Storage Benches

A storage bench earns its keep twice – a place to sit while putting on shoes, a hidden compartment for what you'd rather not see. Our collection covers hallway shoe-storage benches, bedroom blanket boxes, dining benches with hidden compartments and lift-top designs in solid timber, upholstered and combination finishes.
  • Brunel Blanket Box Brunel Blanket Box Oak
  • Brunel Blanket Box Dark Wood Brunel Blanket Box Dark Wood

    A 100-120cm bench seats two adults and holds 8-12 pairs of shoes inside – the practical minimum for a working family hallway. Smaller pieces (80cm) work for single occupants and tighter hallways. Allow at least 60cm of clear floor in front of the bench for shoe-on, shoe-off comfort.

    45-48cm tall is right for sitting and putting shoes on. Lower benches (40-42cm) suit older users or households with mobility considerations. Avoid storage benches taller than 50cm in hallways – they read as low cabinets rather than benches and lose the dual-function utility that makes the format useful.

    Yes – at the foot of a bed, a 120-150cm storage bench provides extra seating, holds spare bed linen and adds visual punctuation to the end of the bed. Choose a bench tall enough to read as a deliberate piece (around 45cm) rather than too low, where it reads as an oversized blanket box.

    Performance fabrics handle daily wear well; pure linen and untreated cotton mark with shoe contact and damp coats. For a working family hallway, faux leather or treated wool blend is the practical default. Upholstered hallway benches are easier on the body during shoe-on routines than hard-seat alternatives.

    • 10 Storage Ideas To Quickly Tidy Up Your Living Space
      In People’s Homes
      10 Storage Ideas To Quickly Tidy Up Your Living Space
      Here, we share some of our favourite living room storage ideas that are both perfectly practical and simply stylish and then make sure you check out our living room ideas gallery. In living rooms, storage can be tricky. The space is often full of furniture (a sofa, an armchair and TV units) and they are usually in need of a storage solution that allows them to feel spacious without sacrificing style. The key to getting your living room storage spot on is choosing pieces that offer as much multipurpose storage potential as possible. Think a coffee table with a shelf and drawers, built-in shelving solutions or wall mounted cabinets. If you are searching for living room storage ideas that are both practical and stylish, the storage experts at Heal’s have you covered with storage ideas that are both practical and stylish. Plus Elena Paparozzi, Senior Furniture Buyer at Heal’s offers her top tips on choosing the right storage options for your living room. Add a cabinet or console table An elegant console table not only gives plenty of extra storage space but also an elegant display to brighten up your living room. Built-in drawers are a perfect place to store letters and extra linens can be neatly folded in a basket underneath. A cabinet dresser is also a functional yet attractive way to add storage space to your living room. Elena says: Sometimes it’s a shame to hide our favourite pieces away, but you can display them while keeping them dust-free with a dresser cabinet. A console table also allows you to display accessories. Which in turn, add colour to your room while storing away less show-worthy items. Use strong vertical lines Use strong vertical lines to draw the eye upwards in a small space. Try using a ladder shelf as an attractive way to add vertical lines to your living space, while also giving you a creative way to add storage space. You can use the ladder as an attractive way to store books or letters while accessorising with a few plants and ornaments. This will give the illusion of more space. Elena says: A tall shelving unit will also work for adding vertical lines to your living area. The industrial trend is still going strong so consider adding an industrial unit which will give the illusion of height. The metal frames are also ideal for coping with the weight of numerous books and vases. Add extra storage with a coffee table Coffee tables are an essential feature to our living area and they are also excellent storage solutions. Opt for a coffee table with deep drawers and a shelf so that you can optimise the amount of storage. Elena says: Your coffee table is probably always covered (think magazines, remotes, coasters, and books), it only makes sense to get a coffee table that doubles as a place to stow away your personal items. For added durability opt for a coffee table made from reclaimed wood and a toughened glass top. A sideboard will add pretty living living Every living room should have a sideboard, they’re great for hiding away items that you don’t want to be seen. Sideboards with wide tops can also be used to add elegant touches such as lamps, candles and your favourite mementos. Elena says: Sideboards are a great piece of furniture for any living or dining area. A sideboard will offer plenty of storage space and is the perfect place to display flowers and picture frames. For a timeless look, go for a good-quality oak design as it will stand the test of time. And it's super stylish too. Storage baskets are perfect for decluttering Baskets are one of the best living room storage ideas. Endlessly useful baskets come in all shapes and sizes - they have a fabulous tactile quality that adds character to a scheme. They are ideal for a pretty way to declutter your living area. Elena says: Belly baskets are very on trend. The numerous patterns and shapes available make them ideal for incorporating into any layout. They can be used for storing blankets, magazines and plants. Save space with wall shelves If space is an issue, getting as much furniture as possible up off the floor gives the illusion of a bigger room. Wall shelves are ideal for this. Deep shelves can be used to display and store a range of items such as books, pictures and plants. Elena says: Stay organized in style. A compact shelf design will give you the opportunity to decorate without taking up too much space. Wall shelves turn bare walls into functional storage areas. And, if the shelves themselves are attractive and their display areas are styled well, they can become pieces of wall art in their own right. Maximise space by storing items under the stairs Nooks and crannies are perfect for storage. You can easily transform the empty or untidy space underneath your staircase into an organised haven using a range of pretty boxes and baskets. Elena says: Unlocking the potential of this pocket of space can help you find a new home for books, toys or shoes. Without a door to conceal them, it also gives you the opportunity to get creative in how you display your storage. Stack your boxes and baskets into streamlined piles to tidy unsightly clutter. Add nesting tables Nesting tables are ideal for smaller spaces. They can be used around the room for drinks when you need them. Then once they are not in use they can be fitted under each other and stored neatly away. You can also add some elegant touches such as house plants and lamps. Elena says: Nesting tables are great space-saving solutions for small spaces. They allow you to save space without having to compromise on practicality. By opting for nesting tables you save a lot of floor space. Purpose built shelving Purpose built shelving is the perfect option for living room storage solutions to make the most out of your space. Tricky alcoves and sloping roofs can naturally lend themselves to built-in storage solutions. Elena says: There are no limitations with built in shelving units. You can get them designed to fit the space perfectly and they can even be designed to incorporate televisions, books, photos and ornaments. This makes the area handy for storage and also a key feature of the room. Think ottomans Space is at a premium in small living rooms so furniture that can double up as storage is always a bonus. Storage ottomans are perfect for adding style and storage to your living room. Whether it’s towels, blankets, bedding or shoes you’re wanting to store away, ottomans make a lovely addition to any room not just your living area. Elena says: Storage ottomans come in all shapes and sizes which makes them so versatile for any size room. You can opt for a beautiful upholstered version in a bold jewel hue for a style statement that works double duty as a secret storage spot. Shop living room furniture here.
    • 5 Ways To Master The Art Of Storage This Spring
      Styling
      5 Ways To Master The Art Of Storage This Spring
      After what’s seemed like months of winter, spring is finally in the air, and with it lighter, brighter days. From decluttering spaces to organising rooms, spring-cleaning will set you in good stead for the season, helping you to create a harmonious home. After all, is there anything more relaxing than knowing everything’s in order? Whether The Home Edit or Marie Kondo, sorting has never been more in-vogue, and it’s not a moment too soon. Here, we round-up the ways you can master the art of storage, satisfaction guaranteed. Amira AV unit by Heal's Tidy your TV Find yourself staring at clutter rather than the screen when you’re watching a movie? It’s time to swap out your TV unit with one that helps conceal unsightly cables and electronics. New for Spring Summer ’23, the Amira AV unit – designed by Adam Daghorn – is inspired by classic Mid-Century styling. Blending form and function, its handsome solid and veneered walnut in rich chocolate is matched by generous storage, featuring four drawers with soft edges that enable everything to be hidden away to create a clean line of sight. Better still, two open shelves mean you can still display a select edit, from covetable tomes to objets d’art. Toolbox by Vitra Organise those odds and ends Sometimes, it’s not the bigger items that cause the most chaos, but the odds and ends that usually end up in a designated drawer of doom in the kitchen (we’ve all got one). The Toolbox by Vitra is just the thing to help you tidy those bits and pieces. Available in a range of colours – from tangerine orange to pale rose and sea blue – each features six compartments within a handy grab-and-go caddy, and can be stored in a cabinet or on a shelf. Whether stationery, batteries or coins – you name it – categorise and contain items with a single practical but pretty organisational tool. Lars shelving module by Heal's Sort your shelves Storage can be stylish when you group items together, rather than have them scattered throughout a space, and the Lars shelving module – part of our new-season collection – is a case in point. Designed by Danish studio Says Who exclusively for Heal’s, the blocks can be configured in a number of creative ways, flexing according to the needs of your storage requirements. Versatile pieces for the wall or floor, simply choose how many you need – and a finish in either contemporary grey or classic walnut – to customise accordingly. We like a combination of both colours arranged vertically up a wall, featuring a mix of open and closed modules, to accommodate a curation of striking vases neatly and beautifully. Alternatively, if you don’t want to design your own solution, invest in a ready-made shelving unit, such as the Eames ESU shelf by Vitra – a timeless and practical design – or Agnes high shelving unit by SCP, a Scandi-inspired take on shelving. Componibili cabinet by Kartell Declutter your bedsides From jewellery to electronics and books, a bedside table without storage capabilities can quickly accumulate all manner of unwanted accoutrement, but with the Componibili cabinet everything can be easily kept out of sight. The design classic from Kartell is made from renewable raw materials and features slide-open doors to reveal spacious compartments within a sleek circular form that fits neatly into even the tightest of spaces. Select from a spectrum of shades – black, gold, green or red, amongst others – and make a statement or blend seamlessly. Lift storage divan bed by Heal's 3 more tips 1 Bolster the storage in your bedroom with a bed that offers somewhere for clothes, towels and bedding within a clever design. Simply lift the base, store and conceal without taking up valuable floor space. 2 Bathrooms should be kept clean and clutter-free to keep them calm and relaxing. This bathroom storage stand will help you do just that with deep trays in sustainably-sourced oak or bamboo that offer a well-designed home for everyday items. 3 Coffee tables can become a dumping ground for everything from cups to magazines, but this table features a shelf made from tightly-woven rope beneath the glass top for storing said items while keeping the surface pleasingly clutter-free.