Quiet Luxury Is the Latest Interior Design Trend

The term might be new, but quiet luxury — an aesthetic that eschews logos and anything flashy in favor of all things timeless, high-quality and custom — is once again having a moment.

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By: Meredith Rosenberg

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What Exactly Is Quiet Luxury?

TV shows such as HBO's Succession are among the driving forces behind the fashion world's renewed interest in quiet luxury and, consequently, its reapperance in home design.

"Quiet luxury in the home is very similar to what we're seeing in the fashion world. It's the opposite of luxury brand logos being plastered all over clothing, handbags and shoes. It's the ability to mix texture, color and comfort successfully without having to scream, "I'm a luxury brand!" explains Melissa Fields of Shades of Gray Design Studio.

For example, "Quiet luxury of the past was more orthodox and not as approachable as today's quiet luxury," says Valerie Stafford, lead designer at Rumor Designs. "Formal living rooms come to mind, curated with French wingback chairs whose upholstery may or may not have matched the wallpaper."

Of course, interior design is just as mercurial as fashion trends. For a broader overview, "The 21st century began as a rather simplistic version of contemporary design, relatively bland in every way," says Penny Drue Baird of Dessins LLC. "That was countered by a wave of colorful, jarring rooms with a hodgepodge of 'designer' and 'artist' furniture. The pandemic put a slowdown on life and design, leading to a quieting down of design — a trend moving toward promoting more well-being and calming, pleasureful and serene living, she adds.

All of this is to say, "Money talks, wealth whispers," says Lindsey Coral Harper of Lindsey Coral Harper Interior Design.

Read on to find out how to get the stealth, quiet luxury look in your home.

Choose Sustainable, High-Quality Natural Materials

So how does one recreate the quiet luxury look at home? For starters, spring for the highest quality items possible. Heather Goerzen, design director of Havenly, recommends everything from "100 percent linen, leather, boucle, cashmere and velvet to genuine marble, travertine and terra cotta ... passing on blends and synthetic materials to shell out for the real deal is quiet luxury epitomized."

Sarah Barnard of Sarah Barnard Design adds, "Quiet luxury offers a sophisticated take on minimalism, elevating an elegantly simple aesthetic with high quality and finely-crafted materials and goods. Beautiful woods and striking stones can add exquisite natural detail to a simple silhouette. Beyond the beauty of the materials, there is also an interest in production, emphasizing ethically sourced and sustainable materials."

If Possible, Allow the View to Take Center Stage

"Many spaces emphasizing quiet luxury may have sweeping views of natural surroundings or lovingly tended garden spaces," Sarah says. "A design that supports and showcases these views can lead to a serene environment that speaks to the inherent luxury of the surroundings. Minimal, low-profile furnishings in palettes that align with exterior views can contribute to a home space that feels integrated with nature and a feeling of peace."

Customize Everything

Customizations are to the quiet luxury home what tailoring is to the fashion set. "Having something custom-made for a space is the ultimate quiet luxury," shares Allison Garrison of Allito Spaces. "It's the equivalent of couture for interior design. Instead of buying a dress off the rack, you have something made for your precise contour and dimensions. Nothing speaks to luxury like the perfect fit: No need to be flashy. Custom-made furnishings say high-end without any screaming."

Jay Jeffers of Jay Jeffers, Inc. also notices a trend of artist-made furniture, including BDDW, Appartus and Stefan Bishop. But he cautions, "It's not about one piece. It's about an environment."

To that end, customizations go beyond furniture. "Custom-height kitchen counters, seating perfectly tailored to the physical needs and comforts of the residents and vanity drawers custom-sized to personal items add to the ease of living and the luxury of the space without being overtly flashy," says Sarah.

Add Investment Pieces

Carefully selecting classic investment pieces that will get years of use is another commonality with the fashion world. Here, acclaimed designer Vicente Wolf designed this living room with a 17th-century Flemish armchair, George Nelson side table, iconic midcentury Platner chair and Persian Tabriz carpet. "The mix provides a sense of living with the masters," he notes. Added to that mix is a custom Vicente Wolf modernist chaise. (FYI, learn more about this room and Vicente's design sensibility in his latest book, Creative Interior Solutions.)

Heather from Havenly adds, "Quiet luxury is casually owning an impossible-to-find, one-of-a-kind vintage accent chair or reclaimed wood dining table (meticulously sourced from a local antique store or 1st Dibs, of course). Unique, vintage details like glassware, vases, side tables, kitchenware and beyond are also welcome."

Keep it Simple - In All Senses

Quiet luxury doesn't simply mean a minimalistic environment, but also a feeling.

In this project, Vicente converted a former industrial space and combined different centuries with modern decor. "The naturalness of the whitewashed exposed brick, exposed beams and casement windows immediately harken the senses back to a simpler time that today, people seem to crave," he observes.

For the other meaning, Melissa Fields comments how "luxury doesn't necessarily mean 'more' ... I believe quiet luxury is just that. Simple. You won't find maximalism here."

Maintain a Neutral Environment

For many, quiet luxury is equated with quiet colors. For example, "Interior pallets that work well for a quiet luxury atmosphere are blush rose, white or beige, camel, soft gray or black," says Robbie Maynard of Robbie Maynard Interiors. "Woven textures such as herringbone, along with fur and leather and other details such as buttons and piping help add a unique high-quality tailored touch." Another consideration? "Wood flooring and furniture in soft driftwood tones create an organic, elegant, earthy feel and ultimate style, Robbie says.

For Heather from Havenly, "This aesthetic thrives on a crisp, mostly neutral color palette and shies away from bold color pops or jewel tones. Accent hues are understated, like deep navy, earthy olive or rich sienna, and prints are classic, like a timeless ticking stripe or soft floral."

Pay Attention to the Smallest Details

In a true quiet luxury space, lavish attention isn't just paid to kitchens, bathrooms and other commonly used spaces.

"With minimalism, there is an idea that everything should have a purpose and a place. With quiet luxury, we find that previously open, unused spaces can become unexpected havens within our client's home," says Yvonne McFadden of Y. McFadden Interiors. "Whether by adding an upholstered bench in a hallway framed by a beautiful arched doorway or using an elegant marble tile in a laundry room, these areas can be transformed into spaces rivaling the most luxurious bathrooms and bedrooms."

Consider the Impact of Lines

"I find the curvy lines of furnishings lately to feel quietly sophisticated and high-end," says Sergio Mercado of Sergio Mercado Design. "Especially when they are fully upholstered in a highly textural fabric." Here, this curved chair is accented by a curved wall, which also functions to provide privacy without sacrificing the view.

"Specifically, we are seeing more sculptural pieces worked into a roomscape," says Valerie from Rumor Designs. "The soft lines of a sculptural piece soften the modern luxury home."

Traditional Design Remains a Constant

"Traditional design is making a slow but steady comeback in the last few years, and we think it’s a prime example of the quiet luxury trend," observes Heather from Havenly. She lists some of these traditional elements as "understated wallpaper, subtle striped upholstery, vintage crystal chandeliers (classic, not ostentatious), unlacquered brass hardware and ornate details like furniture piping, rich walnut furniture and rolled-arm sofas. It’s an old-monied design aesthetic that signals wealth and luxury without going over the top."

Within the traditional category, Heather finds "wainscoting in all its forms has been trending again the last few years, and it perfectly aligns with the quiet luxury aesthetic. A symbol of wealth and refinement since its inception centuries ago, purely decorative wall details like beadboard, picture moulding and board and batten still feel luxe, ornate and opulent to this day."

Quiet Luxury Doesn't Mean Boring

While neutrals, minimalism and traditional elements are core components of quiet luxury, there's room to play with the aesthetic.

Case in point in this room, "Christopher Spitzmiller’s hand-thrown, custom-glazed lamps don’t have a logo in sight, but the 23k gold bases and beautiful hardware have made these lamps, (which retail for around $8,000 a pair) a must in any luxury room," imparts Shani Core of Shani Core Interiors.

Viewed another way, "When it comes to nailing the art of quiet luxury at home, think of a dinner party: You want to mix in some guests who are gregarious, others who are contemplative," advises Elizabeth Drake of Elizabeth Drake Interiors. "Some want to tell long stories, others are looking to listen. The same goes with your room: Skip the logos and focus on the alchemy of the mix."

Ghislaine Viñas of Ghislaine Viñas, LLC goes even further: "Be sure to add at least one bold element, like a unique piece of art, to avoid lulling yourself to sleep with too many natural and neutral colors. It's all terribly boring without an edge."

Regardless of which aspects of quiet luxury personally resonate, Melissa Fields observes, "Although quiet luxury may be a trend right now, I look at it as more of a lifestyle. Most people don't want to be overly opulent about how they dress or decorate their homes, but they do want the high quality, luxury and comfort to reflect the luxury lifestyle they live."

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