How to embrace the 'quiet luxury' garden trend in style

Create the latest luxury trend for your garden this summer by following these 6 simple style rules

contemporary garden with landscape planting and luxury furniture to support the quiet luxury garden trend
(Image credit: Getty Images | Onur Dongel)

Make your outdoor living space feel more luxurious for entertaining this summer by adopting a few simple style rules of the latest 'quiet luxury' trend for gardens.

The latest 'quiet luxury' trend for interiors is all about refined aesthetics that create an understated feel of opulence. To take this aesthetic into the garden there are a few simple style rules to steal to incorporate a more luxurious vibe for any outdoor space – a perfect way to make your house expensive from the outside.

From adding unexpected soft furnishings to upgrading your existing planters, these are the key style elements to welcome a touch of 'quiet luxury' to your garden this summer.

6 ways to capture the 'quiet luxury' garden trend

"Rooted in classic, understated, timeless style ‘quiet luxury’ has been gaining popularity in the fashion world, but the mood is also one that works beautifully in gardens," says Wayfair’s resident style advisor, Dee Fontenot. Here are the basic style rules to effortlessly emulate the look in your outdoor space.

1. Welcome an outdoor rug

outdoor living area style with luxury furniture and rugs as part of the quiet luxury garden trend

(Image credit: John Lewis)

At the heart of any successful outdoor living room idea in 2023, there will be a fantastic outdoor rug stealing the show – even more so to encapsulate the 'quiet luxury' trend for gardens. 

Outdoor rugs are the latest accessory that every outside space needs to feel more considered and well put together. The presence of a plush outdoor rug can instantly tie a scheme together to create a sense of cohesion for all soft furnishings, from outdoor cushions to parasols and more.  

The key is in cleaning outdoor rugs regularly to keep them looking pristine, especially important as part of the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic.

2. Incorporate a thoughtful point of focus

contemporary balcony with fire pit to show the quiet luxury garden trend

(Image credit: Future)

From water features and sculptures to more practical firepits and mirrors, give your garden an artistic focal point that instantly makes the space feel more considered and styled. 

Water features are a great way to great ambiance thanks to the tranquil sound of running water – a feature that exudes the feel of the grounds of a luxury spa resort. A bronze statue or sculpture feels like a more modern way of adding an artistic touch.

Wall art is a great way to dress the walls in the garden to add interest and a hint of color or pattern, but be mindful to keep the print toned down so it still feels authentic for the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic. Where wall art might feel OTT outdoor mirrors can work wonders instead, not to mention help to make a small garden look bigger.

"Gather round a firepit, which will become a focal point for weekend get-togethers with friends and family," says Dee. "A large 'quiet luxury' circular statement design will naturally bring a cohesive layout for outdoor seating, set up nearby to keep guests warm as summer evenings draw in."

3. Add ambient lighting

Backyard with thoughtful lighting scheme as part of the quiet luxury garden trend

(Image credit: Getty Images | Bulgac)

Enhance your outdoor lighting scheme to get the 'quiet luxury' look after dark. Lighting plays such a significant role in making homes look more expensive, so it's no surprise that it can hold such importance for obtaining the 'quiet luxury' trend outdoors too.

Use up-lighter designs to highlight signature planting to give it more prominence within the space. Use simple spotlights to light up trees around the boundary of your backyard to frame and further the landscape.

Use diffused lighting on the walls, especially around dining and social areas to create an ambient glow that provides enough light to extend the amount of time you get to enjoy the space.

A great way to add a lighting solution without having to spend on proper electrical installations is by utilizing solar-powered designs.

4. Upgrade your planters

Brass outdoor planters used as part of the quiet luxury garden trend

(Image credit: Ivyline)

An easy way to add more foliage and thoughtful planting is by using pots and planters to edge your patio or deck area to feel more curated and styled. Upgrade your best plants by choosing pots that ooze a sense of sophisticated styles, like the Outdoor Hampton Antique Brass Metal platers by IvyLine pictured above. 

5. Introduce a piece of curvaceous furniture

Quiet luxury garden trend with large concrete coffee table

(Image credit: OKA)

The 'quiet luxury' trend for indoor furniture seeks softer edges and less angular lines, which is easy to do in the garden too thanks to many of the most popular furniture pieces 

Invest in a hero furniture piece that signifies how much your value your comfort while outdoors. Hanging egg chairs remain on-trend for modern spaces. 

Adding a luxury sun lounger will go a long way to make the space feel like a luxury hotel. Whether you have a pool or not, laying on a sunlounger is a guaranteed way to alleviate the stress and strains of everyday life. Instead of the rigid traditional designs look to soften the look with a more curvaceous design with seek padded pillow headrests and comfortable padding to avoid the design from feeling too clinical. 

6. Make more of an 'occasion' of dining

Outdoor dining table dressed with whote servingware to support the quiet luxury garden trend

(Image credit: The White Company)

Enjoy alfresco dining in style to add a touch of understated luxury to your outdoor space. Whether it's a small bistro table on a roof terrace or balcony or an extendable dining table in a large backyard you can still elevate your dining experience with a few simple accessories.

No matter if you're eating dinner every night entertaining friends on the terrace or throwing a themed garden party for a celebration add a sense of occasion to proceedings with thoughtful dining accessories. 

Tamara Kelly
Lifestyle Editor

Tamara is a highly experienced homes and interiors journalist, with a career spanning 22 years. Now the Lifestyle Editor of womanandhome.com, she has spent the last 17 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, and it’s with these award-winning interiors teams that she gained a wealth of knowledge and honed her skills and passion for styling and writing about every aspect of lifestyle and interiors.

A true homes and interiors expert, Tamara has served as an ambassador for leading interior brands on multiple occasions, including appearing on Matalan’s The Show and presenting at top interior trend forecasting events such as the Autumn Fair and Spring Fair.