It used to be a pricey destination, but Habitat’s affordable 60 Years of Design collection shows you why this should be a retailer to check out.
Not that it’s cheap – but it is considerably cheaper than you might imagine for pieces that look like design classics. In fact, some are. Yes, this collection does include some archive gems.
But it’s not just about the archive. Habitat is celebrating its 60th anniversary by reissuing some classics from the archive and asking guest designers to create something new and notable with a nod to the Habitat archive. I fully endorse this approach.
The end result is a range of – wait for it – 137 items, many of which are guaranteed to brighten up your home or become talking points when your design-loving guests drop by. And all without the designer price tags, which is just as much of a selling point.
With that in mind, I’ve pulled out 10 of my favourites right now. I suspect all are limited runs, so if you see something, get on it before stock runs low. You’ll thank me later. But do check all the range to see if there’s something that catches your eye.
1. Habitat 60 Lattice Stainless Steel Wire Chair
You would second-guess this was an archive piece. But no, this is one of the designs inspired by the company’s design past.
Designed in-house by industrial designer Will Hudson, this is a steel chair with a futuristic/space-age design that would look a dream in a 1960s-inspired space, with comfort courtesy of the circular white textured upholstery.
I suspect you are expecting big money for this, but you can get it in your home for just £175.
More details on the Habitat site
2. 1970s Habitat 60 Scoop Fabric Chair
Now, this IS an archive piece, one that has been recreated from the company’s archive.
Scoop was originally launched in the 1970s, and its modernist form and cord upholstery made it an instant hit. It’s also comfortable and good as an accent chair or a modular unit. Note that there’s also a lovely green version of this.
It’s a little pricier at £325, but again, it’s well-priced for what it is.
More details on the Habitat site
3. Habitat 60 Portobello Metal Touch Table Lamp
A rework of another 1970s piece. This time with some added colour and technology.
The original was the Habitat Fungo lamp. This one uses that template, adding a hand-blown glass shade, some colour, and touch functionality. It’s still cheap, though, selling for just £45.
More details on the Habitat site
4. Habitat 60 Twiggy Wooden Coat Stand
Another archive reissue, this time for a good-looking and functional piece of furniture.
If your house is anything like ours, coats are just ‘dumped’ around the place. Enter the Twiggy and its modest footprint, offering a selection of branches to hold your coats and jackets. Perfect for a midcentury modern interior.
£125 gets one into your home.
More details on the Habitat site
5. Habitat 60 Ronda Jacquard Bedding Set by Margo Selby
A new product, but inspired by the Habitat archive.
The bedding takes inspiration from the Habitat archive of patterns and the designer’s fascination with typography, with the result being bold, abstract and playful. Made from a ‘luxurious’ jacquard fabric, it’s perfect for adding a 1970s vibe to the bedroom. Check out other similar Margo Selby designs in the collection, including rugs and lampshades.
£65 for the double set and a little more for the larger sizes.
More details on the Habitat site
6. Habitat 60 Bobby Floor Lamp
A design that has been in the Habitat collection for decades, the Bobby lamp is back now with something of a 1980s makeover.
Not the design—that’s barely changed. This lamp takes inspiration from the early part of the 20th century. But it’s the colours that scream Habitat catalogues from the mid-1980s. I like it a lot.
And yours for just £75.
More details on the Habitat site
7. Habitat 60 Tam Tam Plastic Stool
I had to mention this. It has been a staple of the Habitat range for longer than most of us have been alive.
It is what it is—a plastic, space-age stool that’s good for indoor or outdoor use, works as a seat, works as a table, and has storage within. It is a 1960s classic that has aged well and is yours in various shades for just £18.
More details on the Habitat site
8. Habitat 60 Cirro Easy Fit Paper Shade
The paper shade was once Habitat’s go-to design. Clip it on and add an eye-catching cloud-like design angle to the room. I think I had one myself in my first flat!
It’s good to see a version of it as part of this range, courtesy of D’arby Mawson, and in different sizes, too. It’s also as cheap as it gets, at just £5.
More details on the Habitat site
9. Habitat 60 Yumemi Round Coffee Tables by Felix Conran
Note that these are two separate designs – but as you can see, they can interconnect to create something useful and visually appealing.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with using them separately. These are two midcentury modern tables (at least, bn inspiration) with colour and a hand-lacquered finish, plus some lovely tapered legs.
This kind of design is usually pricey, but you can get the side table for £75 and the coffee table for £150.
More details on the Habitat site
10. Habitat 60 Acciaio Oak and Glass Coffee Table
A knowing nod to when tubular furniture was all over Habitat. Less so now, but this works well as a piece of useful retro design.
Designed in-house for Habitat by David Hutcheson, the oak and glass coffee table is inspired by 1930s tubular furniture and the mid-20th century, when this was all over. It is a brilliant retro addition to your home.
The price of this one is £295.
