Art Deco Is Making a Comeback—Here’s How to Embrace the Style in Your Home

Who said the 2020s couldn’t be just as roaring as the 1920s? A century after it initially emerged, the art deco style is becoming popular again, and your opportunity to infuse your home with a healthy dose of glamor has arrived.

But how do you add pops of art deco style into your living spaces while making it your own? As with all interior design trends, it’s possible to maintain your unique flair while incorporating hints of this beloved style.

What Is Art Deco?

If you marvel at the design in The Great Gatsby, art deco style is your speed. Art deco style, in many ways, reflected the gaudy opulence of the roaring ’20s. It was a clear departure from the Art Nouveau style which preceded it.

This trendy design style impacted all facets of society—from interior design to architecture and beyond. Art deco gained momentum in the 1920s and was a persistently popular home design style throughout the Depression of the ’30s and even the ’40s. Eventually, society’s celebration of the art deco style ended when mid-century modern decor emerged in the 1950s.

If you want to learn more about the decor trends which dominated each decade, we’ve got you covered.

Common Motifs in Art Deco

Now that you’re familiar with the definition of art deco style, let’s touch on some common motifs you should watch for.

Geometric Shapes

The first is geometric shapes and patterns. This period incorporates many harsh, sleek lines into its design. As a result, you won’t see many fluid or soft shapes, as structure reigns supreme.

Think of it this way: some of the world’s most famous skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building and Chrysler Builder, are products of this era. You can thank technological advances for the period’s celebration of angular design. Keep an eye out for chevrons, trapezoids, triangles, zigzags or fans with harsh lines when sourcing your art deco home items.

Sunbursts

Another art deco motif is the sunburst. You can easily find a sunburst-shaped mirror to add above your fireplace to bring this period into your home, or a tile for your floor that uses the motif.

Curved Patterns

While this style is mainly structured, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some curves. However, choose sweeping curves to stay true to the period. Stepped forms are another popular motif you’ll see in art deco style. We recommend giving it a try with this stunning art deco peel-and-stick wallpaper.

A Pinch of Fun

Lastly, don’t be afraid to have some fun with your space—the designers of the art deco era certainly did. They often infused Egyptian-inspired touches into their homes. It was also common to see glimmers of animal print, a la safari.

How to Make Every Part of Your Space Art Deco

Ready to begin infusing every facet of your home with art deco style? Here’s your guide on how to do it, from flooring and furniture to fabric and beyond.

Colors

The colors of the art deco era helped bring this illustrious style to life. Rich, luxurious colors were all the rage, so bring some glamor into your home by leaning into bold hues. Try shades of blue, green, red, yellow or pink. Of course, too many deep colors in your home can be overwhelming—so don’t be afraid to lighten things up with beige or cream-colored paint. These were popular in high-traffic living spaces such as living and dining rooms.

One thing to remember about color in the art deco style is that thoughtful touches of chrome, silver or black balance it. And, of course, you can keep your space neutral and still celebrate this style—in fact, neutrals pair beautifully with the wood characteristic of this era.

Furniture

Let’s dive into the furniture styles you might choose to add art deco pizzazz to your home. Of course, the most defining characteristic of furniture from this era is its super-size. And if you’re looking to bring it into your bedroom, consider an armoire.

When sourcing furniture, make sure you opt for sleek silhouettes. Designers of this era saved the details for other aspects of the living space—furniture shouldn’t be exceptionally intricate. If you want to add visual interest, you can choose tortoiseshell or mother-of-pearl inlay pieces, as they were beloved in this period.

Textures & Fabrics

As far as art deco style fabrics go, lean into leather and velvet. Then, consider a pop of zebra print if you want to add a wild touch to your home. Art deco style uses geometric patterns, so you can also source fabrics that incorporate that. Consider color blocking or keep it simple with a solid fabric in one of the era’s buzziest hues.

As for textures, don’t be afraid to experiment with mirrors, chrome and other shiny materials. This era is all about opulence and glamor, so keep that in mind. You can also use those geometric patterns we keep mentioning to infuse texture and add dimension to a space.

Floors

Up next, we have flooring. Embrace patterns to bring your floor up to par with art deco style standards. Herringbone floors were typical of the time, and so were starburst designs.

This style is all about geometric shapes and symmetry, so you’ll also see that in tile or linoleum flooring that features checkers. Some flooring even visually engages viewers by leaning into kaleidoscopic shapes.

Don’t shy away from mixing and matching patterns—many designers in this period placed rugs with bold, structured patterns on top of the already busy floors.

Lighting

To embrace art deco style with your lighting fixtures, seek out glamorous selections that feature a geometric pattern. Opal glass was a popular material during this era in the 1920s, so you might want to use a light fixture made from it.

Additionally, sleek lighting with clean lines is an excellent choice. Take a cue from this period’s love of skyscrapers and select a shade featuring chrome or glass with skyscraper-inspired shapes etched.