Art Deco Interior Design: What Is Art Deco Style & Decor Ideas for Homes

There are some trends in design that vanish without a trace after several years have passed by. There are others that remain inspiring home designs for years to come. The art deco style is among such trends. Almost a hundred years since it became a global trend, the beauty of its shapes, materials, and elegance remain to be inspiring for the modern design.

The beauty of art deco interior design lies not in the attempt to imitate the past but rather in its elegance that can be adapted to your needs in the present day.

In case you have ever admired an elegant interior that was decorated with geometric shapes, brass elements, velvet furniture, or interesting lighting fixtures, you have probably witnessed the art deco interior design trend in action. Let us explore an art deco inspired home design.

Then and Now: Understanding Art Deco

Before stepping inside, it helps to understand what is art deco and why it remains so influential.

Art Deco first gained international recognition during the 1920s, celebrating optimism, craftsmanship, and modern luxury. Today's interpretation keeps those same principles but presents them in a lighter, more livable way.

First Stop: The Entryway

The entrance gives you a hint of what to expect in the main living area.

Consider the first impression

While some entryways are full of décor, the classic art deco style interior design relies on a few items for the impact.

Some of these items might be:

• Geometric mirror.

• Console table.

• Brass or gold hardware.

• Finishes reminiscent of marble.

• Symmetry.

The entryway looks elegant due to the fact that everything is there for a reason.

Designer Tip: Symmetry can make an impression in Art Deco easier than additional decorations can.

Entering the Living Room

Here, art deco interior design becomes truly expressive. There is depth without being overloaded.

Luxe materials create depth

There is no need to buy luxurious furniture to create luxury. All that needs to be done is to combine several complementary materials.

Examples of those include:

• Upholstery made of velvet.

• Wood finishing.

• Tabletops made of marble.

• Brass decorations.

• Decorative glass.

Windows are equally worthy of your attention. Light helps in creating balance between rich colors and textures. Full-length curtains made of velvet, linen, and other fabrics can add softness and elegance to your windows as well as create the illusion of height which is typical of art deco interior spaces.

Check List for Art Deco Style Interior Design

Take a minute and check if you have used the following elements.

• Are shapes simple and geometrical?

• Are materials luxurious yet not too extravagant?

• Is there any statement piece in your room?

• Are colors repeating within the room?

If you answered positively most of the time, you’ve managed to successfully use the art deco style interior design principles.

The Dining Room: Where All Details Make Perfect Sense 

The polished look of modern art deco interior dining rooms is caused by the combination of all elements into one whole.

Symmetry matters

Creating balanced compositions is the key to order in your space. There are many simple ways to do it:

• Use symmetrical dining chairs.

• Install pendant lamps in the center of the room.

• Place equal amounts of art pieces along the wall.

• Coordinate your tableware.

Symmetry adds subtlety rather than overwhelms the space.

Let lighting be an element of interior design

Lighting in an art deco house is not only practical, but it also becomes sculptural. It includes the following elements:

• Globe pendants.

• Chandeliers from frosted glass.

• Brass wall sconces.

• Layered ambient lighting.

This will naturally draw people’s attention without becoming the main decoration of your apartment.

Bedroom: More Gentle, But Still Unique

In the bedroom, art deco decor gets a softer character. In this room, you don’t have contrasts but comfort, textures, and details.

Keep the color palette elegant

For the art deco style, the bedroom does not require using all colors that can be used. You may try the following color combinations:

• Emerald green with cream.

• Dark blue and warm beige.

• Black with soft ivory.

• Burgundy with golden elements.

Such combinations look luxurious but at the same time relaxing.

Furniture to give personality to the bedroom

Instead of filling the bedroom with decorative items, use a few elements of furniture. For example, you may use:

• Curved upholstered bed headboard.

• Round bedside tables.

• Brass handles.

• Wooden ribbed furniture.

• Table sculptures.

Bringing Art Deco Into Modern Homes

You don't need to renovate your entire house to enjoy the charm of art deco interior design. Even a few thoughtful updates can introduce the style naturally.

Small changes often have the biggest visual impact.

Elements That Keep Appearing

While visiting several houses designed according to the classic art deco style, one may notice certain elements that become common and make the style distinctive but at the same time do not make all homes similar.

• ✓ Geometric patterns.

• ✓ Round mirrors and curvy furniture.

• ✓ Brass, chrome, or golden details.

• ✓ Luxurious textiles such as velvet, marble, and glass.

• ✓ Impressive light fixtures.

• ✓ Symmetrical layout.

• ✓ Long curtains for window frames.

These elements give a distinctive character to any modern art deco interior.

Also Read: How to Choose the Right Interior Style for Your Home

Conclusion

One of the factors which made art deco style interior design so popular among homeowners is its capability of combining timelessness and modernity. It embraces fine craftsmanship, daring decisions, and gorgeous materials without following temporary trends. Whatever art deco decor item you may add—whether it be a geometric mirror in your hallway, a combination of velvet and wooden materials in the living room, or long curtains for your windows—each element will make the atmosphere of sophistication and uniqueness of your house.