Bring Art Deco Interior Design Into Your Home

One of the most recognizable retro design aesthetics is the legendary art deco. One way to describe the art deco style is as a glimpse of what people thought the future would look like a century ago. It is with this motif in mind that all the little details of an art deco interior are designed. There are a lot of moving parts in art deco designs and they continue to be adopted into today’s modern interiors and works of architecture as well.

Glimmering smooth metal decor accentuating dark-hued walls, coupled with complex ornaments, wall art, and sculptures are what come to mind when thinking about art deco. There is a lot that homeowners can learn from this almost century-old aesthetic and utilize in more contemporary designs. It’s just a matter of paying attention to the finer details and appreciating the glamour that is at the heart of the art deco aesthetic.

The Roots of the Art Deco Style

The design was unveiled in Paris during the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. The distinct style caught the eye of many influential artists who quickly became the backbone of the aesthetic’s popularity. 

Bold Traces of Art Deco Architecture In Philadelphia

As art deco became more prominent amongst architects and interior designers all across the world, the United States was leading the charge. Some of the most famous buildings in the country are art deco, such as the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and the Chicago Board of Trade Building. Many luxurious penthouses of the early 20th century, post WWI era were also built in this style. They were considered to be the peak of glamour and fancy living as they offered a glimpse into what could be the future.

Interior Design that Was Inspired by the Future, and Still Inspires the Present from the Past

The art deco style lost its momentum in the 30s as interest in the design began to fade in the wake of a global economic downturn. But the influence it left on the world of interior design and architecture is undeniable and remains to this day. 

How to Recognize Art Deco Design

The Elements of Art Deco Interiors

Recognizing art deco design is very easy considering how wildly it differs from most other styles out there. It is very unique in appearance thanks to the colors, forms, and materials which it combines to create something that looks both retro and futuristic at the same time.

Smooth Shapes and Forms

You Can Rely On An Art Deco Interior for a Balance Between Variety and Consistency in Smooth Forms

Art deco represents the technological evolution that took place in the early 20th century. The motifs behind art deco designs are all about technological innovation and continuing scientific progress. One could say that art deco is the complete opposite of classical in that regard. As a result of these motifs, art deco features many smooth shapes and forms which create a sense of symmetry in the room. 

Symmetry and geometric shapes make up the bulk of art deco architectural design. They are perfectly calculated to be pristine in their design and to be exact in every way — from the matching sizes to the angles and curves. A good example of this is the roof of the Chrysler Building with its rounded ornaments, each one decorated with triangular art deco patterns meant to symbolize the prosperity of technology and the evolution of human civilization.

New Materials

Incorporating Modern Materials Like Glass, Aluminum, Plastic, and Steel In Your Art Deco Interior

Classical architecture and design relied on more traditional materials such as wood, iron, and stone. While these can be featured in art deco design as well, there is a greater focus on utilizing more modern materials such as glass, aluminum, plastic, and steel. Some art deco interior designs even incorporate more unorthodox textures, such as exotic animal fur and skin.

The materials all come together to create more consistent textures and surfaces. As attractive as wood and stone may be in interior design, they are rarely uniform enough and have all kinds of beautiful imperfections (bumps, crevices, and ridges). For those smooth surfaces and straight edges, you will need more advanced material that is easier to shape. Aluminum, steel, and plastic are sturdy materials and offer more opportunities for designers to create sleek surfaces.

How to Incorporate Art Deco into Your Interior Design

What Goes Into the Perfect Art Deco Living Room

Many homeowners get intimidated by the luxurious nature of art deco, believing that it would be very difficult to incorporate into their interior. This is not the case. There are many ways you create that unique art deco vibe in your home.

Wall Decorations

Decor Can Be Implemented Into Art Deco Design

Art deco is as popular in visual arts as it is in architecture and design. Many artists have been inspired by the retro-futuristic aesthetic and have created art deco posters, paintings, and murals with the motifs of the style. These works of art combine minimalism and cubism to create symmetrical geometric shapes which fit in with the rest of the art deco themes.

You can incorporate a few pieces of vintage art yourself. They don’t have to be authentically vintage though; nowadays you can find replicas of art deco posters just about anywhere. Keep the decorations varied, using both film posters and paintings — but place them in an orderly fashion. Keep the walls busy, but do not overcrowd them. Metallic ornaments, old Golden Age of Hollywood movie posters, and other early 20th century pieces of decor are a great way to drive home the retro-futuristic style.

Working With the Geometry

Shapes and Forms You’ll Find In Art Deco

When designing an art deco living room or bedroom, lines and geometry should be given their due attention. This can be done in a variety of ways, as these elements are always present in most interior designs. The main distinction of shapes and forms in art deco designs is that you’ll have more curves and round forms paired along the straight lines and angles. 

You Can Bring The Roaring 20s Into Your Home With Patterns and Geometry of the Era

Art deco utilizes angular shapes, smooth lines, and sleek forms. These can be incorporated into the interior design via wall decor, lighting fixtures, and wallpaper. Common patterns you’ll find are trapezoidal shapes, chevron angles, zig zag, and angular protrusions reminiscent of skyscrapers. You can even take the experimentation with geometry to the architecture of your home by giving an accent wall depth and pattern. This can also be achieved with realistic wallpaper too, of course. 

Glamorous Lighting

Lighting Fixtures That Go Perfectly In Art Deco Rooms

Lighting is very important in any interior. It can be subtle, like in modern minimalist interiors with recessed lighting. Or if you are looking for something more classical, a crystal chandelier would be your best choice. For art deco lighting is all about glamour and mystique.

Art Deco Lighting Fixture for the Perfect Moody Setting

You can have chandeliers fit an art deco vibe as well. Think, moody extravagance. With art deco, lighting practicality takes a backseat to the lavish aesthetic, allowing for more creative designs that perfectly fit with the rest of the aesthetic’s motifs. That would mean lighting fixtures with detailed geometric designs or engravings, shades to speak for our favorite moody atmosphere, and always a sense of symmetry. 

Where to Find Art Deco

How to Identify Art Deco Exteriors

Art deco was popularized all across the country, but major metropolitan areas were the places where the style was most abundant. The aforementioned Chrysler Building is one of NYC’s most famous examples of art deco architecture, as is the Empire State Building. Other well-known works of architecture include the Bullocks in LA, the Paramount Theater in Oakland, and the 450 Sutter Street skyscraper in San Francisco. 

The Chic and Sentimental Charm of the Art Deco Fusion In LA’s Union Station

There are plenty more fantastic examples of art deco all across the country, as well as in other parts of the world. Some parts of Western Europe also adopted the design and built lavish works of architecture and interiors. While the early 20th century may not have had a very accurate understanding of what the future of architecture and design would look like they still managed to create breathtaking designs which remain inspirational to this day.