5 Ways to Nail the Quiet Luxury Decor Trend

Originally posted on Vogue.com.au by Nina Miyashita

Quiet luxury, the term that describes a muted style movement that has percolated through the fashion world over the past year, has officially landed in the interior design space. Now, ‘quiet luxury décor’ is the number one interior design trend on TikTok in 2024 so far, and if the immense popularity of the style is anything to go off, we doubt we’ll be seeing the back of it any time soon. But the real question is, how can we authentically pull off this look in our homes? 

Of course, like many decor principles, there’s no official rulebook as to how you express quiet luxury. As less a specific look and more of an essence or mood, this surprisingly versatile trend means you can interpret it within your preferred nuance—as long as the pillars of elegance, polish and subtlety come first. But that’s not to say there’s not a few practical tips and tricks that will help you nail the stylishly restraint trend as we know it.

Whether you’re building from scratch, looking to renovate or you’ve decided to do a complete overhaul of your existing decor, here’s 5 ways you can achieve the quiet luxury look at home this year.

Stick to your neutral palettes and muted tones

Of course, beiges, creams and whites—with charcoal, black and brown accents—are your best friends when you’re designing a quiet luxury space thanks to their inherent polish and association with quality. This is important when it comes to the colour of your walls, and your primary decor colour scheme. But note that quiet luxury doesn’t always have to preclude brighter hues, as a well-placed splash of colour can sometimes serve you well amongst your sea of neutrals. Just make sure you pick the right colour to compliment the dominant tones and don’t be too liberal with your application.

Invest in high-quality marble and timber furnishings

Contrary to what you might think, quiet luxury and “stealth wealth” decor shouldn’t feel cold or unapproachable—warmth, and a relaxed, yet refined feel are paramount. For that reason, invest in high-quality marble, warm brass and timber furnishings to contrast subtly against your predominantly off-white palette, and avoid overly industrial elements. A splash of steel here and there can sometimes suit, but elevated, natural-looking materials work best overall.

Opt for premier craftsmanship and fine finishes

The devil is in the details, as they say. The catch with quiet luxury is that although you don’t want your interiors to scream opulence immediately, the expensiveness of the space is in the particulars when you look closely. All-round high-quality craftsmanship is the real mark of this trend, which means no visible glue, staples or nails, opting for premium fabrics, and buying handmade furniture, such as tables and chairs, over manufactured items where you can.

Choose minimalism over maximalism

Less is more with quiet luxury decor, borrowing from traditional minimalist design principles such as Scandinavian or Japanese. Avoid going overboard with minimalism, however, as it can easily feel too industrial and austere if you strip things back too much. Contrasting textures, bespoke fixtures and fittings, a focus on lifestyle and again, a reliance on warm materials will help. In lieu of having less, aim to select richly toned decor items such as blankets, pillows and rugs for emphasis and elegance.

Embrace warm or natural lighting

It may be true of all lifestyle-centred spaces, but natural lighting is key to getting the quiet luxury decor right. Floor to ceiling windows, skylights and the correct orientation of your home’s overall design will help ensure you’re flooded with the necessary sunlight. For night, or if there isn’t enough sufficient natural light throughout the day, elegant lamps with a warm bulb will aid you.