What do an Akari lamp, an Eames lounge chair, and an Eros side table have in common? Aside from being iconic pieces of furniture, you’d describe all of them as very low-key, according to TikTok. The viral trend, which creator Jools Lebron started when she talked about being “low-key” and “mindful” at work, has caught the attention of designers and DIYers.
Although the concept sounds a bit vague, they have established some clear rules about what makes a house reserved or not understated. Some of their suggestions? Clean in moderation, replace harsh overhead lights with table lamps, and don’t overwhelm your space with too many scents—a candle is enough. But the most important tip they all share has everything to do with where you shop: a understated home has to have vintage.
“Secondhand shopping is very low-key and cute. It doesn’t matter if you found it in the trash, you’re very mindful,” says Denver-based TikToker @kaitlinathome, who has showcased some of her favorite secondhand treasures – a rattan bench and a floral mirror – in previous videos.
It didn’t surprise us that home content creator and Rugs USA contributor Arvin Olano prefers vintage items to help save the environment. After all, he once told us that he considers his aesthetic to be “soft minimalism with eclectic tendencies.” In his TikTok post, he says that his limited use of color is actually “cute. I don’t want my house to look like a Crayola box.”
While LeBron’s advice quickly went viral, a simple home doesn’t just happen. “We don’t buy everything new or all at once,” says LA-based influencer Ethan Gaskill. “Hurry is never simple.”
