Art Deco Interior Design: Colors, Furniture & Ideas

Art Deco interior design is a 1920s–1930s style built on bold geometry, symmetry and luxurious materials. It pairs black and gold with jewel tones like emerald and sapphire, and uses lacquer, marble, brass, mirrored glass and exotic wood veneers. Sunbursts, chevrons, fan shapes and stepped silhouettes repeat across furniture, lighting and walls.

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What is Art Deco style?

Art Deco took its name from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, where French designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann showed furniture in macassar ebony, ivory-toned shagreen and lacquer. The style drew on machine-age speed, Cubism and newly excavated Egyptian motifs, then spread to New York skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and to ocean liners and cinemas. It returns every few decades because its strong geometry and polished materials make a room look finished and intentional, and it mixes well with modern layouts.

Art Deco color palette

Lacquer black#1A1A1A
Antique gold#C9A227
Emerald#046307
Sapphire blue#0F52BA
Ivory#F2EBDD
Dusty blush#D8A7A0

Key features of Art Deco design

1
Strict symmetry: furniture, lamps and art are arranged in matched pairs around a central axis.
2
Geometric motifs such as sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags and fan shapes repeat on walls, floors and textiles.
3
High contrast between black and a metallic, usually gold or brass.
4
Stepped, ziggurat-like silhouettes on mirrors, headboards and cabinet tops.
5
Glossy surfaces such as lacquer, marble and mirror that reflect light around the room.
6
Rounded furniture forms, from curved sofas to drum side tables, offset by sharp graphic patterns.

Materials

Black or high-gloss lacquer
Burl walnut and macassar ebony veneers
Nero Marquina and Calacatta marble
Polished brass and chrome
Mirrored and etched glass
Cotton or mohair velvet
Black-and-white terrazzo or hexagon tile

Furniture

Channel-tufted velvet sofa with a curved back
Waterfall-edge console or sideboard in burl veneer
Round pedestal dining table with a marble or lacquer top
Shell-back or scallop armchairs in jewel-tone velvet
Mirrored or eglomise side tables
Tiered glass or alabaster pendant light
Sunburst wall mirror around 80–100 cm across

Art Deco style room by room

Art Deco living room
Center a curved velvet sofa on a fireplace or media wall, flank it with matching brass floor lamps, and lay a rug with a fan or stepped border.
Try it on your living room
Art Deco bathroom
Use black-and-white hexagon or basketweave floor tile, a pedestal basin, a stepped mirror and polished brass or nickel taps.
Try it on your bathroom
Art Deco dining room
Hang a tiered glass pendant about 75–85 cm above a round pedestal table and add a wall of fan-pattern wallpaper behind the sideboard.
Try it on your dining room

Mistakes to avoid

Gold on every surface; limit metallics to two finishes, such as brass hardware and one gold light fitting.
Mixing too many geometric patterns at the same scale; pick one large motif and keep the others small.
Flat matte furniture with no sheen; add at least one lacquered, marble or mirrored surface per room.
Confusing Art Deco with Art Nouveau; swap flowing vine and flower curves for straight lines, fans and steps.

Get the Art Deco look on a budget

Paint a plain dresser in black gloss and swap the knobs for brass fan or ring pulls.
Apply removable geometric wallpaper to one wall or the back of open shelves instead of the whole room.
Look for second-hand waterfall dressers and round mirrors from the 1930s–1950s, which are often cheaper than new reproductions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colors are used in Art Deco interiors?

Art Deco interiors are based on black, gold and ivory, accented with jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue and deep ruby. Softer schemes use blush, peach and silver. A common rule is one dark base, one metallic and one jewel tone, repeated across upholstery, wall color and accessories so the room reads as a single scheme.

What is the difference between Art Deco and Art Nouveau?

Art Deco uses straight lines, geometry and symmetry, while Art Nouveau uses flowing organic curves inspired by plants and flowers. Art Nouveau peaked around 1890–1910; Art Deco followed in the 1920s and 1930s. Deco favors lacquer, chrome and marble, whereas Nouveau favors carved wood, stained glass and wrought iron shaped like vines.

How do I make a modern room look Art Deco?

Add a curved velvet sofa or armchair, one sunburst or stepped mirror, brass lighting and a rug with a geometric border. Arrange pieces symmetrically and introduce one glossy surface such as a marble side table. You can keep modern walls and flooring; three or four strong Deco pieces are enough to set the style.

Is Art Deco still in style?

Yes, Art Deco remains popular, especially its curved furniture, fluted wood, arched mirrors and brass lighting. Current versions use lighter backgrounds and fewer motifs than the originals, often pairing one Deco statement piece with modern furniture. The style works well in apartments because its symmetry and reflective surfaces make small rooms feel organized and brighter.

What furniture is typical of Art Deco?

Typical Art Deco furniture includes channel-tufted sofas, shell-back armchairs, waterfall-edge dressers, round pedestal tables, mirrored side tables and lacquered cabinets. Pieces have rounded or stepped silhouettes, polished finishes and fine veneers such as burl walnut or macassar ebony, with brass or chrome feet and handles.