Art Deco Movement
Key Characteristics
- ✓Bold geometric patterns including chevrons and sunbursts
- ✓Rich jewel-tone colors with metallic accents
- ✓Stepped and zigzag architectural forms
- ✓Luxurious exotic materials and veneers
- ✓Stylized figurative and animal motifs
- ✓Strong symmetry and repetitive patterns
Types & Variations
Common Materials
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Art Deco thrives on bold contrasts—pair dark lacquered furniture with gleaming metallic accessories. Use geometric patterns on one statement wall or in a bold area rug, and let mirrored surfaces amplify light and space throughout the room.
💡 Pro Tip
The secret to authentic Art Deco interiors is material quality over quantity. One exquisite piece of furniture in polished macassar ebony with chrome details will define a room more effectively than a dozen mass-produced Deco-inspired accessories.
Related Terms
Streamline Moderne
A 1930s evolution of Art Deco influenced by aerodynamic industrial design, featuring smooth curved forms, horizontal speed lines, chrome accents, and nautical references.
Hollywood Regency Style
A glamorous mid-20th-century style born from Golden Age Hollywood, characterized by dramatic contrasts, mirrored surfaces, lacquered finishes, bold colors, and luxurious textures.
Belle Epoque
The golden age of European culture and design (1871-1914) characterized by optimism, artistic innovation, luxurious materials, and a confident blend of historical styles with emerging Art Nouveau influences.