How to clean for 'quiet luxury' – 8 steps to an understatedly luxurious space

These eight steps will make any home feel like a luxury haven, cleaners say

Living room seating with a leather woven chair and a plush cream sofa
(Image credit: Nkuku)

When we think of quiet luxury, our furniture and fashion choices may be the first things that come to mind. However, how we look after our homes says a lot about our lifestyle too, making cleaning a priority for a luxe space.

You need more than your quick everyday cleaning tips for a luxury space, however. It is all about paying attention to the finest details and organizing your home for quiet luxury too. 

These are the eight things cleaners do when working in a luxury space that you can replicate at home.

How to clean for quiet luxury

Elizabeth Shields, operations manager at Super Cleaning Services, explains that a clean, luxury home is not just about how the space looks:

‘The true luxury of it is having one that can do wonders for your mental well-being, offering a peaceful retreat where you can truly unwind,’ she says. ‘Walking into a home where everything feels calm and collected – no misplaced items, just a sense of serene order.

‘That's the beauty of a clean, pristine home, it quietly whispers luxury in its simplicity.’

This is how to achieve the quiet luxury look yourself: 

Beige bathroom with a freestanding bath

(Image credit: Albion Nord)

1. Eliminate dust

Eliminating dust from your home is almost impossible, but removing dust from surfaces and preventing a visible build-up is a must for a luxury space, begins Diana Ciechorska, cleaning expert and manager at Park Slope Cleaning.

‘Consider using a microfiber cloth for dusting surfaces, as it effectively traps particles without spreading them around,’ she suggests. Diana also recommends investing in both the best air purifier and a quality vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters to help improve indoor air quality and create a space where you can easily relax.  

Diana Ciechorska
Diana Ciechorska

Diana is the general manager at Park Slope Cleaning, a commercial cleaning company based in New York City. The organization's commitment to transforming the perception of cleaning services is rooted in the understanding that a clean space not only creates a sense of harmony but also contributes to overall well-being.

2. Consider luxury cleaning products

While all DIY cleaning solutions and commercial cleaning products essentially do the same job, if you want to add a luxury touch, there is no harm in spending that little more on a high-quality, nicely-scented product, Diana Ciechorska, cleaning expert, continues – especially for products you won't wash away: 

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, at Amazon, and Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner, available at Walmart are examples of luxurious cleaning products that not only clean effectively but leave a pleasant scent, contributing to an inviting ambiance,’ she says.

‘Invest in well-designed cleaning tools that not only serve their purpose effectively but also contribute to the overall aesthetic of your home.’

3. Focus efforts on decluttering and organizing

Besides your regular cleaning, keeping a tidy home is a must for that luxury look, adds Elizabeth Shields, operations manager. Decluttering for quiet luxury usually involves encouraging minimalism at home for clean surfaces that are easy to maintain, with other clutter kept in luxury storage baskets, she says.

4. Regularly rotate and launder soft furnishings

Soft furnishings are some of the most heavily used spots in our homes, and keeping them clean and pristine is essential if you want to make your home look luxe, urges Shayne Jeramos, cleaning specialist at Bright Cleaners.

Whether this means steam cleaning a couch to help remove bacteria and odors, or regularly laundering your throw pillows and window treatments, paying attention to these commonly forgotten spots is a must for a high-end clean.  

Shayne Jeramos
Shayne Jeramos

 Shayne Jeramos has been a cleaning specialist at Bright Cleaners for over 2 years and has extensive experience with residential and cleaning services. 

5. Set up a daily routine

Repetition is essential if you want your home to remain a luxury space. For cleaning expert Elizabeth Shields, this means putting in a routine that you can easily stick to, such as a closing shift routine:

‘Putting in little habits makes a big difference when maintaining a clean home look. For example, spend just a few minutes each day tidying up, and putting things back in their designated spots. I’ve even set up a one-touch rule in my home where we need to put things back right after use to keep clutter from creeping in. 

‘For spills? Wipe them away immediately before they become a hassle, or set up a stain station to keep things pristine. Making the bed every morning looks simple but it’s the secret weapon for an instantly tidy room. Plus, it makes you feel good checking off one cleaning task at the start of the day.’ 

6. Establish shoe-free zones

One thing you will always see in a real luxury home is a no-shoe rule, shares Shayne Jeramos, cleaning specialist. This helps to keep your carpets clean and your home free from odors.

To help implement this rule in your own home, consider your shoe storage at any home entry points, and offer slippers or house shoes to family and guests if they feel uncomfortable walking around in bare feet or just their socks.  

7. Pay attention to the finer details

‘There are plenty of places you aren't cleaning but need to if you want a luxury space,’ begins Millie Hurst, Solved section editor at Homes & Gardens. ‘A luxury home won't have dust on even the smallest of ledges such as wall molding or picture frames, nor will they have dust build-up beneath beds and sofas, so take a good look around to see if you can spot any areas that have never seen your duster.’ 

millie hurst news writer
Millie Hurst

Millie Hurst is Section Editor at Homes & Gardens, overseeing the Solved section, which provides readers with practical advice for their homes. Millie has written about and tried out countless cleaning and DIY hacks in the six years since she became a journalist, and has worked in both London and New York. 

8. Think about fragrance layering

Although not technically cleaning your space, nothing says ‘clean’ like well-done fragrance layering, says Diana Ciechorska, cleaning expert.

‘Enhance the atmosphere with scented candles or essential oil diffusers featuring calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus. This not only adds a touch of luxury but also promotes a sense of tranquility,’ she explains. 

FAQs

How do you master the quiet luxury trend?

When trying to master quiet luxury in your home, consider your investments. The idea behind the trend is to invest in less but higher-quality pieces, be it your furniture, decor, or wardrobe. From there, it is about incorporating it into every facet of your daily life, such as decluttering and organizing with the luxury aesthetic in mind or picking luxe cleaning products that will make your home a pleasure to relax in.  

What is luxury housekeeping?

Luxury housekeeping is a service that will come to clean and tidy your home from top to bottom. Usually, tasks will go deeper than a traditional clean, with attention paid to things like your mattress and upholstery, as well as the typical surfaces around your home.


Quiet luxury is, in essence, having a well-thought-out home and looked after from top to bottom, concludes Diana Ciechorska, cleaning expert. ‘The quiet luxury of a clean home lies in a harmonious combination of effective cleaning practices, high-quality products, and a mindful approach to maintaining a serene environment.’

Content Editor

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.