Art Deco came alive as the interior design style of the “Roaring 20s”—a time of great technological innovation. This transformative decade brought us moving pictures, television, the automobile, the airplane, the radio, the assembly line, and much more. It was also a period of prosperity and a shift from farm-living to living in metropolitan centers. The Art Deco style matched these exciting and dramatic changes. Today, Art Deco is still of the moment and blends well with many decors.

Color

Art Deco is characterized by making a big statement. This often starts with strong colors. You can go one of two ways with Art Deco-inspired color, as long as you choose a saturated hue. First, select neutrals in rich tones of creamy white, chocolate brown or black coupled with a dramatic accent color.

Art Deco color can also be less subdued. Go with color for your walls, furniture, floor coverings, drapes, and more. Reds, greens, blues, purples, and deep yellows are all reminiscent of the Art Deco style. Don’t go overboard though, choose three of four colors for the entire room and you will make a wonderful Art Deco statement.

Fabrics & Patterns

If you keep one word in mind as you decorate in the Art Deco style, that word should be “bold.” This is especially true for fabrics and patterns on items like sofas, drapes, walls, and accessories such as pillows and other items. Stay away from floral or plaid. Art Deco patterns are often solid or geometric. Think solid contrasting pillows in bold colors like red and purple, for example. This will add a pop of color that will make any room feel like an Art Deco room. Make this an opulent fabric like velvet or silk for an added 1920s feel.

Geometric patterns are also popular in Art Deco, especially black-and-white, and black-and-gold. This is not your standard checkerboard geometric block design. Picture a bold chevron, a repeating leaf pattern, or something inspired by the Egyptians or Native Americans. Such a design will add Art Deco to any room.

Bold Furniture

Art Deco interior design is about being one-of-a-kind and that’s particularly true with furniture. Pieces are often large and imposing. Popular pieces include armoires, sideboards, and oversized side chairs. Curvy furniture is also popular as are scalloped designs.

Fabrics are luxe and colors are dominant, like purple velvet, or chocolate brown silk. Wooden furniture is often made with exotic wood like zebrawood and has inlaid art deco designs and patterns.

Lighting

Lighting is another key design element. Chrome was new in the 20s and is often featured in Art Deco lighting. Glass is also popular including white glass, colored Tiffany-style glass, enameled, and etched.

One can still find original 1920s lighting fixtures, and there are also some wonderful reproductions on the market. Adding an Art Deco lamp or light fixture will enhance the decor of any room.

Accessories

Finally, as with most rooms, accessories help nail the style. With Art Deco, there is much to choose from. Small things such as door handles, pillows, and throw rugs will make a design statement.

In addition to the bold color and geometric patterns mentioned above, other popular motifs of the 20s include foliage, sun rays, nude females, and animals. Look for Art Deco-inspired prints and wall art. Native American and Egyptian artifacts also inspire an Art Deco style.

Mirrors are a must-have accessory. They make any room look great and are prominent in the Art Deco style home. Make a statement, and make your room look larger, with an ornate mirror.

Barn Doors

Another great way to create a bold Art Deco look is with a modern classic: a barn door. You can pair a statement-making barn door with your decor for the epitome of Roaring 20s style. Wondering how to incorporate a barn door in your look? Contact us, we can help.