Styling

Small Living Room Ideas

Working with a limited space should never mean having to compromise on comfort or style. Whether you’re furnishing a smaller apartment, downsizing or just looking to refresh a smaller living room, using the right design strategy can help you maximise your space to its full potential. These modern small living room ideas are perfect for making even the tiniest lounge feel bright, stylish, and functional. Colour schemes for small living rooms Soft neutrals When exploring ideas for small living rooms, a soft neutral palette can make a smaller space feel much more airy and open. Having a neutral colour scheme for walls, ceilings and large furniture pieces can create visual continuity in a room and give the illusion of a larger space as there is less visual contrast. Try combining cream, warm beige and soft taupe for a cosy and inviting neutral palette or for a more modern and minimalist look, combine cool neutral tones like soft grey, white and charcoal. Warm pastels Pastels have the same light-reflective qualities as a neutral palette without being too stark and clinical. They are a great way to inject some colour and personality to a small space without becoming overwhelming. A bold statement wall Having just one statement wall with patterned wallpaper or a bold paint is a great way to introduce some colour to a small space without making it feel too chaotic or cluttered. For modern small living room ideas, an accent wall in a trending colour can really elevate the space. Try olive or sage green for an on-trend, calming colour or a terracotta orange for a warm and grounding atmosphere in your living room. Small Living Room Layout Ideas Choose a focal point and arrange seating around this Creating a strong focal point is one of the simplest ways to draw the eye and give the illusion of a larger space, especially in a small living room. While the television often takes centre stage, opting for a striking piece of modern wall art or a classic fireplace can lend a more curated, timeless feel. Arranging seating around this focal point brings structure to the room, helping to visually anchor the layout and avoid a cluttered or disjointed look. The result is a space that feels cohesive, intentional, and spacious. Be savvy with storage Adding shelving to your walls is a great way to make your small living room feel bigger. It saves valuable floor space making the room feel less cramped and can keep everyday items within easy reach, whilst avoiding messy cluttered surfaces. Less is more A minimalist approach can help create the illusion of more space in a small living room, especially when it comes to the furniture you choose. Choosing less bulky furniture saves space and prevents the room from feeling enclosed or overcrowded. Think clean lines, clutter free and an effortlessly refined space. A minimalist approach creates a great base to work on, use well placed home accessories and soft furnishings to add some personality or colour into your small living room. Create traffic paths A traffic path in interior design is the route people use to move through a space and thinking about it intentionally improves the flow of the room and enhances functionality. This is imperative to making a small living room feel spacious and liveable. Pulling furniture away from walls can help to create a traffic path effectively without forcing everything to the perimeter and having an empty space in the middle of the room. Small Living Room Furniture Ideas Choose compact furniture In a small living room, proportion is everything. Slimline or compact living room furniture can help to maximise the space by leaving more visible floor space which helps the room feel more open. Low-profile sofas, narrow coffee tables, or open-legged chairs can make a space appear less crowded and more thoughtfully designed. Steer clear from larger pieces of furniture for your small living room. Choosing large, bulky furniture tends to give the illusion of shrinking a small room. It can visually dominate the room and overwhelm it. Add multi-purpose furniture By combining storage with style, you can maximise every square inch without sacrificing design. Ottomans with hidden compartments are a perfect example, offering a place to put your feet up while keeping clutter out of sight. Similarly, choosing a media unit or coffee table with built-in storage helps maintain a clean, organised feel while still serving as a design feature. Add mirrors Using mirrors can give the impression of more space in a small living room. When placed opposite to a window, mirrors reflect the natural light making the space appear larger, more open and airy. Mirrors also add more depth and dimension, they help to expand the room and make it feel less enclosed when placed in narrow areas or darker corners. Make clever use of lighting Layering multiple lighting sources can be useful in small spaces as it helps to avoid harsh shadows that divide the space. Try combining table lamps, ceiling lights and wall lighting to layer up your lighting for a soft, cosy, ambient look. Another way to make the space feel more open and airy is by maximising the natural light in your living room. Keep windows clear of thick, heavy curtains and instead opt for more sheer, light coloured materials or blinds that can be drawn back completely. Add a rug in the centre of the room Rugs are a great way to organise your space, making it feel more intentional and structured. Adding a rug to the centre of the room or using it to centre larger furniture pieces such as sofas can create the illusion of a larger space. They can be used to define zones such as a clear seating area or walkway through a room. This can make a small room feel more spacious and improve the visual flow. Choosing a large rug that extends beneath furniture can make the room appear wider or larger whereas smaller rugs tend to chop up the space and make it feel smaller. Curious about living room lighting? Explore our complete guide to living room wall lighting.

Styling

How To Layer Your Lighting Like A Pro

Every October, we celebrate our annual Festival of Light, an illuminating and inspiring display of the best lighting brands in the business, from Frandsen and Tom Dixon to Tala and &Tradition – alongside plenty of our own creations. Better still, we’re offering 15% off all Lighting meaning you can switch up the look of your space for less this season. To provide a guiding light, we asked Claire Anstey, our Senior Lighting Buyer, to show us how to layer your lighting like a pro – just in time for the dark autumn months ahead. Why is layering your lighting important? Claire says: “Layering your lighting is the easiest way to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in a space – just look around your favourite restaurants and hotels and you’ll notice they always have a layered scheme.” When it comes to illuminating your home, it’s similar to how you layer colours, textures, fabrics and materials to create rooms full of depth and character. But layered lighting doesn’t only create ambience; it’s also key to creating a multi-functional space, whether you’re curling up with a good book, watching a movie, or engaging in deep-and-meaningful. “Mixing-and-matching your lighting means your room will work both during the day and come evening,” adds Claire. What types of lighting are there? “There are three main types of lighting,” Claire reveals, “- ambient, task and accent.” In short, ambient is general lighting that illuminates a space in a functional way to avoid you knocking into things in the dark. This can come in the form of pendants, wall lights and chandeliers – and doesn’t have to derive from a single source. Meanwhile, accent lighting is more for aesthetic purposes and enables you to create a mood - think warm and cosy table and floor lamps for a soft glow, or to highlight specific features like a period fireplace. Finally, task lighting is the most functional of all by helping you with specific activities, from desk lamps to kitchen pendants and vanity lights. Claire says: “A combination of all three types will help you create a space that’s as atmospheric as it is practical.” What tips are there for layering your light? “Have at least three to four light sources in a room you want to create atmosphere in,” Claire advises, “or more if it’s a darker-hued room that’s painted or papered.” She adds: “Choose table and floor lamps with shades for diffusing the lighting. And invest in dimmable lights to dial up and down the mood as required.” “Portable lights are super flexible, perfect for spaces with no plug sockets, but not just for outside, as most of our portable lamps last for at least 8 hours, allowing you to recharge them at the weekend (or overnight). Claire says: “Light the corners of a room to make it feel bigger. And create layers with a combination of ceiling, wall, floor and table lamps to add visual interest.” Do you have any thoughts, ideas, or advice on whether bedroom light fixtures need to match? “There has been a definite movement away from matching wall lamps, pendants, and table lamps, which can feel a little hotel-like. Rather than looking for uniform pieces, I would recommend co-ordinating lighting with the overall room décor to achieve a cohesive and considered look... Functionality should be the main priority. For example, large, dramatic lamps next to the bed might look impressive, but if you have small bedside tables cluttered with essentials like books, a phone, and a glass of water, they can prove to be impractical. In such cases, understated wall lamps or pendants can be a stylish and space-saving alternative, allowing you to instead make a statement with the central ceiling fixture... “If you enjoy winding down with a good book, instead consider directional light sources on either side of the bed. The goal is to create an intentional scheme that feels natural, rather than overly curated.” Are there any rules to follow when approaching bedroom lighting? “The bedroom should be your personal sanctuary. When it comes to lighting, the most important consideration should be to create a scheme that promotes relaxation while catering to your individual style and practical needs... This can be easily achieved by layering different elements to achieve the perfect level of illumination from dawn to dusk. Focused task lighting can be ideal when reading before bed or getting ready in the morning, while accent lighting can gently highlight darker corners of the room as you wind down for sleep." Can you give some general thoughts on the do's and don'ts of mixing and matching bedroom lights? “While there are no strict rules, I would recommend coordinating your lighting through common elements like colour, texture, or material to maintain a harmonious feel. Mixing styles can create a wonderfully eclectic look, provided there is a unifying element tying them together... Most importantly, choose lighting that resonates with your individual style and personality. After all, it will be among the last things you see at night, and the first thing you notice in the morning!”

Styling

8 Outdoor Dining Ideas

It’s almost time to throw open the doors and enjoy the great outdoors, if recent glimmers of sunshine amidst the clouds are anything to go by. You can almost smell the barbecues, taste the Pimm’s and hear the birdsong of a not-too-distant spring, can’t you? Thankfully, we’ve got everything you need to get your outdoor space ready for a season of entertaining friends and family, specifically accompanied with great food and drink. Garden dining ideas Just in time for sunnier times, we’ve rounded up the best outdoor dining ideas for your garden. Mix and match outdoor furniture While we’ve got complete garden sets for those looking to create a cohesive scheme in their outdoor space – from Eos to Tanso – why not mix and match individual garden dining and tables for a gloriously eclectic look? But don’t just throw individual styles together without much thought. To mismatch effortlessly but elegantly, take your cues from similar materials – wood vs. metal, for example – or like minded tones (for instance, earthy vs. muted) to still create a sense of synergy in even the most opposite of pieces. Sure to spark conversation. Host a crowd with a large garden dining table An outdoor dining table sets the stage for many an al fresco feast over the spring and summer months so it’s worth investing in a quality one that will stand the test of time (and endure British winters). The Pelagus dining table by Fritz Hansen is just the thing with a sturdy but stylish teak and aluminium design that’s available in two distinctive colourways. Better still, the extension plate can be used in ones or twos to convert the table from a six- or eight-seater to a 10- or 12-seater, meaning everyone can be invited for fun in the sun. Surely one of the brightest outdoor dining ideas. Inject colour with bright garden dining chairs If your outdoor palette is natural and subdued – black and white, or grey and beige – make a sparing but vibrant statement with a splash of colour in the form of your dining chairs. The Eos outdoor side chair is now available in Brewer Green, exclusive to Heal’s and developed in collaboration with COAT Paints, which will certainly dial up the drama. Roll out an outdoor rug With your table and chairs acting as the jewel in the crown of your outdoor dining space, it’s time to add texture with an outdoor rug, the hottest way to take the inside out. Luckily, we’ve got a collection of floor coverings to suit every outdoor space, layering texture, colour and pattern. The Romilly recycled rug comes in an earthy terracotta colour that adds Moroccan flair; while the Diamond kilim outdoor rug features an unusual octagon shape emblazoned with a graphic print. Pop one under your dining table and chairs to zone the area while adding texture under bare feet. Bring atmosphere with outdoor lighting Add a little ambience to your outdoor dining area with lighting that’s specifically designed for al fresco spaces. Our own-brand Orion portable LED table lamps are perfect for illuminating outdoor tablescapes while casting a flattering glow and offer up to eight hours of battery life from a single charge. For additional impact, why not add string lighting to your scheme? The Tobias from Sirius comprises 10 LED bulbs suspended from a five-metre cable that can be wound around trees or draped over fences. Lastly, add candles for atmosphere. Line them in varying heights down the length of a rectangular table or cluster together in the centre of a circular table. Add texture with layered fabric To soften your dining space further, layer on luxurious fabrics, from linen for your table to cushions for your seating. New for summer, the Heal’s + L.F.Markey stripe tablecloth in a vibrant yellow-and-white colourway. Part of the latest collection from our collaboration with the independent London fashion brand, it’s a surefire talking point and can be teamed with the napkins in the same collection (the green will add a touch of contrast). Otherwise, our linen tablecloth – in neutrals like pink or cream – offers a more laid-back aesthetic. For comfort under-cheek, why not plump for an outdoor cushion that adds panache as well as padding? The colours in the Greenwich collection provide a style for most spaces while this cushion from Edinburgh Weavers allows your passion for art and design to escape the four walls of your home. Finally, why not offer dining companions a chance to cosy up by filling a basket with a selection of quality throws to drape over their shoulders? Our pure Alpaca throws or two-tone Merino throws are sure to do the job. Stay cool in the sun with a parasol For daytime soirées, ensure you and your guests keep your cool with a stylish but practical outdoor umbrella to shield everyone from the strength of the afternoon sun. The Messina round outdoor umbrella by Fritz Hansen is built from long-lasting fabric and features a classic blue-and-white striped design. Work on a garden sofa for lounging Finally, give your guests somewhere to retire after dinner by carving out space for a dedicated outdoor lounge area. From an Eos sofa or armchair to the Virkelyst sofa or Roy Cocoon chair, something laid-back but luxurious provides the perfect excuse to while away the evening until the small hours (preferably with a digestif in hand). Prepare your garden for al fresco dining Browse and buy from the latest and greatest luxury garden furniture to make the most of your great outdoors and inspire more outdoor dining ideas.

Styling

How To Put A Throw On A Sofa

Whether wool or velvet, a throw can be one of the simplest ways to cosy up a space for the season, from your bed to the sofa. Certainly, they’re a quicker way to refresh a room than a piece of furniture, while being significantly more economical than cranking up the central heating. That said, they can be notoriously hard to style when not in use, often looking messy rather than chic. Here, we show you how to style them up so they’re as pretty as they are practical. Choose the right throw First thing’s first: choosing the right throw. As with everything, there are endless options out there to ponder, but as a general rule of thumb we’d recommend starting by selecting the size. If you’re after a throw for your sofa, you don’t want it to drown the frame or mask the fabric, so choose something that’s generous but not oversized; if you’re looking for a throw for the bed, then you’ll need a large one to make an impact, especially if you’re folding it. Colour-wise, go tonal – beige on beige, grey on grey, or blue on blue, for example, albeit a different shade - or choose something that contrasts or clashes (in a good way) with the hue of your sofa or bedding. Plain sofa? Consider pattern. Patterned bed? Plain is best. Fold it neatly So, how to arrange a throw on a sofa or bed? Arguably, the easiest way is to fold it lengthways and drape it over the back of the former or width of the latter, creating a neat and tidy silhouette and displaying its texture, pattern or colour beautifully. For best results, keep your sofa clear of too many scatter cushions to allow the throw to take centre stage, and drape it off-centre to avoid an overly-fussy look. On the bed, drape it about one-third of the way from the bottom, perhaps over a bedspread for a layered aesthetic. You can never have too many throws on a bed, so play with multiples of varying textures and colours, while alternating between neat and looser iterations. Drape it casually If you’re crazy about cushions and want to keep a generous collection on your sofa, there’s an art in how to drape a throw on a sofa over one arm. Create a neat-and-tidy fold – not dissimilar to how it can be styled over the back – by folding in lengthways into thirds and halving in the other direction. The longer section should be hanging over the side of the arm – tassels, pom-poms or fringing look great on display – with the shorter section tucked neatly into the seat cushion on the inside of the sofa. Alternatively, plump for a casual-and-crumpled appearance by bunching it up for a look that’s a little less perfect and more ‘lived-in’. Create a corner For those who prefer their styling a little less put-together, the cosy-corner method is the best, resulting in an organic and flowing look. Simply fold your throw in half along its length, draping part over the back and extending down onto the seat, then open the fold where it cascades from the back to the front and fiddle a little until it looks pleasing to the eye. For the more structured amongst you, create a tidy version simply by folding the throw into thirds lengthways and repeating the same steps, albeit keeping the fold rather than loosening it towards the front of the sofa. To finish, add cushions on front of the throw so it takes a backseat behind them, adding to the cosiness of the corner – something you can’t help but sink into after a hard day at work. Get the edge For a bed, why not drape your throw over the edge at the bottom of the mattress, either folded or crumpled, for a dramatic and luxurious look? Pull it down from the bed at the corner until it hangs at just the right level on the side. For added panache, add a small tray with accessories or a couple of coffee table books onto the top of the throw to recreate the feel of a five-star hotel. Fashion a ‘waterfall’ Don’t worry – this isn’t as complicated as it sounds. To create a ‘waterfall’ effect with your throw, simply fold it lengthways into thirds so the sides are crisp and clean. Then, drape it over the back of your sofa, down the front of the back cushion, onto the seat and just beyond. A cushion can be added in front of the cascade or not – it looks effective either way. Minimum effort, maximum impact. Display in a basket For something altogether different, keep a convenient and decorative basket near the sofa or bed for storing your throw when it’s not styled on your furniture or wrapped around your shoulders. Throw it in the basket with one of the corners hanging over the edge for a stylish flourish; or roll and place together with others for a chic collection. You could also roll up your throws and lean against the wall if you don’t have a basket to hand. Ladder up Finally, if you don't want to display your throws on a sofa or bed, but equally don’t want them stored away out of sight, then invest in a small ladder or shelving unit beside either to hang beautiful throws and blankets from. A clever storage solution that means they’re within easy reach, too. Now know how to put a throw on a sofa? Browse and buy from our collection of luxurious throws.

Styling

The Best Green Bedding

Green is well and truly having a moment, perhaps in part because of its connection to nature – from emerald forests to sage fields and olive groves – as well as the fact it’s utterly timeless and complements most other shades. But did you know that the latest way to tap into the trend is through your bedding? Yes, green bedding is the hottest trope in interiors right now, perfectly timed for swapping out your current sheets for the cosy season ahead. Here, we track its rise (and rise) and help you shake up your set for autumn with truly inspiring green bedding ideas. Why is green bedding so popular? It didn’t start with green bedding. As with most things, the trend began with a broader brushstroke as green – more generally – became the colour of 2023. Searches for ‘green’ are soaring online as we look to surround ourselves with natural colours found in the world around us, from forests to fairways, which explains why earthy browns, watery blues and sunny yellows are also big news. These are comforting hues that console us in a world that continues to be tumultuous, even post-pandemic. Green brings the outside in with its restorative and refreshing qualities while grounding us in what really matters. And it symbolises growth and abundance and has a positive and calming effect on our emotion and mood. Is it hardly surprising that it’s filtered down from the plants we use to fill our interiors to the paint we put on our walls and the linen we dress our beds with? Is green bedding a good choice? Luckily, green is an excellent choice for your bedding. It’s versatile. Green bedding makes even the dark depths of winter feel positively spring-like but because it’s so versatile. Indeed, green is a chameleon of colour that complements a spectrum of different shades, from neutrals like brown and grey, to vibrant hues such as yellow, blue and pink. Better still, green itself comes in a range of different tones, from light to dark, with cool or warm undertones. You can choose a shade that fits your bedroom's aesthetic and your personal taste. For a more calming and neutral feel, consider soft, muted greens, while bolder shades can add a pop of colour to your bedroom. It’s timeless. It’s also timeless with black and white, able to step up as the star of the show or play a stellar support act. As they’re opposite each other on the colour wheel, red and green are happy bedfellows, too, despite the old adage that ‘red and green should never be seen’. It's complementary. Lastly, green can be made to look modern for contemporary spaces, or traditional with cottage-style décor, making it a secret weapon for your bedding that can be styled up differently time and again to keep things fresh. What is the best green bedding for me? Luckily, Heal’s is home to the best green bedding in the business, with something for every taste and space. Casually chic green linen bedding A bestseller for a reason, our washed linen in forest green is a casual but chic set that has a soft feel and a relaxed look, featuring distinctive mussel-shell buttons on the duvet for a stylish flourish. It’s carefully woven in Portugal using flax in a sustainable process that requires fewer dyes and water than cotton. Better still, the fabric is noticeably weightier than most other linens to make it as suitable for providing warmth in the winter as it keeps you cool in the summer. Don’t worry about ironing, either: simply wash, dry and put it straight back on. A pre-washed look means it comes stylishly faded, too, meaning it couldn’t be easier to keep looking like new. Smart and sophisticated green cotton bedding On the other side of the spectrum, Été bedding in dark green and white contrasting stripes from Hay – founded in 2002 in Denmark – is seriously smart and sophisticated. It’s crafted from crisp, soft cotton as part of a collaboration between the brand and designer Amanda Borberg. Breathable and lightweight, it’s perfect for recreating that beach-chic look, whether as a matching set or mixed with other pieces. Luxurious green quilted bedding For pure luxury, look no further than our velvet quilt in emerald green, a thick and cosy bedspread featuring plush quilting in a rich palette. It’s made from 100% cotton velvet and hand-finished for a hotel-style look. Layer over your duvet at the end of the bed to style it like a pro. Smooth and silky green bedding Alternatively, plump for our silk bedspread in sage, featuring a grid pattern and handwoven in India. From washed linen to Egyptian cotton, we offer a range of different bedding in quality materials – all with a different aesthetic and feel – so read our helpful buying guide to find the best for you. What accessories go well with green bedding? Bedding is just the beginning of creating a beautiful bed for rest and relaxation. Layering is key to creating a luxurious look, so invest in a scatter cushion or two, whether in something tonal like the Edith check cushion or Cabana stripe cushion, or a contrasting style such as the Pablo Picasso Femme au Chapeau cushion or the Heal’s + LF Markey cushion. Browse and buy our best green bedding.

Styling

Bedroom Ceiling Light Ideas

A bedroom needs to be conducive to rest and relaxation – not to mention quality sleep – while providing a stylish space for everything else when you’re not tucked up in bed (from getting ready to reading a book and watching TV). But many of us get preoccupied with selecting colours, furniture and textiles when it comes to decorating our bedrooms, and lighting can often be an afterthought. Here, we’ll show you how to create a dreamy scheme with a round-up of the best bedroom ceiling light ideas, sure to brighten up any space. Make a statement Like any room, your bedroom needs a focal point when it comes to lighting, so consider something oversized or dramatic for the centre of the ceiling, or perhaps over the bed or dressing table. While quiet luxury has certainly been trending of late, there’s no denying that maximalism is back with a bang, so think outside of the box when it comes to colour, material and shape. In particular, chandeliers are enjoying something of a revival and are well worth considering. You can forget the glitzy iterations of the past, though. The latest and greatest designs are contemporary takes that dazzle for all the right reasons. More really is more in the likes of our Mega Junction chandelier – a space-age design with 12 arms in a constellation-like configuration – and our Tubular sputnik, made up of six adjustable silicone light tubes with integrated LEDs. If you’ve got more of a penchant for pendant lighting, you can still choose a talking-point, from our Supernova LED long pendant light, which comprises individual lights in a shape inspired by the galaxy, to our Makiko pendant, inspired by Japanese panelling and crafted organically from wire. Alternatively, if you don’t plan for the light to sit or hang directly over something, you could opt for a longer pendant style, such as the Skipper multi pendant light by Tom Raffield, the Basalt nine pendant light from Tala or the Melt pendant system by Tom Dixon. Perfect for making a corner pop. Have some direction From spots in the ceiling pointed towards the right places, to lights above artworks on the walls to illuminate details, directional light certainly has a place in the bedroom. For the best lighting for a bedroom ceiling, we recommend our Milton 3 arm semi flush light in a matt-black and brushed-brass finish with three heads that can be adjusted for directing light where it’s needed, whether towards an armchair for reading a book or an architectural detail for highlighting a feature, while it can be complemented with the similarly adjustable Milton wall light for a cohesive look. Top tip: why not wallpaper a single wall and point your directional light towards it so it picks up on the intricate design? Similarly, shine it on the artwork you’re particularly proud of so you can appreciate it the moment you walk through the door. Select something understated Sometimes, simple bedroom ceiling lights are best, allowing your space and furniture to do the talking – creating beautiful lighting without being distracting in itself. After all, you can leave the conversation starters for something that sits above your dining table or hangs in your hallway. Understated styles can be found in these small but perfectly formed pendant lights from Tala, comprising a trio of bulbs suspended from a circular white ceiling rose, our sleek and streamlined Saber LED chandelier, which sits flush to the ceiling for a clean line of sight, or the Asteria LED Up light by Umage with a discreet but stylish design. Three more bright ideas 1 ) Hang pendant lights on either side of a bed to free up space on your bedside tables – they also make for a pleasing symmetry and catch the eye – and adjust the height so they're just right for reading. 2 ) Spotlights over a desk make even a WFH area in a bedroom as practical as it is pretty. 3 ) A layered look always adds a touch of luxury when it comes to lighting, so team ceiling lights with table lamps, pendants and floor styles. It’s all the style of a five-star hotel suite from the comfort of home. Browse and buy from our collection of designer ceilings lights for bedrooms.