Gabilio Home: Art Deco Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know About This Style

While some may argue the era of Art Deco interior design is over, it’s undeniable that its spirit lives on.

When we’re talking about Art Deco, generally we’re thinking of the style and aesthetic most popular during the 1920s and ’30s, Often defined by geometric patterns and motifs, bold jewel tones, and rich material palettes, the interior design style is opulent and decadent.

These days, we probably wouldn’t do a whole authentic Art Deco interior, but we like to use bits and pieces, and use them in a contemporary setting.

Now we will let you know everything you need to know about Art Deco style, from its history to modern interpretations, and how you can bring the luxurious look into your home.

there are two ways to think about Art Deco design: the historical roots and the modern renditions. Of course, to appreciate the latter, you first have to understand the former.

History of Art Deco interior design

Historically, Art Deco, which is short for arts décoratifs, started in France in the early 1900s. “But it really flourished in America in the ’20s and ’30s,” Moon explains. Generally categorized as the style of art, interiors, architecture, and product design popular in the era between the First and Second World Wars, it didn’t get its name until 1925 during the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which was held in Paris and was the first time the style was exhibited. Designs of this time were often defined by a streamlined look—generally composed of simple lines and geometric shapes for ornamentation—made from expensive materials. When we think of Art Deco, we picture symmetrical, geometric, streamlined pieces with simplistic form.

What is the difference between Art Deco and Art Nouveau?

While Art Deco and Art Nouveau were both extremely popular styles—and did feature some similar qualities—there are a few distinct differences. Generally, Art Nouveau was much more organic, often making use of more fluid, curved lines. Art Nouveau, though seen in architecture, is most prevalent in the decorative arts. It originated in the 1880s and often featured forms and motifs inspired by vines, flower stems, or other natural elements. Art Deco, on the other hand, made use of straighter, geometric, and more streamlined shapes.

Is Art Deco in style?

While Art Deco is not in style the same way it used to be, that doesn’t mean there is no longer merit or beauty to the aesthetic. Generally, architecture and design historians see the start of World War II as the end of the Art Deco period, though the look had been fading for some time. Designers from the Bauhaus school—which was forced to close in 1933 under Hitler’s rule—migrated to other parts of the world, including the United States, bringing with them new ideas focused on simple, functional design. After the war, aesthetic values slowly started to change, switching to a utilitarian, unornamented standard and ushering in the era of international and midcentury-modern styles pioneered by visionaries like Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. Following the Great Depression, many of the original principles of Art Deco—like rich materials and opulent ornamentation—were no longer affordable and, in some situations, no longer desirable.

Modern interpretations of Art Deco

However, like most interior design trends, tastes and principles are cyclical, and nothing is ever truly over. These days, it’s not overly common to see true-to-the-era replicated versions of Art Deco interiors. Instead, many modern designers opt for capturing the spirit of the Art Deco period by borrowing elements and embodying the principles of the movement. A lot of people have said my apartment is very Art Deco, although we can't say particularly it is an Art Deco apartment, but it does have a lot of those qualities.

Defining elements and characteristics of Art Deco interior design

For anyone looking to create a modern Art Deco look today, it’s best to understand the classic Deco elements in order to most appropriately reimagine them in a modern way.

What are the key design elements of Art Deco?

Though not an exhaustive list, the following elements are generally used in Art Deco interiors:

Streamlined, symmetrical forms
Geometric designs as ornamentation; it’s common to see shapes such as:
- Trapezoids
- Triangles
- Zigzags
- Chevrons
- Sunbursts
Rich material and textile palettes, including:
- Lacquered surfaces
- Brass
- Stainless steel
- Gilt
- High-end upholstery fabrics
Ornamental light fixtures such as chandeliers or sconces

What are the main colors of Art Deco?

If you’re going back to traditional Art Deco in the ’20s, they used a lot of very rich, jewel tone color palettes, Often this was complemented by more neutral shades such as beiges, creams, or slightly muted yellows. Modern Deco interpretations can lean a bit more minimalist, but often still include bold colors.

Modern Art Deco

We will show you here some examples of Modern Art Deco spaces

How to achieve Art Deco interiors in your house

I think Art Deco is always in style, I think you just use bits and pieces.” When it comes to your home design, you don’t have to live in a perfect replica of the Great Gatsby mansion to channel the romance of the Art Deco era; instead, it’s all about embracing the more luxurious, bolder parts of life.