Art Deco decorating - 10 ideas

The Art Deco style is typified by geometric and angular shapes, chrome and glass, with theatrical contrasts such as glossy black lacquered furniture mixed with satin and fur. Themes that were reflected in home design include skyscrapers and aeroplanes, echoing the advancements of the day. The influences of art nouveau also meant that organic shapes featured strongly, such as shells and sunrises, plus the early influences of Hollywood.

Art Deco began in Paris in the early 20th century but was isolated to society's elite. It wasn’t until the twenties and thirties and mass production that the look could be adopted by the masses throughout Europe. This coincided with the advancement of travel, when African safaris were all the rage. This can be seen with the influences of animal skins, ivory, mother-of-pearl and tortoisehell. We have a range of Art deco decorating ideas to inspire and delight.

A monochrome palette is a fantastic choice for decorating your bedroom using Art Deco-inspired designs. Choose bedding with geometric black-and-white patterns and team with mirrored and high-gloss furniture such as a dressing table or wardrobes.

A pared-back neutral colour scheme is ideal for an Art Deco decorating influence in your living room. Choose Art Deco inspired soft furnishings in neutral tones with dark-brown glossy or glass coffee table. Add large framed black and white photos on the wall and accessorise with satin cushions and faux-fur throws. An animal print rug will add a bold focal point to the room.

For an Art Deco inspired bedroom, go for stark white walls as a simple backdrop and choose silk bedlinen with plumped up pillows and black silk cushions. To complete the look, choose black glossy bedside tables and a chrome anglepoise bedside lamp.

For a softer look in a bathroom, pale blue walls are very effective teamed with black vinyl flooring. Add a large Art Deco style mirror to reflect light into the room and increase the feeling of size and choose monochrome accessories such as a blind or curtains.

1/10 Parisian-style geometric cushions

Art Deco style was born in Paris in the 1920s and has been influencing glamorous and eclectic interiors ever since.

These ultra-stylish cushions evoke the linear symmetry associated with the era and are guaranteed to add a touch of period drama to your living room. Athough we'll pass on the Eiffel Tower statue...

2/10 Art Deco-style living room with Taccia lamp

The Taccia table lamp takes centre stage in this pared-back living room and ensures the look is oozing with simple elegance.

The Castiglioni Brother's didn't create their masterpiece until the 1960s but we reckon they were Art Deco fans - the searchlight silhouette and mirrored surfaces evoke the era to perfection!

3/10 Art Deco-style muted pink living room

A neutral scheme with pastel and monochrome accents suits an Art Deco setting.

Add to the mix some period furniture and moody artwork and your interior makeover a la The Great Gatsby is complete.

4/10 Reading area with giant Anglepoise lamp

Whoever said that less is more had clearly never encounted this giant beauty of lamp.

George Carwardine's classic 1930s Anglepoise design is brought bang up-to-date in this quirky-yet-cosy reading corner and just goes to prove - the bigger the better!

5/10 Glamorous Art Deco-style living room with gramaphone

The details in this decadent living room may not strictly fit with our Art Deco theme, but we think the overall ambiance just screams 1920s Hollywood glamour.

We reckon Gloria Swanson and Greta Garbo would be perfectly at home in this modern twist on monochrome with clever use of inky blues. Cue the gramaphone...

6/10 Monochrome Art Deco-style home office

There's something unmistakably Hercule Poirot about this elegant black and white home office.

Allowing strong, decorative pieces to stand out in silhouette creates the kind of drama Agatha Christie herself would be proud of.

7/10 Art Deco-style living room with 1930s print

The 1930s canvas creates an eye-catching feature wall in this otherwise muted living room scheme.

The sculptural seating accessorise the clean, minimal space, giving it an unmistakable Art Deco feel.

8/10 Glamorous art deco bedroom with morrored lamp

This glamorous boudoir has got Art Deco written all over it.

From the sculptural mirrored lampshade, to the twenties-style flapper dress elegantly hung over the mirror, this bedroom evokes a bygone era in just a few simple flourishes.

9/10 Art Deco-inspired living room chair

Inky blues and greens, sculptural seating and a King George VI cushion set the scene in this pared-back Art Deco living room scheme.

We reckon the royal vintage vibe makes it the perfect setting for watching the impending jubilee celebrations!

10/10 Art Deco-style monochrome bathroom

The black and white checked floor in this elegant bathroom echos the Art Deco interior of London's Claridges Hotel.

With it's bold lines and the sweeping curves of the freestanding bath, it's the perfect room to retire to for spot of decadent pampering...with a glass of Champagne!

For more inspirational ideas for your home, why not take a look at our dedicated channels for living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms? And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest homes and interiors news.