The Innovator – Simon Bodsworth

November 1, 2023

Daval Furniture design made-to-measure fitted furniture to suit our British Styles and lifestyles, tells Managing Director Simon Bodsworth to Editor Joseph Clarke

Simon Bodsworth is the Managing Director of Daval Furniture, alongside his two brothers: James, Design Director and Paul, Operations Director. He is proud to say that they are a second generation, family-owned furniture manufacturer, which is based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the foothills of the Pennines.

Simon, what would you say are the top kitchen trends of 2023?

Creating a highly personalised and custom environment, which supports flexible living is essential in every part of today’s kitchen and living area, with added-value features like home bars, walk-in larders, breakfast cupboards and day pantries set to exponentially grow in popularity next year. Homeowners are keen to explore refined luxury with tailor-made solutions, which are uniquely designed to enhance their home life with the family, when entertaining or making use of ample storage options, and so dynamic storage is a must-have. With this in mind, we anticipate a rise in custom food management systems, multi-use kitchen islands and open-fronted storage, which supports everyday life.

Look out for rich blues, natural greens and quintessential greys to complement the classic painted kitchen. For the contemporary kitchen, slab fronted furniture in quality raw materials like charred wood and sintered stone will be in high demand, as well as super matt lacquers all helping to add functionality to open plan environments. Mixing and matching mineral-effect finishes will be a sure-fire way of enhancing the contemporary kitchen for added luxury on island units and cabinets. Visible wood grain contrasts with sophisticated glass and industrial-inspired metallic handles and lighting are set to further enrich this experience.

Greater creativity in interior design and space management will be a strong trend too, with increased personalisation in boot rooms, laundry rooms and more recently, the second kitchen for added appliances through to ironing boards, pet storage, and even practical bench seating. Next year is set to be the year of the upgrade, as we are all keen to boost our surroundings and stay local. The public desire to buy British has definitely increased in the wake of the pandemic with around 88% saying they are willing to pay more for products made in the UK [reference: Make It British survey].

What do you think is the key to successfully designing ‘the most exquisite, made-to-measure fitted kitchens?

I think the key is to love what you do. We are constantly inspired by the clear vision of my parents to help other families enjoy the benefits of practical, beautiful, and British-made furniture. In addition, our commitment towards the circular economy continues to push us to innovate in business with regards to sourcing quality raw materials, developing our modern manufacturing and ongoing passion for new product development.

End-users crave the ability to design for their space, and so made-to-measure fitted furniture is a real asset when introducing different areas for work and play in the kitchen. Almost limitless, the latest fitted solutions can be effortlessly included within any style of kitchen, as well as bring extra luxury when working with a smaller footprint without a premium price tag. Instead, it becomes a great way to showcase creativity, which is distinct, highly desirable, and ultimately space saving with integrated accessories like a tray unit, champagne trough and chopping boards considered at the concept phase.

Our field research has consistently shown that with more time spent at home, consumers are keen to efficiently use their kitchen so they can focus on key tasks without encroaching on the main kitchen area. Staying at home more has completely transformed home entertaining, with integrated home bars becoming a welcome addition in the kitchen now.

What do you think are the most popular bedroom trends?

We are finding that wellness at home continues to rise in popularity as lifestyle priorities change and the latest mindsets are geared more towards ‘working to live’. Consequently, home products which are designed to improve your health, fitness, sleep, and mindfulness have become top priority and we are finding the bedroom is the ideal space when trying to achieve a sense of wellbeing in the home. As wellness looks to the bedroom for inspiration, three search terms have experienced a 33% increase when compared to last year with ’Dressing Rooms’ topping the charts, followed by ‘Walk-in Wardrobes’ and then ‘Luxury Bedrooms’.

In terms of furniture style, one of the most popular timbers right now is oak, a renewable material renowned for its strength and stability. Ideal for a high traffic environment like a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe arrangement, using oak will introduce the soothing tones of natural wood while looking good for a lifetime. Don’t let the size of space limit imagination either, as choosing the right style of furniture can overcome most design hurdles and we are finding that soft curves are the preferred shape in the wellness bedroom. Relaxing and aesthetically pleasing, soft curves will naturally extend your eyeline to create the look and feel of more space, which playfully draws from nature. The subtle addition of gentle curves will help to balance more linear shapes like your wardrobe doors or master bed and break away from the sharp lines and angles of traditional bedroom furniture.

With customer preferences and demands constantly changing, how do you think that designers and manufacturers can not only keep up, but stay ahead of the game?

It’s all about having a growth mindset, being proactive and learning every day. We are finding that homeowners are keen to explore custom solutions which will enhance family life and entertaining with both organisational storage and hidden options. The UK bespoke furniture market is well-positioned to supply premium sustainable products which will facilitate every aspect of today’s blended lifestyles for the ultimate in quality time with family and friends. I think that staying curious is a big part of anticipating the future needs of your customers, and so it’s imperative to keep thinking about how we can continue to elevate and enrich living environments for the better.

How do you find the right balance between style/functionality and sustainability/longevity?

I think this is one of the big questions everyone in the industry is answering in their own unique way. For us, establishing the right balance between style and functionality alongside sustainability and longevity comes through in both our production processes and quality end-product. For example, all production waste is recycled, and our made-to-measure, made-to-order furniture is built from sustainable materials to again reduce wastage with no impact to our current business model. In addition, we have created greener product alternatives like our pioneering Renzo furniture, where every door in the collection is made from 100% recycled materials and still presents a sophisticated, luxury finish.

What space is there for bespoke kitchen/bedroom solutions in the new-build housing market?

I think there is a huge amount of potential, especially as new-builds and eco-builds become increasingly sophisticated, and developers need to anticipate future building regulations. We are finding that more and more homeowners are looking to create a luxurious signature style at home which extends into the boot room, utility area and living room so there’s definitely scope to use bespoke solutions to deliver this in a new build. In addition, the dressing room is becoming integral to the next generation of home buyers and therefore, premium properties will need to reflect this growing desire. For us, we are finding that social media – more specifically Instagram – is paving the way for a new generation of customers who want to emulate the idea of a picture-perfect lifestyle being presented everywhere online, be it a walk-in shoe store or boutique style dressing room.

What effect do you think being a family-run business has had on the success of Daval Furniture?

We understand the intricacies and challenges of running a family business like so many of our dealers and clients, and I like to think that this helps to make us relatable, open and approachable. We are committed to building on our parents’ legacy and handing the torch to the next generation of Daval Babygro wearers! We fully intend to keep developing our business with true Yorkshire grit and I am sure the Bodsworth name will continue to motivate and shape the furniture industry for years to come.

How do you foresee the market developing over the next coming years?

The only way is more expansion as the market demands durable and attractive fitted furniture in a range of different styles, materials and finishes. Sustainably sourced hand painted oak and ash kitchens, Shaker-inspired units which have a revolutionary self-repairing foil finish for extended lifespan and contemporary slab fronts with mineral effects for an extra layer of luxury will be in demand and we always have new ideas in development, so watch this space!

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