The Bold Elegance of Art Deco Design: A Timeless Style Guide
The Bold Elegance of Art Deco Design: A Timeless Style Guide
If ever there was a design style that could be categorized as flashy, it’s Art Deco. It rose to popularity during the 1920s and ‘30s and is all about style, glamour, and perceived opulence. Ironically, a mass-produced sensibility also defined Art Deco style, yet pieces tend to feel one of a kind. Art Deco celebrates man-made technology and progress unapologetically, and it has the smooth, polished surfaces to prove it. It’s a bit of a showoff, really, but for fans of its boldness, it’s not a flash in the pan so much as a flash of lightning that parks itself in your living room, sending shockwaves through your space.
From France to the World: A Design Revolution
What began as a decorative movement in France grew into a worldwide phenomenon that touched architecture, decor, and furnishings. Today, the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in North America can be found in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood, where nearly 800 Art Deco buildings are within one square mile. If all of this leaves you wondering, “Where do I start?”, here are a few guidelines to decorating in the Art Deco design style.
Shine On
Reflective surfaces and lots of mirrors — the more, the better — are key to decorating in the Art Deco style. Glass with etchings, stained glass, lacquer, and polished wood are all perfectly suited for an Art Deco home, but most especially chrome, particularly when it comes to lighting. Another signature Art Deco lighting style is to pepper your space with Tiffany-style lamps. The stained-glass beauties were popular during the Art Nouveau period that preceded Art Deco and remained popular into the 1910s.
Think Big, Showy Pieces
Large furniture and plenty of it is another hallmark of Art Deco design. Black lacquered sideboards in dining rooms, armoires housing bar essentials in the living room, mirrored nightstands in the bedroom — if it’s large, flashy, and provides plenty of storage, it’s a win in the Art Deco world. The key to keeping an Art Deco home looking clutter-free, however, is to streamline your choices to the pieces you just have to have, so you end up with a curated jewel box that feels more like a collection of fine art.
Combine Different Textures
- Leather couches paired with velour pillows
- Faux animal skin rugs
- Polished and mirrored surfaces
As mentioned earlier, anything polished and reflective is welcome, especially mirrored furniture that reflects light and makes spaces feel bigger.
Look for Interesting Shapes
Geometric designs and patterns are key to Art Deco design. Examples include:
- Chevron patterns in rugs and tiles
- Sunburst mirrors
- Sharp edges paired with crescent-moon curves
Symmetry is also crucial, so streamline furnishings to maintain balance.
Color Your World
The contrast of creamy whites and sharp black are the foundation of Art Deco design, but bold, bright colors are brought in for pops of fun. In Miami’s South Beach, Art Deco takes a cue from the environment with crisp white furnishings and sunny accents. By contrast, European Art Deco leans into jewel tones. Either way, the juxtaposition of light and bright sets this style apart.
Floors Are a Big Deal
Redoing floors to align with Art Deco style is worth the effort. Consider:
- Black and white floor tiles in entryways
- Warm parquet floors with geometric rugs
- Retro linoleum (for a historically accurate kitchen)
Look for High Art
Highly stylized art, especially architectural motifs or nature-inspired designs, are key to Art Deco. Think:
- Photographs of geometric buildings
- Hieroglyphic-inspired patterns
- Safari prints featuring leaves, feathers, or exotic animals
Embrace the Drama
Art Deco isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s a celebration of boldness, symmetry, and the marriage of old-world craftsmanship with modern flair. Whether through gleaming chrome accents, sunburst mirrors, or a daring black-and-white floor, this style ensures your space will never fade into the background.
