Our favourite homeware and design shops in London and beyond
Whether you're about to start a decorating project or looking for a quick home update, these renowned furniture and design shops are destinations in their own right, offering the best brands, creative displays and the latest looks for your space. Inspiration starts here…
Heal’s
The much-loved home department store has always been a byword for quality and timeless style, and its iconic Tottenham Court Road flagship is as much a part of the fabric of the country’s design heritage as the furniture designs within. As well as its assured in-house lines, there’s a generous spread of brands to suit every type of contemporary home, from Ligne Roset and Ercol to Tom Dixon.
Look out for: Home office and outdoor updates from the just-launched spring/summer collections, including the ‘Petra’ outdoor furniture and new desks ‘Reveal’ and ‘Flette’.
Branches at Tottenham Court Road, Westfield White City, Kingston Upon Thames, West Yorkshire and Brighton
Now one of London’s most influential design destinations, Twenty Twenty One was founded in 1996 by duo Tony Cunningham and Simon Alderson, who met selling from separate stalls in Camden Stables Market. They’ve since earned a loyal following for their smart edit of
Look out for: A series of limited editions re-issues, released this year to celebrate the store's 25th anniversary, include Alvar Aalto’s ‘Stool 60’ and ‘Tea Trolley’.
Upper Street, Islington
Designers Guild
An essential destination for interior designers and decorating mavens alike, Designers Guild is a source of inspiration and a one-stop shop for fabrics, wallpapers, paints and homeware. What customers have no doubt missed most over lockdown though, is access to its team of experts with their wealth of knowledge on every aspect of realising a scheme.
Look out for: New ceramics from Ali Hewson and a fresh restock of vintage Danish desks.
Branches at King’s Road and Marylebone High Street, London
Aram Store
Founded in 1964 by the late Zeev Aram, Aram Store is widely credited with introducing furniture from the likes of Bauhaus alumni Marcel Breuer and Modernist architect Le Corbusier to the UK. Since its early days, it has curated the very best in contemporary design, from perennial favourites such as Eames chairs, to exciting new work from rising talents and specialist brands that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. Occupying a Victorian warehouse building in Covent Garden, Aram Store’s 20,000 square feet of showroom space is spread over five floors, so leave plenty of time to peruse.
Look out for: Dedicated areas to the latest collections from Acerbis, Gubi and MDF Italia – Acerbis’ ‘Storet’ chest of drawers are a particular standout.
Drury Lane, Covent Garden
The Conran Shop
Whether you’ve a particular purchase in mind or are just in the market for window shopping, The Conran Shop always delivers. With a keen eye for tracking down interesting independents from around the world, a crack in-house design team and a knack for bringing it all together in store with a roster of design classics and vintage pieces, a visit will always leave you feeling inspired, if not weighed down with bags.
The store has also launched its styling service led by the brand’s former Head of Creative Betsy Smith, designed to help customers curate a scheme that best suits their home and needs. Initial consultations can be booked online.
Look out for: Lighting by Gubi and Martinelli Luce; the latter's '685 Elmetto' table lamp designed in 1976 is a gem.
Branches on Fulham Road and Marylebone High Street
Chaplins
With over 180 designer brands under one roof, Chaplins truly has something for every home or project, whether you’re looking for the latest modular sofa that will stand the test of time, or striking lighting to make a statement. Its 25,000 square foot space is divided up into carefully curated ‘studios’ to showcase selected brands and help customers envisage pieces in situ.
Book a showroom appointment online ahead of time to get the best out of your visit and to make the most of the store’s expert staff.
Look out for: Mario Belini’s iconic ‘Camaleonda’ sofa, reissued by B&B Italia, Ligne Roset’s ‘Pukka’ seating collection and Lema’s ‘LT40’ system, part of Chaplins’ new Lema fitted furniture studio.
Hatch End, Middlesex
Vivense
A recent addition to our high street having only opened at the beginning of 2021, Vivense’s Borough showroom hasn’t yet had its moment in the spotlight, but it’s sure to be on the hit list of design-savvy customers this year.
Hailing from Turkey, the brand combines clean and contemporary design by up-and-coming names with affordable prices – think compact storage, elegant upholstery and industrial lighting. Its flagship is set to be followed by two more stores – proof that the brand is set for big things.
Look out for: There’s a lot of newness to love, but the ‘Nala’ rattan bookshelf looks to become a bestseller, as does the brand’s range of shapely plant pots and decorative accessories.
Borough High Street
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