Art deco is very much in fashion right now. It is one of the maximalist looks but it’s an opulent design style where form meets function. It is about luxury and feature pieces that are bold and make a statement. It is a challenging style to get right but with these tips, you can be assured to make your home look amazing!
What is art deco?
Art deco developed around 1910 as a response to the ornate, flowing and nature-inspired Art Nouveau style. It was a more modern, geometric and streamlined aesthetic. Art Deco embraced the machine age, incorporating sleek lines, aerodynamic forms and industrial materials like chrome, glass and bakelite. Art deco gained widespread recognition after the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris in 1925, which is where the term “Art Deco” is derived from.
Art deco gets its inspiration from various artistic movements like Cubism, Constructivism and the Bauhaus. It gets inspiration from ancient Egyptian, Aztec and other classical designs.
Rich colours
Bold colours like black, ruby or sapphire red and emerald teal are commonly used, often in contrast with white. The bright vibrant colours reflect richness and vibrancy, aiming to showcase luxury. Black and white tones are also a popular choice for interiors as they help to emphasise the geometric designs.
These bold colours are usually accented with metallics to add some glamour and luxurious sophistication to the interior design.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Paint walls and ceilings in dark grey or black
- Add some bold jewel coloured furniture feature pieces
- Use rugs, furniture, pillows, lighting and throws which have gold or brass accents
Geometric shapes and repeating lines
The most common geometric patterns in art deco design are squares, triangles, rectangles, arcs, circles. These patterns include zig zags, chevrons and ziggurats. Art deco also uses vertical lines in its design aesthetic to elongate rooms and make them appear bigger.
Art deco design also loves to include pyramids, stylised sunbursts or flowers, geometric abstract figures that have hard edges and linear forms. Curved arches are also part of art deco design. Think curved kitchen islands, curved chairs backs and curved buildings. These are all very iconic and standard art deco clean line designs.
A lot of these geometric shapes and patterns repeat in art deco interior design.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Add a geometric wallpaper with bold patterns and repeating lines to a feature wall
- Use wall panels which have bold symmetrical geometric patterns, luxurious materials, sharp angles and stylised motifs
- For a minimalist design, use sparingly but if you prefer maximalist design, you can use on all your walls
- For a really bold look, add the wallpaper or wall panels to the ceilings. Make sure a professional installs the panels so they do not drop down
Bold patterns
Bold wallpaper or panels are an art deco staple. They usually have repeated geometric shapes to form unique patterns. Floors usually have wood or tiles laid in a chevron pattern. The more adventurous art deco interiors have contrasting colours in the floor tiles. Black and white was a typical colour combo for dramatic floor design. Feature tiles with a hexagonal patter or staggered geometric pattern are also an art deco staple.
Wall panels or wallpaper with repeating geometric patterns provide a bold statement to a room. They usually have some sort of metallic accents.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Use floor tiles or wood flooring with chevrons or zigzags. A few metal accents would make the floor area pop
- Find lighting fixtures, wall art and wood furniture with sunburst motifs or stylised floral motifs
- Use wallpaper with repeating geometric patterns of triangles and chevrons
Metallic accents
Art deco interior design loves to add some subtle (for minimalist design) and very bright (for maximalist design) metal accents.
Gold, brass or chrome metal accents are used on furniture, cushions, throws, lights, walls, floors and ceilings.
These metal accents are repeated to create cohesive design to tie all the elements in a room together. Metallic accents add a classic and classy, luxurious tone to any room. Mirrored metallic accents help to reflect the luxe sparkling surfaces and make the room feel even more luxe.
Mixing metals is encouraged in art deco design but it needs to be done judiciously to ensure it doesn’t feel disconnected.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Add triangular or square wall lighting sconces accented with with gold or brass
- Use geometric patterned cushions and throws with gold accents
- Use cushions which have gold, silver or brass coloured fabric, as these will really make the area look luxurious
- Add a gold coloured floor lamp
Statement lighting
Feature lighting with metallic accents is another prominent feature of art deco design.
Gorgeous opulent chandeliers are a mainstay of art deco design. Wall sconces are another feature of this design trend. These lighting styles are luxurious and a statement piece. They have simple lines and shapes, with metallic finishes.
Floor and table lamps have large shades and with unique shapes and metallic bases.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Use a feature tiered geometric designed chandelier with crystal embellishments
- Use sconces and table lamps with stepped designs and geometric patterns, featuring contrasting colours like black and gold
Opulent textiles and furniture
Art deco sofas are usually oversized, have curved back and arm rests and are made from luxurious fabrics like velvet and leather. Furniture can be fluted, curved, have scalloped edges and is all very large. The furniture has lacquered wood, gold, brass or chrome curved legs. Furniture is used as a statement piece.
Lacquered wood features as a prominent furniture type in art deco interiors. These were made from real wood like ebony, rosewood, burl walnut and mahogany. Ash, maple and oak are also used. The furniture also uses marble. The high-gloss lacquer made the wood appear like it has a glass sheen.
TIPS
Art deco design choices can include:
- Buy plush velvet sofas in rich colours, like aqua, burgundy and brown
- Invest in lacquered wood furniture with geometric patterns and which have chrome, gold or brass accents
- Buy furniture with mirrored surfaces, for example dressing tables and bedside tables