Trends
The Cult Style Guide To High Gloss
Everything you need to know about styling luxe gloss furniture.
10 min read
High gloss doesn't do wallflower. Whether you're going full maximalist or adding one statement piece to an otherwise restrained space, this finish has the kind of presence that transforms a room - instantly.
The trick is contrast, and it’s easier than you think. From choosing the right hue for your space to styling tips and ideas for every room in the home, we've got everything you need to make high gloss work for you. Consider this your go-to guide to styling this sought-after trend that’s in it for the long haul.
High gloss. High impact. Zero headaches.
In this guide:
What is High Gloss? · Interior Styles that suit High Gloss · Choosing The Right Hue · Styling High Gloss
A Little Bit About High Gloss
High gloss reflects the growing desire for interiors with personality - a collective rejection of safe, beige, forgettable interiors. We’ve explored this in our 2026 Interior Trend Roundup, discussing the resurgence of spaces that feel lived-in, driven by the need to be expressive, rather than passive, and unapologetically themselves. That means no more grey. No more formalities.
High gloss fits suits that energy perfectly, and it means this trend is going nowhere - you’re safe to invest in it now and reap the benefits over time.
For more about High Gloss, including care and protection, just head here:
What Interior Styles does High Gloss suit?
High gloss is most at home in contemporary interiors, especially in minimalist settings, but its versatility is genuinely underrated.
In Minimalist and Scandinavian spaces, using nudes or neutral high gloss products - think taupe sideboards and ecru dining tables - brings depth and dynamism without disrupting the calm.
Paired with different textures such as boucle and light woods, you’ve taken “quiet Scandi” somewhere far more interesting. It creates a statement-making focal point and guaranteed visual impact without shouting.
For Maximalism and eclectic interiors, high gloss in bolder hues adds even more drama. With its bold luxe finish, this can invoke the 70s Revival style, especially in colours such as burgundy, ochre yellow or jewel tones like emerald green. Opting for a high gloss coffee table and side table pairing gives a contemporary and luxe feel, without committing to a full redesign.
Even in more traditional or transitional spaces, a single accent piece adds a contemporary edge that stops rooms from feeling dated. The key is always in the surrounding materials - the textures you place next to it, and the colour relationship you create. We have further styling know-how further down.
Choosing Your Hue
Choosing Your Hue
Choosing Your Hue
Choosing Your Hue
Want a pop of colour without the commitment?
The intensity and brightness of high gloss stays vivid over time, meaning you get maximum impact with surprisingly minimal risk. For neutral settings and minimalist interiors, adding high gloss gives dynamism for an undeniable wow factor.
Deep Reds + Burgundy
Burgundys and Cherry Reds give high impact and rich depth. High gloss bases in lighting give a hint without overpowering spaces, ideal if you’re looking to dip your toe into high shine water with bold colour. When teamed with natural fabrics such as linen or warm woods, even the boldest red stays grounded and elegant rather than overwhelming.
Beyond lighting accents, opting for burgundy tables and storage isn’t as risky as you think. A Deep Red Coffee Table sits at the heart of your living room, drawing the eye in. When mixed with sandblasted glass that has a matte finish, the juxtaposition of these textures is effortless.
Earthy Greens
Light sage greens are airy and versatile, whilst deeper olives and clay green tones are so versatile, they can suit both minimalist and maximalist interiors. Sage will fall effortlessly into the neutral spectrum of colours, whilst deeper greens can be more dramatic but equally wearable. Take our Carson Dining Table - this is a true showstopper. It’s attention-grabbing and mixed with a cappuccino brown marble is the kind of piece that makes a room.
Jewel Tones + Carson Coffee Table
Emerald green, aubergine purple, deep teal, and ochre yellow - high gloss and jewel tones are a natural partnership. The finish amplifies the richness of these hues, adding an Art Deco quality that feels genuinely luxurious. Go all in: pair with marble, velvet upholstery, and bold artwork. This is not the time for restraint.
Neutral Shades
Ecru, taupe, and cream in high gloss add subtlety, acting as a partner in crime to textural boucle and velvet sofas. This keeps Scandi interiors in check whilst stopping tired rooms from feeling flat.
With the ability to reflect light, neutral nudes and mono neutral shades have a quiet confidence. Don't underestimate the neutral - in high gloss, it positively glows.
How to style your high gloss furniture
Running the perfect balance between retro-inspired and thoroughly modern, used in abundance, high gloss can be high risk...but high reward. Used as an accent, and it’s an instant focal point, adding high shine and colour for an instant facelift.
This speciality finish can be magnetic, but there are some tips and tricks to adding high gloss into your space with maximum effect.
Mix Textures
High gloss plays best when it's in conversation with contrasting materials. Think velvet, boucle, and raw linen for softness. Marble and stone for cool, tactile contrast. Woods and rattan to add organic warmth. The glossy surface becomes even more striking when it's surrounded by things that are matte, soft, or rough. That tension is where good design lives.
Start With One Statement Piece
The easiest way to embrace high gloss furniture is to choose a single hero piece as the main focus of your room. Not only is it easier to incorporate, but it does all the work of anchoring the room, whilst giving you headspace to decide whether you want more. Consider a coffee table, dining table or sideboard. Spoiler: you will.
Create the Illusion of Space
High gloss reflects light like a mirror, which means it can visually expand even the smallest or darkest room. A console table in a narrow hallway. A bedside table in a compact bedroom. A sideboard in a windowless dining room. The effect is immediately noticeable - and it works in both light and dark shades.
Maximalists vs Minimalists
For the Maximalists
Colour blocking is a great way to incorporate high gloss furniture, so take the plunge and grab the full range all in the same striking colour. There’s no umming and ahhing if you’re a Maximalist - embrace high gloss in a big way and consider paint as well as furniture for an eclectic and striking feel. This includes the ceiling, doors and skirting, which can often be an afterthought when redecorating. Choose striking colours such as burgundy or deep jewel green that will complement your eclectic choice of furniture. Play with mixing materials and fabrics - take the Carson Coffee Table with marble surface or velvet sofas. The more considered the chaos, the better.
For the Minimalists
High gloss works brilliantly as a subtle accent in neutral, restrained spaces. A single piece among matte or natural-finish furniture creates just enough visual tension without disrupting the calm. Painting door frames or skirting boards in a complementary shade is a low-commitment, high-impact move that revamps tired rooms instantly.
Big Space vs Small Space
Big Spaces
In bigger rooms, high gloss can be used to create distinct zones. If your work-from-home set up is within your main living space or bedroom, paint as well as complementary furniture can help to cordon off this area, giving this space its own identity. If you have a lot of natural light, jewel-rich tones will help to balance your space. Creating zones is daring yet easy to do.
Small Spaces
High gloss is your secret weapon. Its reflective surface bounces light and creates depth, making small or gloomy rooms feel dramatically bigger. You don’t necessarily need to use light colours either - this is a myth, and adopting dark hues in small spaces can actually make a space seem larger. You could go all out and colour-drench the entire room - ceiling and all - in the same hue for high impact. In fact, just painting the ceiling will also help to elongate low ceilings, creating the illusion of more space.
Always consider the nature of your space.
Always consider the nature of your space. Are you after a subtle accent or major statement vibes? What is your interior style? And what are your existing pieces, and how will they fit together? High gloss is low maintenance and ultra stylish, so great for busy households and families, as well as the keen trend followers. Despite its powerful aesthetic, high gloss is versatile, fun and here to stay.
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