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Art deco decor ideas


20 Art Deco Interior Design Ideas

DESIGN: DOROTHEE MEILICHZON, PHOTO: KAREL BALAS  

If there's one trend that can completely transform a space, it's none other than one of the decade's most iconic and recognizable interior design styles. Having reached the height of its popularity in the 1920s, '30s, and '40s, Art Deco boasts an inherent glamour and traditional luxury. Short for the French term, Arts Décoratifs, the style is characterized by geometric patterns, bold color, symmetrical designs, metallic finishes, decadent detailing, and tons of visual drama. If it looks like a scene out of The Great Gatsby, chances are it's traditional Art Deco style.

While it's not a look for the most modest dweller, the eclectic glamour is sure to elevate even the simplest of spaces. Ahead, the inspiration you need to bring the interior exuberance of the Roaring '20s to your 21st-century space. Shop the Art Deco fixtures, wall coverings, and furniture that work wonderfully in both light and heavy doses—all of which exude levels of luxury even F. Scott Fitzgerald would envy.

Here's everything you need to know to get Art Deco design at home.

01 of 20

Design: Katie Hodges, Photo: Amy Bartlam 

If you're lucky enough to live in a home with original tiling in pristine condition, do yourself a favor and keep it. Instead of renovating for something a bit more modern, play up its uniqueness by incorporating even more patterns. We also love how this predominantly pink bathroom strikes a balance via black additions on the gallery frame and curtains.

02 of 20

Design: Brady Tolbert, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

Nothing screams opulence more than brass elements. We're obsessed with the metallic additions on the chairs, light fixtures, and cabinet hardware in this kitchen and breakfast nook. The brass looks even more expensive with the black and white color palette throughout.

03 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Romain Ricard 

There's one item that transcends time, adds a bit of sparkle, and is just as beautiful as it is functional. We're of course talking about the mirror. Strategically placing a geometric mirror, like this one positioned in a corner creating the illusion of a full chandelier, is all you need to make a simple space shine.

04 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Romain Ricard​ 

Art Deco decor is all about strong lines and bold shapes. The headboard in this bedroom is the epitome of 1920s interior design and is only rivaled by this incredible pendant light hanging overhead.

05 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo:Karel Balas & Paul Bowyer 

The rounded-top shape is a major element in Art Deco, so be sure to play up those arches. This bathroom incorporated the arch design in multiple places from the mirror to the window above the door and the marble backsplash. Even the sink boasts rounded edges to give this powder room a cohesive feel.

06 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo:Karel Balas & Paul Bowyer​ 

Art Deco isn't just about arches, it's about all geometric shapes. This headboard is straight out of The Great Gatsby with bold cutouts in various shapes.

07 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo:Karel Balas & Paul Bowyer​ 

By now, you know shapes play a major role in Art Deco decor. However, it's just as important to consider composition when decorating rooms. From the headboard shape to the nightstand decor, this bedroom screams Art Deco with perfect symmetry, which is a major element in Art Deco design.

08 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Paul Bowyer

When decorating a room, don't forget to look down. We love this marble runner in this hallway—the pattern feels right out of the '20s, while the stone feels downright luxurious. Admittedly, this is an expensive renovation, but the look can easily be recreated on the cheap with a runner rug.

09 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Paul Bowyer 

Original 1920s stained glass is hard to come by—but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the look in even the most modern of spaces. This mural can be made possible with some artful taping and quite a bit of patience, but in the end, you'll feel like you stepped out of the roaring '20s.

10 of 20

Photo: Giorgio Possenti 

You'd be surprised what the addition of artful molding around plain door frames could do for the final look of your space. Paint them in a contrasting color and you have yourself an Art Deco palace.

11 of 20

Photo: Giorgio Possenti  

One brass pendant light is stunning, but six is so much better, especially when complemented by granite floors and concrete walls. When it comes to recreating Art Deco decor, more is always more.

12 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Karel Balas

When it comes to the bathroom (or a kitchen), choosing a tile will make all the difference between a timeless result and something on the trendier side. While a subway tile might feel modern, an octagon or diamond-shaped tile will feel more classic and Art Deco inspired.

13 of 20

Design: Dorothee Meilichzon, Photo: Karel Balas 

Consider yourself lucky if your home or apartment comes with vaulted ceilings and arched doorways. But for the rest of us that are tasked with the challenge to make a modern layout feel charming, a DIY paint job like this scalloped color blocking just might be the update your space needs.

14 of 20

Photo: Brittany Ambridge

If you're open to renovating your space, there's no limit to where a few 20s-inspired built-ins can take your redesign. Dramatic crown molding and built-in shelving will transport your home to any era.

15 of 20

Photo: Brittany Ambridge

From the gilded mirror above the fireplace to the crystal chandelier hanging overhead, this living room screams glamour. For special pieces like these, don't be afraid to shop at local antique shops and flea markets.

16 of 20

Photo: Brittany Ambridge 

It's no secret that common spaces like the living room and kitchen take priority in your home decor journey, but don't overlook more functional spaces, no matter how little foot traffic they receive. Designing a home that feels like yours through and through includes walk-in closets.

17 of 20

Photo: Eleni Psyllaki

Design elements like molding and scalloped patterns feel unapologetically Art Deco, but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate more contemporary pieces. Doing so will create a contrast that feels complementary and totally cohesive.

18 of 20

Design: Brady Tolbert, Photo: Tessa Neustadt

If you prefer to keep things modern, you can still work in some '20s-inspired pieces for a final look that pops. This horizontally tufted headboard in a moss green feels modern with a hint of Art-Deco flair.

19 of 20

Design: Emily Henderson, Photo: Zeke Ruelas

Although this kitchen incorporates elements from traditional farmhouse decor to Art Deco designs, all the different styles work perfectly in this single space. To create a cohesive space, stick to a clear color palette and streamlined metallic finishes.

20 of 20

Design: Hotel Henriette

Nothing looks more luxurious than sticking to a single color and running with it. This navy wallpaper, paired with the navy chair and lamp, feels so expensive. The addition of an opulence sconce and herringbone floors helps too.

School is in Session: These Are the Top 20 Interior Design Styles to Know Now

10 expert ways to introduce this trend |

Welcome to the year of Art Deco decor, our modern take on the pure drama, energy and optimism of all things Art Deco. Think rounded and smooth corners, the clean-cut lines, the geometric patterns, the glass, the velvet… but with an edginess that’s here to stay. 

Here we explore the very best of the Art Deco décor trend – and how to effectively and beautifully use this popular interior design aesthetic in your home. 

Art Deco decor ideas – how to embrace this popular trend

The age of jazz, roaring cars, glamorous décor and romantic train travel, cocktails in slender glasses, swinging ropes of pearls, beads and bobbed hair, feather boas and fringes, optimism and energy, color and noise – forget 2020, let us take you back to the early 1920s.

These Art Deco decorating ideas will inspire you to recreate the timeless interior design trend in your home – in 10 simple yet stylish ways.

1. Create a layered look with glamorous touches

(Image credit: Simon Brown)

This apartment lies in the iconic Battersea Power Station in London, so a lot of the design influences were inspired by the Art Deco heritage of the building. 'I opted to divide the large living space into three distinctive functions, starting with the dining space pictured,' says interior designer, Natalia Miyar. 'The entire room is papered in a champagne-colored linen with a woven finish that gives it softness and warmth.'

'We looked at Art Deco rugs by Francis Bacon and came up with this design which is my favorite piece, she adds. 'It references his style but with a more linear interpretation. I like to create contrasts within the palette so we introduced petrol blues, black and gold.'

'Nothing beats an upholstered chair for long, relaxed dinners. This design was inspired by a 1930s piece. I love the contrast of the angular chairs and curvy dining table, which again takes its inspiration from the Art Deco era with a finish that resembles parchment.'

The displays of art and objets bring character and visual interest to the space. The designer picked up vintage pieces and juxtaposed them with contemporary works, including a bowl by Irish glassblower Edmond Byrne and an engraving by Cuban artist Guido Llinás.

2. Add glamor with fluted details 

(Image credit: Smallbone)

Now found on glass, basins, backsplashes and kitchen cabinet ideas, the ribbed surfaces of the Art Dec era are making waves in the kitchen. 

For fluting on a grand scale, look to Smallbone’s Icarus Collection for inspiration. Demonstrating the impact of outsized sculpting in the kitchen, this unique design nods to 1920s glamor via scalloped glass, rich textures and warm tones. A shimmering wash of brushed gold accentuates the curved oak cabinet fronts, while allowing subtle graining to shine through.  

‘The unique curve was achieved using materials technology typically used in the protection zones for cars in F1 motor racing to reinforce and lighten the doors,’ says Smallbone’s ideation director, Iain O’Mahony. ‘The aim was to capture a sense of boundless imagination and craft-led design.

3. Take inspiration from the terrazzo trend

(Image credit: Christian Harder)

Give your bathroom an instant update with this stylish surface that adds dynamism in spades. Terrazzo comes in many forms, but the main types of authentic terrazzo are cement or resin based. 

For this Art Deco bathroom in The Siren Hotel, Detroit, design development firm ASH NYC cleverly combined both types of terrazzo according to use. The bathroom flooring is a cementitious terrazzo, which feels soft underfoot and is extremely durable but requires annual resealing. The chequerboard installation is a smart visual technique for diluting terrazzo’s bold impact. The eye-catching basin is resin-based terrazzo, which comes in bright colors and has a smoother, hygienic finish that’s easy to clean and less prone to cracks than cement-based terrazzo, with no sealing required.

4. Be inspired by a vintage pink color scheme

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

'I enjoy using pink in its many forms, dull, blush and even an orange-y pink,’ says Charu Gandhi, director of Elicyon . 'Our projects are often quite tailored and chic so we find pink is very adaptable and fits well, it can be striking but also romantic and gives a real sense of soft glamor – almost a romanticism. Pink room ideas also work very well with metals and even champagne gold trim fabrics, a common element within Art Deco decor ideas.'

Most colors go with pink but if you want to create a sophisticated look, stick to decorating with pink and natural shades, especially earthier tones, such as warm brown and cinnamon. Other colors that go with pink and look elegant include black, dark blue, deep green and orange. 

(Image credit: Tom Fallon)

Reclaimed wood has clear environmental benefits, not to mention unique historic appeal. Often associated with very rustic, time-worn designs, this version by salvage specialists Retrouvius demonstrates a more sophisticated approach. Made from old timber shelving, the geometric door fronts are beautifully executed for maximum impact. 

‘Our salvaged tropical hardwoods were used in the areas where the main cooking action takes place,’ says Maria Speake, founder, Retrouvius . ‘Brilliant for the backsplash and kitchen countertops, the wood is innately water-resistant, hard-wearing and the odd splash of oil from cooking all adds to the timber’s own natural oiliness and is absorbed to help protect the wood.’

6. Up the glamor with plush velvet

(Image credit: Future)

Art Deco works are often symmetrical, geometric, streamlined and pleasing to the eye. This style is in contrast to avant-garde art of the period, which challenged everyday designers to find beauty in what were often anti-traditional forms.

Welcome bygone-era glamor into your home with beautiful materials. Luxurious and eclectic, velvet gives furnishings a deluxe update this season. In a sultry palette of jewel tones, these dramatic looks have a rich, heritage-meets-fashion attitude. Soften hard architecture by lavishing touches of pomegranate, midnight teal and emerald forest with humble, natural textures like exposed wood. Channelling Art Deco grandeur, this is all about juxtaposing opulence with an honest foundation.

7. Play with scale

(Image credit: Richard Powers)

Large bedroom ideas can be challenging, as furniture tends to get lost in big spaces. The key is to have just a few well-proportioned pieces, not multiple furnishings, which can look disparate and underwhelming. 

Here, interior designer Rebecca Hughes has used a softly patterned wallpaper idea to draw the walls in. The extra-wide bed and corresponding ottoman help to fill out the space, while a pair of large-scale matching artworks harnesses the scheme. 'Opt for three or four statement pieces, says Rebecca, 'using symmetry to add a little grandeur and subtle pattern for depth.'

In this classically designed room with Art Deco elements, strong lines have been used to add definition: from the dark wood-framed chests and studded ottoman to the blinds with contrasting trim. Overscaled artwork cements the look.

8. Introduce decorative paneling

(Image credit: Ricardo Labougle)

Sometimes all you need is the very hint at a partition to visually zone off one space from another. Use decorative glazing carefully and you may find you only need to extend this a foot or so into the center of a room to break the open-plan kitchen flow enough to create the desired separation. 

This project from design firm Maddux Creative uses a steel frame with geometric glazed panels. Nodding at Art Deco design, the panels have been filled in with a variety of glazing techniques, from colored to fluted glass. Continue the feeling of stepping into a new space by adapting the flooring accordingly, too. Here, the floor tiles reflect the tones and geometrics of the panel, emphasizing its importance in the scheme.

9. Invest in a standout home bar

(Image credit: Kate Martin )

The decadence and glamor of the 1920s is back in a big way, and you can apply this mood anywhere in your home.

A generous home bar is now the epicentre for modern home life and a hub for entertaining, so this interior designers believe this to be the optimum space to go for all-out opulence on a grand scale. 

‘This return to grandeur is refined and luxurious yet comfortable and allows for mixing different period pieces while connecting the schemes through unified color palettes,’ explains Marisa Gutmacher, executive design director at Samuel & Sons .

10. Go for a dynamic combination

Zsa Zsa wallpaper in Bottle Green, Divine Savages

(Image credit: Divine Savages)

To treat a bathroom as purely functional is to miss out on the opportunity to explore noble materials and eloquent furnishings inspired by the Art Deco period.

As a smaller room, the powder room is ripe for embracing wallpaper in Art Deco patterns and prints. ‘People worry about durability and practicality but, with a little care, there’s nothing to fear,’ assures Jamie Watkins, co-founder, Divine Savages . ‘We recommend utilizing tiling or painted paneling in areas prone to splashing. Paneling the lower half of the wall and then wallpapering above is a particularly sophisticated look.’

'I love pattern layered on pattern,' says Dara Caponigro, creative director, Schumacher . 'The trick is to use different scales – something large, medium and small with a common color thread – even if it’s just a small note of the same color carried through. Every single one of my walls is papered with a pattern. It creates a wonderful jewel box of sorts and has great emotional impact – so much better than boring white walls. 

What defines the Art Deco style?

Art Deco style is defined by the glamor and opulence of the early 1920s. With the advent of large-scale manufacturing, interior designers and architects wished to enhance the appearance of mass-produced functional objects. 

Art Deco is often defined as the pursuit of beauty. It was directly reflective of the mass usage of machine-age technology rather than handcrafted methods. Unsurprisingly, the Art Deco ethos diverged from the Art Nouveau style, which further emphasized the uniqueness of handmade objects and featured stylized forms.

How did the Art Deco trend start?

Trends have been with us for a long time. Sometimes a single event can unleash a trend. The 1925 Paris world’s fair, Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, is credited with launching Art Deco style.

Art Deco style in the interior: formation, idea, history

Art Deco interiors are characterized by rounded corners, strict vertical lines and concave shapes.

Art Deco style in the interior.

Art Deco (or “Art Deco”) was born as a style between 1908 and 1912 and flourished between 1925 and 1935. The style emerged from various art and design movements of the 1900s such as Art Nouveau, the Vienna Secession, the German Werkbund, Russian Constructivism and the Dutch De Stijl movement, as well as modernist advances in painting such as abstract art and cubism. .

The term "Art Deso" comes from the name of the Exposition Internationale des Art Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes - the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern and Decorative Arts and Crafts in Paris, which presented the achievements of the decorative arts of that time in full. The term itself arose even later - in 1966, during the revival of the exhibition in the Paris Musee des Arts Decoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts). Prior to that, it was called "jazz modern", "zigzag modern", "streamlined modern". After the Paris Exhibition 19For 25 years, Art Deco has become the dominant trend in the interiors of that time.

Despite the crisis and economic depression, declaring the cult of luxury and refined hedonism. The interiors of cinemas, hotels, restaurants, ocean liners, mansions and apartments in Europe and America were designed and built in Art Deco style. But not only interior design and architecture, this style touched, also fashion, painting, arts and crafts, jewelry, and cinema. Art Deco especially came to court in Hollywood, which is not surprising: both the cinematic "dream factory" and the exquisite decorative style did one thing - they created the illusion of a prosperous, luxurious and carefree life. The interruption in the popularity of Art Deco was caused by the Great Depression, when the desire to save on everything penetrated the design.

The Art Deco style is the epitome of eclecticism.

Interior in Art Deco style, a mixture of styles and elements of different eras and styles: Empire, Egyptian archaic, Indian exotic and African decoration. It is characterized by rounded corners, clear vertical lines and concave shapes. Common materials include exotic woods, plastic laminate, chrome and stainless steel. Art Deco masters studied and subtly used the expressive possibilities, color and texture of various materials, glass, plastics. The demonstrative modernity of Art Deco was manifested in the frequent streamlining of forms (“stream-line”).

Outwardly similar to Art Nouveau and the architecture of the modern movement, these lines are different from both. The streamlined lines of Art Deco works imitate the dynamic forms of transport devices: cars, ships, aircraft, but the role of these forms is not functional, but purely pictorial, “semiotic” as a sign of belonging to the “modern world of machines”, considered as the environment of the future. It is no coincidence that Art Deco was actively used in the architecture of cinemas and in the scenery for films with pictures of the future and science fiction. The technical means for the construction of high-rise buildings - steel structures and reinforced concrete - were already well mastered by the time Art Deco skyscrapers appeared, the “stylishness” of Art Deco was given by stepped silhouettes and non-constructive decorative elements, and not at all by height, new materials and technologies. The forms of these new buildings, erected at the end of the 19The 20s to the early 1930s are to this day the most remarkable legacy of Art Deco. Until now, they continue to build skyscrapers in the image and likeness of the Chrysler Building.

Interiors.

Art Deco are elegant and luxurious decorations. Painting was combined with mosaics, inlay with carvings: such combinations created unique ensembles of objects, furniture, sculpture and painting. Unique floral art deco ornaments on every item: panels on the wall, curtains and furniture. The Art Deco style began with a rapture of luxury and ornamentation, but subsequently this style changed direction towards the concept of functional design, first put forward by the Bauhaus, and this happened, in the 30-40s, when German designers arrived in America, fleeing persecution in Nazi Germany, and brought their ideas to the American school of Art Deco.

The streamlined silhouettes of the new furniture were very popular. Decorative elements in the form of zigzags, triangles, circles were actively used. Mahogany and ebony served as material for Art Deco furniture in the interior, as well as technological innovations such as colored glass. The number of handmade items and exclusive pieces of furniture that Art Deco gravitated towards in the 20s became limited, but a huge stream of inexpensive Art Deco products was launched.

The style of the furniture was achieved by covering ordinary, solid rectangular shapes with light mahogany veneer and beige lacquer, or by creating streamlined silhouettes from bent plywood. Handles were made of ordinary bronze or simply replaced with finger grooves. Combinations of black and light varnish were popular. Glossy lacquered furniture is typical for this style. Rectangular outlines are in line with modernist trends, while the use of precious woods is reminiscent of the French cabinetmaking tradition.

The main Art Deco motifs in the interior:

Metal in an art deco interior.

The Art Deco period has been called "the golden age of wrought iron". The new architects and designers used metal not only to make structural frames, but also for ventilation grilles, railings, fences, front doors, elevators, fireplace accessories, street lamps and lighting fixtures in interiors. Edgar Brandt is one of the most prominent representatives of French Art Deco. He managed not only to subjugate cold metal, but also to create truly unimaginable, elegant things from it, which can be called works of art with confidence. His architectural and decorative forgings are among the most beautiful works of the time. His wrought iron work was usually completed by a bronze finish, often incorporating architectural elements with floral motifs.

Combining the motifs of Ancient Egypt, Greek classics, floral and animal forms, geometric designs - all this created a unique, generous style of Edgar Brandt. In New York, his Ferrobrandt company in 1925 draws up the office of a major silk importer, the Cheney Silk Building at 181 Madison Avenue. It is Manhattan's first Art Deco skyscraper. Grilles with motifs of fountains and oases have become a signature element of the building. The fresh French decorative style will soon be the hallmark of the business capital of the world. Soon metalworkers such as Edgar Brandt, Eliel Saarinen and others moved from iron and bronze to new materials such as steel, aluminium, chrome. Sparkling metal ornamentation - its warmth and coldness, its hardness and brilliance - has become an integral feature of the decorative Art Deco style.

Color range.

White, ivory, beige, brown, terracotta, black and white contrast is the hallmark of Art Deco. As color accents, in decorative inserts, mosaic panels, picturesque paintings, colors such as red, purple, gold, lemon, orange, scarlet, lilac, bright yellow, purple, ultramarine, blue are used. At the same time, they are located on monochrome walls, which are a neutral background for these colored elements. The walls, as a rule, are monophonic, but often with decorative, sometimes stucco borders, occasionally a geometric pattern or stripe was used on the walls.

Art-Deco is back.

After the outbreak of World War II, the world changed irrevocably, and Art Deco became part of history. But at the end of the 20th century, it again attracted the attention of designers. Especially this style attracts customers in Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Once again, designers are creating luxurious and elegant houses and apartments for the new modern elite in Art Deco style.

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Art Deco style in the interior: nuances and rules of implementation

02/10/2020

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The art deco style in the interior appeared at the dawn of the last century as a result of a skillful mixture of elements of neoclassicism and modernity. Revolutionary events in industry, the beginning of the mass use of synthetic materials, the emergence of new forms of visual art and other progressive phenomena had a direct impact on the formation of the Art Deco style in the interior. Today, a century after its inception, elegant interiors are still at the peak of popularity and are actively implemented by designers. We invite you to learn about the main features of the art deco direction and adopt the rules for its construction in a residential area.

Art Deco history

Translated from French, the name of the interior style means “decorative art”, which perfectly conveys the essence of the direction. The birthplace of art deco was Paris, where back in the early 1920s, designers began to actively experiment with interior design, diluting boring classics with new elements. In post-war Europe, an atmosphere of change and expectation of something new reigned. After a difficult period, full of suffering and deprivation, people wanted a holiday and luxury. There was a creative upsurge in art, new approaches appeared in the production of things familiar in everyday life. The new atmosphere has become an ideal environment for the formation of a new direction in interior decor.

The official starting point is considered to be the Paris Art Deco exhibition, where industrialists from all over the world demonstrated their achievements in the field of interior decor production. Here, furniture of simple geometric shapes made of metal and plastic was presented, which in a bizarre way coexisted with exotic colonial decor, luxurious golden, black and glass elements. Classical techniques in the design of living space were rethought and embodied in a new way, and the main emphasis was now placed on rigor and elegance.


Art Deco features

Art Deco interior in a modern design is a discreet luxury, sophistication in every detail. The best traditions of the classics are organically intertwined with technical innovations and modern interior items. At the same time, pride of place is given to natural materials and expensive decor items. The house, decorated in the art deco style, is suitable for people with a delicate taste, who love order and luxury, appreciate quality things. An apartment or office decorated in this style is distinguished by high comfort and aristocracy.

The priority moments in the construction of the art deco style are the combination of asymmetric shapes and objects with clear symmetry in one space. For the most part, art deco does not use natural forms directly in their natural incarnation, instead designers use allegory and abstract solutions, preferring stylization.

The fulcrum in the construction of the style are the following points: