If your taste veers towards the ornate and jewel-like, then Art Deco interior design might just be your best option. This 1920’s design style throwback instantly evokes opulence, elegance, and glamour. With its bold geometric statements and sleek metallic finishes, Art Deco was popularized as the epitome of chic in the 1920s.
Art Deco Interior Design Inspiration
The updated take on Art Deco style is decidedly playful and modern, offering a standout look. To help you master this design, we've created a handy guide with everything you need to know, packed with insights from our expert decorators.
Opulent Materials
Art Deco Interior Design Materials
Materials used in Art Deco interior design are slick and reflective, adding everyday glamour to your home. From gold to silver, stainless steel to chrome, metallics take center stage in this style. You can use them everywhere, from a glass-topped gold coffee table and chrome lamps to bold geometric patterned rugs in black, gold, and white.
Glass is also a frequently used material in Art Deco design, whether through mirrors, glass-topped tables, sculptural elements, or art deco vases and lamps. Glass adds to the elegant feel of an Art Deco room. Surprisingly, wood is another frequently used material, with rare and dark woods like ebony used for furniture and flooring. Inlaid wood furniture celebrates traditional art deco patterns, signifying the movement's essence. Deluxe materials such as marble are also prevalent, showcasing the era's lofty extravagance.
Art Deco Themes
Art Deco Interior Design Themes
Natural and geometric themes feature heavily in Art Deco interior design ideas. Look for designs featuring laurels of leaves, branches, feathers, and stylized animal elements like bird sculptures or Chinoiserie fish. A white or cream wallpaper with a black feather print would look stunning in an Art Deco living room. And don't be afraid to incorporate bold statements, such as a tiger or zebra print rug in an Art Deco bedroom. This style is all about making a statement and pushing boundaries.
Geometry is the backbone of Art Deco design, with geometric shapes representing the changing times of the 1920s. Let trapezoids, chevrons, and zig-zags fill your room, both obviously and discreetly. Sunbursts are elegant and bold additions, while jagged and pointed edges, such as art deco fan-shaped mirrors, provide symmetry and style.
Use of Color
Art Deco Interior Design Color
Classic Art Deco looks often feature black, white, silver, and gold color themes. However, modern Art Deco also embraces bold and deep jewel tones. These rich and comforting hues are perfect for soft furnishings, complementing the black and white foundation of Art Deco design. Think bright and deep yellows, reds, blues, greens, pinks, and purples, accompanied by softer creams and beiges to add a touch of softness and balance to your Art Deco look. Softer colors are ideal for bedrooms and dining rooms, enabling you to incorporate existing pieces on a budget.
Fabulous Fabrics
Art Deco Interior Design Textiles
Solid-colored fabrics or those with geometric designs dominate modern Art Deco interior design. Opt for a sofa upholstered in a bold block color and accessorize with throw cushions featuring geometric prints, or vice versa. Black, white, and gold fan pattern fabrics are also great options, as are diamond patterns with pink or red accents. Frame your windows with glamorous curtains in a gold-bronze silk blend to add a real touch of luxury to any room.
Bold Furniture
Art Deco Interior Design Furniture
Art Deco furniture from the 1920s was fiercely unique, often on a large scale. Imposing sideboards in ebony and pieces that took up substantial floor space were commonplace. Look for curvaceous furniture with smooth lines, such as armchairs in pink velvet with a scalloped design, to make a captivating statement in your Art Deco interior. Inlaid wood furniture sporting classic geometric and symmetrical designs, along with Grecian key patterns, are also quintessential Art Deco features.
Flooring
No Art Deco home is complete without a beautiful set of black and white tiles. Whether in a hallway, bathroom, or kitchen, these tiles exude timeless elegance. Lacquered flooring with a high shine is another perfect addition to Art Deco interior design. Highly polished parquet flooring in a dark wood will also look stunning and stay true to the theme. If replacing the flooring is not an option, spice up your existing floors with large rugs featuring geometric patterns.
Accessories and Lighting
Art Deco Interior Design Lighting
Accessories complete an Art Deco room, with fixtures and fittings making a significant difference. You can find great replica light fittings, door handles, switch panels, and other furnishings online. These options are perfect if you're on a budget and can't splurge on genuine Art Deco period gems.
Mirrors are an essential feature in an Art Deco style home, adding a polished and expansive look to any room. Look for ornate mirrors that make a statement. Also, source Art Deco style prints and art for your walls, along with personal finds like vases and figurines, to add a finishing touch.
Now that you have a comprehensive guide, you can embark on your Art Deco interior design journey. Unleash opulence, elegance, and playfulness in your home with this timeless design style. Let your creativity run wild and create a space that will impress and inspire.
