The End of 'Quiet' Interiors? Loud Luxury Is the Trend Redefining Modern Opulence

Have you noticed? There's a cultural shift happening. In interior design, fashion, and lifestyle, it seems we're starting to embrace designs that some might consider 'loud'. From lively colors to bold patterns, and even intriguing textures, signs are pointing us towards the direction of a new design style. Enter: loud luxury — the unapologetically eye-catching trend that's being welcomed with open arms.

Remember the quiet luxury trend that basically took over the internet just a few years ago? Loud luxury might initially seem like the polar opposite, but it's not. This trend doesn't necessarily equate to in-your-face design that seems like it's screaming at you. Rather, it balances the refinement of quiet luxury minimalism with elements of maximalist style in a tasteful, cohesive manner.

In fashion, loud luxury might manifest itself in the form of a long fur coat styled elegantly over a black dress or cherry red vinyl pants that have just the right amount of shine. It's the perfect balance of bold and refined, with a touch of luxury. Sounds exciting, right? But how does it come through in our homes?

Loud luxury is a visually stimulating interior design trend that straddles the fine line between luxurious simplicity and bold maximalism. It's not chaotic, but harmonious. Not over-the-top and ostentatious, but luxuriously personal. Long story short, loud luxury all about tasteful opulence.

To completely understand the trend, we have to look at the broader cultural context. Of course, trends don't just appear out of nowhere. They're reflections of the cultural pendulum that's constantly in motion, bringing us from one end of the spectrum to another, reflecting all sorts of societal happenings from blockbuster movies to political events.

In conversation with design experts about loud luxury in interiors, the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to be cultural event which defined the trajectory of design over the past few years. This period of lockdown, according to designers, rekindled a desire within individuals to express themselves. "After the pandemic, where we had to spend a lot of time in our homes, there is a renewed understanding of the importance of creating an environment at home that brings you joy and allows you to rest and recharge," Rebekka Bay tells me, Creative Director of Marimekko. "I think people are embracing more of their own tastes and styles instead of following a certain trend." Similarly, Global Brand Ambassador for Farrow & Ball Patrick O'Donnell shares that we've become more color confident since the pandemic. "We’ve seen a shift from more architectural greys and whites to something a little more nurturing. What started as a pastel revolution has evolved into richer, more saturated tones... a lux layered look is on the rise," he tells me.

And along with the global pandemic, the infusion of media into our everyday lives is more prominent now than it ever has been. Because of this, individuals are able to understand their likes and dislikes based on the media they consume. "I think people's personal tastes are coming through a lot more than they used to due largely to our consumption of images," Shona McElroy of Smac Studio tells me. "I think people being able to see certain things that they may not have been able to imagine in the past helps a lot in really pushing the boundaries with design and understanding how to inject personal style and how it can work with other items around."

So, with cultural events like the pandemic fueling the surge of image sharing and consumption, trends have taken off at an exponential rate. From micro trends to larger social commentaries, the trend cycle has infiltrated just about everything we do in life — from the way we dress to how we design our homes.

All of these factors have created the 'perfect storm' of sorts, for a large new trend to reign supreme — a trend that feeds off of our personal interests and turns them into statements, and infuses drama into design. That trend, dear reader, is loud luxury.

So, Is Quiet Luxury Dead?

With all this talk about loud luxury, you might be wondering if quiet luxury is a fad of the past. The truth is, quiet luxury isn't going anywhere. Like I said, the cultural pendulum is continuously swinging, and in design, what goes around always comes back around.

Of course, the bold and extravagant nature of loud luxury design certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea. Patrick O'Donnell believes that both styles have clearly carved out spaces within the design industry. However, loud luxury can bring a sense of fun into home decoration. "Luxury maximalism won’t sit happily with everyone’s decorative sensibilities, but those who do embrace a little ‘theatre’ in their interior decoration can have boundless fun with color, print, and rich textiles," he tells me.

So don't worry, you can keep worshiping quiet luxury queen Sofia Richie and all the luxurious simplicity of that design style. Its elegance and thoughtful curation will never go out of style. However, loud luxury invites an added sense of drama, creativity, and personality — qualities that quiet luxury might lack.

Loud Luxury Decor

While the loud luxury trend poses an interesting commentary on society and our collective interests, how can it trickle down into tangible pieces of home decor? What are the key features of this trend? As I've mentioned, loud luxury is an offshoot of maximalism, but maintains the thoughtful curation aspect of the quiet luxury trend. Sure, it can look 'loud', but it's meant to be a tasteful exhibit of home products that are interesting through color, texture, material, or shape.

Design experts weigh in on how to accomplish the loud luxury trend — combining the refinement we so love of quiet luxury with the personality and drama of maximalism. "Always, ALWAYS, mood board your scheme to avoid ‘riot’ of too many ideas, and keep control of your palette using the 60:30:10 rule," Patrick O'Donnell tells me. This rule, which uses percentages of color to define a space, can help make a room look cohesive and not overbearing.

When playing with color in a loud luxury interior, Rebekka Bay shares some insight. "Instead of spreading colors and prints evenly throughout a space, I find grouping colors or patterns, creating personal curations or everyday still lives, makes for more interesting displays," she says. Another tip: color drenching. "I think color washing is a fantastic way to go bold, but know it's going to work" Shona McElroy tells me. "Once the color is injected you can start to pick up on opposite tones or patterns in a similar tone to the walls." Rich colors like gold, deep red, or green are a good place to start. And for an added level of luxurious interest, try color washing with a glossy finish.

In terms of furniture and other finishes, pay attention to texture. "Mohair velvets and merino wool textiles for color blocking on a sofa with a mid-century chair upholstered in a ‘tension’ print will add visual interest," Patrick tells me. And for smaller decor items, look for playful patterns that provide a sense of difference along with practical functionality. "If you have different ceramics that you use in everyday life, place them in open shelves so that they are functional while also bringing pattern and texture to the space," Rebekka Bay shares.

Of course, loud luxury is all about including a healthy mix of high end luxury pieces with everyday objects. "Curate your space wisely with a mix of high and low — the high spend will always help elevate the humbler acquisitions," Patrick tells me. Consider your space as a whole, but also pay attention to small details that can vivify the space and make it feel complete.

Because loud luxury is all about personal creativity, there's no 'right' way to nail the aesthetic. But if you're looking for some guidance, I've sourced six products that capture the essence of this trend and can help bring the bold look into your home, tastefully.

If you love the borderline maximalist look of loud luxury design, read on to discover cluttercore — the design style that embraces, well, clutter.