Mid-Century Sideboards

Mid-century sideboards sit at the intersection of storage and sculpture – teak, walnut and oak cases on splayed legs, with tapered handles and sliding doors. Our collection pairs original mid-century icons with contemporary pieces that honour the same principles of form, proportion and craft.
  • Romana Sideboard Small Romana Sideboard Small
  • McQueen Low Chest Walnut McQueen Low Chest Walnut
    2 Finish options
  • Vela Sideboard Vela Sideboard
  • - 15% OFF
    Atlante 3 Sideboard Walnut & Emperador Marble Atlante 3 Sideboard Walnut & Emperador Marble
  • McQueen Large Chest Walnut McQueen Large Chest Walnut
    2 Finish options
  • Cloud Sideboard 210cm in White Oiled Oak Cloud Sideboard 210cm in White Oiled Oak
  • Kyoto Sideboard Kyoto Sideboard
  • Neva Sideboard Neva Sideboard
    2 Finish options

    Raised legs that let the case sit clear of the floor, clean horizontal lines, a low profile (usually 70-85cm tall), and sliding or push-catch doors rather than ornate handles. Teak, walnut and rosewood were the go-to timbers; contemporary pieces in the style often use oak for sustainability. The proportions matter more than the material.

    The silhouette works across interior styles precisely because it's calm and horizontal – it grounds a room without competing for attention. In minimalist rooms it adds warmth; in more layered interiors it acts as a visual breather. The legged base keeps the eye moving, which makes rooms feel larger.

    Dust with a soft cloth weekly and avoid placing hot or wet items directly on the surface. Apply a dedicated wood oil or wax two to three times a year to feed the timber and maintain its colour. Keep the piece away from radiators and direct sunlight, both of which can dry the grain and cause cracking over time.

    Original pieces carry provenance and age beautifully, but condition varies widely and restoration can be costly. Modern reissues and contemporary pieces in the style offer consistent quality, longer warranties and the option of bespoke sizes. The right choice depends on whether you're buying a collector's piece or a working item of furniture.

    • Neutral Minimalism Meets Mid-Century Modern In This Open-Plan Living Space
      Influencer Edits
      Neutral Minimalism Meets Mid-Century Modern In This Open-Plan Living Space
      When you’re in the thick of the dust and destruction of a home renovation, sometimes it can be tricky to see the light at the end of the tunnel and visualise how the finished project will come together. Interiors and Lifestyle influencer Jess Parr (@jessroseparr) set up @jessrosehome to document her renovations of her Victorian terrace that she shares with her husband Freddie and lovely pup, Winnie. Together with the help of Roger and Helen from our Interior Planning Service, they picked the perfect pieces to create the ultimate minimalist yet cosy open-living space. We caught up with Helen and Jess to find out all about the design process, the key pieces and how to get the look of this relaxed and oh so inviting set up. Jess, tell us about your renovation story. When did it start and how have you found the process so far? J: After living in the house for 2 years we started our renovation early 2021. It took five months to complete the three-story job where we extended our group floor and opened up our galley kitchen, re-jigged the layout of our first floor and built a loft extension with en-suite on the top floor. It was a learning curve taking on a project like this with minimal experience, but we learned so much. Living on site really helped communication with our builders and lots of last minute design changes and style decisions were made possible by being here every day to watch the process of the build. How would you describe your style? Do you and your partner have the same taste? If not, how have you found the balance between your styles? J: My style is neutral minimalist with a bit of mid-century thrown in. Layer on a few organic shapes and textures and that’s me. A bit of everything basically! I try to avoid trends too much as I don’t want to constantly update our space. Mid-century never dates so I always like pieces in the room, and you can’t go wrong with neutral decor and styling. My partner doesn’t know what he likes and when he sees the finished result of the rooms that I create he says it’s exactly how he’d have wanted it so currently we get along great in the style department! Helen, what are the first steps when it comes to designing a space? We’d love to get some insight into how you approach a full room design. H: Firstly, establish what functions the space will be used for and by which members of the household. Often rooms need to perform more than one function, such as working from home during the day and family dining in the evening. Larger spaces can be ‘zoned’ with the use of rugs and lighting to further define these functions. Space planning is a critical step in designing any interior in order to create a well-balanced, easily navigable and beautiful space. Selecting the right size sofa and table within a living-dining space is critical to the overall success of the final design, and mapping this out during the planning stages can prevent costly mistakes. Finally, define your style, design and colour preferences, which will help when shortlisting and selecting furnishings to create a unique and cohesive interior scheme. Jess, how did you find working with our IPS team? Is there anything in particular that you found helpful when designing your space? J: I absolutely loved working with the IPS team. Whilst I knew exactly what I liked I was having trouble working with the space. Our kitchen / living / dining area is three zones in one room so I didn't want it to feel cramped or cluttered. In terms of style, I wanted each space to flow seamlessly into the next which is where the IPS team helped me pick simple pieces and we brought the space to life with lots of plants to help bring the outdoors in. So, Helen, what ideas and elements did you use to help to bring the outside in? H: By selecting natural textures, materials, and fluid shapes in a muted colour palette of greens and earthy tones create flow and effortlessly connect the interior scheme with the outdoor space. Were there any key pieces that stood out to you that you knew would be perfect for the space? H: The graceful organic curves of the Luna sofa was a natural fit for Jess’ room, as it looks great from every angle, so it was perfect for this open-plan living space. And how would you describe the finished space? H: Relaxed, natural, organic. How would you describe the finished space, Jess? J: It feels minimalist yet cosy. It’s the back of our house and we wanted to create this feeling of indoor to outdoor living. The doors open fully on the back wall and its feels wonderful sitting on the sofa and practically being outside. We opted for an armless end of the sofa by the doors so you can feel more connected to the outdoors when the doors are open. It’s a sociable area where we can have guests over who can relax whilst we host. It’s the perfect summer and winter space - in the evenings we can have the doors open enjoying the balmy evenings or cosy up in the winter after dinner with a glass of wine and a movie. Now, we know no one likes playing favourites, but if you were to choose what’s your favourite piece? J: The Luna sofa! It's the perfect balance of a comfy nappable Sunday sofa which also looks ultra-chic at the same time. The thin legs make it feel lighter all round even though it’s a big piece of furniture. I love the Tundra Texture Stone linen colour which is the perfect neutral tone for the space. Finally, Helen, what advice would you have for someone who is looking to get the look of Jess’ inside outside living space? H: Take inspiration from the great outdoors! Keep your design simple and stick with a muted and natural colour palette. Select furniture and furnishings with organic shapes in fabrics and textures that echo nature. The use of eco-friendly materials, such as our Romilly rug, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, creates an authentic feel while supporting the drive for sustainable living. Need a helping hand with designing your space? Our IPS team are here to help! Click here to follow along with Jess’ renovation journey.
    • Embrace Mid-Century Modern Style
      Styling
      Embrace Mid-Century Modern Style
      Known for its uncomplicated, clean aesthetic mid-century modern style still looks as fresh today as it did 50 years ago. Organic shapes, tapered legs, and natural materials combine to create designs that are both stylish and comfortable. Dating back to the period between the mid-1930s and the mid-1960s, mid-century modern style emerged as a popular design aesthetic after WWII. More than just interior design and décor, the term refers to architecture, art, literature, furniture and accessories. Nowadays, as an interior design and decorating style, mid-century modern encompasses everything from an Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair to a gold and wood Starburst wall clock. It can regularly be seen filtering through the work of 21st-century designers and has achieved cult-like status with design-lovers everywhere. If you want to embrace mid-century modern style in your home, these are the most common elements to consider. Furniture You will know mid-century furniture when you see it – it’s sleek, with clean lines and sophisticated curves that make it instantly recognisable. Seating For a sofa that boasts a vintage yet glamourous look, explore the Mistral sofa range. These large visual pieces have beautiful upholstery, with matching piping and strong symmetrical lines. Its tapered feet are classic features of modernist design and the sofa can easily be accessorised with mid-century-inspired patterned scatter cushions. The Mistral sofa If you’re looking to invest in something with a smaller footprint, consider a statement chair. Although there are many designer chairs available today, there are two mid-century modern designers who stand out from the competition: Eero Saarinen and Charles & Ray Eames. Eero Saarinen's designs employ modern materials in graceful, organic shapes that create perfectly-curved chairs such as the famous Womb and Tulip chairs. These ground-breaking pieces were designed to support countless lounging positions providing ultimate comfort. Another staple of mid-century design is the Ottoman lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames. It’s the ideal way to combine comfort, sophistication and functionality in your home - perfect as a standalone feature or paired with a wooden table. These chairs are conveniently available in a variety of colours to suit every mid-century style home. Charles & Ray Eames, 1956 Style notes: Mid-century modern interiors rely on the use of fewer choice pieces. The aim is to not clutter your space. It’s about adopting a minimalist style in open plan rooms to draw attention to each piece of furniture. Organic Forms Mid-century design is often free-form, unpredictable and flowing in appearance. Fortunately, the modernist design approach hasn’t changed much over the centuries. We can incorporate fascinating pieces, such as the organic glass coffee table from Isamu Noguchi, into our homes. The Noguchi table has a solid wood base consisting of two identical pieces that create symmetry and stability. It’s the perfect centrepiece for a mid-century style living room. The Noguchi table Style notes: Mid-century modern homes embrace the sensibility of clean, easy to maintain and functional living spaces. You should keep your look simple and unique. Wood Mid-20th-century designers commonly used natural materials in their designs. Using wood can give even the most contemporary space a mid-century modern look. To create a nature-inspired style, consider using a wooden dining room table, chest of drawers, television AV unit or wardrobe. The Romana dining table by Ercol is one of those rare designs that never dates ensuring stylish practicality for years to come. The Romana dining table by Ercol Ercol emerged in the post-war era with a passion for creating furniture that was both well-designed and well-made. Nearly 70 years later the brand’s design icons are still as stylish today as they were in the 1950s and its long-lasting reputation for creating pieces that stand the test of time is what sets it apart from other modern-day furniture makers. A staple part of the Heal’s offering, Ercol embodies everything that we love about good design: expert craftsmanship, quality materials, and a beautiful mid-century aesthetic that captures the optimism that Britain felt about its design potential at the time. Wood cabinets, ceiling details and doors can also be used to add warmth to your space. Whichever way you choose to use timber, investing in carved wood furnishings will bring everything together nicely. The Butterfly Chair by Ercol Style notes: When working wood into your space, be sure to utilise one range of colours and avoid using contrasting hues. Finding pieces with similar undertones – warm yellows, reds and oranges, cool greys, or neutral beiges – will help to keep a room unified. Home Accessories Lighting When it comes to lighting, there’s no need to be modest and using unique and eye-catching fixtures are encouraged. For lighting inspiration, explore the collection of highly sought-after pendant lights, and table and floor lamps in unique shapes from American modernism designer George Nelson. Colour and Pattern For your interior, be sure to explore earthy hues of orange, mustard yellow, olive green, soft blue and brown. Consider George Nelson’s iconic atomic and sunburst clock designs, which are ideal for hanging alongside modern art and sculptures in a living room. Or you can simply decorate your space with an amber vase, yellow velvet cushions or a vintage desk lamp to give it a mid-century modern feel. Use asymmetrical and abstract patterned cushions and throws for an effective way to add interest to a mid-century modern style home. With a strong affinity for the aesthetics and philosophy of mid-century design, Eleanor Pritchard’s textile collections and rectangular cushions reinterpret such iconic styles for a modern day audience. Using understated geometric patterns, calm greys and blues are mixed with shots of yellow and green to bring a modern twist to British heritage. The Charlock Throw by Eleanor Pritchard Style notes: Home accessories are the place to add creativity, texture and pizzazz to mid-century modern style. Reject the minimalist approach here in favour of pieces that pack a punch.
    • From The Archive: Mid-Century Posters by Charles Feeney
      Heritage
      From The Archive: Mid-Century Posters by Charles Feeney
      A dose of midweek mid-century from the Heal's archive with original artwork and prints from unsung design hero Charles Feeney. While Heal's is quite rightly celebrated for it's long history of producing and sourcing quality made furniture, a quick delve into the archives reveals a wealth of graphic design and promotional imagery. Perhaps the most iconic of them all are the 1950s poster designs of Charles Feeney, their bold style capturing the optimism of the era and many of which have featured on our vintage series of kitchen linens. Despite having produced some of Heal's most iconic poster designs, Charles Feeney is largely unknown outside of the business and even then information is hard to come by. What we do know is that Feeney's primary role was as in-house display manager for our stores, or as we call it nowadays a Visual Merchandiser, in charge of the window displays and general appearance of the showrooms. While images from the time testify to his great skill in the role, it's his eye-catching poster designs that have left a lasting legacy. Hand drawn and painted before then being screen printed, these rare images reveal the process of each design with visible pencil lines, notes and brush marks alongside six decades of wear and tear. Our Heritage Our Heritage Back to top