Incorporate the glamorous past with a new twist by embracing the art deco style—a spectacular combination of vintage aesthetics seamlessly blending with modern trends—to add a dramatic and luxurious effect.
The aesthetics of Art Deco interior design can instantly transform a space with the most recognisable and iconic styles. Its popularity peaked between the 1920s and '40s—the interior design style boasts an intrinsic traditional luxury and glamour.
Art Deco is short for—Arts Décoratifs—a French term and is characterised by bold colours, rich symmetrical designs, geometric patterns, metallic finishes, plenty of visual drama, and decadent detailing. If you want to incorporate the Art Deco style to enliven your space—explore some of its key elements.
The Art Deco theme heavily focuses on opulence—and brass elements can help you achieve that look. Get chairs, tables, cabinets and light fixtures with metallic accents or features. Brass furniture can add a more luxurious look—especially if paired with a white and black colour palette.
Though the Art Deco aesthetic centres around glitzy glamour, you can get creative with the colour palette and explore beyond black, white, and gold. If you like softer hues, incorporate moody shades of blue, green or purple. These colours will add exuberance, and complement your metallic accents.
As you may already know, the Art Deco aesthetic relies heavily on subtle architectural forms. Therefore, decorate your space with accents like light fixtures, vases, tabletop sculptures, and bookends in interesting repetitive geometric shapes like triangles, trapezoids, squares, circles, and more.
The rounded-top design is a defining element of the Art Deco style—don’t forget to play up with some arches. By incorporating arches, you can elevate the oomph factor of your space. Add wall mirrors or artwork with curvy frames and a gold or brass finish. You should consider adding chairs with rounded accents or a vintage sofa featuring a curved back.
To master the Art Deco aesthetic, you should focus on composition when styling your rooms. From the nightstand decor to the headboard shape, you have to maintain perfect symmetry and alignment—a fundamental element of this style.
Spaces like your kitchen and bathrooms should use modern tiles to highlight the Art Deco theme with a modern twist. You can opt for tiles in throwback colours and geometric shapes to accentuate the characteristic features of Art Deco while embracing a highly functional and luxurious look.
Your Art Deco home is incomplete with this sumptuous fabric—velvet. This luxurious material will help add a plush texture. Most furniture pieces that use velvet—incorporate dark shades such as hunter green or royal blue—and make splendid focal points. Add a velvet headboard or sofa— featuring gold accents to draw the attention of the onlookers.
When speaking of texture, think of fluted or ribbed materials. These accents—when added in the form of built-in elements like closets or decorative items such as lighting fixtures and vases—help add a stunning vintage aesthetic to your space that draws attention toward clean lines. Ribbed or fluted accents can elevate visual appeal and add character to your space.
Once you acquire a good understanding of all the key elements of the Art Deco design—the colour schemes, patterns, texture and more—it becomes less intimidating to decorate your space.
