Art Deco Interior Design: How to Get the Look

Art deco interior design dominated the United States and other parts of the world from the 1920s – 1940s. The style is recognizable with a blend of elegance and futuristic touches.

Art Deco Interior Design

And while it faded out of style in the 1950s, Art Deco has made a resurgence in the last few years. If you couldn’t get enough of the set of the Great Gatsby, here’s how to bring that same look to your home.

The History of Art Deco Interior Design

Art Deco was a significant design movement, also known as style moderne, that affected interior design, architecture, clothing, and jewelry. 

The Art Deco era began in the 1920s in western Europe and spread to the United States. It was also popular in countries such as India, New Zealand, Morocco, and Singapore, making it an international design style.

Art Deco interior design features rich materials, bold colors, and the repeated use of geometric shapes. It was a revolt against the previous popular style Art Nouveau which was rife with nature-inspired motifs, wood-heavy rooms, and ornate curves. 

Art Deco remained the dominant interior design style in the United States throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Then, in the 1950s, it started to fall out of favor as mid-century modern took the spotlight.

How to Decorate for an Art Deco Look

If you‘re ready to add drama to your space, here are easy ways to incorporate Art Deco interior design into your home.

Add Geometric Patterns for Art Deco Style

One of the most recognizable traits of Art Deco is the patterns. The patterns are bold, geometric, and symmetrical. You can add them to your home through wallpaper, tiles, rugs, and artwork. 

Here’s what to look for:

  • Trapezoids
  • Zigzag or chevron 
  • Sunbursts
  • Triangles

You might also find art deco patterns that include wildlife prints or silhouettes of women.

Go with an Art Deco Color Palette

The art deco color palette is a combination of neutrals and jewel tones. For instance, you might paint your walls cream or white and then bring in an emerald green sofa and sapphire blue accent chairs.

For neutrals, consider soft yellow, cream, beige, white, and black. For accent colors, go for deep hues of red, blue, green, purple, pink, and yellow.

Decorate with Luxe Fabrics

Art Deco is a luxurious style full of upscale fabrics. Some of the most common include sharkskin, leather, zebra skin, and velvet. Use these for your furniture and choose solid colors or geometric prints.

Opt for Oversized Furniture

While some design trends, like mid-century modern, use smaller, low-to-the-ground pieces, art deco does the opposite. The furniture is large, so go for comfy accent chairs, tall dressers, and oversized beds.

Choose Lacquered and Metallic Pieces

Glossy is best when choosing tables, dressers, and other accents. Art Deco interior design favors lacquered, metallic, or mirrored furniture. 

Install a Patterned Floor

Popular flooring options include herringbone and parquet wood floors, patterned tile, and black and white checkerboard tile. Today, there are many ceramic and concrete tile options with art deco patterns that fit this style.

Illuminate with Art Deco Lighting

The lighting from the Art Deco period is statement-making with symmetry and geometric designs. Popular options include simple and extravagant chandeliers and wall sconces. 

For lamps, look for pieces that feature a woman’s silhouette as the base, circular shades, stepped-down patterns, and sleek metallic accents.

Mixing Art Deco with Other Types of Design

If you like art deco design but don’t want to decorate exclusively with it, you can mix it with other styles. Some popular designs to blend with Art Deco include boho, minimalist, and contemporary.

Examples of Art Deco Interior Design

These pictures of art deco interior design can help you get a better feel for the style.


Art Deco Living Room

Art Deco Living Room Decor
Cherry Tree Interior Design

Here’s an example of a neutral art deco living room. The room boasts many geometric patterns, including the wallpaper, checkered and herringbone floors, and the details on the windows. The sunburst mirror over the mantel is another iconic piece of art deco decor.


Art Deco Bathroom

black and white art decor bathroom
Cypress Design Co.

The color scheme in this bathroom stays neutral, with the predominant use of black and white. The tile is set in a geometric pattern, and the shower door features the classic stepped-down motif. The chrome fixtures and sleek black sink add to the look.


Art Deco Kitchen

Art deco kitchen interior design
Stalburg Design

The homeowners opted for black cabinets featuring geometric designs in their Art Deco kitchen. The mahogany island fits the style with its oval shape and sleek counters.