Recreating Art Deco Style at Home
Art deco is a style synonymous with the gilded glamour of the roaring ‘20s that it came from, with architecture and decor that stayed in fashion until midcentury Modern took over in the ‘50s. Today, we’re seeing a renewed interest in this iconic style, which gives us clean, modern decor and bold geometric shapes punctuated with highly stylized elements. Here’s how to incorporate some of this luxe and glamour into your home.
With art deco, we see clean, early-modern silhouettes that are dressed up by striking gold, stainless steel, mirror, and lacquer accents. Gilded Gatsby-style glamour is the tone you should strike, so don’t be afraid to add some sleek shiny materials into your decor.
Common motifs in art deco include stylized florals and wildlife, sweeping curves, chevrons, zigzags, and other geometric forms. A great way to incorporate this into your home decor is with an art deco style wallpaper, which can instantly create a feature wall worth appreciating.
Luxe materials like velvet, leather, and zebra skin are the common choices for art deco upholstery, creating a feeling of the opulence and wealth of the 1920s. A plus velvet sofa or armchair will go a long way in recreating the art deco style at home.
Bold geometric shapes like chevrons, zigzags, circles, and stepped patterns should be incorporated throughout your design. A two-tone paint pattern can make a big impact, as will some interesting geometric mirrors, furniture, and flooring. Parquet flooring with a herringbone pattern will give a distinct art deco look to a room.
Decorative light features with aerodynamic silhouettes are an impressive art deco feature to use at home. Reflective materials like gold and chrome are key choices here, as is a stylized sunburst shape – a very popular art deco motif. You can use modern bulbs or, if you want to go for something that feels truly vintage, use a milky-white opal glass.
As for furniture, art deco favors large-scale pieces with streamlined silhouettes and decorative shapes. Scalloped edges are a common art deco motif for chairs, sofas, and headboards, as are decorative finishings like tortoiseshell and pearl.