If you think the Art Deco period is over, think again. The aesthetic is a glorious combination of the modern and vintage design trends that make a home look luxurious and dramatic. With its geometric patterns, gold accents, and glamorous fixtures, Art Deco style may be rooted in the roaring 1920s, but its appeal is timeless and definitely works here and now. After all, who doesn't want to live in Jay Gatsby's mansion—or Chip and Joanna Gaines's new 1928 Hotel?
Technically, the Art Deco period ran from 1919, or just after World War I, until the onset of the Great Depression in 1939. It was popularized in the U.S. and Europe, but it drew on architectural styles from around the world, including Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.'s take on Mayan Revival. The Chrysler building is another famous example with its crown-like tiered spire, but the style reimagined small home goods like radios and vacuum cleaners too.
Art Deco style may seem like an amalgamation of grand things that don't go together: zigzags, chevrons, fluting, jewel-tone colors, and rich neutrals. That may be partly true, depending on your taste, but there's a method to the madness that makes it work. You don't have to cover everything in gold to nail an Art Deco style living room or bedroom. In fact, the aesthetic is all about straight, clean lines and streamlined forms—albeit sometimes in showy colors and finishes.
Once you understand Art Deco design characteristics, furniture, colors, and patterns, it's less intimidating and quite fun to start putting together your space. Read on to learn how to art-deco-rate (sorry, we had to) a room that's roaring with style.
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Built-in bookshelves, like the ones seen here at Chip and Joanna Gaines's Art Deco–style Hotel 1928 in Waco, Texas, are a timeless addition that you can easily style with decor pieces to get the speakeasy aesthetic. Here, the dark paint sets off the luxurious colors of the books, leather chairs, and vintage rug and the gilded picture lights. All of the features add up to a space that feels rich in history but modern.
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Finishes are a big component of the Art Deco style since they bring in the sheen and feel of luxurious materials. Brass was typical of the Art Deco period, so feel free to include it in the form of hardware, lighting, or details such as flatware. Though brass isn't as showy as gold, it has enough shimmer to make your space feel refined and elevated in a 1920s way.
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Tiling rooms like the bathroom or kitchen is a great way to execute Art Deco style ideas in a modern way. Tiles in geometric shapes and throwback colors lean into the features of Art Deco while still looking modern and being highly functional.
