The quiet luxury aesthetic requires a bit more effort than its name suggests: This trend in decor—particularly with paint colors—is all about giving off subtle sophistication. Rather than putting your high-end items front and center, you intentionally design your space to feel upscale without being obvious about it.
“The design is not necessarily minimalistic, it’s curated, timeless and has a sense of lived in character,” says Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams. Conveying quiet luxury requires channeling a certain palette of hues and tones to match that mood.
“In the world of decor, although most people still think of beiges and creams, we are starting to see the use of bolder colors, tiptoeing out of the neutral tones we saw so much of and for so long,” says Steven Gottlieb, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Muddier colors and rusts seem to be really happening now in upholstery, so it would make sense that we will see paint colors follow suit. Saturated colors are specific and might be too bold for some people to live with, but color is having a comeback.”
Werner Segarra
What Is Quiet Luxury?
The characteristics of this aesthetic begins with simple colors that evoke a sense of elegance that is understated—not ostentatious.
“Quiet luxury paint colors are soft, neutral hues that evoke a sense of calmness and relaxation,” says Danielle Perdue, interior designer and founder of DK HOME. “Soft, muted blues that mirror the water or sky; pale grays and earthy beige tones that resemble the natural surroundings.”
Combined with the right furnishings, these hues evoke a look that’s indulgent but restrained and serene at the same time. The way Gottlieb describes it, quite luxury in fashion involves using simple colors in high-end fabrics.
“The traditional colors for ‘quiet luxury’ are muted tones in the families of taupe, beige, gray, and cream, much like what we saw from the costume department of the show Succession,” he says. “Luxury clothing brands like Brunello Cuccinelli have used these color palettes to convey an easy and comfortable but expensive look with high-end fabrics and materials in these muted or ‘quiet’ tones.”
Chad R. Mellon
The Best Paints for a Quiet Luxury Aesthetic
When it comes to paint colors in particular, Perdue says you want to look for a palette with softer shades that create a sense of calm: A few of her favorites from Benjamin Moore include Pale Oak, White Dove, and Quiet Moments. At Sherwin-Williams, she opts for Natural Linen, Mindful Gray, and Drift of Mist.
While many of these colors are off-whites or neutrals, you can also go for blues and greens. For deeper, more exciting options, Kantz suggests the Sherwin-Williams colors Thunderous, Carnelian, Forged Steel, Prelude, and Antiquarian Brown.
“Off-whites and greiges provide an amazing backdrop to other natural finishes, while deep muted greens and darker earth tones create a depth to the room that is grounding and creates a more dramatic environment for this aesthetic,” she says.
How you apply your colors matters, too—especially when you’re aiming for a finish that shines in a subtle way.
“The quality of the paint or paint job can often convey a quiet luxury, even more so than the choice of color palette,” Gottlieb says. “Finishes like Venetian plaster or high-gloss lacquer are expensive to achieve and don’t hide brushstroke mistakes.”
Better Homes & Gardens
Decor That Complements Quiet Luxury Colors
To choose a color palette for your particular space, Kantz suggests looking at your existing furniture, artwork, light fixtures, and home accessories to decide if a lighter color scheme will feel more cohesive. Then, you can begin to add elements with more dramatic, deeper tones from room to room with your area rugs, artwork, and pillows and blankets.
Basically, a neutral backdrop offers a blank canvas for the rest of your space.
“Choosing a neutral color palette like cream or white for your wall, carpets, tiles, or sofas will allow for bolder choices when implementing soft pastels, metallics, and earthy tones,” says David Harris, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg. “Deep, richer colors can be best implemented via soft furnishings like throws, pillows, and bed linens.”
Once you’ve decided on your colors and painted your walls, decorating in quiet luxury is in the details. Metallic accents like gold, silver, and bronze add a touch of sophistication. If you’re going more of a nature-inspired route, woods, and natural textures, like rattan and pale oaks, work with quiet luxury paint colors by adding warmth and depth.
Look for “iconic furniture pieces or furniture styles that are simple yet elegant, with a curved or rounded shape,” Kantz says. And the pros agree that real materials are worth splurging on: Avoid wood laminate and faux finishes in favor of genuine wood flooring and stone countertops.
Ultimately, the main rule to remember is to not overstate opulence—as the name implies, keep it quiet. “Less is more,” Perdue says. “Go with simple furniture layouts that feel relaxed and inviting yet sophisticated—not busy or overwhelming.”
