From the serenity of minimalist designs to the soul-soothing embrace of nature, today’s luxury spaces are being elevated beyond mere aesthetics – crafting a deeper, more meaningful connection to the traveller.
Have you ever stepped into a space that instantly calms your mind, energises your spirit, or sparks your creativity? As luxury travel continues to evolve, spaces are no longer defined by opulence alone. They are designed to evoke emotions, nurture the soul, and ignite the senses. From the interplay of light and space to the seamless integration of local culture and cutting-edge design, contemporary luxury is increasingly drawing on the science of psychology. In the recent decade, life philosophies like Wabi-sabi and Hygge have emerged as guiding forces in architectural and interior design – indicating a shift toward spaces that prioritise emotional wellness.
Wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, brings a calming sense of authenticity by celebrating the beauty of weathered materials, natural textures, and minimalist design. This embrace of life’s fleeting nature creates grounded, serene spaces. In parallel, Hygge, the Danish concept of cosy comfort, is rooted in the need for contentment and togetherness. These philosophies are more than luxury design trends – they are a response to our growing desire for emotional nourishment through our environment.
Conscious Authenticity
Today’s luxury is moving from standardisation toward thoughtful curation, especially in design-forward hotel architecture. Raghav Priyadarshi, Managing Director of The Kumaon, a 10-chalet, eco-friendly retreat in Uttarakhand, views this shift as a move from static architectural styles to dynamic, experience-driven spaces. He explains, “The future of luxury lies in creating bespoke, meaningful experiences that immerse travellers in the essence of a place, rather than offering generic grandeur.”
Priyadarshi believes that travellers are now seeking comfort, engagement, and a deep connection to their surroundings, not just lavish interiors.
Shreya Srivastava, Founder of Principal Architect of Studio Shunya, echoes this sentiment. “Nobody wants to travel to Assam or Bali only to see the same interiors they have in Mumbai or Delhi,” she says. Spaces need to reflect the spirit of their destination. Srivastava’s design for a Chittorgarh BnB is a perfect example – incorporating local materials like rammed earth, lime plaster, and oxide flooring to give the space an authentic Rajasthani feel. She argues that luxury is now about curating experiences that connect guests with the local culture and environment rather than relying on overused luxury design trends.
This focus on authenticity and immersion extends beyond hotel architecture to fine dining. Aditi Dugar, Co-founder and Director of Urban Gourmet India and Relais & Châteaux Masque, shares, “Designing spaces isn’t about installing a statement art piece; it’s about how it interacts with the rest of the environment and helps guests connect with it.” For Dugar, the goal is to create spaces that tell a story and evoke an emotional response, reminding us that the actual value of luxury lies in the experience and connection it fosters.
Modern luxury is creating spaces and moments that allow guests to connect deeply with their surroundings and with intimate and transformative experiences.
The Invisible Layers of Luxury
The visual image is the first of the invisible threads that shape perception. Muted colour schemes, monochromatic designs, tone-on-tone, and soft neutrals convey the feeling of understated luxury. But sensory elements go far beyond what meets the eye. Architects and designers are increasingly tapping into the power of touch, smell, and sound. As Srivastava explains, when carefully curated, these sensory details work on the subconscious to evoke feelings of comfort, relaxation, and a profound sense of place. It’s no longer just about what something looks like; it’s about how it feels, smells, and sounds.
Lighting has always played a crucial role in shaping interiors, influencing both mood and perception. Subtle shifts in illumination can transform a space – muted lighting fosters a sense of calm, while well-placed accent lights draw attention to architectural details or artwork, adding layers of sophistication. “Lighting has the power to shape our experience of a space,” says Priyadarshi. “Muted tones create tranquility, while strategic highlights elevate the perception of luxury.”
As technology advances, lighting design has moved beyond aesthetics to embrace human-centric principles. By mimicking natural daylight cycles through changes in colour, temperature, and intensity, modern lighting solutions align with the body’s circadian rhythm, enhancing both well-being and ambiance. Today, lighting is no longer just about illumination – it’s about creating an immersive sensory experience.
Priyadarshi goes on to highlight the role of scents in luxury spaces, tracing its deep-rooted significance in India which was traditionally expressed through incense and fragrant flowers. Today, this olfactory element has evolved, with luxury hospitality curating bespoke fragrances for hotels and infusing customised aroma oils into spa experiences. Similarly, sound has always been integral to high-end spaces, from the soft hum of elegant lounge music to immersive acoustic designs. Priyadarshi shares, “Nothing trumps the sounds of nature. Even silence becomes the ultimate luxury in a world overloaded with background noise.”
In Srivastava’s homestay project in Bhilwara, courtyards and water features are designed to enhance acoustics. Rather than relying on artificial scents, Srivastava lets the materials speak for themselves. “Lime, wood, and natural plasters age gracefully, emitting an organic, grounding fragrance,” she said. These subtle details transform luxury from a visual experience into something more tangible – an experience that allows travellers to truly feel the place that they’re in, beyond sight.
At Relais & Châteaux Masque, the dining experience is a seamless blend of food, lighting, table settings, service, music, and scent, all carefully curated to make each meal extraordinary. Dugar emphasises, “Luxury design, especially in spaces like ours, is about the narrative that complements our food philosophy and raison d’être.” The restaurant features a striking art piece by Rathin Burman, depicting the fall of old mills and the rise of towering skyscrapers – a tribute to Mumbai’s evolution. Given the restaurant’s location in a former Mumbai textile mill, this art piece adds a rich layer of context to the dining experience. Architect Asheish Shah, who designed the space has kept the aesthetic minimal, using muted tones and test tube lights that perfectly complement the atmosphere.
Power of Exclusivity
Another key factor emerging in luxury design is exclusivity. By creating bespoke, site-specific environments, exclusivity taps into the core human emotions like privilege, uniqueness and intimacy. “When a space feels exclusive, whether through its design, service, or overall atmosphere, it evokes a stronger emotional connection,” said Dugar. “The more one experiences these unforgettable feelings, the deeper their bond with the environment.”
Srivastava expands on this concept, explaining that exclusivity should make a traveller feel like they’ve entered a space unlike any other. “In our Jamshedpur Resort, no two rooms are identical. Every detail, from handcrafted adobe earth walls to custom lime plasters and locally sourced stones, is designed to reflect the unique character of the place,” she shares. While mass-produced, modular designs may serve as a functional purpose, they lack the soul and intimacy of a space crafted with intention and context. For Srivastava, it’s this attention to the unique essence of a place that transforms a simple stay into a profoundly personal, memorable experience.
Minimalism for Harmony
Thoughtful materiality, spatial harmony, and curated experiences are becoming central to luxury design. Experts argue true luxury is not about over-decorating spaces but an intentional approach that removes the unnecessary while elevating the meaningful.
“Minimalism enables travellers to experience calm by consciously creating spaces devoid of clutter. We all lead busy, cluttered lives, and our minds are constantly overwhelmed with thoughts. Minimal spaces help calm our parasympathetic nervous system,” explains Priyadarshi. This approach to design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about crafting environments that nurture peace and relaxation. Srivastava expands on material integrity in minimalism, highlighting how it symbolises refinement and craftsmanship. “In our office-cum-Airbnb project, we balanced minimalism with strong textural contrasts. Using clean lines, natural materials, and handcrafted elements created depth without excess. Instead of over-decoration, we let the materials tell the story. A raw stone wall, a smooth lime plaster finish, or a beautifully aged wooden beam all add richness without embellishments.”
Sustainability and Biophilic Design
With increasing environmental consciousness, sustainability is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of luxury spaces. Biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into architecture, is emerging as an essential element in crafting immersive luxury experiences.
“Biophilic design is essentially a new term for something that has always been fundamental to our understanding of luxury – nature,” says Priyadarshi. “Living in the city, natural surroundings are automatically perceived as luxury – something we don’t experience regularly. This approach, which seeks to site architecture within nature, aligns with the ethos of ‘tropical modernism,’ pioneered by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.” He points to The Kumaon, designed by architects Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera, which seamlessly blends architecture with the Himalayan ecosystem, offering guests a connection to the land.
Srivastava underscores the importance of designing spaces that evolve with their environment. “In our homestay in Bhilwara, we used courtyard planning, evaporative cooling, and thermal mass to regulate indoor temperatures, naturally reducing reliance on artificial cooling. Mud, stone, and lime plasters create a breathable, self-sustaining structure. Luxury today is about spaces that age gracefully, interact with their environment, and offer long-term comfort,” she explains. For Srivastava, biophilic design goes far beyond surface-level features like green walls or potted plants. “Integrating natural materials, passive cooling, and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. Our eco-resorts focus on creating living, breathing environments where guests don’t just stay in a room – they experience the region.”
BurdaLuxury’s Lens
The new wave of luxury design marks a refreshing departure from the traditional focus on extravagance. It’s about celebrating simplicity, authenticity, and immersive experiences that foster a deeper connection with the environment. By embracing organic materials, minimalism, and local sensibilities, luxury spaces are evolving into sanctuaries of calm and reflection, deeply embedded in their locales – thoughtful, meaningful, and highly personalised.
