Learn everything about Art Deco interior design, from its essential features and commonly used materials to practical tips. Also, find out more about the latest trends shaping this popular style.
SUMMARISE WITH:
Art Deco is a decorative interior design style known for its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and rich materials. Originating in France in the 1910s, it spread across Europe and the United States in the early 20th century. The Industrial Revolution had a massive influence on the development of the Art Deco style, which drew inspiration from various sources, such as modern transportation, ancient Egyptian art, and Central American motifs.
The Art Deco style was defined by the use of expensive materials like ivory and new materials like plastic and stainless steel. Though it flourished from the 1920s to the mid-1950s, it gradually faded as the mid-century modern movement, spearheaded by designers like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe, gained prominence. While we may not use the style the same way in a modern setting, its signature elements have made a strong comeback in recent years.
In this in-depth guide, we will discuss the features of the Art Deco style, show you how to incorporate them into your interiors and inform you about the trends doing the rounds. Here’s a clickable list of everything that we will cover!
- What is the Art Deco interior design style?
- Features of Art Deco interior design style
- Common materials used for Art Deco interior design
- Common motifs used for Art Deco interior design
- How to implement Art Deco style in your interiors
- 8 Art Deco interior design trends to consider
- Final thoughts
What is the Art Deco interior design style?
![Art deco style dining room with black and white floor.](https://www.andacademy.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/inner_1b-1.webp" "Art deco style dining room with black and white floor.")
Image Courtesy: Decorilla
Art Deco is an opulent style in interior design that exudes symmetry, sharpness, and glamour. The precise origins of this style are difficult to trace, but the term itself is derived from France, with its literal translation meaning "decorative art." While many associate Art Deco primarily with interior design, it has an extensive scope, influencing architecture, furniture, and even textiles.
Often identified for its bold tones, luxe materials, metallic finishes, geometric motifs, decadent details, and extensive use of mirrors, the style has become a lot more subtle in today's modern context. It uses bits and pieces of the original aesthetic and combines them with the current lifestyles. The Art Deco style may not be incorporated entirely and in the same way as it used to be, but its legacy and merit remain undeniable.
Features of Art Deco interior design style
If you want to successfully incorporate Art Deco style into your homes or upcoming projects, you need to know the features that define the style. Let’s take a look at each of them individually.
1. Colors
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Art Deco embraces a rich and bold color palette with an emphasis on contrast. It incorporates bold hues such as blues, reds, greens, purples, yellows, and pinks, and is often paired with metallic tones like chrome, silver, gold, black accents, and even stainless steel. Softer shades like creams and beiges are usually observed in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms paired with wood and lacquered furniture.
2. Flooring
Image Courtesy: Meister
Herringbone and parquet flooring patterns with simple gold or brass inlays are classic features of the Art Deco style. Popular motifs, like black-and-white chessboard patterns or optical illusions and rugs with geometric patterns, are often used to enhance the look.
3. Furniture
Image Courtesy: Foyr Neo
Art Deco furniture pieces are large in size, lack intricate detailing, and have clean silhouettes. They do not have any frills. The outlines are often accentuated with gold and chrome borders. Art Deco interiors commonly use large consoles, sideboards, and oversized armchairs. Furniture made of exotic woods like zebrawood, chrome, and mirrored pieces and luxury décor items, such as tortoise-shell pieces with elegant inlays and animal prints, add to the luxurious look.
4. Fabrics
Image Courtesy: Decorilla
In addition to traditional textures like shark and zebra skins, Art Deco favors rich materials such as velvet and leather. Shades like lilac or floral prints are typically avoided in this style. Instead, solid colors or fabrics with geometric patterns are preferred. Upholstery in bold and solid colors often adds to the authentic Art Deco feel within a space.
5. Lighting
Image Courtesy: Decorilla
Lighting fixtures continue to be one of the easiest and most impactful features of an Art Deco-inspired space. Period-style fixtures typically have geometric and symmetrical patterns, which used to be a hallmark of the era. In fact, lighting was one of the most heavily decorated elements in Art Deco design. However, in today’s context, the use of Art Deco lighting is not about replicating the style but infusing spaces with a sense of drama and timelessness. The symmetrical patterns, often seen in chandeliers, sconces, and pendant lights, allow these fixtures to serve as focal points, adding visual intrigue and glamor to spaces.
Common materials used for Art Deco interior design
Luxe materials used in Art Deco style have always been glamorous and extravagant. The generous use of gold and steel in Art Deco furniture and accessories reflected the wealth that new industries created at the time. The categories of materials commonly used in that period include:
Materials for furnishings and accessories
- Stainless steel
- Mirror
- Chrome
- Glass
- Lacquer
- Ebony
- Zebrawood
- Inlaid wood
- Rare wood
- Marble
Note: While wood may not have been the top priority, rare and dark-textured woods like walnut were frequently used. These woods primarily acted as a backdrop, enhancing the gold inlays found on floors and walls.
Exotic upholstery fabrics for seating and headboards
- Shark skin
- Leopard skin
- Zebra skin
- Velvet
Common motifs used for Art Deco interior design
Traditional Art Deco motifs were bold, fluid in nature, and symmetrical. They showcased strength through geometrical, linear, and angular forms. These motifs were usually stylized interpretations of fans, flowers, and abstract patterns. The Art Deco style celebrated the industrial progress that largely reshaped Europe and America.
Over time, these traditional motifs have evolved to align with modern design sensibilities while retaining their essence. The emphasis on clean lines, symmetrical forms, and abstract shapes remains relevant today, though the interpretation has become more minimalist. For instance, the sharp angles and fan motifs have been refined into simpler and more fluid designs. The easiest way to identify Art Deco furniture or accessories is to look for motifs, including:
- Trapezoidal shapes
- Zigzag patterns
- Chevron patterns
- Stepped forms
- Sweeping curves
- Sunburst shapes
- Triangular shapes
- Stylized wildlife prints
- Jagged and pointed edges
How can you implement Art Deco style in your interiors?
Here are some actionable tips to incorporate Art Deco style in your interiors:
1. Combine antiques with modern pieces
Image Courtesy: The Spruce
While it's important to retain defining aspects of the Art Deco style, sometimes mixing antiques with modern pieces allows you to personalize your space. This approach adds character and helps avoid an overly themed look. You can combine Art Deco pieces with your existing furniture and create an eclectic mix that feels fresh and innovative.
2. Choose geometric shapes
Geometric shapes are your go-to if you’re looking to create an Art Deco-themed interior. These shapes can be motifs or patterns like chevron or herringbone flooring. The borders of these patterns can also be highlighted for impact. Feel free to incorporate zig-zags, octagons, and triangular forms. You can either add a rug or wallpaper with geometric patterns or bring in throw pillows, wall art, or even an accent armchair.
3. Bring in Art Deco accents
Art Deco is known for its over-the-top, bold, and glamorous artwork, from striking paintings to larger-than-life sculptures. When incorporating accents, focus on making a statement with eye-catching pieces that serve as a focal point. Sculptures, dramatic art, and unique furniture pieces can add layers of luxury to your space. Don’t hesitate to mix textures and materials like mirrored surfaces, metals, and glossy finishes to further enhance the Art Deco aesthetic.
4. Incorporate arches
Image Courtesy: Newmor Wallcoverings
Incorporating arches, whether through doorways, wall cutouts, mirrors, or wall art, is an effective way to infuse a touch of the iconic Art Deco style into your space. When utilized correctly, arches can also create the illusion of height and open up a space.
5. Opt for rich colors
Jewel tones, such as emerald green and deep raspberry, exude luxury and can complement the gold and silver metallics that define the Art Deco style. Introduce these vibrant and bold hues into your space through paint, furniture, decor, artwork, or even small accents like a flower vase or coffee table book.
6. Pick luxe materials
Choose sleek materials like stainless steel, chrome, glass, lacquer, marble, and ebony to style your space. The shine and glossy finish of these materials perfectly embody the quintessential Art Deco style, adding elegance and glamour to any room. Additionally, you can incorporate animal prints in your upholstery, such as black-and-white zebra, shark skin, or leopard patterns, on sofas or rugs.
7. Glam up your lighting
Art Deco style is all about glamour, and one of the easiest ways to incorporate it into your room is by introducing statement lighting. Whether you opt for a crystal chandelier or a classic wall sconce, the right combination of light and design can do wonders for your space. Choose light fixtures with metallic finishes, crystal details, or angular shapes for an authentic Art Deco vibe.
8. Use tile designs
Choosing your tiles carefully is essential when designing a kitchen or bathroom in the Art Deco style. Consider opting for timeless patterns, like octagons or diamonds, instead of more trendy designs like herringbone. Let the tiles shine by selecting the right shape, color, and finish, which can inspire the rest of the room’s elements and help bring the Art Deco aesthetic to life.
9. Add fluted details
Image Courtesy: Homes and Gardens
In Art Deco design, the details make all the difference, and one way to achieve this is through fluting. This textured detail, found on furniture, cabinetry, or accessories, adds depth and visual interest to your space.
10. Go for sunburst motifs
Image Courtesy: Decorilla
Sunbursts, an Art Deco motif, can be featured in mirrors, wall art, or furniture. This striking design element adds an immediate touch of Art Deco elegance to any room.
8 Art Deco interior design trends to consider in 2025
Trends can often clarify abstract concepts, making it easier to understand the practical application of Art Deco interior design style in different areas of your home. On that note, we bring the latest trends using which you can customize this style to your space and make informed decisions regarding colors, furniture, and decor.
1. Choose an earthy palette
Image Courtesy: Decorilla
While emerald greens and golden yellows were once symbols of prosperity and wealth in Art Deco design, modern trends, like quiet luxury, have shifted our perception of what constitutes an elegant color scheme. Rather than relying on traditional jewel tones, in 2025, consider choosing a more earthy palette. Start with a neutral base and then add vibrant pops of color through accessories, cushions, accents, and artwork.
2. Incorporate symmetry
Art Deco’s irresistible allure lies in its use of bold symmetry, which can add sophistication and drama to any room. Achieving this look is simple and affordable—arrange your furniture symmetrically and align your wall lights and other elements to create balance in 2025. This ensures the visual appeal of your space while keeping your design on trend.
3. Go for statement floors
Image Courtesy: Architectural Digest
In 2025, combine dark patterned floor tiles with plain white walls to create a bold and dramatic effect. The stark contrast immediately draws attention. This style works particularly well when accented with luxurious gold accessories that stand out against the simplicity of the white walls. When choosing the tiles, consider the overall color scheme, style, and scale of the room. Larger patterns may be more suitable for spacious areas, while smaller patterns can work well in compact spaces.
4. Invest in curved furniture
Curved furniture is another rising trend of 2025. This softer, more organic alternative to traditional straight-edged pieces adds comfort and intimacy, creating a natural flow throughout the room. From curved sofas and armchairs to oval coffee tables and rounded sideboards, these pieces can be great options. The curves balance the harsh angles of door frames, windows, and other furniture items.
5. Add a feature wall
In 2025, a simple feature wall with a vibrant geometric pattern is a major trend. It can
easily change the aesthetic of your room without altering its function and helps draw attention to furniture pieces and elements, complemented by gold furnishings. To accentuate the rich colors on the wall, use simple tiles on the floor.
6. Embrace patterns with a subtle touch
Image Courtesy: House Beautiful
Geometric patterns are an iconic aspect of the Art Deco look, but in 2025, they don’t need to be over-the-top. You can use geometry in a more understated way through a monochromatic rug with a subtle pattern or a wallpaper with a delicate Art Deco-inspired design.
7. Try dark tiles
Image Courtesy: Armac Martin
Dark tiles create an attention-grabbing and glamorous aesthetic when paired with hints of gold. Tiling spaces, like bathrooms and kitchens, is an excellent way to incorporate Art Deco style in a modern setting. Geometric tile patterns and retro-inspired colors embrace the essence of Art Deco, offering a desirable look while being highly functional.
8. Lean into arches
The Art Deco style emphasizes geometric shapes and architectural elements, making arches a simple yet effective way to glam up the look. Opt for wall mirrors or artwork with curves and a brass or gold finish. Additionally, you can incorporate rounded accent chairs or vintage-inspired sofas with curved backs in other rooms to complement the aesthetic.
9. Use a brass finish
Image Courtesy: Foyr Neo
Finishes are a big thing in the Art Deco style as they add the glitz and glamour of luxurious materials. You can use brass, a staple of the Art Deco period, through hardware, lighting, or decorative details like flatware. While not as bold as gold, brass offers a subtle shine that brings a refined, 1920s elegance to your space.
Final thoughts
We hope that this comprehensive guide has helped you understand the nuances of Art Deco interior design style and its profound impact, as well as inspired you to give your home or upcoming project a brand-new makeover. All in all, this style is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a luxurious aesthetic with a maximalist approach. Whether you are drawn towards a bold and dramatic renovation or aspire to make simple and chic changes, remember to focus on creating balance. Incorporating a few trends that work well against a neutral backdrop can be effective in achieving your desired aesthetic.
For more blogs on interior design, visit the AND Academy blog. You can also explore this inspiring project by AND learner Sunali Khajuria.
Next Steps
In case you need further assistance, here are some resources to consider:
- Watch this session by Snehanshu Mukherjee, Founding Partner at T.E.A.M and Mansi Almadi, an Interior Designer at Studio Lotus
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Check out our Interior Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts.
- Take advantage of our scholarship and funding options to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
