Your comprehensive guide to art déco interior design

Art Déco Materials

For everyday splendour, Art Déco interiors feature a lot of metallics, including gold, silver, stainless steel, and chrome. Glass is another commonly employed material in art déco interior design, whether it be through mirrors, glass-topped tables, or an art déco vase or lamp. As art déco style architecture and design was influenced by the invention of reinforced concrete and metalworking innovations, use decorative pillars or post construction architectural elements will add to the opulent aura of your space.

Art Déco Furniture

Just like everything else in art déco interior design, the furniture in Art Déco houses is styled to be eye-catching and imposing. Picture sideboards with rich detailing and massive plush Art Déco sofa sets covered with deep emerald coloured silk – unique pieces that really take up floor space! Common fabrics used in modern Art Déco interior design are either solid colours that are rich in texture or those that have a geometric pattern. Keep your soft furnishings within a single strong colour scheme. In an Art Déco bedroom, choose a block colour and add accent pillows with geometric prints. 

Art Déco Patterns

For Art Déco interior design that works in a modern space, play with sunburst motifs, fan patterns and clean geometric lines. To incorporate pattern and detail without it looking cluttered, furniture that boasts inlaid wood patterns in symmetrical designs or déco art posters with cut colours and geometric shapes can be blended with solid coloured upholstery and soft furnishings. Art Déco flooring tiles are another smart way to add pattern and texture to your space. Often these are black and white with chevron, zig-zag or square patterns, so it might be better to balance this with simpler furniture and sleek silhouettes.  

Art Déco Flooring

One of the spaces where Art Déco tiles are still very commonly used is in bathrooms. This is partly because the room usually has a large amount of empty central floor space, making geometric designs and bold patterns a good way to add interest and glamour. An Art Déco kitchen is also a great place for Déco tiling, both for flooring and for a tiled backsplash. This is also a great space for Art Déco style furniture of wood, glass or metal. For example, a marble topped breakfast counter and exquisite metallic bar stools might complement wood cabinets and a chevron tiled floor.

Art Déco Lighting

Lighting innovations are one of Art Déco's most significant design contributions to modern interior styling. Both torchieres used to illuminate room corners and provide uplighting and Tiffany-style lamps with decorative glass shades are rooted in Art Déco interiors. What is more, the use of frosted, mirrored, and multi-coloured glass for lighting fixtures can also be credited to the Art déco movement. Art Déco elements in lighting can be sleek and eye-catching like a geometric glass chandelier or a pretty stained-glass pendant lamp, or even a golden-bronze palm tree lamp in the corner!

Art Déco Wallpaper

When it comes to Art Déco style interior design one of the quickest ways to refurbish a room is to choose Déco style wallpaper. Typically patterned with floral, geometric, and tropical motifs, wallpapers are bold and dramatic, making them a great way to make a statement in an Art Déco living room or entranceway. Other common patterns are fans, champagne fountains, and animals or palm trees, so Déco style furniture with cleaner silhouettes and block colours will make a more glamorous contrast.