I’m Dunelm’s Design Director – the number 1 colour that never goes out of style
BEIGE and wood tones are currently the most popular choices for interior design.
While it’s a vast improvement on the cold grey trend made popular by Mrs Hinch a few years ago, this trend is set to disappear soon.
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Are you someone who is afraid of choosing the wrong colour because it will quickly go out of style? Debbie Drake, Design Director at Dunelm, has shared with you the number one shade that is so timeless, you will never have to remodel your home again.
As Dunelm celebrates its 40th anniversary, Debbie spoke exclusively to Fabulous about all things interior.
Debbie’s first piece of advice for anyone considering redecorating their room was, “Generally speaking, the more popular a trend is, the less popular it will be in subsequent years.
“The most recent example of this is the color gray.
“Just a few years ago, everyone decorated in gray. Kitchens were gray, bedrooms were gray, and all the furniture was, you guessed it, gray.
“However, lately we have seen a complete turnaround: people are moving away from this color because it feels cold and unfriendly.
“Instead, consumers are opting for cheerful colors mixed with neutrals and warm tones to make their homes a welcoming and safe place.”
The Design Director said more and more customers are opting for earthy tones, such as brown, green and beige, to get closer to nature as they become more environmentally conscious.
And this plays into the future trends she predicts.
Bringing the outside in
Debbie said: “We’re going to see people trying to get as close to nature as possible, whether that’s through the colours they use, the way their furniture is made or the products they choose.
“The color green is extremely popular at the moment and I don’t think it will go away.
“Decorating with plants has also become extremely popular and it is likely that this trend will only grow, with the houseplant becoming everyone’s indispensable home accessory.”
Did you know that Dunelm has a huge range of live plants that you can buy online and have delivered?
Another emerging trend is indoor-outdoor.
Debbie said: “We are already seeing a trend towards products that can be used both indoors and outdoors and I am sure this will continue in the years to come.
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Dunelm’s sustainability mission
Debbie has been with Dunelm for 11 years and has “seen a lot of changes”.
One of the changes is the company’s ‘commitment to sustainable growth’.
“Within my role and team, Product Excellence is at the heart of everything we do. We are always looking for ways to improve our product and customer propositions, and a big focus here is to make them more sustainable.
Circularity and design are very important to us. This basically means that we try to use more environmentally friendly materials. This allows us to create sustainable and repairable products with a timeless design.
As a society, we have also become much more environmentally conscious, and rightly so. That is why we place a lot of emphasis on creating sustainable products that last and can be used year after year.
“We have also introduced several initiatives and take-back programs to help customers donate or recycle their old household items, ensuring that as little as possible ends up in landfill. The latest initiative is our online textile take-back program.”
The 80s are making a comeback
The first Dunelm store opened in Churchgate Leicester in 1984. The products sold then are far less than those currently on the shelves of the 180 stores nationwide.
Although there are also some that come back with a modern twist.
Looking back, Debbies said: “One of the big interior trends of the 80s was bold and bright. Think diagonal stripes, bright, bold colours and graphic patterns.
“[And] Many patterns and design influences are returning to the home furnishings industry.
“Recently we’ve seen a resurgence in the use of bold images and primary color palettes, such as yellow, cobalt blue and emerald green.
“Customers are becoming more daring in their use of colour, embracing bright hues and creating a cheerful space in their home.
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“Our latest Elements collection embodies this perfectly, particularly in terms of the colour palette and the use of patterns and shapes. Furthermore, the collection is designed with sustainability in mind.
“We used new materials and applied circular design principles to maintain the classic 80s vibe while making the products more relevant to modern times.
“Whether customers are looking for a new statement armchair or a quirky bookend, the Elements range has an incredible array of products, all at different price points, meaning there’s something to suit every budget and need.”
Another big trend Debbie has noticed is that consumers are becoming more and more centric.
Two for the price of one
“Not only is the average home much smaller than it used to be, but the functionalities have changed,” she noted.
“Most children no longer leave home at the age of 18 and more and more grandparents are moving back in with their children.
“Nowadays, a home needs to be multifunctional and suitable for multiple generations. We also see this reflected in the trends in household items that have become increasingly popular in recent times.
“Both our rooms and our furniture have been adapted to be completely multifunctional and versatile – with items like sofas that can now be used as beds and guest rooms that can also serve as offices.”
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