Habitat gives us all happy returns with its 60th anniversary collection of must-have homeware
IF you’re having a big birthday – you should celebrate it in style.
And that’s exactly what high street interiors brand Habitat has done this week.
Launching a shiny-new range, Habitat 60, to mark a whopping 60 years since founder Sir Terence Conran offered iconic interior pieces at affordable prices, the brand has returned to its roots of brilliant British design.
And with some buys costing as little as £4, everyone can get involved and stock up on future heirlooms.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on with the collection at the press launch last month, so here are my top picks…
Habby birthday Habitat!
- Wyatt Chair, £160
I love cobalt blue, so I adore the latest colourway of one of Habitat’s bestsellers.
Handcrafted from rattan, it’s both comfy and chic, and you can pop it out in your garden when entertaining for a hit of colour.
2. Cayan Salt and Pepper set, £24
Both striking and sculptural, these will look ornamental in any table setting.
They’re designed by Habitat’s D’arby Mawson using FSC ash and acacia wood and are pleasingly chunky to handle (the top two blocks turn to grind your seasonings).
While we’re talking serveware – I’m also a fan of the hexagonal chopping blocks by D’arby’s colleague David Hutcheson, which have different sides for chopping and serving and will look great hanging up as a pair in any kitchen.
3. Klee Table Lamp, £95
Textile designer Margo Selby’s retro-inspired lamp caught my eye the most out of a strong lighting collection, which also includes a ’70s inspired touch Portobello table lamp that’s perfect for a desk, or paired as bedside lamps.
But the Klee gives me London Underground print vibes, so totally gets my vote.
4. Button storage jar, £12
Apparently this is an early Noughties design – which makes me feel a little old.
But, as it is both practical and stylish, this will work just as well in a kid’s room as a home office or kitchen.
5. Akari Four Poster Bed, £350
If you’re in the market for a four-poster bed, Habitat designer Will Hudson’s design is a pretty cool one to invest in.
It wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a slick TV drama, and it also ticks those boxes for nailing the “Unexpected Red Theory” trend.
6. Wavy Frame, from £50
This picture frame, which comes in three sizes – A3 to A1, has serious curve appeal.
Understated but beautiful, it’s a must for any gallery wall.
It would add serious style points to any hallway, too, particularly when set against a dark painted wall.
7. Ripple rugs, from £75
These rugs are another nod to the seventies – this time by designer Simone Brewster.
Adding one of these to your home is one of the easiest ways to transform a tired space or hide a less-than-loved floor, and is an excellent way to add colour to a more neutrally decorated room.
Shop the full Habitat 60 collection here
History of Habitat
Habitat was born over 60 years ago in 1964. In that time, many innovative designs, from the wok to the duvet, flat-pack furniture to chicken bricks, have been curated.
1964 – Terence Conran and friends set out to bring London a new, European way to shop for contemporary homeware.
1966 – Habitat’s first printed broadsheet catalogue is published, which offers a peek of products curated in store with illustrations by Juliet Glynn Smith.
1966 – Habitat By Post launches allowing those out of reach of a Habitat store to buy into the lifestyle.
1980 – Habitat launches the Graffiti sofa, which comes with a loose white cover; red, blue and yellow spray kit; plus stencils for applying your own pattern.
1985 – Modern urban dwelling is the height of cool and, accordingly, Habitat launches its ‘City Living’ collection.
1994 – Habitat celebrates its 30th birthday with a major exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum: Selling Lifestyle, 30 Years of Habitat.
1999 – 20th Century Legends – a collection of thirteen re-editions by legendary contemporary designers – makes its debut.
2002 – Habitat announces an evolutionary change to its famous word mark, by adding a symbol depicting the ‘heart within the home’.
2010 – A series of collaborations including Shrimps, House of Holland and Luke Edward Hall was launched to create limited edition collections like no other with acclaimed artists and creatives.
2017 – The Sainsbury’s Group acquire the UK arm of the brand, along with Argos.
2024 – Habitat’s 60th anniversary sees the launch of the 60 Years of Design collection.