Why fabric trends matter in autumn interior design
Just as the first whiff of autumn sees us reappraising our wardrobes, swapping lightweight pieces for cossetting knits, so the darker, cooler days find us turning our attention to how we can cosy up our home. And what’s one of the most important elements for an autumnal home? Fabrics. Because when it comes to transitioning into autumn, fabrics really are the game changers. Think how a bedspread in a chunky weave can add another layer of warmth to a bedroom, or how interlined velvet curtains feel good drawn shut against a chilly, gloomy night. A pile of tactile cushions will prep a sofa for evenings spent by the fire, as will an ottoman reinvented in a textural wool fabric. ‘This autumn, more than ever, we are seeing a demand for fabrics that are both eco-friendly and hard wearing,’ notes Ella Richards, Head of Design at Linwood. She adds, ‘It’s never been easier to create schemes that are sophisticated yet sustainable.’ Shown here is our glorious Ruffled design, printed on eco-friendly linen – the cinnamon and ink tones beautifully celebrate the rich, earthy tones of the changing seasons.
Cosy comfort with British wool
The trend for natural, sustainable materials continues to gather momentum, with more and more homeowners turning to eco-friendly options to bring beauty and warmth to their decorating schemes. Interior design trends for autumn see wool as a standout choice, and for good reason: it is entirely renewable and biodegradable and boasts insulating properties that help add warmth as the thermometer drops. Add to this wool’s inherent strength and its ability to repel spills and you have a winning choice for upholstery and soft furnishings alike. Our Balvenie collection (pictured) is dyed, spun and woven in Lancashire and comes in lovely, muted shades inspired by the British countryside. A tactile, timeless choice that will add visual interest and an inviting atmosphere to modern and traditional spaces alike.
Durability meets style: Helter Skelter synthetic fabrics
Autumn interior design trends are seeing a rise in demand for highly durable fabrics that deliver luxe appeal. Originally the stalwarts of boutique hotels, fabrics such as elegant synthetic velvets and tactile blended linens are top of our autumn wish lists, delivering elegance and longevity in equal measures. A perfect example is our Helter Skelter velvet, an arresting print that takes its inspiration from 17th century domino paper. ‘We first introduced it as a linen, but it proved so popular that we decided to print it on our super-soft Omega velvet, too,’ explains Ella. The velvet, which is exceptionally robust and stain resistant, has an ability to reflect the light, giving the bold patterns and rich colours an added sense of depth. ‘We created twenty-one colourways, from warming spice shades to lovely smoky blues,’ she says, adding, ‘This is a fabric that looks amazing on a large-scale piece such as a sofa, or made into full length curtains.’
Recycled cotton fabrics: natural beauty with plain Verde
Interiors decorated with natural materials – think soft cottons, linens and wools teamed with artisan-made wooden furniture, for example – are one of the key interior design trends this autumn. Pieces that bear the mark of the craftsman, from hand-thrown pots to treasured antique furniture, bring a sense of honesty to a home and are perfectly complimented with tactile fabrics that invite relaxation. Cotton fabrics are usually a less eco-friendly option as they require a lot of water to produce but our sustainable solution to this is Verde, a collection of plain fabrics woven from 80 per cent cotton recycled from the fashion industry. Breathable and double brushed to give an inimitable softness, they lend themselves perfectly to curtains, upholstery or throws and the palette of no less than 46 colours is massively versatile: we like to team Saffron (pictured) with neutrals such as Oatmeal and Portobello – or try adding extra depth with rich colours such as Spice, Burnt Umber and Mushroom.
Luxurious silks for statement pieces: Cosmos collection
Just as the fashion world has been witnessing an uptick in elegant silk pieces for autumn, so interior design trends are seeing a revived interest in this super-sophisticated fabric. Sensuous and unquestionably chic, it is bringing a subtle sheen to interiors, offering a lovely contrast to heavier textural fabrics such as wool and velvet. Linwood’s Cosmos collection includes two silk-blend offerings: Aurora is a sumptuous silk and linen paisley, while Selene (pictured) is a refined silk and cotton mix featuring an elegant relief pattern. Designed for decorative purposes rather than upholstery, it makes a fabulous statement here as full-length curtains or, for a more sparing approach, use it for cushions or a blind. It comes in three pearlescent colourways, all of which impart a gentle lustre that looks glorious in the glow of soft lamplight.
Eco-friendly choices: Linwood’s Omega III eco velvets
Autumn interior design trends are not just heralding a rise in popularity in natural eco-friendly fabrics but also in innovative man-made options that offer seriously sustainable credentials. Our Omega III collection of eco velvets is woven using recycled polyester in the pile to create a gorgeous fabric that delivers understated glamour in spades. Luxurious to the touch, it is hard wearing, stain resistant, inherently fire resistant and, better still, kind to the planet… what’s not to love? It’s an inspired choice for everything from seating to headboards to the most touchy-feely curtains. The 74 trend-led colours make for limitless ideas. ‘We are particularly loving the autumn decor trends for forest greens, inky blues and burnt orange,’ comments Ella. ‘These rich yet warming shades are comforting and also fabulous for a room geared towards entertaining.’
How to layer fabrics for an autumnal aesthetic
Layering is one of those autumn interior design trends that will never go out of style. The good news is that a layered scheme can be achieved with a few simple tweaks – think textural cushions added to a sofa, or a sumptuous velvet bedspread teamed with crisp cotton sheets. The trick when mixing fabrics is to select an array of textures, to create visual interest as well as all-important warmth and comfort: combine tactile wool with characterful linens and cottons for an inviting mix of natural textures, for example, or contrast smooth silk cushions with upholstery in luxuriously soft eco velvet. The pleasing array of textures in this bedroom sees linen drapes – in our elegant Arley linen-viscose blend – teamed with cushions in a mix of linens and velvets – note the cushion trims, which add to the layered effect.
Bringing autumn design trends into your home
With their focus on warmth, texture and sustainability, this autumn’s interior design trends are delivering schemes that feel comforting and considered; soothing yet ever-so-stylish. Many of Linwood’s fabrics tap into these trends so we hope you enjoy exploring the collections. Remember that contrasts are key when devising an autumn scheme: see how this calming room is all about balance, where the sofa and ottoman in our chunky Tanaro weaves are teamed with natural elements such as reclaimed wood, stone and metal. And don’t forget that our free sample service enables you to play around with patterns, colours and textures – helping you put together your dream scheme for autumn.