Wood panel manufacturer Egger is producing a new range of videos aimed at furniture manufacturers and retailers looking to keep up with changing design trends across Europe.

Available now at www.egger.com/home-decor-trendcast, and on Youtube, the first video deals with the ever-increasing popularity of woodgrains and rustic decors.

Egger – which has its melamine-faced chipboard and laminate decors used in about half of the kitchens made in the UK – believes the speed of change in the sector requires a new approach.

“It’s not that long ago that we could produce our annual Insight publication highlighting some trends we had seen and showcasing our new ranges,” said head of décor development Elliott Fairlie.

“But now trends are moving so fast we all have to react more quickly to the changing requirements of savvy kitchen, bedroom and bathroom buyers who scour the internet to see what’s new, save their chosen home décor look to the likes of Pinterest and then go out expecting to find it on the High Street.

“My colleagues and I now spend a lot of our time attending shows in the UK and Europe, making sure Egger decors are on-trend as well as looking for new applications and permutations that will appeal to the domestic market.

“Our thinking behind producing these Trendcast videos every month or two is to cut out some of the legwork for our manufacturing customers.  As well as showcasing our new decors we’ll also be offering advice on how to use colour and texture combinations that reflect current thinking in a highly competitive marketplace.”

The first video examines the continuing rise in popularity of woodgrains, and rustic decors such as oak with visible knots, cracks and saw marks – a trend most-recently seen at the recent IMM exhibition in Cologne.

Egger’s ST28 synchronised pore oak decors reflect this look with texture and print aligned in a registered finish that creates depth and realism echoing real timber. They also work well as a contrast or accent alongside neutral solid colours.

H3309 ST28, Sand Gladstone Oak, in synchronised pore texture Feelwood Nature