With summer on the horizon, we’re sure many of you are thinking of ways to create a modern garden. Whilst landscaping and plants will surely be a top priority, don’t neglect your furniture choices.
Make sure to factor in lighting, textiles, furniture and your comfort when redesigning your garden. To set you on the right path, we’ve compiled some of our most inspiring modern garden furniture ideas. If something catches your fancy, click on the image to find it at Heal’s.
Balcony overhaul
Even the most compact balcony needn’t be without its own modern garden furniture. Fresh colours like white will brighten the space and bring more light to overshadowed balconies or gardens. If you’re particularly short on space, opt for collapsible or armless chairs that slot easily under the table.
Case’s white Eos square outdoor dining table and chairs offer the perfect balance between space-saving design and a modern aesthetic.
Modern Materials
Creating the ultimate modern garden shouldn’t be completely driven by aesthetic. With new technologies emerging every day, this is a great opportunity for you to future-proof your garden. Opt for materials that resist UV rays to hold their colour, or fabrics that can withstand poor weather.
We love Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel's Ocean Collection from Mater. The iconic outdoor dining set has been reimagined and is crafted using ocean plastic waste and recycled plastic. The collection is a great way to clean up the oceans whilst redesigning your modern garden.
Lounging outside
If your space allows, a modern garden sofa is an essential addition to your home. It provides a comfortable place to relax without compromising on cosiness or style. There are many designs out there, so decide what your priorities are before choosing one. For example, your space may be more suited to a corner outdoor sofa.
We love Vincent Sheppard’s Kodo Sofa because of its acrylic rope body. This rope is specially designed to withstand all weather so the sofa can stay outside all year long.
Plastic, fantastic
If you’re looking for something different for your modern garden, look no further than the Bubble Club collection from Kartell. This collection features plastic armchairs and sofas with shapes that look like they belong inside. Taking inspiration from traditional sofas, these voluptuous designs will add a touch of intrigue and modernity to your space.
Plus, if you’re living somewhere with a variable climate, consider integrating a pergola or shade into your modern garden design. This will keep you sheltered from the sun as well as rainy spells.
Go for bold
Colourful furniture is a really simple way to uplift a lacklustre space and transform it into a modern garden. Case’s terracotta-hued Eos collection will do just that with its modern silhouette and versatile pieces. Complete the colourful look with tableware, vases and planters in vibrant hues.
Don’t want to take the leap with colourful furniture? Then consider painting an exterior wall in a vibrant hue for a statement flourish. This way it can be painted over as quickly as it arrived if you change your mind by next summer. If wall painting is still too large a leap, try adding some colourful pots and plants to your garden.
Modern garden rug
The addition of a rug to your garden will bring comfort underfoot and offer you more space to relax. Paired with luxuriously plump cushions and a delicious spread of food, you’ll never want to leave your garden. Alternatively, position it under an outdoor dining area for a more sumptuous feel.
Most outdoor rugs are made using synthetic fibres that make them suitable for keeping outside. However, to preserve their colour and finish, we recommend keeping them inside during rainier months.
Contemporary cool
An outdoor armchair is perfect if you want somewhere to relax but lack space for a sofa. To keep it looking contemporary, opt for streamlined silhouettes and pared-back designs. For example, modern painted rattan and wood lend up-to-date sophistication to a garden.
Vincent Sheppard’s Rocco Lazy Chair provides the perfect spot to sip your morning coffee from. It’s also the perfect size to create comfortable seating on a balcony or terrace.
Reading spot
Transform a corner of your garden into a relaxing haven and the perfect place to lose yourself in a good book. A comfortable lounge chair is a great choice, but don’t forget a side table to rest your book and cuppa on.
Modern wooden garden furniture
Wooden garden furniture is no longer synonymous with park benches and clunky fold-down chairs. Brands like Case, Skagerak and Carl Hansen have revolutionised wood seating to suit modern gardens. Think crisp, clean lines, elegant woods like teak and Scandinavian-inspired silhouettes. In this picture we love the juxtaposition between the concrete background and Case’s Tanso furniture.
Dining outdoors
We’ve saved the best till last. A modern dining table with space to seat the whole family or friendship group is a must. As long as space allows, a large table is ideal for al fresco eating, barbecues and leisurely afternoons spent in the sun. Pair it with comfortable chairs and you’re guaranteed a set-up that no one will want to leave.
We’re big fans of the crisp silhouette and earthy tones of this Vincent Sheppard Kodo Dining Table. It’s sure to bring a contemporary flourish to modern garden spaces.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Trends & Lifestyle
One of the benefits of working from home is that your workspace can be designed around you. So kiss goodbye to harsh strip lights and glaring bulbs and say hello to calming, inspiring light. We’ve hand-picked our top ten lights for working from home to help you on your way.
Milton Desk Lamp
We love our Milton Desk Lamp because it brings a mid-century influence into office spaces. More traditional than many desk lamps, its brass accents and matte finish bring a touch of decadence to your workspace. It’s the perfect choice for those who like to surround themselves with a bit of opulence.
Panthella Portable Lamp
Maybe your workspace needs a little more light but you don’t want to invest specifically in a desk lamp. One of our favourite solutions to this problem is the Panthella Portable Table Lamp. This miniature edition of Verner Panton’s iconic Panthella Lamp is wireless, meaning it can seamlessly transition from desk to living room.
AJ Table Lamp
AJ is one for the design enthusiasts out there. A little pricier than some of our other options, the AJ Table Lamp wouldn’t look out of place aboard a space ship. Back on Earth this Louis Poulsen lamp is ideal for creating targeted light to help focus your attention.
Anglepoise Type 80
No self-respecting countdown of the best lights for working from home would be complete without an Anglepoise desk lamp. We’ve chosen the Type 80. This new addition to Anglepoise’s collection offers targeted lighting and a compact base so it fits comfortably in smaller workspaces. Plus, its design means it wouldn’t look out of place in a modern living room or bedroom once lockdown ends.
Cohen Pendant Light
If you’re lucky enough to be quarantined with an electrician and have a dedicated workspace then pendant lighting may work. Pendants like the Cohen Pendant Light are ideal for saving valuable desk space whilst providing targeted lighting. Be sure to position it somewhere you’re confident your desk is going to stay for years to come.
Tab Floor Lamp
A floor lamp might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of office lighting. However, we know a well-positioned floor lamp can make all the difference in an office. We’ve chosen the Tab Floor Lamp from Flos because it provides a targeted glow, perfect for focusing your attention. Not convinced? Then it’s also available as a table lamp.
Anglepoise Mini Mini
Hot desking at home? With such a sudden shift to working from home, many of us won’t have dedicated working space. So, if you find yourself flitting between the kitchen table, living room and the makeshift desk in your bedroom, a USB-powered lamp could be a good choice. We love the flexibility of the Anglepoise Mini Mini.
Kelvin Edge Desk Lamp
Need a light that’s adjustable and will provide super-targeted lighting? Look no further than the Kelvin Edge Desk Lamp from Flos. This sculptural lamp is great for architects, designers and artists thanks to its adjustable head, arm and stem. Plus, its LED module is dimmable so you can find the right intensity.
Setago Table Lamp
Portability has been a key theme throughout this edit. That’s because these lights are really practical and adapt seamlessly to your life. We love the Setago Table Lamp from &Tradition. This colourful light doesn’t provide a particularly targeted glow but is perfect for bringing a little added light to dark spaces.
Akari 1A Table Lamp
Need a little more light in your workspace but not to the extent that you need a desk lamp? In that case the world is your oyster when it comes to desk lamps. If we had to pick, we’d choose the Akari 1A Table Lamp from Vitra. Isamu Noguchi’s iconic light casts a soft glow throughout your room to create a calming environment.
Think you know your Grossmans from your Eames'? Our furniture pub quiz will test your knowledge about your favourite designers, designs and design houses.
Plus, with virtual quizzes taking place left right and centre during lockdown, you can test your friends and family too.
Furniture Pub Quiz Questions
Begin the Heal’s furniture pub quiz below and find the answers at the bottom of this page.
1. What is a credenza?
2. Approximately how many steps are involved in making a Wishbone Chair?
3. What object inspired Marcel Breuer’s iconic Wassily Chair?
4. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona Chair in 1929 alongside who?
5. What nationality was Eero Saarinen?
6. What ancient civilisation is said to have created the first chair?
7. Which famous naturalist is said to have invented the office chair?
8. Arne Jacobsen designed the Egg and Swan Chairs for a hotel in which city?
9. Which design duo created the Soft Pad Lounge Chair? You might also recognise it as the chair used on Mastermind.
10. Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Karuselli Chair is named after the Finnish word for what?
11. Which model famously posed naked astride a copy of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 Chair? Hint: She also sat front and centre of the Profumo Affair.
12. What language does the term ‘chaise longue’ come from?
Furniture Pub Quiz Answers
Wondering how you’ve done? Find the answers below, along with a little more information if you want to know more.
1. A sideboard That’s right; a credenza is the less commonly used name for a sideboard. Its name comes from the Italian words for belief and trust. This is because a credenza was historically used to hold food whilst it was being tasted for poison. The word originally described the act of tasting the food and was gradually passed onto the furniture.
2. 100 Most of the 100 steps required to crafted Hans J. Wegner’s iconic chair are done by hand by Carl Hansen’s skilled craftspeople. The seat alone takes an hour to hand-weave and uses around 120 metres of paper cord. Discover more about the iconic Wishbone Chair and how it's made here.
3. The handlebars on his bicycle Marcel Breuer’s 1925 design for the Wassily Chair was largely inspired by the lightness of his new bike’s frame. This led to his experimentation with tubular steel and the birth of a whole new design approach.
4. Lilly Reich One of the artistic directors behind the German Pavilion at Barcelona’s International Exposition of 1929, Lilly Reich collaborated with Mies van der Rohe to design the iconic chair. Reich is often overlooked but is said to have made large contributions to the Barcelona Chair’s design.
5. Finnish-American The son of Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, Eero and his family migrated to the USA when he was 13. He became a naturalised American citizen 17 years later. Discover more about the iconic designer here.
6. The Ancient Egyptians According to modern historians, the Ancient Egyptians were the first to invent the chair over 5,000 years ago. Paintings that show chairs, alongside well-preserved chairs, have even been excavated from prominent tombs. They were typically a sign of wealth and were adorned with wood, ivory and ebony.
7. Charles Darwin Despite being most renowned for his study of evolution, Charles Darwin is also said to have invented the modern office chair. The story goes that he added wheels to his desk chair so he could get to his specimens faster.
8. Copenhagen The two chairs were designed for the lobby areas of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Arne Jacobsen was the architect behind the hotel and he designed it down to the finest detail. This included everything from the exterior façade to the stainless steel cutlery.
9. Charles & Ray Eames Originally designed by the husband and wife design duo in 1969, the Soft Pad Lounge Chair remains remarkably contemporary today. The chair has taken centre stage in Mastermind since the show launched in 1972. Find out more about the design duo here.
10. Carousel Originally designed in 1965, Kukkapuro’s seven-year-old daughter Isa gave the chair its playful name. Apparently, upon seeing the chair’s prototype, she exclaimed “This is like a carousel” and so the chair’s name was born.
11. Christine Keeler This photograph was scandalous when first released, not least because Keeler was coerced into stripping for the photo. Taken by photographer Lewis Morley as publicity shots for a film, the picture was leaked to the Sunday Mirror. The chair was originally thought to be Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 Chair. On closer inspection the handle hole and subtly different silhouette proved it wasn’t. Both the chair and the photograph now reside in the V&A’s archive.
12. French The term ‘chaise longue’ is a literal translation for ‘long chair’. With origins in Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, the modern chaise longue was popularised in France during the 16th century. During the Rococo era, an opulent chaise longue was a symbol of wealth and social status. Nobles would use them to rest on rather than retiring to the bedroom.
How did you do? Let us know how you scored on the Heal’s furniture pub quiz on Instagram.
Vitra is passionate about making quarantine as easy as possible for us all. Be that through thoughtful design touches in your home, or through virtual tours of the Vitra Campus. Plus, its collection of colourful finishes, smiling faces and imaginative silhouettes will make your home feel at ease.
Entertainment for the kids
It’s hard to keep little ones entertained during these times. To help, Vitra created a printable template so your children can design their very own Eames Elephant at home.
Click here to download it. Don’t have a printer? Not to worry. Here’s an alternative version for you to colour in using Paint on your computer.
Visit the Vitra campus virtually
One of the ways Vitra is helping us through this stressful time is through virtual tours of the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein. Home to the Vitra Design Museum and the VitraHaus, the Vitra Campus pays homage to of design, past and present.
The campus acts as a magnet for fans of design and architecture from across the globe. By offering video tours, Vitra is ensuring no one misses out on design. It also gives us access to some remarkable feats of architecture and design from the comfort of our own homes.
View the tour here.
Premium office furniture
With meetings now taking place on Zoom, coffee breaks in your own kitchen and time spent in your home office, it’s crucial you’re properly kitted out to work from home. Get started with an ergonomically designed office chair to help protect your back. An icon like the EA 108 Chair by Charles and Ray Eames will never go out of style.
A comfortable desk chair is just the beginning. Vitra’s collection features mid-century desks, practical shelving units and accessories to make your life easier. Plus, these designs are so iconic and functional that you’ll enjoy having them in your home long after quarantine ends.
Chairs that work throughout the home
If you’re living and working in a smaller space then you may not have room for office furniture. Particularly office furniture you’re investing in and would like to keep long term. Instead, opt for furniture that can be used for multiple purposes. For example, many Vitra chairs look great in dining spaces but also make excellent desk chairs.
This way you can move the chair around your home without needing to fit an office chair into your décor. Some of our favourite versatile chairs include the Tip Ton Chair by Barber & Osgerby. This chair is specially designed to straighten the spine and improve circulation to the abdominal and back muscles.
Organise your space
If you’re spending twice as much time in your home, it’s likely you’ll be making twice as much mess. Keep your space clean and uncluttered with ingenious storage that makes your smile every time you see it. Wall-hanging designs like the Uten.Silo take up remarkably little room. Similarly, Charles and Ray Eames’ Hang It All Coat Hook keeps your outerwear in order and looks great at the same time.
Discover more about Vitra here.
With the spread of COVID-19 across the world, self-isolation and social distancing have become the norm for the meantime. For many of us this is the first time we’ve needed to work from home on a long-term basis. It can be hard to get used to it, which is why we’ve compiled this useful guide to show you how to work from home.
Get dressed
There’s no dress code in a home office but before you sit down at your desk we recommend getting dressed. Not only does this get you ready to start the day, it also helps you stick to your normal routine. That isn’t to say you need to wear smart attire or your uniform.
However, changing into something that isn’t your pyjamas will make you feel refreshed and capable. You can always revert back to your sweatpants or joggers on casual Friday.
Stick to a routine
With working from home comes the temptation to have a leisurely lie in before rolling out of bed and straight to your desk. Instead, try to establish a routine that works in your favour. Wake up in time to grab 30 minutes of exercise, make yourself some breakfast and catch up with the news. Whatever your morning activities, make the most of the extra couple of hours you have in the day.
Keep moving
Wondering how to work and stay fit? Well, during this nation-wide lockdown regular activity has been actively encouraged. At the time of writing this the guidelines allow us to leave home to exercise once a day. You should stay 2-metres away from others at all times. This means team sports are out of the question but lone activities like running, cycling and walking are ideal. Go earlier in the morning to avoid as little risk as possible.
Stay in touch
Up until recently you probably spent every day in the company of your team. To suddenly not see them every day will be strange. Whilst decreased productivity should be expected whilst settling into new routines, staying in touch means everyone is on the same page.
Online tools like Skype, Zoom and Slack mean you can talk throughout the day and ensure the work flow. Similarly, try to keep to your regular meetings to retain as much normality as possible. Try not to get frustrated by your colleagues – you’ll soon settle into a routine.
Finesse your workspace
More important than anything is making sure you create a productive, comfortable workspace. In most workspaces we’re treated to ergonomically designed chairs, foot supports and sprawling desks. This is often not the case when you work from home. Unless you have the space and money to invest in new furniture then you may have to find a compromise. Imitate your office rather than trying to work from the sofa or your bed. This could involve permanently transforming the dining table into an office space.
Or you could improvise and turn a nightstand into a desk. If you do decide to buy a dedicated office chair then opt for one that’s designed to support your back. If you live with flatmates, family members or a partner, work with them to create a plan that works for everyone. For example, if you need to work free from distractions then let them know.
For many of us, working from home has become a reality over the last few weeks. With this comes unlimited cups of tea, later rises and the ability to work in your pyjamas, but it also brings a whole host of new questions.
Where can I work if I don’t have a home office? How can I be productive when working from home? And simply how do I work from home? We believe that getting your workspace in order is one of the best ways to begin working from home. If you don’t have a home office, there are many ways to create a dedicated workspace without sacrificing your comfort.
Here we are highlighting our favourite ways to upgrade your workspace and provide some much-needed home office inspiration.
If there’s one thing we know about then it’s furniture. We spend every day discovering the latest designs, trends and technology. We reckon this qualifies us to help you create the ultimate home office.
Choose the right chair
If you’re sitting at a desk for long hours then a comfortable chair is essential. There are many modern office chairs available, from Heal’s and elsewhere. If you aren’t in a hurry, shop around to find the right one for you. Things to consider include if you want arm rests, a low or high back, swivel or not and if you need wheels. If you do go for wheels, make sure they’ll work on your floor as carpet isn’t always your friend when it comes to wheel chairs.
If you are short on space or don’t want a typical office chair, then how about choosing a design classic. Icons like the Eames DSW Chair or Philippe Starck’s Masters Chair will look great in a home office and are incredibly comfortable. However, it is worth adding that these chairs weren’t designed for office use and long seated periods. So, if you suffer from back or posture problems, then an ergonomically designed office chair is probably best for you.
Stay inspired
Fill the walls with your favourite artwork and the shelves with your books of choice. By hanging art you love there’ll be something in your office to make you smile, no matter how stressful the day. Looking to create a gallery wall? Find our top tips here. Plants work in a similar way, filtering the air and making your home study feel fresher. Plus, they’ll make working from home feel less cooped up and more in tune with nature.
Working on display
Is your home office in full view in a living space? Not to worry. Desks are no longer sprawling designs that take up half the room and look terrible in the process. Nowadays desk design focuses on aesthetics as much as it does functionality. There are many designer desks, lamps and chairs available to make sure your office space looks as good as the rest of your home.
For smaller spaces where you might be trying to make a home office out of a small nook, then there are plenty of compact desks around. They often have integrated storage and cable management to keep your workspace looking neat. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. If your space is particularly small then a wider console table could do the trick. Just double check it isn’t too low for you when seated.
Natural light
One of the benefits of working from home is leaving harshly lit office space behind. Now the world is your oyster in terms of lighting. If possible, position your desk or makeshift workspace near a window. This will allow natural light to stream through and mean you don’t feel too cooped up inside. The only big downside is that in bright sunlight glare may reflect off the screen.
In this case, make sure you have a good pair of blinds so you don’t strain your eyes. If natural light isn’t an option then there are many alternatives. Opt for light bulbs that mimic natural light and have between 3500 and 5500 Kelvin. In other words, a bright white light that isn’t to warm or too blue.
Plus, positioning desk lights around your workspace will direct your attention and avoid distractions.
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