By Pippa Jameson, Interior Stylist, Author and Founder of The Sensory Home®
At Heal’s and The Sensory Home®, we’re passionate about how our surroundings influence our mental and emotional well-being. This is the essence of sensory design—a thoughtful, multi-sensory approach to creating spaces that support us physically and emotionally. The environment we live in has a profound impact on how we feel, think, and rest.
In the case of the bedroom—a space specifically designed for sleep—embracing sensory design principles can be life-changing. Heal’s and The Sensory Home® are here to help you achieve a better night’s sleep. With just a few simple changes and product suggestions, we can transform your bedroom into a place of calm and comfort, ensuring you feel rested and recharged every day.
What Is Sensory Design?
Sensory design engages the key senses—sight, touch, sound, scent, and even taste—to create an environment that positively affects how we feel and function. When we consider a bedroom as a place for rest and rejuvenation, we must remember its primary purpose: to promote sleep.
We must carefully consider the items we choose to surround ourselves with; sensory design reminds us to strip back distractions and bring balance to the space, encouraging relaxation and mental clarity. This multi-sensory approach is particularly important for mental well-being. In today’s world, where stress and overstimulation are constant, in the workplace and at home, our bedrooms should become calm spaces—a safe retreat where we can rest and reset.
Why Is This Connection Crucial for Mental Well-Being?
Our environments are directly linked to our mental health. A cluttered, overstimulating bedroom can make it harder for the brain to switch off. In contrast, a space designed for relaxation and purpose can help us sleep more soundly, reduce anxiety and improve focus, so we should prioritise intentional design. Sleep is one of the most fundamental pillars of self-care, and it starts with creating a bedroom that is kind to our senses.
Think about this: if your bedroom is filled with harsh lighting, uncomfortable textures, or constant noise, your mind stays on high alert. This creates an environment that is not conducive to sleep. A well-designed bedroom helps regulate your senses and prepares your body for rest and supports your mental well-being.
Here are five practical ways to transform your bedroom using sensory design principles:
Create the Right Lighting
Lighting is one of the most powerful elements in sensory design. Harsh and blue-toned lights keep you alert and make it harder to fall asleep. Choose soft and warm lighting that signals it’s time for rest.
The Pebble portable lamp and Parade LED Table Lamp offer sleek and adjustable lighting suitable for winding down. For versatility, the Ease Lamp is a portable option that allows you to create soft ambient light wherever needed.
The Colonna Marble Table Lamp is an excellent choice because its linen shade softly diffuses light for a calming ambience. Its smooth and natural marble base adds a grounding touch. By controlling brightness and avoiding harsh overhead lighting, you can set a calming atmosphere that helps your brain and body unwind.
Incorporate Mindful Practices
A multi-sensory approach to bedtime includes caring for your mental clarity. Journaling or reflecting for just five minutes can help remove mental clutter, making it easier to fall asleep.
Writing down worries or plans signals to your brain that letting go of stress for the night is okay. The Togo offers ergonomic comfort, the perfect chair for mindful rituals like journaling or deep breathing exercises.
Engage Your Senses
Sensory design emphasises the importance of touch, scent and even sound.
Touch: Invest in breathable and natural fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable. Heal’s new microfibre duvet range is a sustainable option that offers luxurious comfort while regulating body temperature.
Scent: Diffusers with essential oils like bergamot or lavender can calm your mind and signal that it’s time to sleep.
Sound: The Chali rug’s soft texture and sound-absorbing properties make it an ideal grounding element for a calming and sensory-focused bedroom. Layering rugs with an underlay further enhances noise absorption, while filled bookshelves act as effective natural sound barriers. For additional noise reduction, consider incorporating acoustic panels or sound-absorbing textiles.
Block Out Distractions
The bedroom is for sleep and any distractions should be minimised. A high-quality eye mask can block out light, while rugs with underlay can muffle unwanted sound from floors.
Bookshelves filled with books can act as stylish sound absorbers, while acoustic panelling provides long-term noise reduction. By prioritising quiet and darkness, you allow your senses to fully relax.
Read to Relax
Reading is a powerful way to shift your mind into a state of restfulness. Instead of staring at a screen, grab a book that inspires calm and creativity. My book, The Sensory Home® explores how design impacts well-being and offers practical tips for creating spaces that support you emotionally and mentally. Pair it with a cosy nook or your bed for the ultimate wind-down ritual.
The Function of the Bedroom: A Sanctuary for Sleep
We often forget the simple function of a bedroom: it’s a space for sleep and everything in it should serve that purpose. From lighting and furniture to textures and scents, every element in your room should contribute to an environment that promotes rest.
By taking a multi-sensory approach to design, you can transform your space into a sanctuary where you feel calm, supported and ready to take on the day.
About Pippa Jameson
Pippa Jameson is the founder of The Sensory Home® and one of the UK’s leading interior stylists, celebrated for her expertise in creating thoughtful, emotion-driven spaces. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with renowned brands and publications, blending creativity with a deep understanding of how our surroundings influence well-being.
Through The Sensory Home®, Pippa champions the art of designing interiors that engage the senses—spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious, soothing, and inspiring. You can read more about Pippa’s work at The Sensory Home®.
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Trends & Lifestyle
We asked our team what Heal’s at Home means to them and they didn’t disappoint. Step behind the scenes to discover which designs our buyers, CEO and epic marketers have in their homes.
Kris, Senior Buyer
Balmoral Sofa
I love my Balmoral Sofa. It’s eye catching and a perfect spot to cosy up in. There’s always an argument on who gets to sit on the sofa.... sadly my daughter always wins! When it’s time to reflect after a crazy day, I also like to burn my Heal’s scented candles.
Molly, Content
Alexander Girard's Love Mug
Alexander Girard is one of my favourite designers and I’d happily fill my home with his designs. As a more affordable compromise I have a few of his accessories and patterns scattered throughout. I always drink my morning cuppa in the ‘Love’ Mug from Vitra!
Claire, Lighting Buyer
Column Table Lamp in Green
This gorgeous, dimmable Column Table Lamp sits in the corner of my living room and gives a lovely warm glow in the evening.
Ruth, Head of Marketing
Paul Smith Anglepoise Lamp
I love the Paul Smith edition of the iconic Anglepoise, it lends another dimension to the lamp. I have mine positioned on a shelf to highlight by favourite accessories, books and prints.
Hamish, CEO
Fawn Sideboard
My Fawn Sideboard is my favourite Heal's piece. Not only does it look stylish and beautiful with its soft curves, but it also perfectly houses my treasured record collection!
Emily, Buyer
Urban Apothecary Candle
Urban Apothecary scents are perfect now we’re spending more time at home. The vessel itself is stylish so it looks good even when it’s not lit, and the fresh scent of Green Lavender fills the room.
Kris, Senior Buyer
Ziggy Lounge Chair
This Ziggy accent chair is one of my favourite pieces in the house. It’s the perfect place to read a book, contemplate or simply look out onto the garden. So soft and tactile, it sparks so much attention with every guest we have.
Have you got a favourite design from Heal's at home? Share it on Instagram using the hashtag #HealsHome
Fresh from the Little Plantation kitchen, have a go at this Raw Vegan Turmeric Chia Pudding recipe. Quick, easy and delicious, it's the perfect option for a healthy breakfast. —
RAW VEGAN TURMERIC CHIA PUDDING (ChF, GF, NF, R, V+, V)
Preparation Time: 5 - 10 minutes Soaking Time: 15 - 30 minutes Serves: 2
Just like honey: Mervyn Gers Dinnerware and Moroccan Dinnerware
Ingredients for the chia pudding:
1 cup/240ml plant-based milk (I used home-made cashew milk for extra creaminess, but any milk will do)
4tbs chia seeds
3/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger a pinch of ground cardamom a pinch of pepper
Ingredients for the topping:
1/2 cup/120ml of (vegan) yoghurt (I used a soya based yoghurt but a raw coconut yoghurt would work really well here too)
A handful of pomegranate seeds
A handful of berries of your choice - strawberries, raspberries, blueberries etc.
A sprinkle of chia seeds or ground flax seeds
2 tsp (or more to taste) of raw honey or maple syrup
You old smoothie: Carats Glass Tumblers
Instructions Combine all the chia pudding ingredients in a large bowl by mixing them thoroughly. Then set aside for 15 - 30 minutes, until the chia seeds fully absorb the liquid and spices. When the chia seeds are ready, spread them evenly into two serving glasses, top with the yoghurt, fruits, seeds and sweetener and enjoy!
Tip 1: If you wish to use a home-made plant-based milk, remember to soak your nuts the night before assembling this chia pudding. As noted above, I used cashew milk, but you can use any milk really. Remember that many store bought plant based milks are sweetened and hence you may need to reduce the amount of honey you use. Though I don't encourage it, you can also use regular milk which will make this a vegetarian, rather than vegan recipe.
Tip 2: Both the pepper and the fat from the yogurt will help you better absorb the turmeric, so they are essential parts of this recipe
Tip 3: You can use fresh ginger and turmeric, but as they tend to be more potent you may need to reduce the amounts you use :).
Tip 4: To make this recipe kiddie friendly, I had to add an extra dollop of honey. Just saying ;)
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‘Slow decorating’ has become a buzzword in the design community, referring to consciously and slowly furnishing your home by selecting quality pieces and taking time to enjoy a more gradual process.
It’s the opposite of the quickfire ‘room reveals’ that flood our feeds on Instagram. The antithesis of tapping into a trending aesthetic only to change it again a few months later. And the reverse of refurbishing a house as quickly as possible. It's thoughtful and considered.
But while others are billing the concept of slow decorating as a trend, we think of it more as a sustainable approach to design, similar to the one we adopted many years ago. Which is why everything from our furniture and lighting to accessories and soft furnishings are selected for superior craftsmanship and quality materials.
It makes for designs that truly stand the test of time and can be passed down from generation to generation; and, in turn, help you shop and style your home more sustainably. It's an ethos captured in Heal’s Cares – our commitment to quality design – which you can read here.
So, how do you actually go about slow decorating?
It starts with quality design
Shopping at Heal’s is your first step when it comes to slow decorating. We believe in creating, and curating, timeless pieces that transcend seasons and trends so that every choice you make for your home really counts.
There’s no place for throwaway culture in our business, meaning better value for money and price-per-use for you, and more importantly, less waste for the environment. We craft products that will last a lifetime – for example, our solid wood sofa frames come with a lifetime guarantee – and use the right materials for the right products, while working with natural or recycled materials where possible.
Most of our producers are based in the UK or mainland Europe to minimise our carbon footprint, and we always try to support heritage skills honed by the passions and talents of artisans over the years.
From Heal’s creations to curated designs, enjoy getting inspired by great designs to help you create a home you love.
Take your time
The clue’s in the name when it comes to slow decorating. Take your time to get to know your home before jumping straight in. Consider the light in each space or how you use every room. Get to understand the style of the property and how you’d like to put your stamp on it.
Then make carefully-considered decisions when it comes to selecting designs and bringing your vision to life. Are they investment pieces? Do they have more than one function? Can they be reupholstered if you want to change the colour down the line?
Think quality over quantity and gradually build up your scheme by layering furniture (bigger pieces first) with lighting (multiple styles for a professional look), accessories (consider different shapes and sizes) and soft furnishings (texture is key).
Why not combine design classics with hand-me-downs and vintage finds? A gloriously eclectic – and sustainable – way to decorate. Slowing down the whole process doesn’t just ensure a considered scheme, but staggers costs, too, helping with all-important budgeting.
Finish by repurposing something old
Even when designs are created to endure, sometimes you still might want to change things up, as a scheme is never truly finished. That’s why we’ve partnered with Hackney Upholstery Studio to offer an expert upholstery service for your furniture.
Based in east London and founded by Polly Fenech and Marine Potrais, both of whom have a background in fashion buying, the studio aims to showcase the skill of upholstery and value of the craft to a new generation of design-conscious clients.
Whether you’re giving a vintage piece a new lease of life, or simply refreshing your style, the service will ensure a much-loved design can be enjoyed for many more years to come.
Get inspired for your slow decoration interior scheme by browsing and buying from our collection of quality furniture, lighting, accessories and soft furnishings; or, if you need a helping hand, get in touch with our Interior Planning Service to help develop a look you’ll love for years to come.
Have lots of clothes but can’t find what to wear? That could be because your wardrobe needs organising – from clearing out pieces you don’t wear to categorising what you do – to ensure a harmonious wardrobe that works hard for you and your lifestyle.
But if you’re overwhelmed by the thought of decluttering, fear not. Our methodical process provides the best way to organise your wardrobe, making it intuitive and enjoyable.
Set aside time
There’s no denying that organising your wardrobe takes energy and time, so schedule a specific time slot for tackling the task, whether that’s an evening when you’d usually be watching television, or during the weekend (a Sunday morning when everyone else in the house is asleep, for example?).
Remember, you don’t need to do it all in one hit, either: you could break it down into 30-minute chunks each and every evening to make it feel less daunting.
Make a plan
Next, think about what your dream wardrobe looks like, in terms of both how it looks and functions. Will it be colour-coded? And is there a way of rotating outfits so you don’t end up wearing the same thing every week?
Moodboarding exactly what you want out of the process will help you stay focused as you work through it – a tool like Pinterest is a great source of inspiration.
Organising Your Wardrobe in 9 Steps
Empty your wardrobe
First thing is first: a wardrobe clear-out. Remove everything so you can give all the surfaces a good clean.
Assess your space
Next, see exactly what storage you have in terms of drawers, hanging rails and divan beds to understand if you have enough space for accommodating your clothes.
Think about storage options
If you don’t, consider investing in new storage to suit your taste and space, whether a spacious wardrobe or a compact chest of drawers. Our collection of luxury furniture, whether Heal’s creations or curated designers, brings together style and storage to offer timeless designs.
Try everything on
As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn something in over a year, then it’s time to give it away. Try everything on to check you’re happy with how pieces fit and that they’re still in good condition. Only keep items you can’t live without to help create an edited capsule wardrobe.
Make sure you’ve got a flattering floor mirror that will show your outfits at full length before you start. We rather like the Brunel with clever hanging space incorporated into its design or the simplicity of our Oxbow with its boutique-inspired aesthetic.
Sort your clothes
Now for the fun bit: sorting clothes by categorising them in three distinct piles – to sell, to think about or to give away. You could add a fourth pile in pieces you might want to customise. Perhaps they need repairing or modernising, for example. But how do you decide what clothes to keep?
In short, only keep those that make you look and feel great. You could always enlist the help of a trusted friend to get a second opinion and make the process that bit more fun. Why not make an evening of it?
Get rid of unwanted clothes
There are a number of ways of getting rid of clothes you no longer want. Donate them to your local charity shop; or deposit them in a clothing bank (a quick search online will reveal ones close to where you live). Alternatively, you could always offer them to friends or family.
Group clothes by category
With an edit complete, it’s time to categorise what you’re keeping, either by colour, type or season. There’s nothing more pleasing than a closet sorted by shades from darks to lights, jumpers piled high together and trousers hung uniformly in a row, or a complete summer collection separated from winter wear.
Why not invest in a divan bed with storage beneath? Your wardrobe can display clothing for the current season while your bed can house pieces for the next.
Maintain organisation
Arguably, the hardest bit about organising your wardrobe is keeping it that way once you’ve done it. The easiest way of doing this is making sure everything is in order little and often – when you put laundry away, for example – or operating a ‘one in, one out’ policy: for every new item you purchase, an old one needs to go.
Trust us: getting dressed in the morning and planning your outfits will be so much easier.
Store your clothes correctly
Remember, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to how you store different items of clothing. Jumpers and t-shirts should be folded and stored in drawers or on shelves, for example, while trousers and shirts are best hung on rails. If you’re out of space, why not invest in a neat clothes hanging rail to catch the overspill?
Browse and buy functional but fabulous storage solutions to help keep your clothing organised.
The eclectic aesthetic has been trending in décor for quite some time, but it’s getting even more specific, with influencers across social media drawing on inspiration from the souks of Morocco – and further afield.
Think sun-baked palettes, natural materials, laid-back silhouettes and rustic accessories. It’s not just those working in the industry who are getting their ideas from North Africa, either – everyday homeowners are looking to recreate sunnier climes as a form of escapism in these increasingly unpredictable times.
Indeed, it’s telling that #moroccaninterior has 550K views (and counting) on TikTok. The look is as practical as it is beautiful, too. In the winter, the look can warm up your space when it’s still cold outside, while during the summer is complements the light that’s streaming through the windows.
Here, we reveal aspirational but practical Moroccan living room ideas that are sure to add far-flung style – and a sense of adventure – to even the most homegrown of spaces. Think of it as a holiday without stepping foot outside of your front door. No passport required.
Choose warm colours
Colour is key when it comes to creating a Moroccan-style living room. Look to the warmer hues in the colour wheel like toasty browns, burnt oranges, sunny yellows and blushing pinks to cosy up even cool north-facing rooms.
Rather than vibrant, bold shades, utilise softer, muted iterations to reflect spaces that appear to have been faded by the sun, while evoking the glamorous bygone era made famous by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Use these colours as the foundations for building the scheme in your living room – on the walls, floors and in key furniture such as our luxury sofas – then complement with rich jewel tones in smaller pieces like coffee tables, soft furnishings and accessories.
Think deep teals, ruby-reds and emerald greens to create a jewel-box of a space that’s both inviting and decadent. Finally, finish with ochres and golds in the smallest of accents, adding a touch of glamour to proceedings.
Editor’s picks
Choose something slouchy and convivial for the sofa to recreate the social and relaxed vibe of Moroccan parties from yesteryear.
Our pick is Togo by Ligne Roset – a design classic for over 50 years, no less – with its low-seat, body-hugging shape and signature folds. Plump for upholstery inspired by the colours of the desert in orange, red or yellow.
When it comes to a coffee table, the lower the better, such as the oversized Bowl table – crafted by artisans from solid mango wood – or the Flower table with its ornate petal-like edging.
When hosting friends for afternoon tea, forgo the formality of chairs for cool and casual floor cushions – these Amechi Cushions should do the trick – and gather everyone around.
Opt for warm lighting
Complement your toasty colour scheme with similarly warm lighting in wall lights, pendants and table lamps. Ensure the bulb is warm by choosing yellow bulbs instead of white ones – much like you would to add warm twinkle to a Christmas tree – and select rustic rather than refined styles.
Think about warming materials and finishes in rich or yellow woods and gold or bronze metals to really turn up the temperature in your Moroccan-style living room.
Editor’s picks
Hang these statement Makiko pendant lights in a natural bamboo finish over your relaxed sofa and low coffee table to zone a space for lounging with a book or gathering with loved ones.
Otherwise, the gold Beat pendant by self-taught British designer Tom Dixon will certainly give your Moroccan-style living room a glow-up. Highlight architectural features, illuminate artwork or simply wash the wall in light with a decorative style in similar finishes such as the wooden Clava Up by Umage or stainless-steel Spring by Tom Dixon.
Finally, layer your lighting scheme with a couple of statement lamps in natural materials: our Kinloch ceramic style with linen shade is perfect for boho spaces.
It’s all about the rugs
With your colour palette sorted, it’s time to add further depth and interest, namely in rugs – after all, Morocco is famed for the floor coverings it sells in its souks. The secret is two-fold: choosing styles featuring busy patterns in beautiful hues; and layering them for added texture.
For authenticity, try not to choose luxury rugs that match each other. Quite the opposite, in fact – find styles that purposefully clash for an effortless and ‘thrown-together’ look.
Editor’s picks
Start with something oversized in a neutral colour that can act as your base – the Dolzago by Linie Design is a good example – then layer over the top with different sizes, shapes, patterns and colours.
More really is more. Get inspired by the Whitfield from our collection, or Baobab by Louis de Poortere and Bandas by GAN. Remember your colour palette during the selection process so you’re building on the same tones and shades.
Layer your fabric
Next, it’s time to layer on even more fabric in cushions on the floor, sofa and any occasional chairs, plus luxury throws over the backs and arms of sofas. Eschew luxurious, heavy fabrics in favour of lighter, more rustic styles and tie them into colours elsewhere.
Editor’s picks
Begin by building a base of plain cushions in earthy shades – our Islington cushions in blush or tobacco, navy are perfect – teamed with ‘one-offs’ in a combination of quirky patterns and colours (almost as if you’ve picked them up randomly on trips abroad over the years).
See the Cabana in yellow and sand stripes; the Alice in a copper check; and the Sapowaydidi with a diamond motif. Anything with texture or detail – beading, fringing – is an added bonus.
Be creative with your pouf
Poufs are everywhere in Morocco, commonly used as a replacement for tables, while providing somewhere comfortable to sit when flexibility is required. Here in the UK, they’re more commonly referred to as footstools, but the concept is the same.
Editor’s picks
Give you traditional Moroccan pouf – generally made from leather or fabric – a contemporary twist with our Matera, Togo by Ligne Roset or our Isola.
When not in use, top with a tray in a gleaming metallic – such as the Brew by Tom Dixon – and style with objets d’art, tea-making paraphernalia or coffee table books.
Don’t forget about room fragrance
Smell is arguably the strongest of the senses, immediately recalling a cherished memory or transporting you to a favourite place, so don’t forget to add a luxury home fragrance to your Moroccan-style living room.
Editor’s picks
Floral and woody, our Jasmine & Sandalwood natural reed diffuser provides a long-lasting fragrance that’s truly evocative, while this leather-scented candle by MALIN + GOETZ is infused with the smell of artisans honing their craft in the souk.
With Morocco’s landscape carpeted with fig trees, this fig tree diffuser from Urban Apothecary will make you feel like your living room is among them.
Looking for other Moroccan living room ideas? Browse luxury furniture to recreate Moroccan flair from the comfort of home