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 – especially since it was extended in 2023 with the addition of a new Matthew Hilton-designed staircase. 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.
What's everyone reading?
Look out for: The ultra-comfy new ‘Astrid’ sofa and ‘Pillow’ bed, as well as a vast choice of soft furnishings and lighting.
Branches at Tottenham Court Road, Westfield White City, Kingston Upon Thames and Leeds, as well as Newcastle, Canterbury and York, heals.com
Twentytwentyone
Now one of London’s most influential design destinations, Twentytwentyone 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 mid-century designers by the likes of Eames, Finn Juhl and Robin Day, presented alongside pieces by contemporary makers. A mix of price points make this a brilliant destination for gifts.
Look out for: New launches by Swedish brand Massproductions and set-to-be-classic ‘Sacha’ chairs by Philippe Malouin for Resident.
Branches at Upper Street, Islington and River Street, Clerkenwell, twentytwentyone.com
Moleta Munro
You’ll spot the Scandinavian focus of this Edinburgh store straight away – specialising in furniture and lighting, this a Scottish home for brands like Astep, Carl Hansen & Søn, String, Gubi, Louis Poulsen, Menu and Muuto. It’s only a ten minute walk from the city’s main Waverley Station for those on a quick design detour, though we’d always recommend a leisurely browse.
Look out for: Alongside the big Nordic names, there are new pieces from Brit brands like SCP and Case Furniture.
London Road, Edinburgh, moletamunro.com
Designers Guild
An essential destination for interior designers and decorating mavens alike, the Tricia Guild-founded 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 (a resource we recently tapped into when Designers Guild played host to the first ever ELLE Decoration Design Insiders event).
Look out for: Fashion-world crossovers with the likes of Ralph Lauren Home and Christian Lacroix, as well the new ‘Alba’ sofa that’s available in the brand’s wealth of fabric options.
Branches at King’s Road, London, designersguild.com
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. and don’t forget to stop by the newly reopened Aram Gallery, that can now be found in the basement.
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, aram.co.uk
Nest
Soon to open in its new home in Sheffield’s landmark brutalist building the Scottish Queen at Park Hill, Nest was launched in 2003 after founder Christian Hawley found design inspiration on a trip to Melbourne. An early pioneer of online retail thanks to his tech background, its vast online shop stocks Italian heavyweights like Cassina, Living Divani and Flos alongside a veritable who’s who of European design. There is plenty to see in person at its 3,500 square foot showroom.
Look out for: A brilliant selection of rugs – our favourites include Nanimarquina, CC-Tapis and Gan.
Park Hill, Sheffield, nest.co.uk
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 last year moved from its historic location on Fulham Road to an even more prestigious spot on Sloane Square and, in order to mark the move had a complete change of its visual identity by Pentagram, which took the legacy of Sir Terence Conran as its biggest inspiration.
Look out for: Lighting by Gubi and Martinelli Luce, as well as new furniture by Magnus Long and a whole floor of covetable kitchenware and pieces for the dinner table.
Sloane Square, London, conranshop.co.uk
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: Special editions of some of the most-known pieces in the design world, like Ligne Roset’s ‘Togo’ chair and Flos’s ‘Arco’ light.
Hatch End, Middlesex, chaplins.co.uk
Holloways of Ludlow
Founded in 1985 as Dickinson’s Architectural Antiques by Bob Dickinson, this now aspirational home to contemporary design was taken over by stepson Mark Holloway in 2002. The CEO now stocks an enviable roster of more than 400 uxury brands, from furniture to lighting and homeware, as well as running sister company Kitchens of Holloway, which is a bespoke design service.
Dedicated to offering a helping hand for interior designers, architects and the public, the store can help you source anything not on its website and also offers collaborative design options, from moodboarding to consultations.
Look out for: The best of Scandinavian design with new launches from Hay, Design House Stockholm and Gubi.
Branches at Bermondsey, Brook Green, Wimbledon Village, Kent, Bath and Winchester, hollowaysofludlow.com
