17 Ways To Bring Art Deco Style Into Your Living Room That Feel Right For Today
Step back into the glamorous 1920s without leaving your modern comfort zone.
Art Deco style brings together bold geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and stunning metallic accents that can transform any living room into a sophisticated retreat.
While this timeless design movement originated nearly a century ago, its elegant elements work beautifully in today’s homes. Ready to add some vintage glamour to your space?
1. Bold Geometric Patterns
Transform your walls with eye-catching zigzags, chevrons, and diamond shapes that scream 1920s sophistication. Wallpaper featuring these striking designs instantly creates a focal point that draws attention without overwhelming the space.
Consider using geometric patterns on just one accent wall to maintain balance. Mix different scales of patterns throughout your room with throw pillows, rugs, and artwork for a cohesive yet dynamic look that feels both vintage and fresh.
2. Mirrored Furniture Pieces
Nothing says luxury quite like furniture that literally reflects your good taste. Mirrored side tables, consoles, and coffee tables bounce light around your room while adding that essential Art Deco glamour factor.
These reflective surfaces make smaller spaces appear larger and brighter. Pair mirrored pieces with rich fabrics and warm lighting to prevent your room from feeling too cold or sterile while maintaining that sophisticated edge.
3. Dramatic Color Contrasts
Forget subtle color schemes – Art Deco thrives on bold combinations that make a statement. Think deep emerald green paired with gold, or rich navy blue contrasted with crisp white and silver accents.
These striking color pairings create visual drama without being overwhelming. Use your boldest colors on larger pieces like sofas or curtains, then balance them with neutral walls and metallic accessories for a look that’s sophisticated rather than chaotic.
4. Luxurious Velvet Upholstery
Sink into the plush comfort of velvet seating that instantly elevates your living room’s elegance quotient. This sumptuous fabric was a favorite during the Art Deco era and remains timelessly sophisticated today.
Choose jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, or deep purple for maximum impact. Velvet catches and reflects light differently throughout the day, creating an ever-changing visual experience that adds depth and richness to your space.
5. Gleaming Brass Accents
Add warmth and sophistication with brass elements that catch and reflect light throughout your space. Unlike cold chrome or silver, brass brings a golden glow that feels both vintage and surprisingly contemporary.
Incorporate brass through picture frames, lamp bases, cabinet hardware, or decorative objects. The key is using brass consistently but not overwhelmingly – a few well-placed pieces create cohesion without looking like you raided a thrift store.
6. Striking Sunburst Motifs
Capture the optimism of the Roaring Twenties with sunburst designs that radiate energy and sophistication. These iconic motifs appeared everywhere from building facades to furniture details during the Art Deco heyday.
Today, sunburst patterns work beautifully as wall art, mirror frames, or even area rug designs. Choose pieces with metallic finishes to enhance the light-catching quality that makes these motifs so captivating and timelessly elegant.
7. Sculptural Statement Lighting
Illuminate your space with fixtures that double as works of art, featuring the geometric forms and metallic finishes that defined 1920s design. These aren’t just light sources – they’re conversation starters.
Look for chandeliers with angular arms, table lamps with stepped bases, or floor lamps with dramatic silhouettes. The interplay of light and shadow created by these sculptural pieces adds another layer of visual interest to your Art Deco-inspired room.
8. Chevron Pattern Flooring
Ground your space with flooring that makes a bold statement through classic chevron or herringbone patterns. These dynamic designs add movement and visual interest to your room’s foundation while staying true to Art Deco principles.
Whether using hardwood, luxury vinyl, or even area rugs, chevron patterns create a sophisticated backdrop for your furniture. The directional flow of these patterns can even make your room appear larger and more dynamic.
9. Sophisticated Black Elements
Embrace the power of black as a sophisticated neutral that grounds your Art Deco scheme beautifully. Far from being dark or depressing, strategic use of black creates dramatic contrast and timeless elegance.
Consider a black accent wall, glossy black furniture pieces, or black window treatments paired with metallic accents. Black provides the perfect backdrop for showcasing your colorful and metallic Art Deco elements while maintaining visual balance.
10. Curved Furniture Silhouettes
Soften the angular geometry of Art Deco with furniture featuring graceful curves and rounded edges. These pieces add a touch of feminine elegance to balance the style’s more masculine geometric elements.
Look for curved sofas, round ottomans, or chairs with flowing lines. These organic shapes create visual relief from all those sharp angles while maintaining the period’s emphasis on sculptural, statement-making furniture pieces that demand attention.
11. Transparent Glass Coffee Tables
Create an airy, sophisticated atmosphere with glass coffee tables that seem to float in your space. These transparent pieces maintain visual flow while providing essential function – a perfect balance of form and practicality.
Choose tables with interesting geometric bases in metal or stone to add Art Deco flair. Glass surfaces reflect your room’s lighting and colors, amplifying the glamorous atmosphere while keeping sight lines open and uncluttered.
12. Balanced Symmetrical Layouts
Channel the era’s love of order and balance by arranging your furniture in perfectly symmetrical compositions. This formal approach creates a sense of harmony and sophistication that’s quintessentially Art Deco.
Position matching lamps on either side of your sofa, center your coffee table precisely, and balance artwork symmetrically on your walls. This deliberate arrangement creates a polished, intentional look that feels both elegant and timeless.
13. Rich Jewel-Tone Palettes
Paint your world in the deep, saturated colors that defined Art Deco luxury – think sapphire blues, emerald greens, and amethyst purples. These rich hues create depth and drama while feeling surprisingly contemporary.
Use jewel tones on key pieces like your sofa, curtains, or accent wall, then balance them with neutral backgrounds and metallic accents. These colors photograph beautifully and create a sophisticated atmosphere that’s both inviting and impressive.
14. Polished Chrome Detailing
Add cool, modern sophistication with chrome accents that reflect light and create visual interest throughout your space. This sleek metal finish was revolutionary during the Art Deco era and remains timelessly elegant.
Incorporate chrome through furniture legs, picture frames, or decorative accessories. The reflective quality of chrome creates bright highlights that complement both warm and cool color schemes while maintaining that essential Art Deco glamour factor.
15. Exotic Wood Veneers
Bring natural luxury into your space with furniture featuring rare wood veneers like zebra wood, rosewood, or burled walnut. These exotic materials were prized during the Art Deco era for their striking grain patterns.
Today, you can find furniture with these distinctive wood patterns that add warmth and texture to your room. The natural variations in grain create visual interest while the rich colors complement your metallic accents beautifully.
16. Elegant Decorative Screens
Define spaces and add privacy with decorative screens featuring geometric cutouts or artistic panels. These functional art pieces were popular during the Art Deco era and work beautifully in today’s open-concept homes.
Use screens to separate your living area from dining space, hide unsightly storage, or simply add vertical interest to empty corners. Choose designs with metallic finishes or geometric patterns that complement your overall Art Deco aesthetic perfectly.
17. Bold Statement Wall Art
Crown your Art Deco living room with artwork that commands attention and reflects the era’s love of bold graphics and geometric forms. Think large-scale pieces with strong lines, metallic accents, and sophisticated color schemes.
Choose artwork featuring stylized figures, geometric abstracts, or architectural motifs that echo the period’s aesthetic. Frame pieces in metallic or black frames to maintain cohesion with your overall design scheme while creating impressive focal points.
