Art Deco-inspired interiors: How to get the look

Start doing your best Jay Gatsby impression, Art Deco is back in a big way

Often defined by geometric patterns and motifs, bold jewel tones, and rich material palettes, the interior design style is opulent and decadent.

But you might not want to turn your whole home into something straight out of the Roaring Twenties, you can incorporate aspects without making a big commitment.

So before we get into all of that, we need to do a bit of explaining.

What is Art Deco design?

Time for a wee bit of history!

Art Deco was born in France in the 1910s before the First World War.

In 1925, it was showcased to the world in Paris at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes and people went absolutely wild for it.

This led to an era of opulence and decadence which rose to the heights of its popularity in the United States throughout the Golden Age. 

Just think of some of the most famous buildings across the pond in New York, both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building have been created in the Art Deco style.

When it comes to Art Deco interior design, there are several key elements you can incorporate including metallic surfaces, rich hues, and bold statement pieces.

Bold colours

Art Deco interior design is known for its colour palettes so rich they make Mark Zuckerburg look poor.

Jewel tones like sapphire, ruby, and emerald stand out in this style, often complementing glimmering accents of silver and gold.

To add depth and drama, black can be used as well, you know for a touch of the dramatic.

Sleek lines and geometric patterns

Bold shapes are essential to Art Deco interior design.

It can be something as easy as straight lines or maybe curved arches with added repeating lines for the drama.

Typical Art Deco patterns include triangle shapes, chevron lines, sunbursts, and Greek key designs.

Metallic pops

This is probably the aspect that most people think of when they think of this type of interior.

Gold, brass, and chrome accents are used across furnishings, fixtures, and finishes.

The key thing is to keep repeating these metals throughout your space to create a cohesive look.

Polished fixtures add a timeless look to any room, while mirrored accents help reflect these sparkling surfaces and open up any room.

Statement lighting

Though you might think of glittering chandeliers, you don't have to go quite as big, polished wall sconces would still give the vibe you're looking for.

You could try a table or floor lamp with an ornate base just to really complete the piece.

Yet if you really are committed to the design, you could invest in a chandelier.

There are a lot of options including elaborate and lavish or elegantly crafted from simple lines and shapes, showcasing polished metallic finishes.

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