living room Archives - Page 8 of 31

More happy home New Year Resolutions: Part Two

Page from a spiral notepad with large numbers 2021 and plan

Following on from our last blog, here’s part two of our easy New Year happy home resolutions to get 2024 off to the most positive start possible.

Number 6 – Reorganise & de-clutter

Decluttering is a great way to make your home a more serene place. Go through your kitchen cupboards and have a good sort out! Just adding a small sideboard in your kitchen or dining room will give you so much extra storage space. If you haven’t worn some of your winter woolies by now then think if you will ever wear them again. If there are some you are unsure about then pop them away in storage, if you don’t miss them by spring you can probably donate or recycle some. Buying new bedroom furniture is a great incentive to declutter your bedroom, a wooden wardrobe with drawers is ideal with plenty of storage options.

Photo featuring: Luna Double Wardrobe

Number 7 – Cook one new thing a week

Cooking, especially weeknights, can get a bit repetitive! This can be something the whole family is involved in, not with just helping to cook but also let the kids help by making suggestions. Even if the kids just want pizza, they will still enjoy making one from scratch, maybe try out some new toppings, and then all sit around your rustic dining table to enjoy your efforts!

Number 8 – Cut down on alcohol

Avoid temptation and keep the bottles out of sight…Even though Christmas and New Year have been low key, we have probably all enjoyed a bit more to drink than normal. Keep your bottles out of sight and out of mind with the gorgeous Wardour Reclaimed drinks cabinet.

Number 9 – Get more sleep

We should all be getting 7-8 hours sleep a night – how many of us actually manage to do this? Turn your bedroom in a place you really want to spend time in, freshen it up with a lick of paint in a tranquil colour (blues and green are great for bedrooms) concentrate on comfort. Natural, warm feeling, eco-conscious reclaimed wood furniture is perfect for the bedroom – A Dulwich Reclaimed Wood Bed frame would be a dreamy addition to any bedroom, with a chest of drawers, a small bedside table and a wooden blanket box you have plenty of storage available to keep your bedroom clear and organised.

Photo featuring: Dulwich Reclaimed Wood Bed

Number 10 – Start writing a diary

A journal is a great way to clear and organise your thoughts and also vent your feelings at the end of the day – it’s also a great way to remember the little things that people so often forget. You can write this tucked up in bed before you go to sleep – but if you really want to knuckle down and create your own masterpiece you can get small dressing table for your bedroom that can double as a writing desk…….something like the Parquet Dressing Table would be ideal.

Photo featuring: Parquet Dressing Table

Hello 2024! Happy home New Year Resolutions: Part One

2024 Is finally upon us and 2023 has been and gone – YAY!! So let’s get the year off to the most amazing and positive start. In this blog, and in the next one, we have listed our top 10 New Year’s resolutions for a happy home.

New Year resolutions don’t just have to be about dieting and working out! But also about improving our lifestyle in the space we value, relax and recharge time in – our homes.

Number 1 – Read more

“Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book” – Jane Smiley

Make a point of picking up a book every now and then – aim for a book a month to get started – chances are you will find some real gems which you will not be able to put down! And with all this reading going on you will, of course, need somewhere to keep all these books – give them pride of place in the Chelwood Reclaimed Wood Bookcase. In the right spot, you can create a small reading corner in your home – all you need is some shelving for your books, a small armchair and maybe a small side table for your reading lamp.

Photo featuring: Chelwood Reclaimed Wood Bookcase

Number 2 – Keep the hallway tidy

The hallway is an often forgotten about part of the house – it’s not a place we spend much time in so don’t give much thought about furniture in it. But our second resolution suggests we should at least sort out some practical hallway storage – who likes to walk into a home tripping over abandoned shoes and bags? A narrow console table is perfect to put a handbag down on and you can get one with a shelf below and drawers if you resolve to keep clutter-free. A hallway storage bench is a perfect allrounder – somewhere to sit down while you get your shoes on and off as well as compartments or baskets to hide them away.

Number 3 – Get a better work/life balance

Working from home is a lot more in our lives now – invest in a good home office desk and desk chair to make your working time as productive as possible – it’s so much more comfortable than the kitchen table. Also, if you have a designated workspace then it is much easier to switch off and spend downtime away from work distractions. We love the Standford industrial desk which is crafted from gorgeous reclaimed timbers; it’s a very popular choice with our customers too!

Photo featuring: Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Desk, Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Bookcase, Standford Grey Faux Leather Office Chair

Number 4 – Live a greener life

Start a new greener life in 2021 – if everyone took a few small steps like recycling and reusing, then together we could really make a difference. Little shifts in habits, like a couple of vegetarian meals a week, recycling more, choosing reclaimed wood furniture, cutting down on single-use plastics and composting food waste, could really bring in change.

Photo featuring: Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

Number 5 – Sit at the dining table for meals

Make time every week to have some family meals sat around the dining table. We love the Derby Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table – a reclaimed wood dining table that gives your kitchen or dining space a hint of Scandi style. With the option of extension leaves, upholstered dining chairs and dining benches it’s a brilliant family option and a must have when entertaining.

For part 2 of our Happy Home Resolutions, see our next blog!

How to see in 2021 at home alone

Family of four sat on a sofa each holding a 2021 number

With limited options for seeing in 2021, many families will no doubt opt to stay at home this New Year’s eve. Here are a few ideas to help make it a bit more of an event!

Make a treat of it

We all deserve extra treats this year so you could plan an evening of complete indulgence! Get some food and drink ideas together with the rest of your household and see what you end up with. It could be a selection of your favourite cocktails for the grown-ups – stock up your cocktail cabinet and get the stirrers and shakers out! For the children, you can get something they don’t normally have – like no alcohol champagne or mocktails!

A fabulous feast!

For food, you may end up deciding on a tasting menu, an 80’s inspired menu, an array of your most favourite snacks or one big feast-like meal. You can set your reclaimed wood table or rustic dining table and decorate it with a New Year 2021 theme earlier in the day, get your food prepared early, so all you have to do in the evening is dish up the food.

Get glammed up

Even though you are staying in you can still get dressed up – why not? Especially if you have online New Years Eve video calls arranged with friends and family. In fact, you could arrange a larger online get together for the entire evening!

Have a movie night

Reclaimed wood furniture gives a room a warm, living, cosy feel so make the most of it and enjoy a quiet night in front of the TV if that suits your family more. Turn the lights down low and pull your favourite velvet armchair up to the fireplace, or snuggle up with the kids on a sumptuously upholstered, cushion scattered, 3 seater sofa, and watch your favourite film. Don’t forget the popcorn!

Sleep through it!

And let’s face it, just because it is New Year’s Eve doesn’t mean we have to go mad and celebrate – you can, of course, ignore it completely and opt to spend a normal evening with your family. Go to bed at a reasonable hour like any other night and be glad that when you wake up in the morning 2020 will be a thing of the past!! There’s nothing more comforting than settling down into a warm king size wooden bed frame, layered with some extra blankets from your wooden blanket box for extra cosiness, setting your nightcap or hot cocoa down on your small bedside table and grabbing some engaging bedtime reading.

A look at our top 2023 sellers

Wooden numbers saying 2020 on white washed wood with fairy lights behind and best sellers words

With 2023 behind us, we take a look back to see which furniture was the most popular with our environmentally conscientious customers. Our stunning range of dining tables (as ever) has again been at the top of the list!

Photo featuring: Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Table & Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Bench

Dining Tables

The Standford dining table – This is from our hugely popular Standford range which includes gorgeous reclaimed wood furniture pieces for just about every room in the house! This rustic dining table is available as a fixed top table or as a very handy extendable table. From wooden sideboards to beds, large chests of drawers to a small living room lamp table – everything in this popular wood furniture range is skilfully crafted from timbers salvaged from former factories.

The Chelwood – This glamourous dining table features in our top sellers list just about every year! The polished stainless steel legs provide industrial elegance while the unique, full of rustic charm, solid reclaimed wood tabletop completes its undeniable allure.

Photo featuring: Chelwood Large Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

Rocco Spider Leg – This industrial dining table features a sustainably sourced solid oak top which sits on a central and stylish industrial spider leg. Plenty of room around the table with no annoying legs in the way for diners to bang their knees on!

Dining Chairs

Allegro chair – Sit back and dine in a high quality, soft Italian leather dining chair. These modern dining chairs pair perfectly with industrial furniture as well as more rustic and modern dining room furniture.

Photo featuring: Allegro Leather Dining Chair

Standford Leather & Faux Leather chairs – These leather and faux leather dining chairs from the ever popular Standford range won’t disappoint – a hugely popular addition to dining spaces up and down the country.

Cleo Faux Leather chairs and benches – Faux leather dining chairs are becoming increasingly popular with our animal-friendly customers. Our Cleo range of dining room seating is available in grey or tan, you can choose from dining benches, bar stools or chairs which all have sleek industrial legs. For those who want a comfortable upholstered dining chair that can easily be wiped clean then faux leather is proving to be a top pick.

Bedroom furniture

Onslow bed frames and bedside tables – The glorious bedroom furniture from the Onslow range has proven to be a winner yet again. Handcrafted in the UK from salvaged railway sleepers, this chunky bedroom furniture adds a warmth to your bedroom that can only be achieved by a statement king size bed frame, caringly crafted using solid reclaimed wood.

Photo featuring: Onslow Reclaimed Wooden Bed Frame

Living room furniture

Oldman coffee table – We think this is a fine example of an industrial coffee table and our style-conscious customers definitely agree! As this is another of our pieces that are hand finished in right here in the UK, your coffee table can be made to bespoke sizes….meaning that you can have a coffee table that is perfectly in proportion with your living room.

Photo featuring: Oldman Industrial Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

Barkby sofa – This gorgeous brown leather sofa has been a huge hit during 2020. This range is skillfully made to order, you get to choose from a 2 or 3 seater leather sofa with or without an armchair to create the perfect combination for your living room.

Chestey Velvet Sofa – The popularity of this stylish, industrial style sofa just proves how much style our customers have!

Oswald Armchair – The Oswald real leather armchair is just waiting to be sat in, in a cosy reading corner. Seeking the ultimate in comfort, our customers have also opted for the coordinating leather footstool. A 2 seater sofa and a 3 seater is also available.

How to fit a Christmas tree in a small living room

Small Christmas tree in living room with green wooden armchair

If you have a small and cosy room you probably don’t have lots of spare space to put a big bulging Christmas tree. Here we have a few suggestions to help fit it all in, ready for the festive season.

Stand a small tree on a table

A 1.2m tree can be stood on a large sideboard or a reclaimed wood coffee table it would pretty much reach the ceiling in most rooms – this works great for a small room and does not take up any additional floor space. You can also do this if you want to add a second tree in your dining room while minimising the chance of people brushing into it as they take their seat at the table.

If you only have a mantlepiece, a narrow console table or just a rustic TV stand available to place your tree on then you can get some pretty cute and quite small trees, you could put one each side and tie it all together using fairy lights and garlands – this is a great way to get lovely decorations into a room if you are limited for space.

Choose a tall narrow tree

This would be the ideal solution – there are many available in different styles and colours available. This will save hugely on space, just make sure you stack the presents underneath it carefully, so they are not in walkways for people to trip over! A tall narrow tree will also look good as it will make your room look taller.

Put the tree in the corner

This is another popular choice and a logical solution. A corner is a perfect place, neatly tucked out of the way. If you have an artificial Christmas tree chances are you can bend and rearrange some of the branches towards the back of the tree to allow you to push it further into the corner, presents can be tidily stacked underneath. You can put a small armchair in front of all or part of the tree so you still have plenty of seating in your room.

Move out a piece of furniture to make room

If there is a piece of furniture you can manage without then move it to another room to make some space for your tree. Think a fabric armchair, an oak side table, a floor standing plant pot or a floor lamp – you could move one of these items out the way, into a corner of the room to temporarily to make space for your tree. It could even be a house plant – and reuse the plant pot to put a tree in over the festive season.

Get creative and consider a wall tree

This is quite a new way to get a Christmas tree into a small room and can look pretty good. Instead of having a big round tree taking up room you can now get wall-mounted trees, half trees to stand against a wall or ones made from twigs that hang completely flat on the wall. We love this idea of using boxed presents to make the shape of a tree on the wall!

Introducing our new glamorous Standford Collection

Knightsbridge Reclaimed Oak Dining Table and velvet chairs

We have gotten ourselves a little bit excited about our new Standford collection of reclaimed wood furniture and couldn’t wait to share it with you!

This range is for the environmentally conscious who really don’t want to skimp on style and luxury it’s crafted from prime reclaimed wood with its natural markings and undulations proudly on display. The industrial element is introduced by the shiny silver metal legs and frame. This range of rustic furniture includes everything you would need to luxuriously furnish your living room, dining room and hallway – so let’s have a look in a little bit more detail!

Photo featuring: Standford Large Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

For the dining room

The focal point of a dining room is, of course, the dining table – the Standford brings together a rustic dining table, a good helping of glamour and a brings in a dash of industrial. This statement dining table looks gorgeous when you add plush velvet dining chairs or a velvet dining bench. This collection includes three different size wooden sideboards giving you complete flexibility to choose how much storage you need and also how this range will fit into your dining room. If you only have a little space then the console table will give you an extra surface to put serving dishes and drinks on.

Photo featuring: Standford Large Reclaimed Wood Industrial Sideboard

For the living room

Of course, an industrial sideboard is a great option for a living room too – plenty of hidden storage space for family games, DVD’s books, console games etc. With a solid wood coffee table in the collection, an oak side table and the choice of either a small TV stand or a large TV stand your living room furniture could be coordinatingly complete.

Photo featuring: Standford Reclaimed Wood Small TV Unit

We think the clean industrial lines make this an ideal furniture for the modern home as this collection will also add a real warm rustic element to contrast. The incredible character of the prime solid oak used to craft these pieces is sure to be a conversation piece in your home and will definitely encourage compliments. In the image below you can just see how this collection will bring the beauty of nature into your home.

Most importantly you will have a clear conscience knowing that your furniture has been skillfully produced from reclaimed wood that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.

For the hallway

A narrow reclaimed wood console table is perfect for the hallway – hang a mirror over it for a last once over before you head out the door and a decorative dish keeps keys in so you aren’t hunting around for them when you’re trying to get out the house.

Photo featuring: Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood Console Table

Living room furniture that has stood the test of time

Brown leather chesterfield sofa with rustic coffee table and wooden sticks with blue candles

Living room style has changed a lot over the years – from a formal room used for special occasions and receiving guests, to the room many of us spend most our relaxation time in. Here we have a look at what pieces of furniture have stood the test of time and continue to be a living room favourite.

The Chesterfield sofa

The Chesterfield sofa started becoming popular in Victorian living rooms during the mid 19th century, the colours and fabrics have been changed to follow interior design trends over the years but the basic style remains the same. This classic 3 seater leather sofa is here to stay, it’s hugely versatile and continues to timelessly blend with ultra-modern, industrial or reclaimed wood furniture.

Photo featuring: Oswald 2 Seater Sofa

Wing back chair

This is another living room classic. The design of this armchair was initially driven purely by functionality not for comfort or for its aesthetics – they were designed with sides and a high back so that the person sat in it would not be affected by drafts, common in a 16th or 17th century house. Similarly, these features also offered protection from the blistering heat as they sat by the fire.

Photo featuring: Grayson Grey Fabric Armchair

A mid century sideboard

Sideboards were originally only for the dining room – initially just a table against the wall on which the food would be placed – then shelves were added below and then doors until they ended up being what they are today. Their storage capability was recognised and they made it into the living room, where they now store board games, DVD and console games, books and anything else you want to keep close to hand but hidden out of sight.

Photo featuring: Mitcham Large Oak Squared Industrial Sideboard

Faded rug

Faded pink rug with glass coffee table and pink velvet sofa

Photo featuring: Louis de Poortere Fading World Pink Flash Red Rug

The oldest known surviving rug is the Pazyryk Carpet which dates back to around 500BC – but textile floor coverings are thought to date back more than 4,000 years. With today’s endless fabric dyes and weaving capabilities, we have a huge choice when it comes to living room rugs. These are definitely here to stay, we love how Louis de Poortere rugs mix a modern faded finish with classic rug designs.

Wall mirrors

Hanging a big mirror above your mantlepiece is the classic way to decorate over the fireplace. Some suggest this was historically done as frames and wall mirrors would have been very expensive – frames were often made from silver, ivory, tortoiseshell or ebony – it was the done thing to display your most valuable pieces in a prime position so it would be the first thing people see as they enter the room. Of course, fine art was also displayed in this prominent position and now we often see a TV over the fireplace.

White living room with white armchair, mirror of fireplace and large green plant

Pendant light

Pendant ceiling lights are believed to have originated in ancient Greece where they started off as a clay pot hung up with animal fat in and a wick for burning….Luckily they have come a long way since then! Now they are a must-have in a living room with a high ceiling. In a living / dining space, you can hang one over a dining table or suspend one so it hangs over a sofa end lamp table as a stylish alternative to the standard table lamp.

For similar pendant light see our Karine Jute Pendant Light

Which media storage cabinet is for you?

Girl in pink cardigan sat on sofa with bowl of popcorn holding tv remote control

Now the nights are getting colder and darker we will most likely be turning to the TV more to provide entertainment. Here we have put together a few of our top picks for this autumn, whether you prefer closed media storage or like to have all your tech on show.

Reclaimed wood industrial coffee table with matching tv unit with TV on top

The rustic Standford range

Our Standford range of reclaimed wood furniture is hand made by skilled craftsmen right here in the UK. It’s Made from 100-200 year old timbers that have been salvaged from old Victorian houses and factories – meaning each piece is completely unique.

Photo featuring: Standford Reclaimed Wood Small TV Unit

Industrial

Industrial style really is a style that continues to be popular, combine that with full of character reclaimed wood and you have some really gorgeous furniture happening. With some open and some closed storage, the Standford industrial TV stand looks stunning in a contemporary living room. To complete the look you can choose other industrial furniture items from the same range to really embrace this stylish interior theme. If you prefer a more glamorous industrial look in your home, the Tavistock TV stand is perfect for you. The black industrial legs have been swapped for a more unusual gold / bronze finish and with two shelves and a cupboard, you will have plenty of media storage space.

Photo featuring: Standford Industrial Reclaimed Wood TV Unit

Mid-century

For a mid-century / retro feel to your living room, the Rocco and Mitcham TV units really are style setters. The Mitcham rustic TV stand offers loads of style and bundles of storage in one beautiful piece of oak furniture. If you prefer something with a lighter oak finish, the Rocco could be more for you. Layer some living room rugs and get the popcorn out for the kids and you will have lovely a cosy area to watch your TV on a cold and blustery Sunday afternoon.

Photo featuring: Rocco Industrial Oak TV Unit

Modern country

For a rustic but stylish modern country look the Soho TV Unit is a must-have – with two shelves for surround sound systems or games consoles you will have plenty of open shelving for the things you don’t particularly want to see in your living room. With cut-outs in the back of the unit to feed unsightly cables through this TV stand will do everything possible to help you keep your media nice and tidy!

Photo featuring: Soho Solid Wood TV Unit

Glam

If you are looking for a high-end media unit then you can’t ignore the Derby TV Unit. This gorgeous range is the epitome of glamorous style. This TV unit allows to you see the beauty of the reclaimed wood in all its glory. The long characterful reclaimed wood shelf have been skillfully crafted from old railway sleepers, the industrial shelving will give you plenty of space to stand a very large TV with more than enough space to spare for all your TV accessories.

Photo featuring: Derby Reclaimed Wood TV Unit

How to create a Boho inspired Living room

brown leather sofa with large wall hanging and green plant

So, firstly, what actually is “Boho stye”? It’s busy, bright, patterned, colorful, eclectic, with plenty of natural materials and house plants thrown into the mix – it’s basically a decor style that is influenced by the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s as well as travelling artists. It’s also an interior style that has seen a resurgence over the past year.

With this in mind let’s take a closer look at how to easily achieve this on-trend look in your living space.

Brown leather sofa with wall boho wall hanging

Boho style is all about natural materials, so reclaimed wood furniture is a bit of a no-brainer. Eco-friendly and from nature, a rustic nest of tables is a great choice, easy to move around and to dot around the room where needed. The Melbury Industrial Nest of Tables is just made for this style of decor, industrial legs support the tabletops, which are created from gorgeous reclaimed wood railway sleepers, produced in a manner to showcase the natural beauty of the wood. For a lighter, more minimalist and lighter Bohemian style table, the Abingdon reclaimed wood side table is perfect.

Photo featuring: Melbury Industrial Nest of Tables

Photo featuring: Abingdon Reclaimed Wood Side Table

Seating

The Boho keywords for seating would be relaxed, casual and low level that encourages conversation and playing music together. So a brown leather sofa and leather armchair are a great starting point to achieve the look – add in some leather footstools and / or floor cushions and you are really making headway to achieve this style. The Maverick retro relax leather armchair should be at the top of any list of furniture to be included. Of course, you can add paisley or patterned cushions on the sofa as well as natural fibre sofa throws to reinforce the look.

Photo featuring: Maverick Retro Leather Armchair

Flooring

Patterned rugs are a must-have, choose a mix of natural and bold bright colours. You can layer rugs as well to add more interest to your floor space, start with an extra large rug, and layer on small rugs and don’t forget they don’t all have to match, you can have fun with trying out and seeing what works for you and your room.

Colours and textures

White walls with earthy colours like terracotta and brown are the base colours, but it’s the fabrics and accessories that you can play around with, a mix of leather, sheepskin rugs and different types of cushions. When it comes to textures you should add natural materials like wood, wicker, rattan and bamboo. Use wall tapestries, macrame wall hangings and pictures for extra texture and interest.

House plants

No Bohemian styled room would be complete without a few, and by few we mean a lot, houseplants. You can use the plant pots to add extra “Boho” to your room. Ideally, plant pots should be produced from natural materials like wood, wicker, rattan and terracotta. A macrame hanging plant holder would be right at home in the corner of your Bohemian influenced living room.