Quiet Luxury: How to Get the Understated Design Look In Your Home

If you were one of many fixated on the utter absurdity of the Gwenyth Paltrow ski trial, you love to hate the cast of Succession (guilty), or you’ve swooned over the chic, minimalist homes appearing on social media, you might be familiar with 'quiet luxury' – the aesthetic that has *not so quietly* become the style du jour.

At a time when Barbiecore and maximalism are bringing joy to our feeds, it's interesting that 'quiet luxury' has found itself gaining popularity. Up until recently, ‘quiet luxury’, for the most part, has gone under the radar of the masses, but the appeal has always been there. This low-key approach offers understated and timeless designs that prioritize simplicity over a showy aesthetic, yet are still luxurious. The movement is great for those who want to be more thoughtful with their shopping habits and those who appreciate good design and want to invest in pieces that will last well into the future. But never fear! We're here to reassure you that you don't need to be exceedingly wealthy to partake in this movement.

Unsure if this is the style for you? Below we're taking a look at exactly what 'quiet luxury' is, why it’s trending, and how you can embrace it in your home if you're feeling the vibe.

Why is ‘quiet luxury’ trending?

Trends are cyclical, but my gosh do they come and go so fast now. We've interestingly hit a time when both maximalism and minimalism are popular styles/movements to embrace rather than one reigning supreme. While maximalism's beauty is associated with excess, eclecticism, and extravagance, minimalism's beauty lies in a 'less is more' approach', clean lines, and reduction – something which 'quiet luxury' promotes. While both are opposites on the design spectrum, both require being intentional and departing from the "norm."

The area of maximalism that embraces individuality and encompasses looks that mix and match thrift finds, color, and a variety of textures can create some wonderfully unique looks. But one sub-trend of the maximalist aesthetic that appears to be on its way out is flashy logos – which were the go in the midst of the pandemic. Subtle luxury has always been there, but the rising interest in this look could very well be a way for people to depart from what has become mainstream.

Research conducted by retailer Karen Miller has shown Google searches for ‘quiet luxury’ have gone up 373% in the last month. They believe the spike can partly be attributed to the release of the final season of the highly popular series Succession which features a cast dressed in subtle designer outfits from the likes of The Row, Bottega Veneta, and Maison Margiela, and the outfits worn by Gwenyth Paltrow in her recent ski trial in Utah.

The allure of ‘quiet luxury’ lies in its ability to convey quality, sophistication, and a chic aesthetic without being ostentatious. Luxury has always been highly aspirational and reserved for a very small proportion of society. But thanks to social media and brands increasingly letting go of their “exclusive” reputation, it has become more accessible than ever. As a result, rather than turning to logos as a means to showcase one's social status there is a shift towards high-quality, timeless design, that's less showy.

As far as interior design goes, since the pandemic we’ve been witnessing the rise of people wanting to create spaces that feel peaceful, luxurious, and welcoming. This has brought styles like ‘organic modern’ and ‘minimalist’ to the forefront of design.

And while the vast majority of us aren’t going to be able to afford to adorn our homes with extremely expensive furniture and decor, we like to think of ‘quiet luxury’ as a movement toward more conscious design choices – embracing 'less is more' so you buy less and select pieces you love and will be with you for years.

Conscious design selections ahead of fast fashion aren't so much a trend but a cultural shift and one that interior designer Sarah Shinners believes we all need to embrace. "People are actively choosing environmentally sustainable options over throwaway cheap thrills, buying once and buying well rather than opting for the latest must-have," she shares.

How can I get the ‘quiet luxury’ look in my home?

The definition of luxury will differ from person to person. But contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to, nor should you, dig deep into your bank account to get the ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic in your home. Rather, focus on the aspect of this movement that embraces intentionality and conscious design when decorating a home. We all deserve to love our homes and be excited to come back to them each day.