What is Quiet Luxury? The Rise of Quiet Luxury in Interior Design

Once upon a time, the only indication of wealth and luxury was how much gold a person could fit into a living space without it looking like the space had been touched by Midas. Gone are the days when luxury screamed with gilded finishes and rococo overkill.

Today, true sophistication whispers - and it's saying, "Shhh, let the marble do the talking."

This is the era of quiet luxury in interiors: the chic cousin of minimalism who studied abroad, learned about Italian marble, and now only drinks oat milk lattes in handcrafted Japanese ceramics.

But what does that mean?

Imagine a space that doesn't need to flex but still has you side-eyeing everything in awe. That's quiet luxury. It's not about brandishing logos or blinding guests with bling. It’s about the subtle art of restraint: cashmere throws instead of velvet curtains, artisan over antique, and warm wood tones that feel like a slow exhale.

But why the shift now?

First, being the post-pandemic scene, people started to crave calm instead of clutter; they wanted a space that felt peaceful instead of a place that was everything all at once. The increase in remote jobs and the influence of social media were also factors that should be heavily factored in this rise for the quiet luxury aesthetic.

Second, the rise of sustainability and the awareness around it. There was a huge rise in terms such as conscious living and timeless pieces throughout 2024. Who wants to chase trends when you can just buy pieces that age like fine wine?

And lastly, TikTok & the Old Money aesthetic. Interior designers have been talking about this for a decade, but TikTok just gave it a name, and that created a cascade of events, and here we are with cashmere throws, boucle fabric, wooden finishes and pampas grasses becoming staples in all the homes across the globe.

Okay, but what exactly are the elements of Quiet luxury?

Material

Materials are EVERYTHING in the world of quiet luxury. Luxury materials such as Natural stones - marble, travertine, limestone. Earthy tones and colours, along with rich, untreated woods, also reign supreme in the choices. Fabrics such as Linen, cashmere, and boucle are predominant.

These textures do the talking—softly, of course.

Muted Mastery

Colour palettes are kept hush-hush: taupe, oatmeal, sage, greige (yes, that's grey + beige and no, it’s not boring). The goal? Serenity, not spectacle.

Custom and Craft Over Mass and Flash

Instead of the showroom set, think bespoke pieces from local artisans, vintage finds that tell a story, and furniture that feels heirloom-ready.

In short, IKEA may have your heart, but quiet luxury wants your soul.

Intentional Design

Everything has a purpose. Nothing screams, "Look at me!" but everything says, "Stay awhile."

Can anyone have a “Quiet luxury” House?

At the end of the day, Quiet Luxury is a mindset, it's a way of living, and it cannot be downsized to just a TikTok aesthetic. At its heart, quiet luxury is about curation over consumption. It’s the confidence to let quality shine without needing a spotlight. The aesthetic is soft-spoken, but the message is clear: "I have taste, and I don’t need to shout about it.”

It’s the equivalent of someone who knows five languages but never corrects your grammar. Classy, not cocky.