Is Quiet Luxury Losing Its Appeal? Interior Designers Weigh In

A few years ago, Instagram was awash with elegant, muted interiors. Naturally, the internet loves a buzzy trend name, and this aesthetic folded neatly into the broader movement toward quiet luxury. These spaces felt refined and high-end, but not overly glamorous.

Lately, though, the term quiet luxury has fallen out of the collective consciousness. We started to wonder—has it gone of style, or has it simply become innate? To get to the bottom of it, we spoke with leading interior designers and gathered their insights on the trend.

Quiet Luxury Explained

Quiet luxury isn't just about interiors. In 2023, the term emerged in the fashion world and became synonymous with a refined, minimalist aesthetic that prioritized tailoring and high-quality materials over loud logos and color.

A prime example is Gwyneth Paltrow's wardrobe during her ski collision trial that same year, which included neat blazers, cozy sweaters, and breezy trousers. The TV show Succession is also often cited as an early adopter of the quiet luxury look—its cast was frequently seen in Loro Piana cashmere, Tom Ford outerwear, and Ralph Lauren blazers.

In interior design, it's a similar story. "It's about understated elegance—materials and pieces that don’t seek attention, but reveal their quality through craftsmanship, texture, and proportion," says Helena Clunies-Ross, founder of Helena Clunies-Ross Design.

Typically, this translates to a neutral color palette, where the quality of the furniture takes center stage, rather than the brand that made it. "It’s rooted in soft, luxurious materials, thoughtful craftsmanship, and a muted, harmonious palette," adds Jessica Alpert, founder and principal of Jessica Alpert Design. "The focus is on quality over quantity, with spaces that feel elevated and intentional."

Has It Gone Out of Style?

When quiet luxury first emerged as a buzzword, it wasn't surprising—in large part because many designers had been practicing it for decades. So while the term quiet luxury isn't used as frequently in 2026, the aesthetic hasn't disappeared.

"It's here to stay because it's always existed—what’s changed is our collective awareness," says Clunies-Ross. "There’s now a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship, longevity, and the value of slowing down."

Recent trend forecasts tell a similar story. "Homeowners and designers are embracing designs that feel intentional and authentic," says Jamie Chappell, vice president of brand and product at Fireclay Tile. Quiet luxury fits into this perfectly.

Of course, that doesn't mean that trends haven't shifted in the design world. In fact, some of them even grew out of quiet luxury's rising star. "Color drenching and tonal rooms clearly grew out of quiet luxury, but today’s palettes are much bolder and more expressive," says Alpert. "The softness is still there, but it’s paired with confidence and personality."

How to Decorate

Quiet luxury is all about combining luxurious textures and materials, while keeping the color palette subtle and refined. Cashmere blankets paired with a linen sofa and gray limewash paint on the walls is a great example. The space should feel calm and tranquil, rather than loud and maximalist.

However, there can be pitfalls to quiet luxury. "At one point, everything became beige," says Alpert. "While I love tonal spaces, they still need depth, contrast, and color saturation to feel dynamic and lived-in."

While neutrals can be grounding, consider adding subtle color variations to keep the room from feeling too tonal. "It’s about honoring process and material integrity, and allowing pieces to be made with care rather than speed," adds Clunies-Ross. "That sense of intention is where quiet luxury truly lives."