For years, I thought that I wanted my home to be neutral, calm, and quiet. But the lack of color or personality never felt very me. That's when I started leaning into something more expressive, richer, and louder...
Loud luxury, the antidote to last year's quiet luxury trend, is a new interior design trend that celebrates maximalism in a refined, expensive-looking way. It's free of clutter or chaos, but fuelled by rich color, decorating with pattern, art, and a layered, collected sense of soul.
This trend is all about having the confidence to choose what you truly love – and include it with intention and in abundance. If you're also drawn to homes that tell a story with personality, the loud luxury trend might just be the elevated scheme for you.
What is the loud luxury trend?
So, what exactly is loud luxury? To me, it feels like the natural return to maximalist decor, only with a stronger sense of polish and, of course, luxury. It's certainly not about being over-the-top or in-your-face, but instead focuses on confident room color ideas and personality-packed schemes.
Where the quiet luxury trend is understated with whisper-soft cashmere textures and subtle neutral tones, loud luxury makes a statement the moment you walk through the door. Think plush fabrics in rich hues, dramatic lighting, high-shine finishes, sculptural furniture, and indulgent materials like marble, lacquer, and brass.
'I am, personally, very excited that quiet luxury is quietly on its way out and we are making way for bolder, more colorful and vibrant choices,' says designer Kayleigh Eppinger of Epp Interiors. 'Taking color risks, mixing patterns and textures, and covering your shelves and walls with things that speak to you, in my opinion, make for spaces that are more personally reflective, cozy, and are just more fun to design.'
'Loud luxury is giving people permission to find their own voice and express it boldly. It allows for more individuality – and less copy and paste.'
How to achieve the 'loud luxury' look at home
Loud luxury is all about creating impact without feeling chaotic. But as bold as this trend may sound, achieving the look doesn't mean totally redecorating or spending a small fortune. It’s more about choosing the right elements – statement pieces, rich textures, and high-impact finishes – that instantly elevate a space. I've asked interior designers for their top tips for introducing some loud luxury into your home. Here's how.
1. Try your hand at color drenching
If there’s one design move that instantly makes a room feel more intentional and more luxurious, it’s the color drenching trend. Personally, I used to be nervous about this all-in-one color trend, but once I tried it, there was no denying the impact it creates.
If you're unfamiliar, color drenching means choosing a single color and applying it to all the walls (including the ceiling and woodwork) to create a cocooning effect. It creates depth, character, and a sense of elevated drama that’s very in line with the loud luxury trend.
'There’s something quite joyful about the rise of louder, more expressive luxury – it’s about making bold choices that still feel deeply personal,' says designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Hand-painted wallpapers are extraordinary, like true works of art, and I also love using the ‘fifth wall’ – the ceiling – as an opportunity to make a quiet but confident statement.'
'Paint your kitchen pink, wallpaper every room in your house, and cover your walls with the weird art you love. Whatever your thing is, show it off,' adds Kayleigh.
2. Apply plenty of pattern
A lot of us can be guilty of treading too carefully around print and pattern. But while I'm not suggesting you lean fully into the pattern drenching trend, although I'd highly recommend trying stripe drenching like in the decadent bedroom above designed by Mark D. Sikes, Lauren suggests starting with the smaller details to build up your confidence with mixing and matching.
'Curtains and cushions are a great place to introduce a little decadence – whether through a double rouché fringe, woven trim, or hand-made curtain tie-backs with embellishments,' she suggests. 'It’s these thoughtful details that bring a scheme to life.'
If color is the first step in making a room feel rich and expressive, pattern is what brings it to life. And when you really commit, it injects movement and personality. 'The antithesis of last year's quiet trend, loud luxury is, in my opinion, loads more fun to use in interiors,' adds Bethany Adams. 'Instead of subdued, neutral cashmere, think boldly colored wool and velvet.'
3. Lay out a statement rug
One of the quickest ways to make a space feel more luxurious and expressive is by swapping out a safe, neutral rug for something much bolder. A statement rug anchors a room and, in the context of loud luxury, it’s your license to play with rich color, bold pattern, and indulgent texture right from the ground up.
People often underestimate just how much impact a rug can have. While you can certainly follow current rug trends to point you in the right direction, real luxury comes with something timeless that feels like you've owned it forever – whether that's a real antique or something vintage-inspired.
'Rugs are another powerful tool,' Lauren adds. 'Ikat rugs are a new favourite, their bold pattern and rich colours create a striking focal point, while the hand-knotted texture underfoot feels like true luxury. I also love the impact of an oversized pendant or opulent chandelier; statement lighting can completely transform a space from above, too.'
4. Go bold with your furniture choices
Your furniture also doesn’t have to fade into the background. In fact, the pieces you choose to sit on, lean against, or gather around should command just as much attention as the small details like artwork or lighting. 'Whether your personal design style is 'quiet' or 'loud,' true luxury boils down to quality materials, artisan-level craftsmanship, and top-tier design,' explains renowned designer Kathy Kuo.
'If you want your luxurious furniture to really stand out in your living room, rather than blend in, opt for more eye-catching colors and materials,' she suggests. 'For example, a quiet luxury sofa might be in a subtle cream-colored linen slipcover, whereas a loud luxury version of the same silhouette might be upholstered in cobalt blue velvet.'
As well as statement upholstery, you can also make bold choices with hard surfaces. 'Rather than natural wood tones, go all out with lacquered paint finishes,' suggests Bethany. 'And just like with fashion, throw a few recognizable designs in there for good measure. A classic mid-century modern piece lets your guests know you know what's up.'
A big bold stripe is a great way to introduce some print to your space, and this rich ochre tone will pair lovely with any existing neutrals in your space if you're a quiet luxury fan looking to convert to the loud side.
Loud in style and shape, while this porcelain vase by Jonathan Adler isn't vibrant in color, it certainly still packs a sunny disposition. Fill it with colorful blooms or seasonal foliage to create a pretty vignette.
The Pierce & Ward West Elm collaboration is filled with unique pieces that are made in the style duo's signature luxurious yet earthy style. This rug is flat-woven by skilled artisans to create a vintage-inspired geometric pattern.
Italian fashion and homeware brand La DoubleJ is best known for their abundant use of color and pattern, which they've poured into this invigorating candle. The vessel is made from printed porcelain, while the scent is a mix of bergamot, fig, and sandalwood.
An internet favorite for a reason, Addison Ross's lacquer pieces are a loud luxury lover's best find. This scalloped tray is designed to sit pretty atop your ottoman or coffee table and is finished with 20 coats of high gloss lacquer in a myriad of colors.
This sweet little side table is available in a few punchy colors, including this deep teal. Reviews claim it all screws together within five minutes, is waterproof, and great for sitting next to your sofa for placing drinks and a little lamp.
Since leaning into loud luxury, my home has become a space that reflects my personality, my travels, my family – and it gives me joy to surround myself with things that speak to me. And while it might not be for everyone, that’s kind of the point.
If you're keen to discover what makes a home look expensive, there are plenty of ideas in our feature that will give you some interior design tips to embrace a sense of luxury. And for a budget-friendly approach, take a look at our ideas for low-cost updates to make a house look more expensive.
