By Tash Prout
How to style your home with Art Deco interior design
Glitz, glamour, and indulgence in every detail – Art Deco is a trend that’s here to stay. If you’re dreaming of a luxurious living room with all the elegance of a Gatsby cocktail party, this interior style is an absolute must.
What is Art Deco?
First appearing in the early 1900s and standing the test of time and trends to grace living rooms around the world today, Art Deco is a sleek, refined design style. This eye-catching interior aesthetic is defined by its bold and bright jewel tones, streamlined geometric shapes, and use of premium materials.
The history of Art Deco
Associated internationally with the flappers and fancy of 1920s American style, Art Deco originated in early 20th century Paris, where luxury and exuberance was the mood of the moment. Straying from the ornate romance and elegant decoration of Art Nouveau, the Art Deco movement turned to all things sleek and simple, elevating uncomplicated shapes with opulent materials like marble, bronze, and ebony.
Nowadays, interpretations of the trend fuse contemporary colour palettes, furniture, and room layouts with elements of the authentic 1920s feel – think chalky pastels, playful arches, and enough gold accents to make your head spin. And the best part? It’s ever-evolving, so your Art Deco living room will never go out of style.
Art Deco colours and textures
In the early days of Art Deco interior design, colour schemes oozed luxurious Fifth Avenue boutique hotel vibes – bold, elegant jewel tones with plenty of gold accents and even more drama. Whimsical pastels and clear, feminine brights took centre stage as the style evolved, making way for the range of shades in modern Art Deco colour palettes.
Discover which sofa material is right for you with DFS
How to style an Art Deco interior
Ready to swap bland for bold and go all in with the glitz and glamour of this eye-catching style? Check out our top tips for implementing an opulent Art Deco interior in your home.
Art Deco sofas
Rounded edges and elegant fluting are the name of the game when it comes to Art Deco sofas. Soft and streamlined profiles perched on striking gold legs feel right at home in this opulent style, even better when upholstered in high-impact velvet to promise sink-in luxury for both you and your guests. But why stop there? Add geometric soft glam to your Art Deco living room with an arched accent chair, like Essie.
Art Deco beds
Style doesn’t stop when you’re sleeping. Our Art Deco beds are as eye-catching as they are inviting, with stepped profiles, feminine fluting, sophisticated scalloped edges, and smart storage to keep your Gatsby-worthy bedroom practical and clutter-free. Take the Clio: a stunning, statement headboard with ottoman storage, the perfect stage for your silk pyjamas, velvet throws, and overflowing book collection.
Art Deco furniture
No Art Deco living room is complete without a splash of cocktail party elegance. When shopping for pieces that ooze 1920s opulence, look for streamlined shapes made from premium materials, like sleek glass coffee tables lined with gold or dining sets with a curved marble pedestal table. Slip into the breathtaking Blaire dining chair to enjoy a Cosmopolitan or two, channeling your inner Daisy Buchanan with a 360-degree swivel that puts the social in socialite.
Art Deco accessories
Whether you’re a minimalist maestro or live by a more is more mantra, you’ll need to get on board with accessories to perfect your Art Deco finishing touches. Here’s where your luxurious living room becomes a little more you – but which direction will you take? Do you lean into all things life of the party with a charming cocktail trolley, or soften the scene with rouche scatters sprinkled across sofas? Whatever your thing, choose mirrors, ornaments, and frames that match your colour scheme to pack plenty of personality into your Art Deco escape.
FAQs
When was Art Deco popular in the UK?
The Art Deco trend hit the shores of the UK and Ireland in the early 20th Century, taking inspiration from across the channel to incorporate geometric, streamlined shapes and premium materials in design. Art Deco architecture began to pop up around the 1930s and 1940s, with iconic buildings such as Battersea Power Station and Dublin’s Kodak Building adopting the style, while post-war mass production made it easier for Art Deco interior design to later feature in everyday homes.
What is the Art Deco movement?
Taking its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes – a decorative arts and design exhibition – in Paris 1925, the Art Deco movement refers to the boom of modern glitz and glamour in industrial design in the first half of the 1900s. It’s generally considered to have spanned from the 1910s to 1950s, wearing many hats as the style was shaped by the world around it, with a distinct look of geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and exuberant colours.
What style is Art Deco interior decorating?
Extravagant by design, an Art Deco interior is a surefire winner for anyone yearning for a maximalist living room – but it’s not just for the more-is-more lovers!
Elements of Art Deco can be easily slotted into a whole host of styles to suit you and your space: luxurious geometric furniture and rugs feel right at home in a travel-inspired interior; a grandiose, fluted cream headboard adds the perfect amount of glam to a coastal bedroom; and a bright retro living room can only be improved by sleek and simple accessories in bold jewel tones.
Get inspired
See how our customers add their own thing to their Art Deco style – then share your own, by tagging @dfs!
Not your thing?
Explore the latest styles and trends to find the thing for you.
