It’s not about price tags. It’s about embracing understated elegance, quality over quantity, and timeless pieces that exude confidence without the need for spectacle. Designer Vinette Diab-Nicholls offers these seven tips on how to achieve this sought-after aesthetic in your own home.
1. Invest in craftsmanship
The cornerstone of quiet luxury is impeccable quality. Choose handcrafted furniture, artisanal ceramics, or custom cabinetry. You’re not chasing trends, you’re curating pieces that last, both in style and in substance.
2. A Neutral, layered palette
Opt for muted tones like warm taupes, creamy whites, soft greys, and earthy browns. Then layer textures. Think cashmere throws, linen drapes, brushed oak flooring. This creates depth without overwhelming the senses.
3. Curate, don’t clutter
A quiet luxury home is intentionally edited. Let each object have breathing space. Display fewer, finer pieces like a sculptural lamp, a stone bowl, or a single few pieces of contemporary art. Negative space becomes part of the design.
4. Elevate the everyday
Luxury lives in the details. Swap out standard hardware for bronze or matte brass. Upgrade light switches, keep your home scent curated, and use the best linens you can afford.
5. Keep technology subtle
Hide your wires. Choose speakers and appliances that blend into your interiors. Technology should support your lifestyle without dominating your space.
6. Honour natural light
There’s nothing more luxurious than a room bathed in natural light. Avoid heavy curtains in favour of sheers or light-filtering fabrics, and place mirrors strategically to bounce daylight through the space.
7. Choose meaning over labels
Quiet luxury is deeply personal. Rather than decorating with branded or recognisable items, focus on what holds meaning: A ceramic bowl from a local maker, a painting that speaks to you, a chair or headboard passed down through generations. These pieces tell your story, and there is nothing more luxurious than authenticity.
* Vinette Diab-Nicholls is the CEO and founder of GIAVA INTERIORS.
