Interior designers reveal why wealthy clients are ditching luxury brands for this surprising decorating approach

Chuvic - August 27, 2025
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In recent years, high-net-worth individuals have been moving away from instantly recognizable luxury brands, opting instead for unique, personalized interior designs. This shift is driven by a desire for authenticity, craftsmanship, storytelling, and sustainability, reflecting a deeper connection to their living spaces. (privatebank.barclays.com)

1. Prioritizing Handcrafted Pieces Over Logos

1. Prioritizing Handcrafted Pieces Over Logos
A handcrafted wooden table adorned with custom ceramic vases and unique decor pieces, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship. | Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels

Wealthy homeowners are increasingly favoring artisanal, handcrafted items that reflect their individuality over mass-produced designer decor. Exclusive ceramics, custom rugs, and hand-carved furniture contribute authenticity and character to their spaces. This trend aligns with insights from Architectural Digest, which highlights the growing appreciation for unique, handcrafted pieces in interior design. (architecturaldigest.com)

2. Supporting Local and Emerging Artists

2. Supporting Local and Emerging Artists
A vibrant collection of original paintings by emerging local artists, each piece showcasing unique styles and perspectives. | Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Pexels

Wealthy homeowners are increasingly commissioning or acquiring pieces from local artisans and emerging talent, showcasing support for the community and originality. These unique creations add a distinctive edge compared to standardized luxury designs, as reported by Forbes. (forbes.com)

3. Embracing Timeless Vintage Finds

3. Embracing Timeless Vintage Finds
A cozy living room featuring a vintage armchair, antique wooden coffee table, and curated decor pieces. | Photo by EVG Kowalievska on Pexels

Vintage and antique furnishings offer history, craftsmanship, and exclusivity—a compelling alternative to current luxury labels. Interior designers are scouring estate sales and antique fairs for statement pieces, as outlined in Elle Decor. This approach allows spaces to feel curated, rather than simply expensive. (elledecor.com)

4. Curating Eclectic, Collected Spaces

five brown wooden chairs
Source: Federica Campanaro on Unsplash

Ultra-high-net-worth clients are increasingly favoring the blending of diverse styles and periods, moving away from matching collections from a single brand. This mix-and-match approach results in spaces that reflect individuality and worldliness, rather than mere wealth. As noted by Homes & Gardens, such eclectic combinations encourage authenticity and layered storytelling, allowing homeowners to create unique, personalized environments. (homesandgardens.com)

5. Focusing on Customized and Bespoke Details

5. Focusing on Customized and Bespoke Details
A cozy living room featuring bespoke lighting fixtures, custom cabinetry, and unique architectural details that reflect personal style. | Photo by Elwira Glowacz on Pexels

The demand for bespoke fittings, from cabinets to lighting, demonstrates a desire for one-of-a-kind luxury. Commissioned pieces fit a client’s space and story exactly, as detailed by The Wall Street Journal. This tailored approach is impossible to replicate with off-the-shelf luxury. (wsj.com)

6. Implementing Sustainable Design Choices

6. Implementing Sustainable Design Choices
A cozy living room featuring a reclaimed wood coffee table, recycled glass vases, and eco-friendly textiles. | Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Eco-conscious decisions—like recycled materials, upcycled furnishings, and green-certified products—are replacing conspicuous luxury. High-profile designers emphasize sustainability as a status symbol, per The New York Times. This mindful approach resonates strongly with discerning, globally aware clients. (nytimes.com)

7. Seeking Sensory and Textural Richness

three round blue, teal, and pink velvet throw pillows on teal fabric swan chair
Source: Ifrah Akhter on Unsplash

Wealthy homeowners are increasingly favoring interiors that engage the senses through tactile finishes like raw linen, woven rattan, and sculpted plaster. These materials introduce understated opulence, allowing spaces to feel as good as they look. As highlighted by Homes & Gardens, such textures add sophistication beyond the glossy surfaces of branded luxury. (homesandgardens.com)

8. Creating Unique Color Stories

8. Creating Unique Color Stories
A vibrant living room featuring a mix of rich jewel tones, eclectic patterns, and custom-designed furnishings. | Photo by Kendall Hoopes on Pexels

Personalized color palettes, ranging from bold jewel tones to layered neutrals, are setting homes apart. Instead of relying on trendy color schemes from luxury brands, designers tailor colors to each client’s mood and memories. As highlighted by House Beautiful, such individualized approaches allow spaces to reflect personal narratives and preferences. (housebeautiful.com)

9. Commissioning Site-Specific Art

9. Commissioning Site-Specific Art
A vibrant mural depicting a bustling cityscape, complemented by a unique stainless steel sculpture, enhances the urban environment. | Photo by Berna . on Pexels

Wealthy homeowners are increasingly commissioning muralists, sculptors, and photographers to create site-specific artworks that are unique to their residences. This trend ensures that private homes become true originals, moving away from being mere showrooms for luxury brands. As noted by The Art Newspaper, such custom works add a distinctive and personal touch to interior spaces. (theartnewspaper.com)

10. Reimagining Heirloom and Sentimental Pieces

10. Reimagining Heirloom and Sentimental Pieces
A beautifully restored antique armchair, reupholstered with modern fabric, blending heritage and contemporary style. | Photo by Arthur A on Pexels

Rather than discarding family treasures for new designer items, clients are updating heirlooms to suit modern homes. This may involve reupholstering, refinishing, or even repurposing, as recommended by The Spruce. It’s a trend that honors legacy while creating personalized luxury. (thespruce.com)

11. Investing in Understated Luxury Materials

11. Investing in Understated Luxury Materials
A luxurious cashmere throw draped over a polished wood chair, exuding understated elegance. | Photo by Leon Kohle on Pexels

Wealthy clients are increasingly opting for understated luxury materials—such as cashmere, hand-tanned leather, and rare woods—instead of flashy, branded pieces. These materials exude quality and comfort without overt displays of exclusivity. As noted in Vogue, this approach emphasizes refined consumption and subtle elegance, aligning with the ‘quiet luxury’ trend that focuses on craftsmanship and timeless design. (vogue.com)

12. Maximizing Architectural Character

a room with a wooden table and chairs
Source: Emir Kandil on Unsplash

Homeowners and designers are increasingly restoring and highlighting original architectural features—such as beams and wainscoting—rather than covering them with statement luxury decor. This approach honors a property’s history and adds a layer of bespoke value. As noted by Dezeen, emphasizing architectural character allows spaces to tell a unique story and fosters a deeper connection to the home’s heritage. (dezeen.com)

13. Designing for Wellbeing and Mindfulness

13. Designing for Wellbeing and Mindfulness
A serene living room featuring natural light, indoor plants, and organic materials, promoting mindfulness and well-being. | Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

Interiors focused on wellness—natural light, biophilia, and serene layouts—are replacing logo-heavy luxury living. Calming, wellness-focused environments echo a new standard of living for those who value comfort over conspicuous consumption. (theguardian.com)

14. Customizing Functional Spaces

14. Customizing Functional Spaces
A stylish home office seamlessly integrates a serene yoga studio and a personalized wine cellar. | Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels

Clients are increasingly commissioning custom studies, yoga rooms, wine cellars, and hobby spaces tailored to their personal interests, moving away from generic branded lifestyle packages. This trend allows homeowners to create environments that reflect their unique passions and lifestyles. For instance, dedicated wine rooms can be designed to store and showcase collections, while hobby rooms can be customized to accommodate activities like sewing or gaming. Such personalized spaces ensure that the home truly mirrors each occupant’s character and preferences. (houseandgarden.co.uk)

15. Preferring Limited Runs and Small Batches

15. Preferring Limited Runs and Small Batches
A curated selection of limited edition decor, small batch furnishings, and exclusive accessories. | Photo by Elias de Carvalho on Pexels

Wealthy clients are increasingly favoring small-run releases from independent makers, valuing their exclusivity and rarity. These unique pieces cannot be widely copied, offering a layer of status distinct from ubiquitous, big-name luxury brands. As reported by The Financial Times, this trend reflects a shift towards appreciating craftsmanship and individuality over mass-produced luxury items. (ft.com)

16. Updating Homes with Curated Books and Objects

books on brown wooden shelf
Source: Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Displaying books, travel mementos, and meaningful objects artfully contributes to a home’s intellectual ambiance. These elements reflect the owners’ lives, interests, and individuality, making the space a deeply personal sanctuary. As noted in The New York Times, such curated displays can transform a room, adding depth and character that mass-produced items often lack. (nytimes.com)

17. Valuing Experience Over Brand Recognition

woman in black shirt and gray pants sitting on brown wooden bench
Source: Katerina May on Unsplash

Interiors are increasingly designed as immersive experiences—such as meditation nooks, garden rooms, or music spaces—to foster joy and connection. This approach prioritizes atmosphere and personal experience over displaying luxury logos. As discussed in Wallpaper*, these spaces are tailored to individual lifestyles, creating environments that resonate with personal well-being and comfort. (wallpaper.com)

18. Sourcing from Global Artisans

18. Sourcing from Global Artisans
A vibrant collection of handcrafted textiles from around the world, showcasing diverse patterns and colors. | Photo by Michaela St on Pexels

Designers and clients are increasingly looking beyond major luxury houses to artisans worldwide for unique textiles, furniture, and art. This global approach brings stories and inspiration from diverse cultures into the home, enriching interiors with authenticity and character. As highlighted in Vogue Living, incorporating artisanal pieces not only supports traditional crafts but also adds a personal touch to contemporary design. (vogue.com.au)

19. Celebrating Imperfection and Wabi-Sabi

19. Celebrating Imperfection and Wabi-Sabi
A rustic wooden table adorned with mismatched, handcrafted ceramic bowls, each showcasing unique imperfections and organic textures. | Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels

The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi—embracing natural flaws—has gained traction, especially among elite clients. (architecturaldigest.com) Rough wood grains, uneven ceramics, and patina have replaced flawless luxury finishes, favoring authenticity. (architecturaldigest.com) This aesthetic celebrates the beauty found in imperfection and transience, aligning with a broader appreciation for natural materials and simplicity in design. (en.wikipedia.org)

20. Integrating Nature and the Outdoors

20. Integrating Nature and the Outdoors
A cozy living room adorned with lush indoor plants, natural wood furniture, and soft, earthy tones. | Photo by Алан Албегов on Pexels

Bringing natural elements indoors—such as living walls, stone bathtubs, or panoramic windows—reflects a renewed connection to nature. This design movement, featured in The Wall Street Journal, prizes serenity and harmony beyond any luxury label. By incorporating these elements, homeowners create spaces that foster well-being and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. (wsj.com)

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