bed is now ready for a comfortable night’s sleep.
The Sofa bed for Small Spaces
It can be hard to find a sofa bed to fit a small room. After all, a sofa bed that’s stylish, comfortable and compact is a hard-to-find combination. Luckily, we reckon the Multy Sofa Bed fits the brief perfectly.
A simple but effortlessly stylish sofa bed, Multy’s folded design has multiple configurations to suit your small multipurpose space. Its adjustable steel frame and folded cushioning mean it’s incredibly comfortable for sleeping on, as well as sitting.
The sofa bed’s two lumbar cushions are ideal for support when seated or for resting your head on at night. The sofa’s cover even unzips to become a duvet, so it’s ready to use as soon as it’s been unfolded.
So, if you’re trying to squeeze a sofa bed into a small study or box room, then look no further than the Multy Sofa Bed from Ligne Roset.
A Sofa Bed to Sleep on Every Night
Life in a studio apartment or a small bedroom that doubles as an office or living area can get cramped. Finding a sofa bed for your multipurpose space could be the answer to all your prayers.
Nowadays, sofa beds have improved massively and sleeping on one needn’t feel like sleeping on a bag of rocks. Plus, if you’re sleeping on your sofa bed nightly, then it’s even more crucial that it’s comfortable.
We love the Oswald Sofa Bed because it’s so easy to use and incredibly comfortable. Simply pull the leather tab at the front and fold the backrest forward. Even its legs automatically fold out, so there’s no fumbling around for them. There’s even concealed storage in this sofa bed to store the cushions when not in use.
The best part? The Oswald Sofa Bed is incredibly comfortable. It has individual pocket springs to help offer even pressure whether you’re sitting or sleeping. Layers of hyper-soft foam add extra comfort and make sure the mattress is breathable all night long. So, if you need a sofa bed to sleep on every night, the Oswald Sofa Bed may be the ultimate choice.
The Sofa Bed for Design Lovers
Looking for a little extra sleeping space but don’t want to compromise on your Scandinavian aesthetic? Enter the Level Daybed from Woud.
This elegant day bed isn’t your typical sofa bed. Its streamlined, crisp design make it perfect for modern, pared-back spaces. A solid oak frame with statement-making legs supports a leather-upholstered mattress that’s topped with an optional co-ordinating leather cushion. You can configure the Level Day Bed to make sure it really suits your space. Whether that’s a black wood base and tan leather, or an all-black look, the world’s your oyster.
To transform it into a sofa bed, simply add bedding. It couldn’t be easier, no mechanisms or folding needed with this design.
A Stylish Corner Sofa Bed
If you’re always hosting friends, family or big sleepovers, then you probably need sleeping space in most rooms. That means every room from your living room to your hallway is ripe for multifunctional furniture. If your living room is large enough then we fully recommend choosing a stylish corner sofa bed.
If we had to pick, we’d go for the Pillow Corner Chaise Sofa Bed. Not only is it perfect for seating the whole family, but it offers that all-important sleeping space too. And it’s not just any place to rest your head either. The Pillow Corner Sofa Bed features a pocket-sprung mattress to offer extra support for your guests.
Its feather-filled back cushions mean you’ll sink into them when seated and double as a headboard when sleeping. So, you won’t compromise on comfort in the day or at night. Did we mention how easy it is to unfold?
The Pillow Sofa Bed boasts 2-fold Cedaflex technology. This means it’s incredibly easy to fold out and just as easy to put away the next day. Perfect for busy homes.
The Perfect Sofa Bed for a Home Office or Study
If your multifunctional space also doubles as a home office, then the Thora Sofa Bed could be the ultimate addition. Streamlined, compact and stylish, Thora would look right at home in any study.
The modern sofa bed draws inspiration from Nordic design. Its crisp lines and minimalist silhouette will bring a Scandinavian touch to the office. Its plump back cushions mean the sofa bed is comfy to sit on between meetings and easy on the eye.
Plus, it features an ingenious sliding mechanism that means it couldn’t be easier to transform into a double sofa bed. The base itself offers support for any guests thanks to its integrated pocket springs and high-density foam. Good night’s sleep? Check.
A Modern Leather Sofa Bed
A leather sofa bed is a timeless addition when it comes to multipurpose spaces. Not only do they look good, but their elegant design means they’ll look great in most spaces. We love the 40 Winks Sofa Bed because its design borrows from the classic Chesterfield Sofa, with even more functionality.
Its classic leather upholstery, deep button detailing and creased folds are reminiscent of the classic Chesterfield Sofa. But we’ve bought it into the modern day. The turned wood legs keep the sofa bed’s vintage feel, whilst the slick steel frame lends it a contemporary flourish.
The back has three adjustment levels, meaning you can adjust it to both recline or sleep on. In large multifunctional spaces, you could even leave it folded down as a daybed.
Like what you see? Check out our selection of sofa beds
Today is National Pet Day and to celebrate, we’re sharing some of our favourite shots of your pets looking pretty perfect in your Heal’s homes.
Credit: @pevensey_house Junction chandelier
Cat napping never looked so good, featuring our Junction Chandelier.
Credit: @claudeandthehouse Cezanne circular coffee table
Pairing white marble with a black steel frame the sophisticated Cezanne coffee table is a timeless addition to any setting. Categorically approved.
Credit: @negi.at.home Orta oval mirror in walnut
Room for one more? Named after Italy's enchanting Lake Orta, the Orta Oval Mirror is a sleek, elegant addition to any contemporary living space.
Credit: @mishkashoe Twine bench
Definition of hallway goals right here? We think so. Our Twine bench looks right at home here, don’t you think?
Credit: @emmajanepalin Tom Dixon Copper round pendant
Copper hue crushing, we love our the Tom Dixon Copper round pendant looks right at home here.
Credit: @bergmarkarchitects @snapsbymartin Matera sofa
Weekend plans: sofa, so good. Our Matera sofa is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a good book, don't you think?
Credit: @the_chapel_conversion Mini Lounge floor lamp
Shining a light on this precious little pup, perfectly posed next to our Mini-Lounge floor lamp.
Credit: @onefoureightlondon Rometta rug
Feeling (p)upset that the weekend is almost over? Us too. We love this inviting living room, featuring the Rometta rug.
Credit: @the_old_posthouse Brunel sofa and Fawn coffee table
Calming neutrals complete with pops of blue, we're currently wishing we were settled down for the night in this inviting space, featuring our Brunel sofa and Fawn coffee table.
Fancy being featured on our Instagram? Tag us in your photos and use the #HealsHome.
Marano Chest of Drawers and Bedside Table
In a year like no other and with the roadmap out of lockdown in place, we’re taking time to reflect on what we have learnt throughout this experience, and how it has made us look at our homes. One thing we know for certain, creating a sanctuary within our homes where we can escape the noise from the outside world has become of utmost importance. Just as our way of living has shifted, so too has the meaning of ‘home’.
Our latest research has revealed that those who have been working from home can’t wait to reclaim their homes, with a renewed focus on spaces that bring us joy and comfort through every moment of the day and our relationship with where we live changed forever. We have learnt that of those surveyed, only one in five (17%) are happy to stay working from their home full time.
Flexi Living
Flette Desk
Reveal Desk
From dining room office to balcony retreats, every corner of the home has been required to adapt to our new way of living, meaning the demand for form with function is going nowhere. The last 12 months have seen people scramble to turn their homes into offices and classrooms, with more than a third of the UK population still remote working.
Currently the lines between work and home are more blurred than ever and, as a result, 41% of people feel that the design and functionality of their home has become more important than ever. From spare bedrooms being turned into home offices (46%), dining room tables doubling up as desks (18%), kitchen stools becoming work chairs (12%) or even giving up part of their living rooms (30%), we’ve had to quickly adapt to working from home life.
And while this seismic shift of our working lives has led to many yearning for a more flexible lifestyle, it’s clear that the nation is desperate to reclaim their homes in hope of creating more of a work/ life balance.
Investing in the icons
Lars king Bed, Lars Bedside Table and Hebe Small Table Lamp
Customers have shown a renewed understanding of what great design means to them and the impact it can have on every day lives. For many, it’s also been an opportunity to invest in special, wish list pieces that they have long coveted.
With a clear move away from fast-furniture, throwaway products and trend-led designs, we’re seeing customers become ever more discerning over what they choose to bring into their homes.
Spending more time at home has encouraged Brits to splurge on where they live, with redecorating (32%) and updating outdoor spaces (22%) the top choices for people looking to invest in their homes.
Lockdown has also shaped our interior choices, with 41% now opting for calming, neutral colours. Comfort has proven to be a key factor, with half of respondents stating that creating a sense of relaxation at home now takes priority, while only a quarter focused on how it looks.
Nelly Hall, Brand Director for M&L Paints said: "We have seen an increase in people choosing soothing, neutral paint shades to reclaim their homes as a calming environment. Colour is known to play a huge role in helping to boost our mood and general wellbeing; subtle, neutral tones – often colours inspired by the natural world – are perfect for creating balance and harmony."
Touch of luxury
Geo LED Ceiling Pendant Gold and Crawford Dining Table
After spending so much time at home this year, we’ve noticed how customers have put a lot more care and attention into creating spaces that are comforting, timeless and a true reflection of their personality. From up-cycling, to investing in longer lasting products, 36% believe the time spent indoors has influenced their interior choices, and will continue to do so in the future. Highlighting how important where we live has become for our mental health, nearly one in two (48%) of respondents said that home was where they felt happiest, and four in ten felt that their outdoor spaces had given them a sense of escape.
Petra Dining Table
Interior journalist and author, Kate Watson-Smyth said: “The research from Heals has shown what a huge impact the long lockdown has had on the nation and how this time inside has forced our homes to evolve at a rapid pace. “The survey has highlighted that where we live is a vehicle for our sense of wellbeing, it’s where we feel happiest and it’s no surprise that one in four of those asked are seeking to create a sense of sanctuary at home."
“There’s no doubt that it’s been a huge challenge to pull this off when we’ve been living, working and home-schooling all in the same space, but with flexible working looking set to continue, it’s so important that we seek ways to create zoned areas, so that we can re-introduce those boundaries that many reported feeling they had lost."
“Now is the time to reclaim some of those lost spaces in the home and consider investing in a proper work area and good storage that will enable us to make the most of this new, flexible way of living.”
Tortona 4 Seater Sofa and Hebe Medium Table Lamp
Sabina Miller, Head of Buying at Heal’s said: “The survey results really demonstrate just how important our homes have become to us over the last 12 months. People are investing more, taking a more considered approach to what they choose to fill their homes with and are now prioritising how their spaces make them feel, rather than focusing on aesthetics."
“There’s been such a change to the way we live, and we’re seeing that reflected by our customers too. It goes without saying that we’ve seen a significant increase in sales for home working solutions, but we’ve also seen people choosing to invest in special, wish-list pieces that they’ve coveted for years."
“The last 12 months appears to have accelerated the move away from fast-furniture and focusing solely on trends, to people being more considered about what they are bringing into their homes. People are choosing to invest in designs that will stand the test of time and help them to create that sense of sanctuary at home.”
Do you feel like your view on your home has changed? How are you looking to reclaim your home?
As we’ve spent most of (if not all) our time indoors this year, we’ve come to realise how important the home really is. So it’s inevitable that many of us will now be searching for ways to refresh or revamp our interiors. And modern wall art offers the perfect solution. Whether you’re looking to bring your empty walls to life or searching for a way to create a stylish centrepiece, wall art will bring instant charm and character. Regardless of your style or the size of your space, we’ve got the simple tricks to transform your decor. Here, we share those tips with you.
Create a gallery wall
A gallery wall is the perfect way to bring charm, character and colour to bare walls. A curated display of modern art, posters and prints, it will instantly update your interiors and create a focal point in the home. Opt for simple frames in a single finish or wood, or mix it up with elaborate variations. Then extend from the floor to the ceiling to create the illusion of space.
Display throughout the home
Modern wall art has the potential to bring every room in the house to life. So don’t neglect the bathroom or the home office, or even the kitchen. Oversized prints or photographs will demand attention and set the mood in small spaces. While monochrome prints will work well in minimalist spaces and vibrant pieces will enliven considered interiors.
Match the space
If you’re an avid fan of consistency, choose your modern wall art carefully. Select colours or patterns that match the tone and decor of the room you wish to display them. Choose pieces that match the style of your space, including any furniture or soft furnishings that you’ve already accumulated.
Incorporate symmetry
Experimenting with symmetry is the perfect way to inject a little visual interest into the home. Try hanging a large piece of artwork directly above a sideboard or cabinet, then place two table lamps on top on either side. This will not only transform your dull and drab walls, it’ll also bring character and charm to the entire room.
Choose a theme
If you chose your home decor based upon a theme, why not apply the same logic to your wall art. If you have beechy, bright walls and light floors, try light sketches and illustrations. And if you’ve dark, punchy walls, choose more bold and bright pieces. If you’re not sure of a theme, have a little fun experimenting until you find the one that’s right for you.
Mix it up
When it comes to wall art, you can really think outside of the box. While we love an artistic print, they really just are the start. Try hanging tapestries, throws or fabrics to create a sense of softness in your space. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even pin up a quilt. Whatever your style, try a little something different.
Experiment with display
Modern wall art shouldn’t necessarily be confined to one method of display. Of course you’ll want to hang some of your pieces, but you don’t have to hang them all. Try leaning artwork against the wall in some areas. A piece, or clutter of pieces, resting on a sideboard or sitting atop a bar cabinet can also look very stylish.
Stick to a single piece
As much as we love a gallery wall or collection of matching artwork, some rooms require a lot less. In more minimal or serene settings, a single piece is enough to make a statement on a blank wall. Illustrations and line work pieces work particularly well in these settings.
Use a mirror to catch the light
Nothing highlights the intricacies and beauty of artwork quite like artful plays of light. Try hanging a mirror in the centre of the room to catch the light. This will work to cleverly expand the room and illuminate both the room’s decor and your modern wall art. The reflection will also help to make a small space feel a lot bigger.
Discover more modern wall art for your home.
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