What is Art Deco interior design? Art Deco is a glamorous design style that emerged in France in the 1910s and peaked in the 1920s and 1930s. It's defined by bold geometric patterns (sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags, fans and stepped shapes), strict symmetry, luxurious materials like lacquer, polished wood, brass, chrome, glass, mirror, marble and velvet, and a rich palette of black, gold, cream and jewel tones. Modern Art Deco keeps the glamour but softens it with curves, fluted and reeded details, arches and lighter, more livable rooms.
This guide covers the history and key elements of Art Deco style, its colors, patterns and materials, Art Deco furniture, how to create an Art Deco living room, bedroom, bathroom and dining room, modern Art Deco, and how to avoid a room that feels like a film set.
A Short History of Art Deco
Art Deco takes its name from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, where the style was showcased to the world. It celebrated modernity, speed, machines and luxury after World War I, mixing influences from Cubism, ancient Egypt (after the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb), Aztec and African art. Its most famous landmarks include New York's Chrysler Building and Empire State Building and Miami Beach's Art Deco district. In the 1930s, a sleeker version called Streamline Moderne added rounded corners and horizontal lines inspired by ships, trains and airplanes. Designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Eileen Gray shaped Art Deco furniture.
Art Deco Architecture and Landmark Interiors
The Art Deco era, roughly from the end of World War I to the start of World War II, coincided with the Jazz Age, skyscrapers and the rise of mass production. Unlike the ornate Beaux-Arts style before it, Art Deco combined traditional craftsmanship with modern materials and machine-age geometry, and it spread from the decorative arts (fashion designers such as Paul Poiret, jewelry, posters and glass) to Art Deco architecture and grand public buildings. Famous Art Deco buildings and interiors include:
- The Chrysler Building (1930), New York, with its stepped, sunburst crown.
- The Empire State Building (1931), New York, with its Art Deco lobby.
- Radio City Music Hall (1932), New York, one of the best-preserved Art Deco interiors.
- Miami Beach's Art Deco Historic District, with pastel Streamline Moderne hotels.
As the artistic movement evolved, it split into the more austere Classical Moderne, the sleek Streamline Moderne (also called Style Moderne) with curved lines and horizontal emphasis, and later the glamorous Hollywood Regency look. The functional Bauhaus school and the European International Style moved design toward plainer, unornamented forms, but Art Deco elements never really disappeared from interior design.
Key Elements of Art Deco Style
- Bold geometric patterns: geometric shapes and symmetrical patterns such as sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags, fan and shell shapes, stepped "ziggurat" forms, and repeating straight lines.
- Symmetry: balanced layouts and mirrored pairs of lamps, chairs and side tables.
- Luxurious, rich materials: lacquer, rich woods and exotic woods such as macassar ebony and burl, gleaming metals (brass, gold, chrome), glass, mirror, marble, terrazzo floors, velvet and intricate inlay details.
- Bold contrast: black and white, black and gold, deep jewel tones against cream.
- Curves and streamlining: rounded sofas, arched mirrors and curved cabinets, especially in later and modern Deco.
- Statement lighting: tiered chandeliers, frosted glass wall sconces and fan-shaped wall lights.
- Glamour: polished surfaces, metallic accents and dramatic focal points.
Art Deco Colors and Patterns
| Color family | Examples | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Classic contrast | Black, white, cream | Floors, walls, lacquered furniture, tile |
| Metallics | Gold, brass, chrome, silver | Hardware, lighting, mirror frames, furniture legs |
| Jewel tones | Emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby, amethyst | Velvet sofas, accent walls, cushions |
| Soft Deco | Blush pink, peach, sage, champagne | A lighter, modern take; Miami-style Deco |
Classic Art Deco patterns include the sunburst, the fan (scallop), chevron and zigzag lines, stepped geometric motifs, and bold repeating wallpaper. Use them on wallpaper, tile, rugs, mirrors and cabinet fronts, but choose one or two statement patterns per room rather than layering many.
Art Deco Furniture
- Curved, sculptural sofas in velvet, often with channel tufting.
- Club chairs and tub chairs with rounded backs.
- Lacquered or high-gloss cabinets with geometric inlay, fluted panels or fan motifs.
- Furniture with metal details: brass or gold legs, sabots (metal caps on legs) and handles.
- Mirrored and glass furniture: mirrored side tables, glass-topped coffee tables, arched mirrors.
- Stepped and tiered forms: cabinets and shelves with stepped tops or tiered silhouettes.
Pieces with shimmering surfaces, fluted details and gold-tone accents bring a modern Art Deco feel to a bedroom. The Nacre 5-Drawer Chest, for example, has mother-of-pearl veneer drawer fronts with metallic-painted accents, fluted side panels, gold-tone knobs and a marble-look top, according to its product page.
How to Create an Art Deco Living Room
- Choose a strong color story: deep emerald or navy walls with gold accents, or black, white and brass.
- Anchor the room with a curved velvet sofa and a pair of matching chairs placed symmetrically.
- Add a glass, marble or lacquered coffee table with metal legs.
- Use a statement light: a tiered or geometric chandelier and fan-shaped sconces.
- Add geometric pattern in one place: a rug, wallpaper or a tiled fireplace surround.
- Hang an arched or sunburst mirror over a console or fireplace.
- Finish with metallic accessories: brass trays, glass decanters, a bar cart.
Art Deco Bedroom Ideas
- A tall, channel-tufted or curved velvet headboard.
- Symmetrical nightstands with matching lamps on each side.
- A dresser or chest with lacquer, mother-of-pearl, burl or fluted fronts and brass hardware.
- Satin or velvet bedding and cushions in jewel tones or champagne.
- A sunburst or arched mirror and geometric wallpaper on one wall.
- A vanity with a round mirror for a Hollywood glamour corner; see our makeup vanity guide.
Art Deco Bathroom and Dining Room
Bathrooms were a classic Art Deco showcase: black-and-white or jewel-toned tile, geometric floor patterns, chrome or brass fixtures, round or arched mirrors and marble. Dining rooms look Deco with a lacquered or round pedestal table, curved upholstered chairs, a geometric chandelier and a mirrored or glass-fronted sideboard or bar cabinet.
Art Deco Decor for an Apartment or Modern Home
You don't need a 1930s building to use Art Deco decor. In an apartment or a modern setting, pick a few bold elements and apply the same principles: one geometric rug or wallpaper, a curved velvet chair, brass wall sconces, a fluted or mirrored cabinet, and a bar cart with glassware. Bold jewel tones or vibrant colors on one wall or a sofa give the look without overwhelming a small space.
Modern Art Deco
Modern Art Deco (sometimes called neo-Deco) borrows the shapes and materials but keeps rooms lighter and more livable:
- Lighter palettes: cream, blush, sage or warm white with gold accents.
- Curved furniture, arches and scalloped edges.
- Fluted and reeded wood or glass on cabinets and tables.
- One statement pattern instead of many.
- Mixing Deco pieces with modern or mid-century furniture.
Art Deco vs Art Nouveau vs Mid-Century Modern
| Style | Era | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Art Nouveau | About 1890 to 1910 | Flowing, organic lines inspired by plants and nature; whiplash curves |
| Art Deco | About 1910s to 1930s | Geometric, symmetrical, glamorous; luxurious materials and metallics |
| Mid-century modern | About 1945 to 1970 | Clean, functional lines, warm woods, tapered legs; less ornament |
Art Deco Mistakes to Avoid
- Too much at once: pattern, gold, velvet and mirror everywhere looks like a set. Choose a few statement pieces.
- All shine, no warmth: balance metallics and gloss with velvet, wood and soft textiles.
- Ignoring symmetry: Art Deco rooms rely on balanced, mirrored arrangements.
- Weak lighting: a statement light fixture is part of the look.
- Cheap-looking metallics: choose brushed brass or warm gold over overly bright finishes.
Art Deco Interior Design FAQ
What are the key characteristics of Art Deco design?
Geometric patterns, symmetry, luxurious materials (lacquer, brass, chrome, glass, mirror, marble, velvet), bold contrast and jewel tones, and glamorous statement lighting.
What colors are Art Deco?
Black, white, cream and gold, with jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire and ruby; softer modern versions use blush, peach and sage.
Is Art Deco coming back?
Yes. Modern Art Deco details such as curves, arches, fluting, scalloped edges and brass accents are popular in current interiors.
What is the difference between Art Deco and Art Nouveau?
Art Nouveau (about 1890 to 1910) uses flowing, nature-inspired curves; Art Deco (1920s and 1930s) is geometric, symmetrical and glamorous.
How do I add Art Deco style to a modern home?
Add one or two statement pieces, such as a curved velvet sofa, a fluted cabinet or a sunburst mirror, plus brass accents and a geometric rug, while keeping the rest of the room simple.
Where did Art Deco get its name?
From the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.
Art Deco interior design is about glamour with structure: geometric pattern, symmetry, rich materials and bold color. Start with a strong palette and a few statement pieces, balance shine with texture, and let one pattern lead.
Related: see our guide to interior design styles and maximalist decor guide and guide to choosing wallpaper.