While many interior design trends in 2025 embrace bold colors and maximalist decor, quiet luxury adopts a more subtle, sophisticated approach. It’s an aesthetic that whispers rather than shouts a style statement, showcasing quality, timeless, and expensive-looking design. Quiet luxury emerged a few years ago but is gaining new traction because its practical approach makes luxurious looks affordable and prioritizes classic pieces that homeowners won’t need to replace as trends change, adding an element of sustainability.
Quiet Luxury is Minimalist, Understated and Elegant
Quiet luxury, also referred to as stealth wealth, aims to replicate the understated vibe of old money rather than the ostentation of new money. It embraces the less-is-more philosophy with a sleek yet warm minimalism.
Quiet luxury in interior design expands on trends first introduced in fashion and pop culture post-pandemic. At the time, several high-end fashion designers removed logos from clothing and accessory lines, letting the quality and detailed design communicate wealth subtly. HBO’s popular drama Succession, and its wardrobe and interior design for the ultra-rich, which is simple, but expensive looking, is also credited for making quiet luxury popular.
Admittedly, the concept behind decorating according to quiet luxury is a bit vague, and although it is highly curated, it must look effortless. This can make it hard for homeowners to replicate.
It’s easiest to approach this trend by design element, and then combine them to suit your style, space and budget. The beauty of quiet luxury is it is a trend you can build over time, because it is versatile.
Neutral Colors for a Refined Look
Perhaps the most important element of quiet luxury is a neutral color palette, elegant in its simplicity.
“Color plays a significant role in the quiet luxury aesthetic by balancing the look, adding depth, and creating an elegant backdrop. This allows finishes, materials, and furniture pieces to take center stage, resulting in a luxurious and timeless feel. The colors used are refined rather than bold and flashy, contributing to a sophisticated yet unpretentious look,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
She recommends creamy whites, softened neutrals, and rich tones for a sublime, versatile aesthetic.
To get the quiet luxury look, “Begin with a palette of soft neutral shades such as ivory, beige, taupe or gray. These colors provide a subtle and sophisticated backdrop that exudes a sense of understated elegance. Incorporate lighter and darker shades of the same color to add depth and interest without overwhelming the space, ensuring a cohesive look,” says Wadden.
“Introduce natural elements and earth tones or muted accent color through furniture, finishes, accessories, or artwork. Layer materials and colors thoughtfully, keeping the overall design simple and clutter-free. This curated approach should amplify a sense of luxury and serenity,” she says.
Layer Textural Elements
Quiet luxury is a minimalist aesthetic, which runs the risk of being stark and cold. For warmth, textiles and other materials play an important role. For additional depth, layer textural elements, made more prominent against a neutral color palette. This helps make a room look and feel more comfortable.
Popular choices that exude warmth and wealth, with just the right amount of texture are boucle, cashmere, velvet, silk, leather, fur and good quality cotton. Mix and match rugs, throw blankets and pillows, window treatments and upholstered furniture.
Mixing metals is another effective way to introduce texture into an aesthetic and provides a luxe look.
High-Quality Furnishings
Another important principle of quiet luxury is a focus on excellent quality and craftsmanship. This should guide your furniture choices, given the opportunity that these larger pieces have to set the quiet luxury tone.
“Invest in furniture pieces with classic silhouettes, versatile colors, and artisan-quality materials and design. It's that feeling that a piece is going to last forever that truly adds that luxurious element,” says designer Kathy Kuo of Kathy Kuo Home.
Look for gentle curves or straight, but soft lines and rich upholstery, focusing on pleasant details that add nuance to the aesthetic. Start with one or two pieces intended to be focal points and build the design out around them. Customize where you can for a truly bespoke look
“Take the time to research your furniture choices. A beautifully designed sofa, crafted from sustainable and top-quality materials, and custom upholstered to the exact color you want is going to cost more up front, but it will last so much longer and offer a much higher level of comfort and style,” says Kuo.
Blend Vintage With Modern
While quiet luxury is a contemporary style, it’s common to blend vintage or antique pieces in with modern choices. The patina of quality vintage pieces offers a lived-in feeling that balances out starkness that sometimes comes with modern, minimalist pieces.
For example, pair a sleek sofa with an antique rug, or vintage steamer trunks. Match a contemporary dining table, with upholstered, vintage, high-back dining chairs. Frame contemporary art in antique frames. Place worn natural wooden accents on marble or soapstone countertops.
Pay Attention to Details
A subtle aesthetic, like quiet luxury, relies on decor details for impact. Here are some details not to overlook:
Embrace Negative Space. Leave lots of room to move between furniture, and adorn walls sparingly, but strategically, with artwork. It’s all about simplicity.
Hide Tech. It’s fine to have tech present in quiet luxury, as this elevates functionality, but be sure to hide unsightly cords.
Choose Artisanal Over Mass Produced. Artisanal decor offers handcrafted details, a key component of quiet luxury.
Opt for Natural Materials Natural materials, such as marble and wood, support quiet luxury in a few ways. They typically embrace a neutral color palette, are timeless, tactile and also help with sustainability.
Lighting Should Be Functional, But Decorative. Enough lighting in the proper places aids with functionality, but “ the look of the light fixture should fit in with your subtle chic motif. Make sure you're getting a well-made piece that is going to beautifully illuminate your space,” says Kuo.
