Art Deco Interior Design for the Modern Home

Characterised by geometric shapes, luxe materials and glossy finishes, Art Deco design surged in popularity in the 1920s and 30s. Despite declining interest in the 1950s, now a century on, Art Deco interiors are making a comeback in luxury design trends. Here’s how to celebrate the glamour of Art Deco design in your modern interiors.

The history of Art Deco design

Art Deco grew in popularity following Paris’ 1925 ‘Exposition Internationale Des Arts Décoratifs Et Industriels Modernes’ (the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts).

Though it was named ‘Art Deco’ retrospectively in the 1960s, its influence spread way before then, becoming a leading trend in Europe and the US through the 20s and 30s. 

The development of skyscrapers, discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb, and the invention of the cocktail – and the party lifestyle F. Scott Fitzgeral attached to it – are all said to have influenced the materials, techniques and motifs we’ve come to recognise as Art Deco design.

What is Art Deco in interior design?

Art Deco interiors have a striking, glamorous and affluent feel – no florals, fussiness or fragility here. 

Key themes that characterise Art Deco interior design include:

• Geometric and symmetrical shapes
• Curved furniture, usually scalloped, fluted or fanned
• Rich, regal colours, combining monochromatic and metallic palettes with jewel tones
• Luxury materials and finishes, from exotic woods to high-gloss lacquer 
• Opulent Art Deco-inspired lighting to evoke sophistication and opulence 

Modern interiors often partner contemporary rooms with Art Deco elements to inject style and allure to a space.

Choosing an Art Deco colour scheme

Art Deco colour schemes often bring together monochromatic and metallic shades with bold colours.

A light base of creams and beiges can be contrasted with solid black items for a dramatic impact.

Vibrant colours – like blues, greens and pinks – also feature in Art Deco colour schemes, and can be introduced in furniture, bringing depth and texture to a space.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Art Deco palette without plenty of metallic accents in gold, silver or brass.

You can bring richness, warmth and glitz to a room by weaving in these metallic finishes through furniture, lighting and accessories.

What defines Art Deco furniture?

When considering your Art Deco interior design project, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to distinguish items representative of the era.

Size and shapes

When it comes to Art Deco furniture, the bigger the better! Sideboards, armoires, and oversized seating are typical of this style of design.

Art Deco furniture is often recognisable from scallop, flute or fan curves. This detailing can be found in a multitude of items, from cabinetry to accessories.  

Additionally, look out for ‘waterfall furniture’ – where horizontal edges are shaped into rounded drops. 

Accessories and the finishing details often feature geometric motifs, including trapezoidal and sunburst designs. Sometimes, geometric patterns will be used to represent people or animals. 

Metallic and mirrored

Many Art Deco items feature a metallic element, often in gold, but silver and brass are common too.

This adds glitz and glamour to your design, particularly when paired with mirrors, that reflect the sparkles around your room.

Material and finish

A wooden structure with a lacquer finish is customary in Art Deco furniture, with antique variations often constructed from exotic woods, like ebony, lemonwood and zebrawood, before being finished in a high gloss lacquer.

The smooth, shiny finish achieved through the lacquer has the added benefit of creating another reflective surface, bouncing golden tones around the room for a grand finish. 

Marble is a prominent feature in Art Deco design and a sure-fire way to inject opulence and luxury into your interiors.

Animal skin, like zebra and shark (shagreen), wasn’t uncommon in traditional Art Deco pieces. A more modern approach uses alternative materials to replicate these textures and colours. 

For a modern, glamorous look, velvet is a popular choice for Art Deco-inspired upholstered furnishings.

Ambient Art Deco lighting

Atmospheric lighting is critical to creating a genuine feel in your Art Deco-inspired interiors. Angular, symmetrical shapes, metallic finishes and crystal accents all characterise lighting from the period.

Other design elements to look out for include silhouettes with minimal detailing, clean lines and elongated shapes (representative of skyscrapers).

Lamp shades will often be made of etched glass or designed in fanned-out shapes that obscure light bulbs.

Introducing Art Deco into your high-end home

We love the grandeur of Art Deco pieces here at Juliettes Interiors, and our store isn’t short of items reminiscent of the era. 

For something more unique, we also offer a bespoke luxury furniture design service, where you can customise or draw inspiration from existing pieces, or create something completely new.

Whatever your vision, we can bring your Art Deco dream to life. Our interior design experts, at our multi-award-winning London design studio, have been transforming luxury homes for over 20 years, and we’d love to help you bring your luxury Art Deco design ideas to life.